SF - Bakersfield (I5 vs 99)

[Ceratto's Grotto]

Snow has changed my plans for a SF - Reno - CA 395 - Death Valley route to Las Vegas. I am now planning a SF - Bakersfield - Death Valley - Las Vegas route.

I have not used either I5 or 99 between SF and Bakersfield with an RV since the 1980's and would like some current opinions?

We will most likely break the SF - Bakersfield part of the trip into two segments, staying overnight somewhere about half way between SF and Bakersfield. We are currently in Novato, CA.

Thanks...

[Ceratto's Grotto]

Snow has changed my plans for a SF - Reno - CA 395 - Death Valley route to Las Vegas. I am now planning a SF - Bakersfield - Death Valley - Las Vegas route.

I have not used either I5 or 99 between SF and Bakersfield with an RV since the 1980's and would like some current opinions?

We will most likely break the SF - Bakersfield part of the trip into two segments, staying overnight somewhere about half way between SF and Bakersfield. We are currently in Novato, CA.

Thanks...

[Rick Long]

I5 is faster, safer and so much smoother. 99 will jar your teeth out and kill your speed with traffic jams because it goes through or very near cities.

[Mothership]

I agree with Rick, just made the I5 trip to Ontario a few weeks ago. Some parts of 5 are rough, but not like 99. The only slow down you will see on 5 is when one big rig is passing another. You might feel some valley winds and watch the crazy drivers over the Grapevine if you go that way.

[MaverickBBD]

I've done both and can't honestly say I can tell the difference. Then again I am 'an outsider'. I find 99 to be a little more interesting. I-5 south of Stockton can be mind numbing. We cut over between the two south of Stockton. Always take the 5 (as the locals say) through Sacramento. Stayed at Sommerville Almond Tree RV Park in Coalinga when making that a two day stretch. Always stay at Orange Grove in Bakerfield.

[UFO Pilot]

I drive both and prefer 99 over 5. 99 is far more scenic and less windy. A lot of 99 has been recently paved and is very smooth. We always stay at Bakersfield RV Resort.

[tom wilson]

i prefer 99 and stay in the orange grove 5 miles east of bakersfield. free oranges.

[dieselclacker]

I make the trip up I-5 from Bakersfield to
Redding about four times a year, and find it much less stressful than 99. It is also faster, due to traffic passing thru and near towns along the way on 99. Wind has never been a problem. Can't help you on accomodations part, as we make the trip in one day.

Dieselclaker

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

I live in Manteca and have the choice of I 5 and 99. Have used both many times...I prefer 99. It is divided Hi way to Bakerfield, recently paved, and avoids the 2 lane from I 5 to 99 required to get to Bakersfield. From Novato to Bakerfield should be about 7 hours. Always stay at the Orange Grove East of Bakersfield on Hi Way 58 takinf Edison Rd exit to the right about 1/2 mile on right.

[Tom and Patty]

As one who has clocked 100K's miles on 99 from Modesto to Bakersfield daily, and I5 from Santa Nella to Bakersfield in a 1/2 ton pick-up, I would go for 99 any day . Traffic might be worse around 8AM and 5PM around the major cities (Modesto and Fresno), but the rest of the day traffic isn't too bad. 99 has had a lot of repaving done and will be much smoother than I5, which will rattle teeth out of your head in spots .

Here is another place to stay in Bakersfield. Click the link. They will even bring dinner to your coach . Just like room service !

http://www.irv2.com/campgrounds/showp...duct=359&cat=6

[MonacoMama]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ceratto's Grotto:
Snow has changed my plans for a SF - Reno - CA 395 - Death Valley route to Las Vegas. I am now planning a SF - Bakersfield - Death Valley - Las Vegas route.

I have not used either I5 or 99 between SF and Bakersfield with an RV since the 1980's and would like some current opinions?

We will most likely break the SF - Bakersfield part of the trip into two segments, staying overnight somewhere about half way between SF and Bakersfield. We are currently in Novato, CA.

Thanks... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Wally..and Mama prefers you go from Novato to Sacramento for Thursday night and then south from Sacramento to Bakersfield's Orange Grove RV Park.Just a thought!

[Ceratto's Grotto]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. We opted to plan for the I5 route, stopping overnight in Coalinga (Sumerville Almond Tree RV Park), Bakersfield for one night (Orange Grove RV Park), and then onto Lone Pine (Boulder Creek RV Resort) where we will stay for a few days shooting the Owens Valley and Death Valley areas before going onto Las Vegas (Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort) for a few more days.

I'll try to report back about our own experience and option about the I5 route.

Thanks again for the feedback!

[Ceratto's Grotto]

We took several of the x80s (780, 680 & 580) roads through the SF area. Those were by far the roughest of the hwy37, I80, I780, I680, I580, I5, hwy46, hwy99, hwy58 route from SF to Bakersfield we took.

I5 was much smoother than the short section of 99 we did travel, (Famosa, 46 @ 99, to Bakersfield), although it seemed that some of the I5 overpass cement sections that butted up to the tarmac were a bit more jarring than normal.

The only change I would make next time would be to do it in one day as opposed to the two we took.

Thanks again for all your input.