Interstate 5 to 101

[AvoJim]

Is anyone familiar with highway 36 from Red Bluff to Eureka. We will be on the 5 and need to get over to 101. Is this a good route or should I go further north before crossing?

Jim

[450Donn]

Hwy 20 around Clear lake is the preferred route to the coast from I5

[AvoJim]

Thanks Don

I have used 20 before but I will already be in Red Bluff and heading north and was hoping 36 would be useable. It does look twisty, turny on the map.

Jim

[JacknKay]

I wouldn't go that way. I would go down 5 to Williams to HiWay 20. Take that to Clearlake and follow across the top of the lake to Ukiah which is on 101. Kinda depends on where you need to get to on 101. If you need to get to Eureka, take 299 at Reading. Still going to take a while. It's two lane roads, but good roads.

[AvoJim]

Thanks Jack

Yes we want to get to Arcata then continue up Cal and Oregon coast. 299 looks like it will work. We are not in a hurry.

Jim

[DonDee]

Hwy 36..

[AvoJim]

Thanks for the picture Don. I think I will pass on 36. 140 miles of really crooked narrow road is a little too much. I have been on worse but not for that far.

Jim

[Ray,IN]

I once_only once, headed West from Redding to 101, never-ever again. That drive took me nearly all day. Don't remember the road designation, don't want to; 30 MPH top speed.

[frankdamp]

We recently went across from Crescent City to Grants pass on 199. First 20 miles were a bit slow and twisty but nothing insurmountable. Going the other way would be relatively easy.

In late May, when we were there, there was a great deal of roadworks being done on 101 south of Crescent City. Long stretches were single-lane, where the southbound lane of the highway had slid off the cliff face and down to the beach. At about 15 miles south of CC, we gave up on going further south and headed back and across to I-5.

[CorLynn]

Originally Posted by frankdamp

We recently went across from Crescent City to Grants pass on 199. First 20 miles were a bit slow and twisty but nothing insurmountable. Going the other way would be relatively easy.

In late May, when we were there, there was a great deal of roadworks being done on 101 south of Crescent City. Long stretches were single-lane, where the southbound lane of the highway had slid off the cliff face and down to the beach. At about 15 miles south of CC, we gave up on going further south and headed back and across to I-5.

Frank... We did that same thing you did last summer. I thought I was going to die!! That smith river was a long way down, with a tiny guardrail and, I sat on the bathroom floor praying. (Saying my goodbyes)

But hubby drove right through it and said I was overreacting!! Lol.

[biosensai]

Pretty sure that's the road that has posted restrictions on it. I've always wanted to visit Ruth Reservoir and I'm pretty sure that was the road where even a 26' Class C was not recommended. As others have stated, coming from the south, the two easiest routes are 20 & 299. Let me elaborate though. When visiting that stretch of the coast, I go up to Redding then use 299 to get to Eureka. There is a steep downhill grade just before you hit the coast. I prefer to downshift and go down. I get back to 5 using 20, but then take 16 to Woodland. If you're already going to be in Red Bluff, the drive to Redding is good freeway and is pretty for the Cal portion of 5. 299 is a beautiful drive, but I allow all day for it from Redding. Try to avoid making it on the weekends. Getting back to 5 from the Oregon coast, I've used both 42 & 126. Slow and twisty, but worth it. Brandon and Florence are both beautiful areas. Be sure to check ahead in plenty of time to be sure sites are available, especially for the weekends.

[AvoJim]

Thanks biosensai for a great informative post. Right now it looks like 299 makes the most sense for us. We are not in a hurry so we can avoid the week end.

Jim