LA to Spokane: US 395 vs. US 95

[Mike B.]

Hi all. I'll be taking a road trip from LA to Spokane sometime within
the next month. I was hoping to get some advice as to the pros and
cons regarding the two routes I'm considering. I'll be driving a fully
packed, three-cylinder Geo Metro hatchback.

Option 1: (California, Oregon, Washington) US 395 all the way from
Southern California to Spokane.

Option 2: (California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington) 395 to US 95
(via US 6 & SR 360), then taking 95 to US 195 to Spokane.

Issues of importance to me include difficulty of the drive (steep
grades, etc.); length of time required to complete the route; scenic
character; availablity of gas, food and rest areas; autumn weather
conditions; landmarks or areas of special interest worth seeing; and
enjoyability of the drive.

I made this trip last month via I-5 to US 97 to I-84 to US 395.
Particularly enjoyed the leg of the trip along 97 -- pretty country.
I'd take that route again, but I'd rather see something new and
different.

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mike

[Not the Karl Orff]

Post by Mike B.
Hi all. I'll be taking a road trip from LA to Spokane sometime within
the next month. I was hoping to get some advice as to the pros and
cons regarding the two routes I'm considering. I'll be driving a fully
packed, three-cylinder Geo Metro hatchback.
Option 1: (California, Oregon, Washington) US 395 all the way from
Southern California to Spokane.
Option 2: (California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Washington) 395 to US 95
(via US 6 & SR 360), then taking 95 to US 195 to Spokane.
Issues of importance to me include difficulty of the drive (steep
grades, etc.); length of time required to complete the route; scenic
character; availablity of gas, food and rest areas; autumn weather
conditions; landmarks or areas of special interest worth seeing; and
enjoyability of the drive.
I made this trip last month via I-5 to US 97 to I-84 to US 395.
Particularly enjoyed the leg of the trip along 97 -- pretty country.
I'd take that route again, but I'd rather see something new and
different.
Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I rode (on H-D) US 395 all the way up to John Day, OR? Grades were
pretty gentle and not too long if steep. Haven't been on the route on
US-95 south of US 50 but I can;t imagine it is too steep. Desolote
however.

The only long steep grade I can think of is coming up from the Bishop
area to the Mammoth area, and for a very short bit climbing out of Mono
Lake.