Yep. And this is why I'm strongly encouraging him to buy dedicated winter tires (in addition to all the other good advice).

Imagine asking this question back in June. "I'm going to be driving to NE Ohio in mid to late November..."

If he got the "average weather" advice, he'd do well to just run what he brung and not worry about it. Fuck, just jump in the van and go...

...until it's not that way. He would have been SCREWED following "normal" advice from native Ohioans, if he drove up here in the last 5 days or so.

I say - assume close to the worst, while accepting and acknowledging that it's unlikely to happen. And be okay with that. The only real variable worth considering is the purchase of winter tires. For everything else mentioned in this thread? Nobody ever bitched that they had too many warm blankets, or too much water and food in their mini van. Nobody ever said "I'm really kicking myself for buying new wipers, washer fluid, a snow and ice scraper, a small shovel, and a fresh battery". Know what I mean?

Get your tires aligned. A barely noticeable alignment problem on pavement isn't a big deal. That same problem on snow, slush or ice........... Not fun at all. It will leave an experienced winter driver white knuckled and frazzled.




Plus all the other good advice

Ok, now the  important question.

Do I stick with my Glock 26 for the trip or bring the 19?

I have a CCW. I remember last time to Peoria, I was good to go for all the states, and since I have no plans on visiting Commiegago I should be ok.

Then I will be heading east to  VA, through  IN, OH, PA, MD,  so I should be good there to.  Do I have a issue crossing through DC?  I will staying in  Alexandria.

You're from the South, if you're anything like the people in NC you need to buy some tires. You're probably well past 80% worn and that cheap ass Wal-Mart/Discount/Kelly Springfield dealer only store line garbage is worthless on anything but bone dry dust free pavement.

Beyond that, drive fast and take chances. IL is mostly flat, as is everything N of TN and E of the Apps. Driving on snow and ice is no big deal. Change speed before or after turns, not during. You can slow down without braking, it's true, try it, just not in a corner, unless you want to have some fun. Steer smooth, you can't really steer and brake hard at the same time even with ABS. In a FWD you can sometimes pull out of a skid by counter steering and gentle acceleration, you will never recover by braking. Drive that bitch all the way into the ditch if it happens, often by steering you can actually avoid what you're trying to avoid, vehicles can typically turn on ice and snow much faster than you're comfortable doing it.  If you intend throw your hands up and let jesus take the wheel do the world a favor stay home.

No you don't need chains, there are no chains required mountains on your route and light vehicles with good tires shouldn't need them anyway.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Most northern states' departments of transportation maintain web sites showing current road conditions. Search for “road conditions” for each of the states you'll be traveling through. Save those sites in your laptop or phone and check them before you leave and while traveling. For example, here is the link to the road conditions site for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Road Conditions

As someone mentioned earlier, keep your fuel topped off so if you do get stranded you can run the engine and heater to keep warm. If you spin out and get stuck (1) be sure the tail pipes are clear before running the engine, (2) crack a window when running the engine and heater to allow fresh air into the cabin (3) only run the engine and heater 15-20 minutes out of each hour (4) stay with the vehicle until help arrives.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast. It just makes sense not to head out into the teeth of an approaching blizzard.

He can avoid situations where this will be necessary, if he adorns his minivan with winter tires.

As an out of stater, you should be good to go in IL.  No FOID required.  You won't be able to CCW though.  Your pistol will need to be in a case, box or other container and unloaded.  It doesn't have to be an actual firearm case, and you don't have to keep the ammo separate.  A glove box or console works as a case.  Just remember that IL doesn't honor any other state CCW licenses yet, so if you want to have your gun loaded, you will need a separate IL CCW.  No magazine restrictions either, unless you visit Chicago and a handful of suburbs.





Peoria is a gun friendly place.





 

Falken 912s. Marketed as all-seasons, anyway. I could throw my Hoosier A6s back on...

Mount a dashcam for our collective amusement if you do.

I left the Hoosiers at home, but the MR2 made it to Wisconsin with no problems. Well, one problem--so much ice built up on the headlights that they got stuck in the up position and wouldn't retract.

Central Illinois and DC are north!!??

4high,snow brush

Best advice: if it's snowing hard enough to slow travel,get a hotel room.

Even on winter tires,you are likely to be a liability in severe conditions.

I have nothing to say......going into occupied territory this time of year.

Dibs on rifles, optics, and ammo?

I forgot about the effects of manmade global warming.

This will keep you with us a while longer.

OP, thought you were going to Central IL and then on to Wash. DC?  You are out of your freeking mind.

Now you better take enough cash in bail money and hope that isn't taken by the revenue enhancement officers as drug money when they throw you in jail for bringing an arsenal into their state illegally.

Slow down. Drive in the right lane. Slow down.
Odds are the roads will be fine.
+1 on the windshield washer fluid.

If driving in snow, imagine that there is an egg on top of your gas and brake pedals.
Don't break the egg!

If it hasn't been said by now. Buy a new battery if its more than 2-3 years old.