Community Forums

brandi2019 · 09-30-2018, 12:52 PM

We are taking a trip from Oregon to southern California the first week of October 2018. Has anyone driven on I5 or highway 99 in the last few months. Which of the two is in better condition. We drove on I5 about three years ago and it was so rough it knocked our motorhome out of alignment.

Wbonsell · 09-30-2018, 01:03 PM

Driven them all and they all suck....I’d still take I5 but where you go depends on which to take once you actually get past the Grapevine. The 215 and the 15 are ok if your heading south toward the valley as opposed to the coast. Avoid the 405...worst traffic imaginable. If there are more than two lanes avoid the truck lane which is much rougher.

And don’t be in a hurry

96 Wideglide · 09-30-2018, 01:09 PM

I think the 99 is in better shape.

norcal01 · 09-30-2018, 02:00 PM

I have driven both in the last 6 months. 99 is our choice. Most of it is 3 lanes. Lanes are in better shape than I5. More to see, more places to stop if needed. Fuel is a little cheaper off 99.
99 might cost you about 30 minutes more travel time from Sacramento to Bakersfield.
Enjoy the ride.

dons2346 · 09-30-2018, 02:29 PM

I go down one way and come back the other, alternating every year. I think 99 is the better route but it is slower

Dutch Star Don · 09-30-2018, 04:28 PM

We always take the I-5 South from Oregon to the Port of Stockton, where we take the 4 east to the 99, (it's about 3 miles between the 5 and 99 on the 4). From there we stay on 99 to the Grapevine, where it becomes I-5.

VanDiemen23 · 09-30-2018, 06:08 PM

take 395 instead. much better scenery, no traffic, pretty smooth.

brandi2019 · 09-30-2018, 06:43 PM

Thanks for replies so far-still can’t undecided

Mr_D · 09-30-2018, 06:46 PM

I prefer 99, but then I usually stop in Fresno to visit a friend then out 10 to AZ.

cataska · 09-30-2018, 06:57 PM

395 or 95 in Nevada both nice roads

MEWright · 09-30-2018, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itascajohn

We are taking a trip from Oregon to southern California the first week of October 2018. Has anyone driven on I5 or highway 99 in the last few months. Which of the two is in better condition. We drove on I5 about three years ago and it was so rough it knocked our motorhome out of alignment.

Flew into Sac and drove from there to Redbluff then back the same route a few day later.
Road was usual. Good, no construction to speak of.

Rodg495 · 09-30-2018, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itascajohn

We are taking a trip from Oregon to southern California the first week of October 2018. Has anyone driven on I5 or highway 99 in the last few months. Which of the two is in better condition. We drove on I5 about three years ago and it was so rough it knocked our motorhome out of alignment.

I-5 is still crap. Drive it at 35 or 40 mph or take another route !!!!

10 fan · 09-30-2018, 09:56 PM

What D.S.Don said. Do it all the time, to me it's the best route.

Arch Hoagland · 09-30-2018, 11:12 PM

I run up and down 99 from Sacramento down to the Grapevine and on into L.A. a couple times a year.

99 has improved a LOT in the past couple years and that is my recommendation.

Headed into the L.A. area Sunday is your best travel day with a lot less trucks to deal with.

Just a few miles north of the Grapevine there is a large bunch of gas stations, restaurants, etc. I always stop there and top off my gas tank.

Reason being earthquakes and a lack of gas stations easy to get to in the L.A. area. I have enough fuel to get out of L.A. and back home in case the big one hits as there won't be any fuel available in L.A.

Learned that in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake. No fuel available for three days due to no electricity in Salinas where we lived at the time.