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Old 01-27-2022, 01:33 PM   #1
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Question Coachella Valley to Bakersfield

Hello,

We are only one year into our RV adventure, and are planning our first big summer road trip. I am working on the map and need some advice on how to get from the Palm Springs area to Bakersfield, CA. I want to avoid the Grapevine (doesn't everybody?) but am realizing that a low grade route is hard to find. I am towing a Coleman 2455BH with a Ford Expedition heavy duty. Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.
Thank you!
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Old 01-27-2022, 05:05 PM   #2
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If you're on I-10 there are many north/south secondary highways to take... 62 to Yucca Valley then 247 west to Barstow then 58 west to Bakersfield. 395 work.... 14 works.

Depending where you're coming from get off I-10 earlier if coming from the east then you'll avoid a lot of southern CA traffic. From I-10 at Blythe, CA head north on 95 to 62 to 247 to 58.

Drive through Joshua Nat'l Park to head northward.

Summer = hot in these areas.
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Old 01-27-2022, 05:27 PM   #3
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3 options to avoid the Grapevine:

1. I-10W, exit 77C for CA210, Exit 74 for I-215N, Exit 131 for CA-138, Exit 159 for CA14 to CA-58 W (long 2 lane road) over Tehachapi Pass into Bakersfield. Took that route twice towing a 41' fifth wheel trailer.

2. I-10W, exit 77C for CA210, Exit 74 for I-215N, then I-15N, Exit 141 for US-395 N to CA-58 W over Tehachapi Pass into Bakersfield. Plan to take that route when I leave Palm Desert next to San Francisco next week.

3. I-10W, exit 77C for CA210 to CA-14 to CA-58W. Took that route in reverse towing my 41' fifth wheel trailer by mistake in December.........never again due to too much traffic, lots of K-rails and goes too far west then doubles back to the east.
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Old 01-28-2022, 09:06 AM   #4
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Of the 4 routes listed above which one has the least grade and curves? Is that CA-62E to CA-247N to CA-58W in Barstow? I have not driven on that route. It is a little longer by ~17-20 miles but same travel time and completely avoids congestion on CA-210 and I-215 but CA-247, albeit maybe an unseparated 2-lane road. Would be safer to pull a heavy 41 ft fifth wheel trailer?
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Old 01-31-2022, 09:37 AM   #5
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If you don’t have the Mountain Directory, you might want to get one. It provides information on all the mountain passes and steep grades to help you choose safe routes you can feel confident to drive. You can order it through https://mountaindirectory.com in book or digital format. We use it to plan all our travels in the West.
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Old 01-31-2022, 09:58 AM   #6
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The Grapevine is just a hill with a stigma attached. The 58 west of Tehachapi is a mountain pass with curves and the 2nd step is steeper than the Grapevine and needs more respect. You have to do one or the other.
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Old 01-31-2022, 10:21 AM   #7
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62 north to yucca valley is a pretty steep pull for a couple miles.
My f250 v10, 4:30 gears pulling a 35’ 5er made it up, (10mph)
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Old 01-31-2022, 12:14 PM   #8
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I've pulled most all of those hills mentioned in either a V10 F53 class A towing a 99 CRV or a W22 8.1 liter towing a Colorado 4X4. Yeh they are hills, but doable. There are gonna be hills in your life, you just have to learn how to climb or descend them and kick back and enjoy the ride. I've done both the Grapevine and Tehachapi more times than I can count, just watch your downhill speed, uphill speed will take care of itself.

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Old 01-31-2022, 12:49 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garlic_Rudy View Post
62 north to yucca valley is a pretty steep pull for a couple miles.......
Welcome to the forum!!

The first climb from I-10 on CA-62 is 7% grade for ~3 miles rising from ~500 ft to 2569 ft in Morongo Valley, then ~7% climb for ~1 mile straight to 3300 ft in Yucca Valley, then left on CA-147 with an 8% climb for ~1 mile. Then to CA-58W over Tehachapi Pass. I plan to make the trip tomorrow pulling my 41 ft 15,000+ lb Montana fifth wheel trailer behind a 2016 Ford F350 6.7L DRW from Palm Desert to Bakersfield then to San Francisco. I selected this route after speaking to a very cautious retired fifth wheel trailer owner who uses that route on every trip to/from Washington because of light traffic.
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Old 02-01-2022, 07:34 PM   #10
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Pulled my 15,000 lb fifth wheel trailer that route today at 55 mph up the grade from I-10 to Yucca Valley at 3300 feet then left on CA-247. CA-247 is a beautiful and very little traffic, albeit undivided highway with no shoulders and no services, very lonely. Glad to arrive in Barstow and get back to a divided highway. CA-58 west is a gradual almost unnoticeable grade to Tehachapi then 5% or 6% for 2-3 miles grade sections after Tehachapi. There was traffic, albeit generally light.
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