Best route from Oregon on I-5 to San Luis Obispo

[aikihito]

We're traveling South on I-5 from Oregon heading to San Luis Obispo in our 43' Dutch Star. We want to avoid the Bay Area altogether. We would appreciate suggestions on the best route from I-5 to SLO.

[Unkgd]

Not sure what you mean by best route. To avoid San Francisco, just stay on the I-5 to Hwy 46 (Lost Hills exit) to Route 101 south. That will take you directly to SLO.
From Sacramento south on I5 it is pretty boring, high truck traffic route. There will be quite a bit of traffic on Hwy 46 as well.

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by Unkgd

Not sure what you mean by best route. To avoid San Francisco, just stay on the I-5 to Hwy 46 (Lost Hills exit) to Route 101 south. That will take you directly to SLO.
From Sacramento south on I5 it is pretty boring, high truck traffic route. There will be quite a bit of traffic on Hwy 46 as well.

Agree^^.

You can also take Hwy 41 at Kettleman City, west to 101. The turn off is further north (sooner for you, coming from the north) than the turn for Hwy 46, but I'm not familiar with the road. Either route will take you through the intersection of Rte 41 and 46 in Cholame where James Dean met his end. It is identified by a marker.

[Unkgd]

Hwy 41 has a couple of decent hills to climb (and descend), and depending on the day and time about the same traffic as Hwy 46. Not knowing what the OP is driving/pulling, I went with the flatter route.
And in addition to the John Dean Memorial at the intersection, the Jack Ranch Cafe is at the same location (both use the same parking lot). Not a bad place to stop for a quick cup of coffee or a bite to eat. Definitely easier to enter from the east rather than the west.

[Boatworker]

Just did this route, 5-41-46-101, a couple of days ago. Went north at Paso instead of south, but they are all good roads, no issues.