Seattle to Seal Rock, Oregon in a 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Minivan #chrysler

Seattle to Seal Rock, Oregon in a 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Minivan

We made it! We left Seattle under stormy skies and dealt with heavy rain much of the way, but the 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Minivan took it all in stride and got us here safely! We arrived at Seal Rock, Oregon at sundown, perfect timing since we missed the driveway to the house twice in the daylight, I can’t imagine how many tries it would have taken at night.

We traveled about 310 miles and it took us approximately 8 hours. We had several pit stops along away – travelling with two small dogs is very reminiscent of our days with toddlers. They are never on the same potty stop schedule and someone’s always hungry, thirsty, or whining.

Taking time out to walk the dogs - Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #chrysler

Taking time out to walk the dogs

2013 Chrysler Town & Country Minivan Features

We made use of the Chrysler Town & Country Minivan navigation system along the way using the Point of Interest (POI) feature to find gas stations and food. I wish there was a choice at the top for “Fast Food.”  Not because we wanted to eat there, but we prefer a chain fast food restaurant’s bathrooms to most. Unfortunately, the POI wants to know what cuisine first and by the time I’ve put in “American” and scrolled through the list, the hubby would have spotted one. That wouldn’t be a problem but he likes to prove that maps are faster than GPS. I say no, but several times he beat me.

Navigation features overview - Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #chrysler

Some of the features of the Chrysler Town & Country Minivan

Still, we appreciated the GPS and Navigation, especially when we took an off ramp and couldn’t locate the corresponding on-ramp which was actually blocks away. So much for a quick stop! We also enjoyed the extra light provided by the sunroof (or perhaps moon roof, I’ve never had one, so I’m not sure but my next car WILL have one!).

I love the sunroof! It made the otherwise gloomy day bright!  Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #chrysler

I love the sunroof! It made the otherwise gloomy day bright!

We did gas up once before leaving Washington (hubby hates that you can’t pump your own gas in Oregon) and filling the tank was about $75 (about 7/8’s). We didn’t think to track our mileage and it’s too late now, but I’ll let you know if we make it home on that tank or have to fill up again. I’ll know how much it cost for the trip.

The Chrysler Town & Country Minivan handled the on again, off again rain well. There were some torrential downpours through a few places on the freeway and it stuck to the road like a champ. The automatic windshield wipers sensed the amount of rain and sped themselves up, or slowed themselves down, as need be. For the Pacific NW, that’s one feature that would get a lot of use.

Rain to showers about 90% of the trip - we made good use of the automatic wipers! Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #chrysler

Rain to showers about 90% of the trip – we made good use of the automatic wipers!

I did sync my cellphone with the entertainment system so we were able to listen to an audiobook as well as music I had stored on it. It was a nice change from the satellite radio. Pairing my phone was easy and I was able to make and take calls though the system as well for a hands-free call. We’ve just begun to explore all that the entertainment system can do.

Synching my cellphone was painless! Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #chrysler

All-in-all for spending 8 hours in the car we were pretty darn comfortable. The seats didn’t have any pressure points that irritated, the seatbelts didn’t bind (and are height adjustable), there were plenty of cup holders (I think we filled them all), and the comfort system worked beautifully. The dogs in the back liked their zone at 65, I liked 69, and the hubby enjoyed 72. I loved that I didn’t feel guilty at all in turning my side up or down at my own whim because I knew it wasn’t affecting his enjoyment.

We LOVED the comfort zones! It's the first time I didn't need a blanket on a long drive. I was so comfy! Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #chrysler

We LOVED the comfort zones! It’s the first time I didn’t need a blanket on a long drive. I was so comfy! Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #Chrysler

Our Challenges

We had just a few minor complaints about the Chrysler Town & Country Minivan. The armrests on the driver and passenger’s doors are HARD. Driving 8 hours in the car and resting the hubby’s bony arm on it made a sore spot. I used a pillow so I didn’t have the same problem. Another problem for us is that the navigation voice is extremely hard to hear. The system turns off the radio when it’s speaking which is nice, but it can’t be heard over the road noise on the freeway and try as we might, we can’t find a way to turn up just the navigational voice without having to have the radio higher than normal listening levels. On side streets it was fine.

Hubby's left arm became sore - some extra padding would be great! Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #chrysler

Hubby’s left arm became sore – some extra padding would be great!

Another minor issue was finding out what the power button on the review mirror does. After scouring the manual very kindly left for us in the glove box  we still don’t know what it does. I’m guessing something to do with night driving. Remember, our newest car is a 1998, we don’t have power buttons on our review mirrors.

There were also a few things I need to get used to. The first is opening the side doors – it’s so easy. Just pull on the handle and it opens/closes automatically for you. But I’ve been driving a van with an enormously heavy sliding door so my body automatically gets set for battle and yes, I broke a nail. Retraining myself to gently pull, stand back, and wait for it to open will happen about the time I have to give the van back. I can already see myself staring at my own van door wondering why it’s not obeying my gentle tug.

Vacationing with the Chrysler Town & Country

We arrived at Seal Rock just as the sun was setting so we stopped to take a few photos. Our house is just south of the rocks and tomorrow we’ll be venturing out to check out the beach, weather permitting.

We arrived at sunset to this stunning view! Chrysler Town and Country Minivan: Seattle to Seal Rock OR #chrysler

We arrived at sunset to this stunning view!

Got any ideas of what we should do here? I’d love to hear them! Also, if you own a Chrysler Town & Country Minivan can you help me out with the navigation issue? I’m sure it’s something we’re overlooking.

Want to see more of our pictures? I have many, many more 🙂 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and hashtag #chrysler

Loving the view at Seal Rock, OR

Loving the view at Seal Rock, OR


“This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Chrysler. All opinions are 100% mine.”
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