Do You Need Snow Chains In Bend Oregon?

Chains are required in Oregon whenever winter conditions exist and SNOW ZONE signs are posted advising drivers to carry or use them.

Do you need chains in Bend Oregon?

You must use chains if your vehicle is towing or rated more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW). Chains must also be used on a trailer or vehicle being towed as described under Minimum Chain Requirements.

Do you need chains in Oregon if you have snow tires?

Oregon Tire Chain Laws
If you drive a vehicle with 4-wheel or all-wheel drive and use approved snow tires, you are exempt from applying chains to your vehicle, so long as your vehicle weighs under 10,000 pounds.

Do I need chains to drive from Portland to Bend?

In particular, it appears that every route from Portland to Bend includes sections where it is mandatory to carry chains, including US 26, OR 22, US 20, and even the I-84 route suggested by Mark. So if you don’t have chains, you can’t go.

Do you need chains with AWD in Oregon?

Conditional Closure: chains required on all vehicles, as seen this week on Portland highways, means just that: all vehicles. Studded tires do not count. 4×4’s are not exempt.

Is it a law to carry chains in Oregon?

Oregon law requires all commercial vehicles to carry chains whenever road conditions might require their use during your trip and signs are posted. The law also requires vehicles to chain up when signs tell you that conditions ahead require them. Start carrying chains before the weather takes you by surprise.

What are winters like in Bend Oregon?

Bend is typically a winter wonderland with an average 27 inches of snow each year. Average highs during December and January are right around 40 degrees, and average lows hover in the low 20s. However, night time temperatures can get brutally cold, dropping to -5 to -10 degrees.

Where are chains required in Oregon right now?

Chains are required in Oregon whenever winter conditions exist and SNOW ZONE signs are posted advising drivers to carry or use them. Oregon’s weather can change quickly and without warning. It’s a good idea to carry chains during the fall and winter months.

Do snow socks count as chains in Oregon?

The Autosock is approved as an alternative traction device to chains within this state based on its performance in keeping vehicles from getting stuck in adverse conditions.

Do I need chains with 4wd?

If I have 4-wheel-drive, do I need to carry chains? Yes.

What pass do you take to get to Bend Oregon?

The McKenzie Pass Highway, just 21 miles northwest of Bend, is a scenic drive that crosses Oregon’s majestic Cascade Range and passes through the firs and pines of two national forests.

What’s the coldest month in Bend Oregon?

December
The cold season lasts for 3.6 months, from November 13 to March 2, with an average daily high temperature below 48°F. The coldest month of the year in Bend is December, with an average low of 25°F and high of 40°F.

Are chains required on I 84 in Oregon?

Chains required on I-84 at Meacham for vehicles over 10,000 lbs or towing.

Do I need chains if I have AWD?

But it’s a common misperception that AWDs will drive like tanks in slick conditions. It’s recommended that you have either winter tires or snow chains on your AWD if you’re driving in a blizzard or icy conditions. Traveling with summer or worn all-season tires on any vehicle in winter is a safety risk.

Which tires do chains go on AWD?

If you’re driving an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicle, typically your chains will go on the front tires to boost traction when steering, but always double check your owner’s manual because those folks probably know your car better than we do.

Is it safe to drive in snow without chains?

Chain Requirements ​ ​
​Chains required on all vehicles except four-wheel drives with snow tires.

How many chains do I need in Oregon?

Single-drive axle solo commercial vehicles must have chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle. Tandem-drive axle solo commercial vehicles must have chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle. If both axles are powered by the drive line, on one tire on each side of each drive axle.

When should I use snow chains?

Essential Auto 101: When to Use Snow Chains

1. Do: use chains when there is a layer of fully compacted snow or ice.
2. Do: practice taking them on and off before you go.
3. Do: have the right chains for your wheel size.
4. Do: stop to adjust if they become loose.
5. Do Not: use chains where roads have been cleared.

How many tires need snow chains?

four tires
Driving with Tire Chains
Four-wheel drive vehicles should use tire chains on all four tires. You must use tire chains for those wheels on the drive axle for two-wheel drive vehicles, but it’s much safer and easier to control if you have chains on all four tires.

Does it snow a lot in Bend Oregon?

The average annual precipitation in Bend is less than 12 inches, over half falls between November and February, often as snow. Brief thunderstorms usually provide most of the light summer rain. The average annual snowfall is 33.8 inches. Snow depth in Bend exceeds 24 inches in only one winter out of twenty.

How often does it snow in Bend Oregon?

Bend gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 72 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.
Climate Averages.