Last night, I let MapQuest do some calculations for me. All one-way mileages and times. And, for comparison, Renton to Clovis, CA is 920.84 miles and 15 hours flat. The drive is faster to Clovis, but much less scenic and not nearly as pleasent! The route I took (from Renton, WA) to Edmonton, via Wenatchee, Osoyoos, Ft. Macleod, Calgary was 1,004 miles and 18h 42 min. Going N. on I-5, crossing into BC at Sumas, then Hwy.1 to Calgary and up to Eddie would only be 808 miles and 14h. 51m., they say. Going up I-5 and crossing at Sumas early on a week day wouldn't be bad. I can typically beat MapQuest times, not by exceeding the speed limit (much!), but by not stopping often. I also know how to pass on a 2 lane road (downshift and mash it)...some don't. I dislike taking the same route to/from, and year after year, so there's that, and I'll take a longer, more relaxing route without a lot of debate...
Bruce seems to like going West from Edmonton through Jasper National Park. Scenic, but not real fast, and pretty tiring. I would come back via Calgary, and Bonner's Ferry, Idaho next time. I went up that way the first time. MapQuest says 889.68 miles that route, and 15h. 37m. The border crossing there may not be open 24-7, but I'm going to try and find out. I seem to recall that either Hwy. 3 or Hwy. 1 across the Canadian Rockies both went through Glacier Park. As such, they ask if you're going to sightsee or just driving through. Apparently, you don't even have to stop at the kiosk if you're driving through. That doesn't mean that you can't stop to buy gas, food, or take a break.
I have threatened to go to Montana and hang a left, but that would be 1,252 miles and 19h. 29m. I again came back via Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Wenatchee...and I vow NEVER to do that again! It's great south of the border, but no fun on the Canadian side. The main routes in Canada are about like 1960's roads here...not so much freeway, and main highways often go right through town. A small town may or may not have a gas station, so you need to watch the fuel gauge! Driving early or late is not a good idea, because of venison on the roads. But dusk in Edmonton is about 10pm in August, and dawn would be about 5am (yes, I saw it!).
Very definitely a two day drive, but very beautiful and the contest, chow, beer, and friendship at the end of the trail is well worth it. Bring your best charge card! I went with about $12 in Canadian money, and never had a problem. Be sure to tell your charge card security dept. that you'll be driving to Edmonton, AB, and will not like them if they shut off your card when you're trying to buy gas to head for home (it happened to me a couple years ago). Using the charge or debit card is a lot easier than cash. Every time you change $ you lose. If you changed too much, and change it back to $US, you lose a second time. Food is a bit higher, gas is about $.75/gallon more, a decent beer is about $6, and hotels are about 30%-40% higher. Bruce knows where all the good restaurants are...with a trend toward steak and Italian food. The gang goes out to dinner
en mass every night, from Thursday through Sunday. It's a good contest, with a nice grass field, and deserves more support!
Steve
Topic: Prairie Fire is in the bag! (Read 4969 times)