Community Forums

BCook57 · 08-13-2019, 07:53 PM

Looking for the best route. I have done some research, and know I could go down towards Sacramento and take I80. That means I have to deal with Donner Pass.

Or, I could go back north to Medford and take I5 down to 395. Not sure about the passes/grades on that route.

Driving a 2006 Lazy Daze 30ft MH. Towing, but can always unhook and have the DW drive the toad.

Any experience/suggestions?

Thanks

F4Gary · 08-13-2019, 08:34 PM

Nothing wrong with I-5 or I-80 over Donner Pass. We have done them numerous times.
Hardest part for you would be getting over to I-5.

Jpiland · 08-13-2019, 08:51 PM

I-5 to 80 is by far the best route. Nothing to worry about. Just take your time going over grade. We have traveled it many many times. Happy travels

twogypsies · 08-13-2019, 10:59 PM

430 miles - I'd take 199 to Grants Pass, I-5 to Gold Hill to 140 to Klamath Falls to 39/139 south to 395 south at Susanville to Reno.

415 miles - 199 to I-5 south to Azalea to 89/44 to Susanville, 395 south to Reno

444 miles - 299 to I-5 to 99/149/70 Oroville, then 20 east I-80 to Reno

BCook57 · 08-15-2019, 09:01 PM

Thanks for the replies. I’ll do the research on these routes when we are closer to leaving, after Labor Day.

Any suggestions on how to get to I5?

01blueox · 08-16-2019, 09:48 PM

Crescent City 101 down to 299 east to I5 at Redding.

volks1963 · 08-17-2019, 09:12 AM

On I-5 you will have a good pull just outside of Ashland. Most of the big rigs are over to the right side so you have at least 2 lanes to work with.
If you take 89 outside of Shasta there in one hill but there is a passing lane near the top before it gets into McCloud. When you take 44 outside of Hat Creek there is another hill, single lane but at the top it does have a passing lane.
That is the extent of the major hill climbs on that route. Have pulled my travel trailer over all of them multiple times as that is the route we take to the Oregon coast.

xrcris · 08-17-2019, 09:44 AM

We did the same leg last year; we stayed on 101 along the coast then cut east on 299 through Redding to get to 44/395 to Reno (we kept heading south to Coleville as a stopover for Yosemite).

It was a nice drive and avoided I5 (i was just trying to stay off the interstate) and I don't recall anything particularly problematic about the roads/passes.

volks1963 · 08-17-2019, 10:05 AM

They have re-done 299, I have only been over that route a few years ago and it wasn't finished. The down hill before you get to Wiskey Town was very curvey and only had 4 passing areas going up hill. They have since re-done that whole road and from the part I was on is it much better traveling going west. I think getting on I-5 up in Oregon would be better than taking 101 to 299.

BCook57 · 08-19-2019, 09:15 AM

Thanks to all for the help.

Stranger · 08-28-2019, 11:00 PM

101 S to 20 in Willits, 20 E through Clear Lake Aurora RV Park in Nice is half way to Reno.

Continue on 20 E through Yuba City/Marysville (could be traffic depending on the day. Take 20 through Grass Valley to 80 E.

At that point you're about half way up the mountain to Reno.

We live in Reno area and that's the way we went when pulling our 5er and boat (72 feet long).

Not a stressing drive.

Stranger · 08-30-2019, 12:12 AM

299 is still being worked on. 4 traffic stoppages. Went through there yesterday.

HighDesert · 08-30-2019, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

430 miles - I'd take 199 to Grants Pass, I-5 to Gold Hill to 140 to Klamath Falls to 39/139 south to 395 south at Susanville to Reno.

415 miles - 199 to I-5 south to Azalea to 89/44 to Susanville, 395 south to Reno

444 miles - 299 to I-5 to 99/149/70 Oroville, then 20 east I-80 to Reno

FYI - depending on how comfortable you and the passenger are on some roads, just be advised that 199 is a windy and narrow road in places. It is a very pretty drive, for the passenger, but the driver really needs to pay attention to what's going on. We just drove it a few weeks ago and it is OK, as long as you take your time. Once you get up to O'Brien or Cave Junction, Or, road is a lot better and relaxing for driver. We were in a 35' MH towing a Jeep Wrangler.

89 to Reno is a nice drive, 2 lane mostly as I recall with some grades and again mostly 2 lane.

299, the back way to Redding takes you through some of the Trinity Alps area. There was a lot of logging going on there last time I was through there, but not sure if that is still going on.

If it was me, I 'd take the 1st or 2nd option mentioned here and stay off I5.