Route Suggestions March 31, 2013, 11:23:23 am Yahoo Message Number: 137889We'll be traveling from the Phoenix area to Winston, OR and then on to Coos Bay. I'd like to stay off I-5 as much as possible and don't know the condition os Rt. 99 either.Anyone have a "Best Route" suggestion ?Thanks in advance !Ted Collmar 27' MD "Emily" Sun City West, Arizona
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #1 – March 31, 2013, 12:04:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137891QuoteWe'll be traveling from the Phoenix area to Winston, OR and then on to Coos Bay. I'd like to stay off I-5 as much as possible and don't know the condition os Rt. 99 either.Anyone have a "Best Route" suggestion ? Sounds like you're concerned about the CA route mainly, but if you want to travel up ASAP, I have found I5 is quicker, 99 goes through more towns and cities, so can be subject to traffic issues. It is a better bet if you want to stop frequently, but not really scenic. If you don't mind overnighting at truck stops, the Flying-J at the Frazier Park exit before the Grapevine descent is a cooler option than either before or after. Gives you an early start the next morning, missing a LOT of traffic and a big start on that looong central valley.Once north or Sacramento, traffic and scenery improve.Steve
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #2 – March 31, 2013, 12:04:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137892Quote "Anyone have a "Best Route" suggestion ?"Ted Collmar My personal preference would be Hwy 395. Pick it up near Ridgecrest, CA and follow it north up the east side of the Sierra all the way into Oregon (or beyond). It's not a freeway but a good road none the less. Add many many interesting places to stop along the way and I guarantee you'll enjoy the trip.Steve S. Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #3 – March 31, 2013, 01:42:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137894I guarantee you'll enjoy the trip.QuoteSteve S. Lazy Bones & Jiggs Thanks Steve. We've been up the 395 but not this far. Can you comment on taking the 44/89 out of Susanville over to I-5 ? Haven't been on that section of road.Ted C.
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #4 – March 31, 2013, 01:45:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137895Gives you an early start the next morning, missing a LOT of traffic and a big start on that looong central valley.Quote Once north or Sacramento, traffic and scenery improve.Steve Thanks Steve, can you comment on the condition of I-5 north out of Southern Cal ? I keep hearing how bad the road condition/upkeep is and that's why I really didn't want to use this freeway.Thanks again !Ted C.
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #5 – March 31, 2013, 01:47:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137896US 395 then across at Lakeview...Al
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #6 – March 31, 2013, 02:06:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137897The way we would (do) go is north to Flagstaff, then west to Kingman in I-40. (Or just go up 93 from Phoenix.) Take 93 to Las Vegas, then 95 to 50 and west to Carson City, or 95 to I-80, then west to Reno. From there, take 395 north to Susanville and 44/89 to Mt. Shasta. Use I-5 from there to Oregon. The 44/89 route is very scenic and a good road. You do have to go over one pass, but not too bad. I wouldn't drive a motorhome over 44/89 unless it is clear of snow. I also wouldn't pick up 395 until Carson City or Reno as it would be much further from your location, and pretty bland going through the California desert.DickDewey Arizona
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #7 – March 31, 2013, 10:19:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137905Quote "Can you comment on taking the 44/89 out of Susanville over to I-5 ?" > Ted C. That I would NOT recommend! Those roads are narrow two lane country roads, some curves, max safe speed would be 40mph. I suggest you continue further north until you hit Rt.20 at Riley and turn west through Bend and continue west till you meet I-5 just above Springfield, unless of course that is too far north for your purposes. Continuing west on Rt. 20 will put you on the coast at Newport where you could go south to Coos Bay. Real nice State Park at Florence, 'Sam. P. Huntington'.Steve S. Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #8 – March 31, 2013, 11:21:27 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137906Made the 44/89 drive between Susanville and Mount Shasta many times with different RV's and found the drive very pleasant. Unless you're driving a space shuttle or a road racer on a tight schedule, it is a very easy, scenic the drive. Yes, its two lanes, a little mountainous with some grades but its very doable for the longest, heaviest RV's. There is a short grade just west of Susanville that can be crowded during commute times but it does have a short passing lane. Posted speeds are mostly 55 with some 45. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_89http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_44Al30ft Class A with toad
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #9 – March 31, 2013, 11:51:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137907I'll second that. We have done that route many times in both directions in both automobiles and a 37-foot motorhome. It's a very good highway even though it is only two lanes. So are many roads we travel in RV's. This is one of the better ones.Dick
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #10 – April 01, 2013, 01:53:53 am Yahoo Message Number: 137910QuoteThanks Steve, can you comment on the condition of I-5 north out of Southern Cal ? I keep hearing how bad the road condition/upkeep is and that's why I really didn't want to use this freeway.Thanks again ! It has been a couple of years since we headed up that way - can't remember anything remarkable about the road condition, but we don't drive fast. I doubt the 99 would be any better, anyway.Steve
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #11 – April 01, 2013, 11:06:05 am Yahoo Message Number: 137915I-5 in SoCal. Depending on time of day; I would choose between 10 & 2 am for best time to be on it; there is very heavy traffic going north before Santa Clara. After that the Grapevine and clear sailing. Hope this helps. James
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #12 – April 01, 2013, 11:10:09 am Yahoo Message Number: 137916James Jackson wrote: I-5 in SoCal. Depending on time of day; I would choose between 10 & 2 am for best time to be on it; there is very heavy traffic going north before Santa Clara. After that the Grapevine and clear sailing. --- I think you meant "Santa Clarita"! ;-)Joan
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #13 – April 01, 2013, 11:25:50 am Yahoo Message Number: 137918Thank you Joan. It is Santa Clarita. James
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #14 – April 01, 2013, 12:29:56 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137921QuoteThanks Steve, can you comment on the condition of I-5 north out of Southern Cal ? I keep hearing how bad the road condition/upkeep is and that's why I really didn't want to use this freeway. When we were returning from Alaska last fall, I found that much of I-5 had been recently repaved, especially in the northern part of the state. But I will agree with the others that are recommending 395 up the eastern side of the Sierras. I would have no problem with taking 44/89 from Susanville across to I-5.Art
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #15 – April 01, 2013, 01:00:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137923older_fossil wrote: But I will agree with the others that are recommending 395 up the eastern side of the Sierras. I would have no problem with taking 44/89 from Susanville across to I-5. --- Agreed; 44/89 is a good route choice to get from 395 (at Susanville) across to 5. It's two lane, but the road surface is in pretty good shape, it's not really "curvy", and it goes through some pretty country. It may be that those who aren't recommending the 44/89 route might be thinking of Hwy. 36; this road is narrower, slower, and more "twisty/turny" than 44/89.Joan
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #16 – April 01, 2013, 01:03:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137924QuoteBut I will agree with the others that are recommending 395 up the eastern side of the Sierras. I would have no problem with taking 44/89 from Susanville across to I-5.Art Why even bother with I5? In the more climate months, first stop for a few days at Lassen NP. Great hiking and scenery there. Cross I5 and continue to the coast on US299. Then US101 through the very best Pacific coast line to Florence. Then you can take I5 from Eugene north. Some say US299 is the Devil's highway. Not for us. We could take weeks to cover that ground and enjoy every day of it. Interstates are for hauling freight.Just be sure the snow is gone before taking these roads.
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #17 – April 01, 2013, 01:06:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137925"can you comment on the condition of I-5 north out of Southern Cal ? I keep hearing how bad the road condition/upkeep is and that's why I really didn't want to use this freeway" The worse parts of I-5 are over the Grapevine and down into the beginning of the San Joaquin Valley. The freeway north has had a lot of work done to it over the last few years. I would cross I-40 to Barstow, take Hwy 58 to 395 and head north. I love the drive up the eastern side of the Sierras.Larry
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #19 – April 01, 2013, 04:51:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137942On 2013-03-31 22:53, aq433 wrote: Quote It has been a couple of years since we headed up that way - can't remember anything remarkable about the road condition, but we don't drive fast. I doubt the 99 would be any better, anyway. Either the 99 or I5 are usually fine once you get past the grapevine and down into the valley -- in general. The I-5 in my opinion is going to carry more traffic and neither is a scenic road IMHO -- at least until you're up in the Sacramento area (or past it really). The I-5 in the lower part of the central valley has been undergoing repavement for months now -- it can cause delays at some points during the day but late evenings/early AM are usually OK I believe.We recently tried the 99 going up to Oregon and it was just fine in fact I'd probably take it next time over the I5 anyway since it has (IMHO) a better variety of places to stop over the run of the mill truck stops that are found on the I5.. YMMV..
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #20 – April 01, 2013, 05:33:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137947I-5 is fine from grapevine on up. Stimulus program backed recent repaving and maintenance. Just came all the way from San Diego to Woodburn, Oregon.s/Terry A. (2013 27RB)
Re: Route Suggestions Reply #21 – April 01, 2013, 07:20:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 137953Quote from: tcollmar" can you comment on the condition of I-5 north out of Southern Cal ? I keep hearing how bad the road condition/upkeep is and that's why I really didn't want to use this freeway. The road is a disgrace! I'm a So. Cal/I-5 survivor who had no choice but to travel it a few weeks ago. Driving it over the "grapevine" shook the rig so badly my water pump was dislodged from its moorings, and I just finished dealing with my first ever water leak. I heartily concur with others recommending 395. It is not just a road through the desert...it takes you through delightful, historic towns, National Historic Sites, National Monuments, National Wildlife Refuges; it travels along the base of the Eastern Sierras and you will find countless beautiful public campgrounds, boondocking choices and rest stops along the way. It's four-lane in most areas, well maintained and nicely surfaced. You can turn west at Alturas, CA or Lakeview, OR without having to cross the Siskiyous or any other high-altitude passes. Catching I-5 in Oregon will let you detour around some of California's worst roads.Enjoy your trip no matter which road you travel!Lorna Coarsegold
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