I-5 Sacramento to Bakersfield

[jtovo]

I am in Napa & leaving Friday for Vegas, has anybody been down I-5 lately, trying to decide on using Hwy 99 or 5 ?

[shooterdad]

I would take the 99 south to the 58 to 15 north . Some dont like driving on 99 , however I enjoy the scenery more on the 99 than the 5 . Which ever route you take have a safe trip....Scott

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

My choice would be Hwy 99. Some rough patches but not as bad as truck lane on I 5. When I was on I 5 last week there was a posting on the Cal Trans signs that I 5 was closed to 1 lane somewhere South of Kettleman City. I don't recall exactly where, but it recommended a detour off of I 5.

[Skip426]

I've driven both last Nov. & Dec., 99 on the North trip I-5 south. Personally prefere I-5 to 99, less traffic , better rest areas, 99 has more fuel stops if you don't have good crusing range.. Also 46 as a cross over rather than 58, fewer traffic lights. Try to get info on the construction on 58 out by Kramer Junction, ( 4 Corners on old maps). Road surface was destroyed by last falls rains, repairs ,slow, delays long; last time I heard . Safe Travels.

[RickO]

Welcome to the forum!

I5 is still pretty bad. We were through there a couple of months ago. They seem to be doing a lot of work on it north of Sac but south was still pretty bad.

Personally, I'd still pick I5 over 99 but better still, we like to use 101. If you don't have tight time constraints that might be something to consider.

Good luck...

Rick

[SteveLevin]

I'd vote for taking I-5 down to the 46, to the 99 down to the 58.

There is significant construction on I-5 (going to run a couple of years) that has it down to 1 lane in several places. If you hit it at the right times (late at night, mid week, etc) you can typically be okay, but at other times the backup can be pretty significant (8-10 miles). If you turn at the 46 you'll miss all the trouble (and Lost Hills has the best fuel prices you'll likely see, so it's a good place to top off).

Steve

[1ciderdog]

Neither are very good highways so I suspect whichever you take going down will be rough and you'll give the other highway a try on the way back. That's the way it seems to works for us. We went up I-5 in August and it was not as bad as I remembered it. If you have the time a suggested route would be to take 50 out of Sacaramento into Nevada and then 95 to Las Vegas.
Safe Travels
Bob

[Rick Long]

Go to Reno and them hit 95 in Nevada... You'll enjoy it so much more. Yes it's through the desert but great little places to stop and explore PLUS... there is NO TRAFFIC and the road is GREAT.. NO POT HOLES!!

ps I used to live in Napa and now live in Vegas and make that trip several times a year.

[1ciderdog]

I had read elsewherer on this site that I-80 crossing to Reno is really rough road and 50 through Tahoe was a smoother ride so with that in nind I suggested 50 instead of I-80. It's been several years since I've on I-80 and it was sure nasty then! I do like 95 - we have property near Kingman and use 95 most of the time to or from our place in Oregon.

[Chuck 1935]

Most direct and shortest is 99. 270 miles, 4 1/2 hours. Have a nice trip !!

[Techie]

We have driven this several times over the past year and after trying a couple of variations I agree with shooterdad that 99->58->15 is the fastest & easiest. It is also the best if the weather is bad.

[jtovo]

Thanks for all the help, I think I'm going to go I-5 to 46 to 99 -58 east to 15 , as Steve suggested.
I just came from Tahoe & drove 50 on the south side & wouldn't want to drive a 42-ft MH towing my silverado thru there, I-80 is under construction in Truckee & I was glad to get out of there.
Thanks guys!

[SteveLevin]

I was going to point out that I-80 has the funnel of doom section (narrowed down to one lane that feels like it's 6" wider than the coach) going... not that you can't get through it, but it is always very white-knuckle for me.

Steve

[LEMO]

Some thoughts to throw out with all the other suggestions. I tend to take 99 over I5, depending of my travel times. But on 99, you don't want to hit Modesto, Merced, Fresno or Bakersfield near rush hour. I95 south from Reno to to I15 is a good road. I just drove Highway 50 thru South Lake Tahoe, (Sept 28th,) they have major road work going on through town, with delays.
Good Travels
LEMO