Some Thanksgiving Travel Problems in Oregon Mountains, Highways
Published 11/24/2010
(Salem, Oregon) – Thanksgiving travel around Oregon is mostly not a problem, unless you're heading through the mountain passes. All flat and low lying areas, like I-5, are not reporting any issues, but higher elevations, especially in some spots in the Cascades, are reporting severe conditions.
Some of the mountain passes to and from the coast are reporting spots of black ice, packed snow and traction requirements, but not all.
Most of the problems in the coast range will dissipate during the daylight hours, and no major snow events are foreseen to add to the issue.
The Santiam Pass area on Highway 22 is bad enough that state troopers are advising drivers to not even tread that road if possible. Officials say you won’t be able to make it up those hills without chains. Traffic most of the way is going quite slowly, and those traveling this route are advised it could mean an extra two hours of travel time.
ODOT also urges the public to check Tripcheck.com before heading out, to make sure other problems haven’t kicked in.
On Highway 22, between Marion Forks and the Santiam junction, you are required to carry chains or traction tires regardless of conditions. Between MP 68 and 73 some spots of black ice have been reported.
On Highway 140 near Lake of the Woods (elevation 5105 feet), between Medford and Klamath Falls, chains or traction are required. Between MP 21 and 45, chains are required for larger vehicles.
The Cabbage Hill and Deadman’s Pass areas of I-84 – between Pendleton and La Grande – are requiring chains. Some black ice has been reported.
On Highway 140, at the Warner Mountain Summit, there is packed snow and chain restrictions between MP 0 and MP 5. Some snow drifts have been reported.
Highway 26 towards the mountains reports some packed snow on the road and traction tires or chains restrictions. The Blue Box Pass to the Highway 35/Warm Springs junction requires chains or traction tires.
At Highway 58, between MP 70 and 86.5, the Willamette Pass area is reporting chains required, especially any vehicle that is towing
On Highway 26 between Portland and the Oregon coast, packed snow has been on the road surface in the higher elevations and chains or traction tires are required. Between MP 37 and MP 45, at the Sunset Summit, are some of the problem spots.
Even at MP 24 there has been snow on the road.
No snow has been reported on Highway 18 between the Willamette Valley and the central coast.
Highway 6 between the coast and Tillamook is experiencing some packed snow on the higher summits, such as around 27 miles from Tillamook, and some black ice has been reported periodically. Snow tires or carrying chains is required.
The good news is that warmer weather is set to hit western Oregon bringing rain to most of the state on Thanksgiving, although higher mountain passes may still have problems. Parts of the Columbia Gorge may get some freezing rain later on Thursday. Full Oregon weather here. Oregon road conditions updates.
Oregon Coast Travel info |
