Community Forums

Zak · 04-06-2014, 08:10 PM

Looking at a bucket list trip up the pacific coast from napa towards Tacoma in July. We're coming from canada through Wyoming and Nevada. Can anyone confirm this hwy is ok for larger dp's in terms of safety, grades etc? I've got a 44' MADP and my pickup in tow.

Would you recommend this area? Any notable rv campgrounds or towns we must stay in? Thank you so much for any advice!!! We are getting pumped!

CJBROWN · 04-06-2014, 09:40 PM

Have made that trip a couple of times and it's a hoot. Can't comment directly on a oversize DP, but we never had any issues. There's no pass to climb, you bypass the Siskous, so that's a plus. Redwoods are fantastic. Oregon coast too but lots of stop and go thru little towns. Some amazing places to stop and visit. Off season even better. Did it one Christmas holiday and it poured rain the whole time in Redwoods and we had a ball, never saw another soul.

Humbolt is pretty long and twisty. Cut over from before Sacramento, take the coast. Don't drive Big Sur, too tough in the big rig, 101 is fine all the way from LA. But from SF north should be good.

450Donn · 04-06-2014, 09:45 PM

US 101 is just fine. It is a major n/s highway that truck use daily delivering all sorts of goods. It is best viewed from north to south. Just so much easier to get into the turn outs and back on the highway. But either way is find for anything up to a 65 foot semi trailer.

Rotten-Red · 04-06-2014, 09:48 PM

US101 is OK for any size RV. However 101 is not the Pacific Coast Highway. State Hwy 1 is the Pacific Coast Highway. Much of Hwy 1 has a length limit of 40' for a MH. And it's for good reason. I ran it from Leggett to the San Francisco area last summer with a 38' DS with a tow. Many very tight turns, some so tight if you meet another large vehicle someone had to stop and let the other make the curve. I don't recommend this route, and wouldn't do it again.

jbprac · 04-07-2014, 04:48 PM

We live on the Oregon coast and have made the trip up and down US 101 many times with a large MH and toad. Napa North via US 101 is fine for any RV. Do NOT take CA Hwy 1!!! I agree with the best route being from the North, but either way is a beautiful drive, including the US 101 loop around the Olympic peninsula. Summer is heavy traffic on 101, but fall is great....as is late spring. There are many RV parks and state and national parks along the way. Let me know if I can be helpful with any specifics.