Traveling to Minnesota in winter

wietelcutt · 09-07-2016, 06:05 PM

Does anyone have any information to give concerning travel up north in winter? It seems we may be needing to take a trip to Mayo in Minnesota and was wondering if travel should wait until spring. We didn't know if it would be safe to go in November or not.

Jagiven · 09-07-2016, 06:22 PM

Where are you coming from? What time of year?

Minnesota weather really is not bad. I drive the southern half of the state alot for work. I90 gets a lot of blowing snow across the highway. I35 is more traveled, and typically does not have the same blowing snow issue.

Nice thing about Minnesota we do not get many ice storms. Rain, a little sleet, and good old fashion snow. Main highways are kept well plowed and salted. If snowy drive a little slower.

One major key to winter driving is good tires, aka not worn down bald.

wietelcutt · 09-07-2016, 06:47 PM

We haven't RV'd in winter before. I guess I need to contact the RV campground closest to Mayo and see if they will have water on.

Kim Gass · 09-07-2016, 06:50 PM

I'd think it would be safe but with a trailer at minus 40 there are cold weather challenges.

We in Maine are fine at minus 40 ( which it isn't in November!).
People always ask me if we are dug out yet. They from away don't know that everyone has a snowplow, and the grocery stores never close unexpectedly. If it blows we just hunker. Food for a day and blankets and water are always a good idea if you are on the road.

After the storm is gone..give us 30 minutes to dig out.. we're then gone. I feel alot safer in Maine than say North Carolina the land of black ice..
Snow is not slippery when its below zero cold.

We do have winter campgrounds here and no none have water on. Bring your own and have a way to warm it.

wietelcutt · 09-07-2016, 07:24 PM

Thank you. I am thinking the trip might be challenging for us. How and where would you fill up with water if the water is shut off at an RV place in town? We are quite familiar with black ice here. Not cool.

Seann45 · 09-08-2016, 06:27 AM

Since you do not have your RV listed.. many of them cannot handle water in the system in the cold.. you may have to rely on 5 gallon jugs of water for cooking washing and flushing.. and I doubt you will find any campgrounds open there in the winter..

wietelcutt · 09-08-2016, 06:48 AM

Thank you Seann45. I've learned quite a bit about winter camping in the last 2 days. As much as I hate to put it off we may just have to wait until spring to go.

Kahoneys · 09-08-2016, 07:23 AM

Living 40 miles from Rochester I personally know that all campgrounds are closed by November 1. There are many nice hotels and if you need to go to Mayo for health care I am not a procrastinator so I would want to do it sooner rather than later!

Kim Gass · 09-08-2016, 07:29 AM

Are you going to Rochester MN

www.exploreminnesota.com lists several year round RV campsites

We won't use the water system in the RV in winter We keep five gallon jugs of water in the truck in the heated compartment.. The bigger the container the longer it takes to freeze.. We have hot tented in the winter and with the tent warm with a wood stove frozen water is not an issue

Same would go for the water in your rig .. remember not to use the sink toilet etc.

Plenty of people use RVs to boondock and snowmobile in the winter.

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