Community Forums

Milom · 05-27-2022, 12:27 AM

Hi all
We are planning a trip to Vegas via Bakersfield, Which hwy is worse for pot holes and ruts and bumps? I know that the 58 to Vegas will be the worst around Tehachapi. Youd think with all the taxes in California they could do a better job maintaining the roads.
TIA
Milo

Skip426 · 05-27-2022, 12:42 AM

I prefer the I-5 , mostly because of the number of merge lanes on the 99 .

Yes the 58 is a mess on the Tehachapi, but at least the section Boron to Barsto is complete , with the by-pass of the railroad crossing and Kramer Junction .

Hard to get the time for a decent repair on the Tehachapi , given the amount of traffic and lack of an alternate route.

If you think dodging the potholes is bad you should see what happens when a work truck drops a 14' aluminum ladder on the road.

tomato · 05-27-2022, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milom

Hi all
We are planning a trip to Vegas via Bakersfield, Which hwy is worse for pot holes and ruts and bumps? I know that the 58 to Vegas will be the worst around Tehachapi. Youd think with all the taxes in California they could do a better job maintaining the roads.
TIA
Milo

I vote I5 as well. There are potholes and terrible expansion joints, but 99 is under construction in several spots with very narrow lanes and cement dividers. Can be a bit white knuckle right now.

rondi · 05-27-2022, 10:09 AM

I too think I5 is the best way. I went to Bakersfield, and further south in Feb and came back in April. There was a couple of miles section north (redoing south lanes) of CA 46 that is single lane both directions--but not bad. And as usual some very rough abutments in both lanes, that will shake you. I wish all states could learn how Oregon makes these very smooth. I doubt 99 is any better--it was NOT last year.

BTW--they are still working on 99 at Rosedale Hwy. Drops from 3 lanes to 1 and after 2pm prepare to stop and creep. When I left River Run RVP in Bakersfield, I got on the Westside Parkway (WP) to I5-- a simple easy drive--MUCH better than 99 to 46. The eastbound WP to 58 is still not finished tho. If heading thru to 58, I'd try getting off WP at Mohawk to L on Calif, then in left lane to 99S and then onto 58. Get in left lane on the onramp--it turns into a single lane and would be though with a moho. Use google maps to monitor traffic and see the turn lanes you will be using. hth

TravelSolo · 05-27-2022, 10:53 AM

Right now 99 is under construction in the Merced area. It's tight and narrow and has split traffic in many sections.

Usually I prefer 99 over 5 due to the really slow truck traffic that dominates I-5, but right now if I was making that run in an RV I'd do I-5. If construction wasn't an issue, I'd go 99 but I don't camp in the right lane even towing so the extra on/off ramps on 99 isn't a big deal for me.

Bigbear_9566 · 05-27-2022, 11:32 PM

Why go South? When I go to LV - like NIDRV I go 80 to Reno

twogypsies · 05-28-2022, 12:02 AM

I-80 or 50 to Reno then into Nevada and down to Las Vegas. A more relaxing scenic drive. Take NV95 or CA395 to NV6/95. We've done it.

NewmarKate · 05-28-2022, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milom

Hi all
We are planning a trip to Vegas via Bakersfield, Which hwy is worse for pot holes and ruts and bumps? I know that the 58 to Vegas will be the worst around Tehachapi. Youd think with all the taxes in California they could do a better job maintaining the roads.
TIA
Milo

99 is the ABSOLUTE WORST! I have been up and down 99 and 5 all my life. I live in So Cal with family in Central and No Cal. Cuss like a sailor every time I drive that 99 I wonder the same thing, what about all the taxes and the Lottery ; they both should be paying for our crappy roads to be maintained!

mahdi · 05-28-2022, 10:48 PM

I just did the round trip in Jan and Feb. I 80 to Reno the down to LV is the best route. All of the highways in NV are good. CA 99 is prohibitive. I returned through Bakersfield and then I 5. I 5 had a lot of potholes I lost or loosened 8 screws in my FWS on the I 5 portion.