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What can i expect on I-84 from SLC toward WCSS location


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Im going to be driving from Denver to the show and route 84 is the way. Is this a bad road, tiresome, etc? Is it like a freeway I might have driven coming or going out of Denver that you know of? Similar to I-70 from Denver West?

 

Ill be in the Vanagon and am wondering how long to expect this to take compared to most interstates.

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I've only driven it along the Gorge, but that bit of it is a nice mix. Can be a little boring if you're tired, but traffic usually keeps you alert. Traffic usually moves at speed limit or better, the odd vehicle goes by at 80+. Some VERY pretty scenery, too.

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It's all interstate. Having driven it a few times going to Albuquerque and back, the section north of SLC is usually trafficked until you get past Ogden (but watch for radar). There's a cutoff to the NW just before crossing into Idaho which will save you some miles which is quite lonely. The section through Idaho gets traffic around the major cities and is quite boring. Once you get into Oregon, it will get pretty and quite hilly in spots (the section just before Pendelton is quite steep and truckers can lose their brakes easily there). Past Pendelton, it's quite boring until you get to The Dalles when it pretties up a lot. Take I-205 north as you approach Portland to save a few miles again; lots of facilities along here and traffic too. You'll merge with I-5 shortly after crossing into Washington. Interesting ride. Once you get into Idaho, you're less than 12 hours drive from Shelton.

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Don't be afraid to check a map and get off the freeway going through Idaho. We've got some pretty beautiful country and interesting things to see, but we don't keep most of them along the freeway. A couple of routes I'd recommend if you have a little extra time. Highway 55 north out of Boise, takes you through some really beautiful mountain country. Beautiful drive especially in something sporty like a suub. It meets up with Hwy 95 just past McCall about 2 hours north of Boise. Or stay on the Freeway until just before you get to Oregon and take the exit to Fruitland. When you get off the freeway you'll be on Hwy 95 and it takes you north through some great country, at Cambridge you're just a short sidetrip from Hells Canyon. Hwy 95 goes all the way to Canada, but you can cut west at Lewiston or Moscow.

 

If you want to stick to the Freeway, there's still plenty to see and do. Avoid westbound I-84 around Boise during the afternoon rush. We call it the westbound parking lot much of the time.

 

Once you get into Oregon I'd recommend a stop in Baker City, even if you just stop for lunch at the Geiser Grand hotel. It's a pretty neat step back in time. McNary Dam is pretty cool. If you're a windsurfer, Hood river has been rated as one of the top places in the world. It's where the Hood river dumps into the Columbia and even if you don't windsurf you may want to stop and watch all the colorful sails, you'll know it when you get there it's right along the freeway.

 

Have a great trip!

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Vanagon?

 

I hope you'll be expecting a razz or two for coming to a Subaru show in a VW. It's only fair, Hondasucks got "the business" when he showed up in that Mercury a few WCSSes back (boy, that was fun:lol: ).

 

Glad to hear you'll be there :grin: :grin: ..see ya at the Show.

 

:cool: :D:grin:

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Shawn,

 

Let me know when your going to be going through SLC. Maybe we can hook up for a bit?

 

As far as the freeway goes, it's good wide open freeway once you get out of the city. Keep it 8-9 over and no-ones going to bother you

(they'll be passing you :lol: ).

 

Talk to you later.

Glenn

82 SubaruHummer--gettin better all the time...

01 Forester--gettin driven all the time...

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Yeah, that grade before Pendelton is a biggie. I was bouncing between 3rd and 4th all the way up it. I could accelorate in 3rd, but couldn't hold it in 4th. Really coulda used a gear splitter that day.

US-95 north outa Fruitland is pretty, but it's grade climbing all the way. Boy, do I miss that state!

Have fun!

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