Best route to Couer d'Alene in March

[after oil]

Hiya
Me and my wife are loadin' up the ol' Space Antelope to travel to Billings, Boise, and Portland to see a band called Umphrey's McGee. Planning a stop at the Boiling River in Yellowstone and a jaunt down to the Oregon Coast for some late winter camping.

Given that: theres is lots of snow out there
Delicas dont do the 75mph that the Interstate is good for
Seattle traffic sucks

which is the best route and why?
north of Coeur d'Alene by 1/2 hour, along the 95, is my first veggie oil pickup.

im actually traveling from Powell River, leaving in Sunday morning.

thanks for your input

[Golf Cart]

At this time of year I'd go I-5 to I-90, but cut off Seattle via the 405.

I-20 would also work but its the climb through the Cascades into their version of the Okanagan. I -20 will get you north of Lake Chelan (South of Osoyoos by 90 miles)and you end up by-passing Wenatchee. The Spokane turn off is about half way between wenatchee and the 1-20 junction (it comes out on the Columbia and then you run parallel the river heading south )

I-90 would be the better bet as its better maintained due to the ski hill at the pass. Plus Leavenworth is such a cool little village.

Have a good trip!!!

[Profister]

Delicas dont do the 75mph that the Interstate is good for

I believe you meant 'My Delica does not do the 75mph...'. Right?

[after oil]

At this time of year I'd go I-5 to I-90, but cut off Seattle via the 405.

I-20 would also work but its the climb through the Cascades into their version of the Okanagan. I -20 will get you north of Lake Chelan (South of Osoyoos by 90 miles)and you end up by-passing Wenatchee. The Spokane turn off is about half way between wenatchee and the 1-20 junction (it comes out on the Columbia and then you run parallel the river heading south )

I-90 would be the better bet as its better maintained due to the ski hill at the pass. Plus Leavenworth is such a cool little village.

Have a good trip!!!

simple is good, I90 will be simple. thats good advise

State Hwy 20 was not on my list its actually closed this time of year
State Hwy 2 goes to Leavenworth

Delicas dont do the 75mph that the Interstate is good for

I believe you meant 'My Delica does not do the 75mph...'. Right?

well, she'll do it, but not so much loaded with veggie oil, up the big hills..

[marsgal42]

A no-brainer at this time of year: I-5 to I-405 to I-90. Seattle traffic isn't that bad.

Otherwise you're contending with Allison Pass, Kootenay Pass, Stevens Pass. They do a much better job of keeping Snoqualmie Pass open.

In the summer I'd do it differently, but not in March.

...laura

[mararmeisto]

Delicas dont do the 75mph that the Interstate is good for

I believe you meant 'My Delica does not do the 75mph...'. Right?

No, I'm pretty sure he meant "most Delicas" won't do 75mph - these vehicles were built for a country that has a national highway speed limit of 80km/h.

[Profister]

Well, I did not plan to start the discussion on Delica's top speed which is unrelated to this thread; I just pointed to the incorrect and misleading statement 'Delicas do not do the 75 mph...' because 120 km/h is the speed I cruise at to work every day in my Delica. This is quite comfortable speed for a Space Gear in normal circumstances. Star Wagons are a different story, I went though that. So, I would not even say 'most Delicas won't do 75 mph'. Also I do not believe that JDM vehicles are designed not to exceed 80 km/h because of the national traffic regulations.
Sorry for the off topic.

[after oil]

so far I90 is the leading contender, and a "no brainer. "

my thoughts regarding 75mph is thats kind of the bottom range for the interstate, and the top for the US and state highways. i drive 120km/h on the island hwy no problem.. but not 125 or 130 (although the space antelope has done those speeds)

[FalcoColumbarius]

Just a point of information: Although it is cheaper for me to cruise at 65MPH the MLB can cruise quite comfortably at 75MPH (120KPH), just costs more in diesel.

Falco.

[nxski]

Just a point of information: Although it is cheaper for me to cruise at 65MPH the MLB can cruise quite comfortably at 75MPH (120KPH), just costs more in diesel.

Falco.

Ditto, I've tested my max to be 130km/h with 2 boxes and a basket on top but the engine temp was almost at half and a lot of fuel was used.

[after oil]

save your banter about top speed and instead talk to me about the Best Route to Couer d'Alene!

[joedelica]

Definitely I5 to I90; just don't fall asleep through Moses Lake!
It's as close to flatland Saskabush as I will ever get, and a real yawn of a drive; not to mention it
is the only place that I have ever received an excessive speeding ticket (and not in a Deli!)!

Joe

[woodyacat]

My vote is for US 2. The road is a lot more fun then I90. We drove through in March a couple years ago and had a great time. Check out Dry Falls just south of Coulee City.

[woodyacat]

I now see that my vote came too late but my vote still stands

[CV-25]

With a Delica you are crazy not to take the Crowsnest Highway to Creston then straight south from Creston, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint then Couer d'Alene. If you were in a Lexus 430 then the Interstates for sure. The Creston border is not 24 hours but 1/2 hour East of that is Eastport, Idaho and it is 24 hours. I go across this area alot and the drive south of the border from those two points is cool. Sandpoint is a super hip little ski town (Schweitzer). The I5 is quicker without a doubt but km-wise won't be much different. Go back on the I5.......


cv