What Is Winter Driving Like In Oregon, Idaho, And Montana?

I'm considering a new job that will introduce me to driving in a few new states; including Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. I'm a bit nervous about it because I have little experience driving in those states and with winter coming, I'm concerned I picked a bad time to make a move. I've been in Idaho a bit but not during snowfall. Most of my winter driving experience was in the flatlands. When I've had to drive through more mountainous areas like Wyoming or Utah and the roads got bad, I shut it down more often than not.

How would you compare Wyoming and Utah to Oregon, Idaho, and Montana? Is it much different? Steeper grades? Do they take good care of the roads when they need plowed? Is truck parking plentiful?

In Montana, you will find some good mom and pop truck stops. The Town Pumps are good sized truck stops. Use weather and state DOT apps to keep up on road conditions. Watch for signs indicating mandatory chains required. Keep in mind road conditions can change. Once the sun comes up roads can improve. When roads get bad slow down or park it. No load is worth your life. Stay safe.

Washington and Oregon sees ALOT of cold rainy days in the winter, mixed with some freezing rain and snow. The worst of it by far is in and around the mountains - Hood , Raineier etc. I 84 is prone to ice and freezing rain and there are time ODOT will shut it down till its passable.

Bring and ensure you know how to use chains, this winter especially is going to be BAD around the mountains. We have already had more precipitation than usual for the PNW this time of year. I can tell you from experience as a long time PNW resident that the more rain Portland gets usually translates to roughly the same alot of snow in the mountains.

Make sure you have warm clothing, sleeping bag and spare water and food, wayt o cook food and personal sanitation supplies in case you get stuck and cant move.

Alotta good restaurant in the hood area👍👊

If you need more about the PNW , hit me up.

Moses

I'm considering a new job that will introduce me to driving in a few new states; including Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. I'm a bit nervous about it because I have little experience driving in those states and with winter coming, I'm concerned I picked a bad time to make a move. I've been in Idaho a bit but not during snowfall. Most of my winter driving experience was in the flatlands. When I've had to drive through more mountainous areas like Wyoming or Utah and the roads got bad, I shut it down more often than not.

How would you compare Wyoming and Utah to Oregon, Idaho, and Montana? Is it much different? Steeper grades? Do they take good care of the roads when they need plowed? Is truck parking plentiful?

I appreciate the replies. I have a feeling I would enjoy that region in the summertime so it might be worth learning to chain up and deal with the brutal winters.

Thanks again.

If the road conditions are treacherous to the point that you need to run chains for an extended period, best to shut down.

The lower 48 trucking ain't like what you see on TV from Alaska and Canada. Any company worth driving for will not expect you to risk your life, the cargo, their equipment. or your license to run on dangerous roads, beyond most driver's skill level.

Another thing is that the particular state will close a section of roadway if it becomes too dangerous.

PNW Winters can be difficult, but the year makes a lot of difference. My first year driving out of North Idaho I only had to chain up once, going into Montana. Made up for by the beautiful scenery and generally good parking (larger cities like Seattle/ Portland still suck) in my opinion.