Californians: Opinions on best route through the state

[Jack Olsen]

Any opinions out there on whether it makes more sense to take the 5 up through the more heavily traveled parts of the state or to run the less-traveled two-lanes on the other side of the central valley?

I'm going to Reno, in a 911 packed to the gills with track equipment. I've never been out on the east side of things before.



Here's the 'Li'l big rig:'

[KevinP73]

Packed to the grilles and headed north. I think I'd stay to the more populated areas. Nothing like being stranded in the middle of no where.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

5 to 14 to 395

[makaio]

Jack,

395 up through the high desert is a pretty nice drive this time of year, especially near Bishop and Mono Lake. In fact if you're leaving tomorrow, I would recommend that route, due to the possibilities of snow flurries over Donner Summit, this weekend and next week.

From where I work now, that's the route we take to get to So-Cal during fire season. Just make sure you have the Valentine 1 on, and you get gas in Bishop if you need it along the way. It's typically 50-60 cents more a gallon in those small towns.

Have Fun!

[Sonic dB]

I took the I5 root today for the umpteenth time up to Lemoore and back...Its, OK...Grapevine is decent with some twistys and nice scenery.... from there on up though it is boring...and flat...but...you can hit over 100 easy with very little CHP presence!

14 to 395 is up through the high desert...it is beautiful in a completely different way. Cell phones can drop out up there...but speeds are high and the roads are generally very good...

id take the 395...

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Jack,
I've gone both ways, but most the time it was 5 to 14 to 395.

If you do go the 5 we went that way a few months back and they patrol it by plane so watch your speed. It's a 70 MPH speed limit and most would do close to 80. It was the 90 MPH cars they went after.

Have fun and good luck.

[Drdogface]

Hands down...395. It gets prettier the further North you go. You'll love Bridgeport. Yes, you are loaded !! Tell ya' what...drop by my place and I'll trade you my Dodge Dually and keep your Black Beauty for a while ;-)

[dd74]

5-14-395. All north. Don't head south. I wouldn't think anything called 'Li'l big rig' would last too long in T.J.

Oh, as far as air patrol goes, yes, they hover above the 5. Ask me how I know.

Good luck!

[randywebb]

I also vote for 395 - unless there is a blizzard.

If you take the 2-lanes to the West of I-5 you could hit the James Dean crash site & memorial BUT the roads south of it (for you to get there) are very nasty with oil field operations and their smell. The exception is the area near that wilderness area just outside of Ojai. But that is out of your way anyway.

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks, guys. It looks like you saved me 80 miles or so.

395 it is.

[Fishcop]

Jack, you are HARD CORE

[jabb]

You need to get a Small Trailer for the back of the 911....

[Westy]

You need to take 5 to 80, then stop at my house which is an hour and a half from Reno. Bar B Q Saturday night, and then help me put my motor back in on Sunday

[darkbeer]

I-5 to 14, through the Antelope Valley (Palmdale Lancaster Mojave) on to Hwy 395 through the Owens Valley-Bishope etc.

The 395...AKA the Mulhulland's Hwy of shame...as you drive through the Owens Valley notice the fully grown DEAD trees you see still standing here & there, the dust blowing across Owens DRY Lake....(I still remember it with water in it...) Mono soontobedry Lake. You will come to realize WHERE LA stole er sorry 'um "got" it's water from....

395 is interesting and slightly challenging...I-5 is like driving through Kansas !

BRING YOUR RADAR DETECTOR !!!!

Happy Trails

[DonDavis]

*sigh* As always, I'm jealous. Have fun and can't wait to see the pics.

Oh, how much do you feel gusts with the wheels up top? That's got to be a laugh, sometimes.

[TerryH]

I think any road that exits CA is a good one atm. Housing out of sight, gas price penalties, and our governor requires an interpreter for those of us that speak english, spanish, portugese... etc.

If my business didn't require me to be around the 100 million or so potential customer in CA, I move dang it.

[yelcab1]

With that much top heavy weight, I go on I-5

[tobluforu]

I can't believe you still do not have a trailer to put that beast into. Have a safe trip

[Moses]

Perhaps the biggest no-brainer in the history of driving.

This;



Or this;

[Drdogface]

Not to mention that 395 is much better maintained than I-5...