Need advice - safest mountain passes to drive out West

Be cool on your stool neat in your seat well see you on the go around. 10. 4

 

I think running I84 thru Oregon would have just as many ups and downs as Western Montana/Idaho.
Less miles taking I90 or I94
You are right. You made it out of pennsyPennsy.
You have more experience than a lot of drivers out here and enough to make the rest of the journey.
The passes out west might be a little longer but not any steeper on the interstate.
Good luck.

 

This time of year the hills won’t be anything to worry about. Use common sense and you’ll be fine. If you’re going north of Seattle get off I-90 at exit 151 and take hwy 281 north to 28. Go west on 28 to Wenatchee then head west on 2. You will come out at Everett north of Seattle and miss most of the miserable traffic.

 

Be prepared for extreme scenic overload on I-90 between Spokane and Seattle. That's some of the prettiest country anywhere.

 

Take a detour up from I90, cruise to Calgary and take what we call the Taliban Road all the way to the coast. Once you get to Vancouver just head down to Seattle.

If you want to know what mountain roads are really like, try the route I have to take every day. It's more like a two lane goat trail, but what the hell. Interstates are nice, but ho hum. You'll have fun dealing with a minimum of 6% grades every few miles. Blind corners, rocks on one side, cliff on the other. And the route is infested with immigrant drivers pulling up to 145,000 lb trains. You can keep amused by counting how many trailers aren't on their side of the line when you go past them. For the full meal deal, go west of Kamloops on Hwy 1, and take the canyon all the way down. That is honestly my favorite, it's a drivers road. But for more thrills and chills, if it's during winter, by all means take to Coq from Kamloops. It has a delightful show named after it, called the highway through hell. But us regular folk call it The Smasher. When it was first built they said it was 14%, but gee, after saying it was only 10% for a few years, it's been 8% for the last couple.

Anyhow, earn your man card, and come play up here lol

 

Enjoy the cruise through Idaho. It's the one road in the states that reminds me of BC. But it's a whole bunch better. Just gear it down and ride the jakes.

Coming down from Snowqualmie in Washington is a long rife down without too many tight curves to shed some speed. But there isn't any nasty changes in the percentage. Just be aware that RVs also like the granny lane, and they tend to be even more nervous and slower than us. Lots of 4 wheelers racing down the hill across all lanes. So keep watch for the upcoming RV and whats in the lane next to you roaring down.

Enjoy...

 

You'll do fine bud, really no different other than the hills are longer. 7% is the steepest you'll encounter on the interstates. The 2 lanes are where things get sketchy

 

In my playground of BC Canada, almost every hill is at least 6%. lots of 8%, and can go all the way up to 14%. There are one or two monster grades that are 22%. Mostly 2 lane non divided roads. If you can drive here, the rest of North America is wimpy lol.

 

Not any that are unsafe, even in the winter. Respect the road your on and the weather conditions. Nothing to worry about. Keep your speed under control, you’ll be fine. When in doubt, slow down, keep right and don’t worry about what the other trucks are doing.

 

Dont remember the name maybe 4th of July pass in Montana,I would avoid that.Also Meacham Pass ,Cabbage avoid that on 84 near Pendleton Oregon.Yikes!!! You Dont mind excess driving? Theres passes ""All Around".Satus Pass near Goldendale,Wa.Snoqualmie on I90.(probably the safest)Ogden Utah has some passes.You have Vantage on i90.Manastash ridge on 82.Gnarly pass over by Clarkston Wa.I guess I90 and deal with the pass in Montana i think? And i90 Snoqualmie pass is about it.Maybe some one has better idea.Whichever way you venture...Leave a lot of space in front of you(YES...You May Have to stop on 6° grade,I have.Stay off brakes AMAPOSSIBLE.DONTHIT THE PASSES IN THE DARK,THERES ELK,DEER ETC,HARD TO SEE.You Should be Fine