Route 50 thru Nevada

[Bobg43]

We are in Denver and plan on being in Reno by next Tuesday. I was thinking of taking Rt. 50 from Rt. 15 in Utah and across Nevada. The other option would be to go north on Rt, 15 to Rt. 80.

Has anyone driven on Rt. 50? Is it worth the time and are there any restrictions in driving a Class A Motorhome on Rt 50?

Thanks

[big jimbo]

I have driven Hwy 50 and would recommend it over I80, unless you are in a hurry. 50 is more scenic, with some interesting places to visit along the way. Lehman caves in Eastern Nev. were worth seeing and there is an RV park, with full hookups right near the caves. Also, take your toad and drive up to Wheeler Peak and see the Bristlecone Pines and spectacular views.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

I have driven it with a toad and no problems. More things to see than on I 80. When you get to Carson City I recommend the Carson Valley Inn and RV. Nice homebase for visiting Lake Tahoe, Reno, Virginia City and so on.

[resindiana]

I'm planing to make a similar trip except from Las Vegas.
I would consider taking 93 north to 50 since I have heard so many good comments re the 50 highway. I'm wondering if 93 is a good way to go we are 40 ft with toad. Thanks for any replys.

Then a little further on we also want to acess route one north to wash state but really dont s/ee any great roads across calif to route one Anyone have any experience across this area. WE would rather not back tract south on 80 and are considering other more west or north west routes.

[Alan24601]

Rode my motorcycle to Sturgis last year and rode the 50 from Sacramento to the 15 in Utah. Beautiful road but lonely. Some places where you need to watch your speed as the turns come quick. Most towns along this route are suffering big time from the economic downturn.

[Dukeinhaler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan24601 Rode my motorcycle to Sturgis last year and rode the 50 from Sacramento to the 15 in Utah. Beautiful road but lonely. Some places where you need to watch your speed as the turns come quick. Most towns along this route are suffering big time from the economic downturn.

We just finished doing 50 from Colorado to Reno. Road is in excellent condition. Very scenic route all the way. Plenty of places to boondock and a number of R V parks along the way. Diesel/Gas is a little scarce so fill the tank at each chance.

[GreatWhite]

We've done it twice and thought it was a good ride. Made me wonder WHY is it the Loneliest Road In America? I can't remember the town we passed thru.. but the road was inundated with large Mormon? Crickets.. Like they were on a march someplace.. The highway was covered with them for about 5 or so miles.

[SteveLevin]

No issues driving it, very scenic, but you do have a few significant climbs/descents along the way. Good news is, there's never any real pressure to go quick. Some very scenic rest areas as well to just stop and enjoy the view.

Steve

[pkmesser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by resindiana I'm planing to make a similar trip except from Las Vegas. I would consider taking 93 north to 50 since I have heard so many good comments re the 50 highway. I'm wondering if 93 is a good way to go we are 40 ft with toad. Thanks for any replys. Then a little further on we also want to acess route one north to wash state but really dont s/ee any great roads across calif to route one Anyone have any experience across this area. WE would rather not back tract south on 80 and are considering other more west or north west routes.

You might look at taking 395 northwest out of Reno, then at Susanville get off 395 onto 36 for a few miles west then and continue NW across the Modoc plateau on State 44, switch to State 89 and continue on northwest, coming into I-5 at Shasta City. (Believe me, there are no good roads across to 1 or 101, unless you want to go down to Williams, and take 20 across by ClearLake, if you want to see the Ca Redwoods, that's what you need to do. If you want to do this, take I-80 west to Sacramento from Reno, then I-5 north to Williams and pick up 20 west) Over the years, we have tried all the roads across to the coast. If you decide to come out on I-5 at Shasta City, the first good road I know of to the coast is in central Oregon, at Southerlin, take 138 to the 38, come out on 101 at Reedsport.
This route, one you get past Susanville, is quite senic. Plan on a half a day at Burney Falls. There are forest service campgrounds all the way from Susanville to Shasta City, there are some private campgrounds although the Forest Service camps all along the highway were so nice we didn't want a private, although that is what we normally do. In Oregon, Hwy 38 follows the Umqua river, and is also very senic. Now, if you want a slightly different route, take the 89 on to Klamath Falls, and on up to Crater Lake, arguebly the most senic spot on the planet. You can then work west or NW from there to the I-5.

The above roads are all ok for a larger rig.

Do not take 299 west from Redding! The 36 split off that is probably worse.
199 SW from Grants Pass to just north of Crescent City is not quite so bad, but still not good.
I see you are from W. Texas, if you are not used to driving crooked narrow mountain roads, do not take any of the roads from I-5 to 101, anywhere north of the 20, all the way to 38 in central Oregon, with the possable exception of 42 in Oregon from Winston to Coos bay, we have not been on that one. However, I suggest getting an opinion from someone before trying it. (now, if you take the 20 in Ca or 38 in Oregon, and have bad thoughts about me, I saved you from something much worse!)

[Arch Hoagland]

We did that route a few years back and It helped me understand why they put Interstate 80 where they did.

The mountains you go over on 50 are significant and plentiful. 80 pretty much goes north of the mountains and is fairly level.

We're planning a trip to Utah next summer and I think we are going to take 50 again. It is very pretty and not quite as boring as 80.