Earliest to Leave on Trans Am - West to East - 2016

[Phoenix]

Just in the Planning Stages but would like to hear when others think it safe to depart Vancouver south to the Trans Am and then East.  I know most folks go east to west but I grew up in Washington DC and would like to end there in an August time frame.  Not sure when best to depart from Vancouver however.  Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Phoenix

[RonK]

I'm in the other side if the world, but I've learned from CGOAB that the passes don't open until July. That may make your August timeframe difficult.

[jamawani]

Tuesday?

Phoenix - this question has been asked many times.
Did you do a basic search?

People have been doing the TransAm since 1976 -
Leaving in late May and early June from Oregon -
And getting to the East coast by August.

Some years, McKenzie Pass opens later -
But there is always the Santiam Pass option.

It also depends upon your riding style and speed.
12 weeks is a lot of time - many average riders do it in 10 weeks.
So if you left June 10th - you could arrive by August 20th.

Very doable.

[Phoenix]

Jamawani:

Sad to report I did not do a basic search - this was my first entry but will try and learn how to do that later today.  Mahalo for your input - most appreciated.
Phoenix

[staehpj1]

I know most folks go east to west but I grew up in Washington DC and would like to end there in an August time frame.

Actually I think about half of the people riding the TA go West to East.  We took 73 days riding every day, but not doing super long days.
Have a good trip.  It is a great route.

[MarkM]

Phoenix,
 I did the transamerica trail in 2012. Left Florence Oregon on June 3.  The first 4-5 days were colder than normal and I rode through light snow over McKenzie Pass. You can check with the Oregon Dept. of Transportation in Mid May to see if McKenzie is open. It opens for hikers and cyclist before it does for motorized traffic. The rest of the trip was normal summer weather for the areas I was in. Ended in Yorktown Va. mid August.  74 days total including rest days. Check out the crazyguyonabike.com website. Click on journals and then search Transamerica trail. You can learn almost everything you need to know.

Mark. AKA Hobodog.