Driving to Leavenworth from Auburn in December. Which vehicle should I take?

Submitted by sweetpotatoy t3_yvqugc in Washington

Hello fellow washingtonians,

I am 18 years old and hoping to drive to leavenworth with my sister and best friends for a three day trip. I have a couple vehicles to choose from between our three families and I need some opinions on which car to take. The options are:

2022 Tesla 3 Long Range 2018 Toyota Rav-4 Limited 2020 Suburu Impreza 2018 Toyota Tacoma

All of the above listed cars are AWD

I have been driving for two years now, but I have limited experience driving in snow and winter conditions. I also have not driven through the pass in December. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

RenaissanceGiant t1_iwfrgl6 wrote

After AWD, I'd start with whichever has the best tires and chains/cables.

7

oishoot t1_iwfvtcq wrote

This! Tires with good tread rated for all weather and a set of chains. That’ll be all you need.

2

Nearly_Pointless t1_iwg19br wrote

Definitely not the Tesla unless someone changed the tires to a winter rated all season. EV tires are typically built for high fuel mileage, not cold weather traction. Wenatchee will be cold enough to make those tires hard rubber skis which won’t grip anything.

Of the group, I’d find the tire brands and models, compare them on Tirerack.com and choose the car with the best rated cold weather tires.

That and never follow closely, always assume you’ll need to stop at every intersection even if uncontrolled, drop speed a bit a bit for icy or snow covered roads and just relax. You’ll get there when you get there, don’t get pressured into having to be someplace.

That and remember that AWD doesn’t mean anything without decent tires. It’s only advantage is that in deeper snow or slick conditions with excellent tires, you’ll be an,e to keep moving. It doesn’t mean you can stop or turn better once you break traction. It makes it slightly better, not fool proof.

Every year in Spokane at every snowfall, all of the cars off the road are AWD or 4WD because they got fooled into thinking they can defy the laws of physics. They cannot, either can you.

Source, long time winter drive and a dad...listen to the old man here.

4

PiningForTheFnords t1_iwhogzo wrote

Battery life is affected by the cold also, so yet another strike against the Tesla or any other EV

2

MxAshk t1_iwhcf4j wrote

I grew up in Chelan, Douglas, and grant county. Take the Subaru and I strongly recommend you go around through George instead of taking blewitt pass. It will add extra time to your trip, but the the drive is safer, there are more services in case you need something, and the amount of time you'll be out of cell reception is minimal compared to the pass.

3

steelfork t1_iwgegkn wrote

The Tesla is fine in the snow but keep in mind that range drops in cold temps. Even if the map says you have enough charge to reach your destination you may have issues. There is a Tesla charger in Leavenworth.

2

Rocketgirl8097 t1_iwjtqid wrote

Also you never know when their could be accidents or other delays in the pass.

1

peggysue_82 t1_iwgo9vb wrote

Don’t risk the Tesla. You never know how long the drive back over the pass is going to take. It’s not unusual to be stuck hours in bad weather trying to get back home. You don’t want to lose charge and be the cause of another long delay.

Even if you have awd you need to get chains for whatever car you choose. Practice putting them on for your trip before you go. Watch some driving in snow videos for helpful tips.

Edit: Also hoping to drive over sounds like you haven’t made hotel reservations. Unless you are staying with family most hotels will be booked solid. Or will cost $$$ because it’s that time of year.

2

kkicinski t1_iwhsoye wrote

No problem with range on the Tesla. It will make it to Leavenworth with plenty to spare. There are superchargers in Monroe, Leavenworth, and Wenatchee so plenty of charging nearby.

2

peggysue_82 t1_iwhvkba wrote

Unless you’re stuck in a six+ hour back up. When it’s freezing or below and you tap your battery.

Also make sure you can access all of highway 2. It sustained a lot of damage with the fires.

1

kkicinski t1_iwhzyoc wrote

The Tesla can sit idle with the heat on for almost 24 hours. Unlike a gas engine, it’s not burning power while idling. The power is used to move it. If it’s not moving it’s using a tiny fraction of the battery.

2

peggysue_82 t1_iwi0s6e wrote

Well obviously the 18 year old who has no pass experience in the snow knows everything. Good luck to you, and hopefully it goes as you plan.

1

sweetpotatoy OP t1_iwhnp9s wrote

My friends grandparents have a cabin in wenatchee

1

peggysue_82 t1_iwhpqbv wrote

Definitely get chains, Wenatchee is a higher elevation

1

Unable-Page-2697 t1_iwhg9dy wrote

FYI, there is a difference between AWD and 4WD. Tacoma is 4WD. Main advantage the Tacoma has is ground clearance. But in general, I prefer AWD for low traction conditions like wet/icey roads.

2

DARTH_MAUL93 t1_iwgpzx1 wrote

If you take the Tesla there’s free parking at the charge stations. Otherwise you will have to pay for parking. There’s 2 chargers behind city hall but there’s also a Tesla charging park. Other than that I would recommend taking the vehicle you are most comfortable driving and or has the best tires for the weather.

1

neurotic_169 t1_iwh4862 wrote

Just a thought if you decide to take the Tacoma. The back end of those are very light and can get squirrely. The bed is made of a plastic composite. Consider putting some sand bags in the back or something for extra weight.

I own a Tacoma and Drive to Spokane every winter.

1

scanlikely t1_iwhn15u wrote

I have ridden both Rav-4 and Tacoma to Leavenworth in December. I prefer Tacoma because of the ground clearance and better AWD system.

1

spetey1004 t1_iwilq18 wrote

It also depends which pass you’re going to use. I’ve lived in WA my whole life and currently live in Chelan (north of Wenatchee). If you’re going i90 to Blewett you are required to carry chains on all vehicles Nov 1 to April regardless of AWD. If you are going highway 2 it depends on the day / conditions on if you’re required to have chains. I have both a Tundra and a Rav4 and they have been by far the best cars I’ve ever had for snow.

1

Rocketgirl8097 t1_iwjubhm wrote

For chains Les Schwab used to have a deal where if you buy them and don't use them they will buy them back from you the next spring.

1

Lupine-lover t1_iwk8fd2 wrote

It’s not about the car…traction tires rated for snow and hopefully, would be nice if 4x4 drive. You won’t need chains if you have traction tires but put them in the car just in case. There could be a lot of snow or no snow. I drive over to Winthrop once a month. Last year in early January I-90 was closed for 4 days due to 2 18 inches of snow in 24 hours. Be ready for anything! I always drive I-90, Blewett pass. Highway 2 is mostly 2 laner and dangerous, many fatal car accidents there.

1

Mr_Speedyman t1_iwfriw7 wrote

Depending on which car has the best winter tires either the rav 4 or the Tacoma. Both for visibility and traction. Subaru isn't a bad option, if it has good winter tires. Always see teslas in the ditches though, so probably the worst option there

0

Disillusioned-ish t1_iwgx1tp wrote

I’d recommend the Tacoma… great handeling, balance weight, lots of storage in the bed. But make sure tires are good. Keep chains…. Just in case. Practice putting them on.

0

mountainskank t1_iwgsb3i wrote

Tacoma. Better to have the best capability and not need it…

−1