Community Forums

brianlori · 06-29-2015, 10:50 AM

Trying to figure out how hairy it is driving our 42 foot motorhome with our Jeep in tow north on Hwy 1? We're in Monterey now and plan to go to Petaluma, Red Woods, Coos Bay then Astoria. Wanted to go Hwy 1 but have heard some parts are very curvy and unsafe for our MH and tow vehicle? Any advice from people that have driven it? Or parts to specifically avoid?

lanerd · 06-29-2015, 11:00 AM

I would not recommend Hwy 1 with your coach/toad. North of the Bay area, take 101 up to Eureka and then up the Oregon coast.

JacknKay · 06-29-2015, 11:03 AM

2X what he said. If you want to visit Ft Bragg or Mendocino, drive your toad from Willits to the coast. Leave the big guy on 101.

Gordon Dewald · 06-29-2015, 11:14 AM

Lots of white knuckle driving but it can be done. Did it once with a 43' 5 wheel. Would not do it again.

Janet decided that the campground at Westport was the place to camp.

Coulter · 06-29-2015, 11:27 AM

x3.

If you got to Monterey by taking 1 north from San Simeon, think "more of the same."

Just a suggestion following up with others and unless you have a compelling reason to drive in the Bay Area traffic, if it were me, take 1 north from Monterey, then east on 156 to 101. Follow 101 north to San Jose, then 680 north to 780 (Benicia), then 780 west to 80. 80 east to Vallejo, to Highway 37 west to 101. This will skirt some of the worst Bay Area traffic areas, but I would want to avoid the Bay area during commute hours. There are alternative combinations that can get you (more or less) around the worst Bay Area congestion, but this is one I would pick. And it will put you back on 101 just south of Petaluma.

biosensai · 06-29-2015, 01:46 PM

Glad to see we are all in agreement here. Concept is to use 101 for moving the RV. Use the Jeep on 1. Lots of good parks to facilitate this.
You will see RV's on 1. Most are rental units. Practically all have irritated cars strung out behind them.

twogypsies · 06-29-2015, 02:55 PM

...and another advisement....get on Hwy 101 and you're good to go!

DegoRed · 07-01-2015, 08:08 AM

We are 42'+28' trailer, last summer we drove from Ft. Bragg all the way to where 1 basically turns into freeway in LA. Had zero problems, would do so again with no reservations. Those switch backs right before Hearst Castle is probably worst part, but the road is really fine the whole way. If you are towing your Jeep 4 down it would be a piece of cake. There are tons of areas to pull over to let cars pass so as not to back up traffic. Good luck!

twogypsies · 07-01-2015, 11:47 AM

Here's the official California site giving RV length restrictions on certain highways. Click on the # on the map and it will give more detail:

45' Bus & Motorhome Map