Rte 97 from No Cal to Wa state

[Timkar]

Never having done it myself, I am looking for opinions on driving Hwy 97 (Turn at Weed in Northern California) to Canadian border at Oroville/Osoyoos.
In the past we have used I-5, but 97 will save us a couple of hours if the road is good and services are available.
TIA...Tim 

[Lee Bradley]

A very good road in Oregon and Washington can't speak about the California section.  More scenic than I-5 with plenty of small towns and goes through the heart of the Washington fruit and wine region. Some steeper sections than I-5 but I choice for north/south.

[larryh]

A very good road a few steep sec tions but go slow and enjoy the scenery and plenty of stops along the way about 20 miles from california line a big mtn Lion jumped across the front of bus and I drive a 4905 cruiser.

Larry Higuera

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Over the last few years we have done different sections of 97 depending on where we were going to at the time. Had never done the section between Madras and the Columbia river until 2 months ago when we started heading south. Good road, lot more to see than on the freeway.  When  headed north and you get past Yakima, take the Hiway 821 exit, ( its the second Selah exit, about a mile or so past the big fruit stand on the right) and go up thru the Yakima Canyon. Very scenic, same mileage as the freeway but a few minutes slower, and you don't have to go over 2 passes either.

[Timkar]

Thanks guys...Needed the info from the guys that have done it and sounds like it should be a good run. 

[TomC]

I've driven from Weed north to the Columbia River.  Far less up and down hills then interstate 5, less traffic, and very scenic.  Be sure to stop at the Logging museum near Chiloquin, Or-very interesting-room for RV parking.  You'll enjoy the drive-just don't do it in winter.  Good Luck, TomC

[RJ]

Tim -

You headed to the Okanagan Valley area of BC?  Kelowna, etc.?

If so, the 97 route is the alternate I use from Fresno to Kelowna, where my daughter lives.  It takes about an hour longer than going I-5.

Much more scenic, far less traffic, no significant grades to climb (Redding to Weed is worse).  Lots more two-lane, so passing/being passed is a trade-off.

Grand Coulee Dam north of Yakima is a nice little side trip, if you like that kind of thing.

If you aren't already aware, you cannot fuel your own vehicle in OR - a liberal-sponsored "make-work" law requires an attendant to do it for you.  (Guess Joe the Plumber's too dumb to put gas in his own truck. . . but I digress.)  Your coach should be able to make it all the way across OR w/o having to fuel, should that be an issue for you.

Should make for an enjoyable trip - you going soon?

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Dreamscape]

Tim -

If you aren't already aware, you cannot fuel your own vehicle in OR - a liberal-sponsored "make-work" law requires an attendant to do it for you.  (Guess Joe the Plumber's too dumb to put gas in his own truck. . . but I digress.)  Your coach should be able to make it all the way across OR w/o having to fuel, should that be an issue for you.

Should make for an enjoyable trip - you going soon?

FWIW & HTH. . .

It's mainly because they don't like to get out in the rain! And for the ladies, get that fuel smell on their soft hands!

I can just see my 84 year old Mom fueling up! NOT

[usbusin]

Dreamscape said; "It's mainly because they don't like to get out in the rain! And for the ladies, get that fuel smell on their soft hands!"

Just last week we were camped at Winchester Bay, Oregon and when we drove into Reedsport to gas-up the toad I realized, "Oh, we are in Oregon" as the young lady filled our gas tank.  Several days later as we were leaving I pulled in with our rig to fill with diesel, and when I got out to unlock the fuel tank, she said; "You can fill it if you want!".  I guess she didn't want to get her hands smelly with that diesel!

[Ed Hackenbruch]

If you do need to get fuel on 97, Gordy's truck stop is an easy in and out. It is just north of La Pine Oregon about a mile or two and is on the right side of the highway.

[Timkar]

Thanks again for additional info. We are picking up a coach, for a friend, from Yuba City next monday and bringing it home (30 minutes northwest of border).  We have to take 3 days to do it (clearance time required for paperwork on vehicle export) and will take the "scenic" route as well as enjoy the sites.
Tim

[gus]

RJ,

That's what I thought too after a few trips there in autos, but found they will let me fuel with diesel. He came out and started the pump while he fueled a car and then took my payment. Weird!!

The guy explained to me that diesel is not highly flammable like gasoline so I could do it?? A real bunch of bull!

One guy told me the policy is there mostly to provide employment, makes more sense than the others did.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

The unfortunate side effect of that law is that in Az. and other places in the winter you get a bunch of older people from Oregon that have no clue how to pump their own fuel. I have watched them take 10 minutes just trying to figure out how to use their credit card at the pump,.....and another 10 to figure out how to use the pump.

[Doug1968]

You should see those from Arizona trying to figure out how to change the wiper blades.

Everything is equal fellows!

Doug

[akbusguy2000]

I just got home last night from a trip in the 4106 (2470 miles) up through Eastern Oregon to Kennewick, Selah, Wenatchee, Everett, down I-5 to Grants Pass, over to Crescent City and down to Eureka, through Redding, Susanville, Reno and back home in Twin Falls.  It was all beautiful and troublefree.

A couple of comments:

Even though the stations in Oregon don't normally let you pump your own, for whatever reason, diesel prices are noticeably lower than in Idaho, Washington, or California.

If you're headed as far north as Wenatchee, take a side trip to Leavenworth and spend the day.

To test your coach's performance and reliability - and your nerves, plan a trip on California 299 from the coast to Redding!  RJ - ever done that one?

tg