I am planning on going to Seattle for Thanksgiving this year.....I just took delivery of my 05 MSC last week so I decided what the hell........why not drive?? Not having to worry about airports and all the people I thought it would be a really nice drive. So I have a few questions for those of you that live btwn the two cities...........even though I have my trusted V1 where are the speed traps? Where are some good places to stop and eat? Any feedback would be appreciated

 

CHECK OUT WWW.PSMINI.ORG it's local Seattle MC group

 

Just remember that the local constabulary don't particularly like Californians (in both OR and WA).
Also, WA highway patrol is pretty sneaky - waiting behind bushes in the hwy median, parked up roads alongside the hwy. I also heard that they use confiscated cars as their "unmarked" patrol cars - you never know who is driving alongside you in that "soccer mom" mini van.
Good luck!

 

I did a couple drives from the Bay area to Vancouver, BC, and all I have to say is watch out for LASER! Several times I've gotten hit with it, but luckily I was going the speed limit, with traffic, or less than 10 over, and they promptly ignored me. They really like using it in northern Oregon and Washington State (Ticket ppl, then buy upgraded equipment, ).

Northern California around Mt. Shasta and on towards the Oregon/CA border on I-5 is pretty sticky too, but the V1 has only gone off for Ka lately, no laser, K or X in that area (that are CHP related). Definitely keep your eyes peeled way ahead of you in the NW states, and I recommend going slower in the highway curves area on I-5 near Seattle or where limited visibility is at hand.

Have fun!!

 

Laser is the name of the game up there, I would strongly suggest not doing any excessive speeding as speed traps on 'the 5' are plentiful.

Here are a few that I have encountered after doing about 15 or so trips between Eugene OR, and SF:

1) After crossing into Oregon going through the Syskiyous(sp?) on the downhill side approaching Ashland, be wary. The five-o like to stage just at the end of the long sweepers trying to laser guys like us just trying to have a little fun.

2) Any of the long downhills that turn into really long straights are fair game, especially in Oregon. If you have any common sense whatsoever your cop-o-meter will be pegged in situations like this. It just screams speed trap, and most often is. Watch the trees off to the left of this long straight for the bored statie with a large laser gun.

3) Just after entering Eugene on 'the 5' you will enter a 55 zone. GO 55. The median is a favorite spot for the "Oregon Green" sheriff cars, once again with large laser guns.

4) Just outside of Eugene(5 miles), there is a small town called: Coburg. GO the speed limit here, or else. The police in the town have absolutely nothing to do besides sititng on the overpass and using laser to tag people on the freeway below. They are extremely unreasonable, I have stories, and you will NOT get out of a ticket here, don't even try. Coburg is by far the worst spot on the entire trip, go exactly the speed limit and act like you are drivin an F-150, lifted, and muddy.

After those spots everything is pretty smooth sailing, driving through Portland will be a little hectic(watch out for I-5 exiting, and an almost non-published exit for continuing on I-5).

The further north you go the better it will get. Just be wary that almost everyone up there has laser, or instant-on...I would almost tell you to throw the V1 out the window, but I would like it! It may do you more harm than good, as the police up there tend to not like:

A) People from California (ask me how I know, I lived there for 4 years!)
B) People from California who think they can beat their: "new fangled laser gun"
C) People from California who think they can beat their: "new fangled laser gun" with "another new fangled box".

All these add to a nice ticket. Honestly I would do the limit the entire way, you won't save any time going fast, and that nice new ticket is never really worth it.

Places To Eat:
1) Passing through Drain, Oregon stop at the local "American Diner" type place in downtown. Drain might have like 100 people living there, but this place has the best, I repeat..the best milk shakes ever. Really nice people as well. Drain is about 5 miles off of the-5.

2) In Eugene there is quite a selection. If you want to go by UofO there are a bunch of good places to eat right alongside campus (Maple Garden, Sy's Pizza, 19th Street Bar and Grill).

3) Heading up through Portland stop at a Burgerville (fast food type joint). They have some really great food, and it is only available in the northwestern states(Oregon, Washington). Great food and shakes.

4) Up North it is really unknown, I would personally hold out until I got to Seattle.

Hope this helps, I really miss it out there....Some beautiful country, and the best air anywhere!

Peter

 

What's your route? If you have time, I'd recommend taking 1 up he coast as far as possible.

Speed traps - If you take I5, slow down through Eugene and Salem. They also like to sit on or near overpasses north of the OR/WA border.

If you take the coast or feel like a detour, check out the Pelican Brewery in Pacific City, OR. In Portland there are many excellent brew pubs. Bridgeport, Lucky Lab, McMenamins. At several McMenamins you can catch a 2nd run movie with your meal. Check http://portland.citysearch.com for more ideas.

http://www.pelicanbrewery.com/
http://www.luckylab.com/
http://www.mcmenamins.com/

If you feel like detours near Portland, the drive between Astoria and Portland on either side of the river is good. I'd also recommend taking a couple hours to check out the falls to the east - 84 east for about 20 mins to exit 17, through Troutdale to the old Columbia River Hwy. Follow that all the way to Multnomah Falls. Great drive.

If you feel lucky, the drive up to St.Helens is fun, and is only a couple hour roundtrip from I5. The roads north of St.Helens are nice, as is the coast run in WA.

 

Thanks for the tips......I will most probably take the 5 just to save time.....so if you see a an 05 DS/DS w/british plates.........HOLLA!

 

One more thing if I am taking 5 all the way up would I have to worry about snow??

 

Siskiyou Pass can get snow in july ... between Redding and Grants pass might be a bit dodgy ...

If you've been watching the Mt.St.Helens VolcanoCam, you can see that the snow that's fallen there has melted off by the next day - so it's hit-or-miss!

 

Yeah, you could hit snow between Redding and Grants Pass. I'd bring chains and try my best not to use them. Watch the weather reports, and try to hit tha area during the day. If it's dry, it's a nice drive.

Even if it snows on St. Helens, it unlikely you'll see snow on I5 between Portland and Seattle.