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12-06-2020, 04:07 PM
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#43
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 78
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I-5 like most major highways in California are a mess. I have avoided California roads for the most part, traveling WA to AZ. Moved out of the Sacramento area 4 years ago and have not missed the I-5 boring drive. Not to mention you’ll pay $1 more per gallon for fuel. California is not putting much money into roads, my old employer. Highways 95 and 93 in Nevada are fun.
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12-06-2020, 05:52 PM
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#44
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3
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As a former resident of Bakersfield, CA who now resides in WA, I've driven this route more times than I can remember. I feel the worst part of this route is from Stockton, CA north to Sacramento. It is only two lanes in each direction and usually jammed with big rigs. South of Stockton it normally is less congested especially once you're past the I-580 cut-off towards the Bay Area heading south.
Regarding the Grapevine, the Siskiyou Pass both north and southbound is much more challenging. Why? Even though both passes are about a 6% grade, Siskiyous are longer.
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12-06-2020, 07:04 PM
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#45
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Hot Springs, VA
Posts: 1,946
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wdallas
The Donner party was trapped in the Sierras by blizzard conditions in October. You can get snow any day of the year up there. Pay attention to the weather. The grade from Donner summit to Reno is long and steep. Just pay attention and don’t test it. Lived most of my life in northern CA, I would stay to the interstate over the passes and avoid secondary highways.
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I don't think it's a useful comparison to equate people traveling over the Sierras in covered wagons in 1846 to me in a self contained RV in 2021. I'm aware that snow happens and I'll keep an eye out. At any rate, not planning on traveling that route on this adventure. But if I see any cannibals, I'll let you know.
__________________
RoadEyePie - 2019 VLRV Beacon 39 GBB
2018 GMC 3500 HD Sierra Denali Durmax Diesel DRW CC LB 4x4
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12-06-2020, 07:15 PM
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#46
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 9
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I 5north is good but weather can be iffy in the winter months. When headed south we always fuel in Oregon a dollar cheaper for diesel than in Calif.
2020 Entegra
Dodge Ram
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12-06-2020, 07:46 PM
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#47
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,753
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Fuel on 99 is cheaper than on 5. I paid 2.79 for diesel in Fresno or you can get it in Bakersfield for 2.59, both at Costco
__________________
Don
2002 Country Coach Intrigue
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12-06-2020, 08:29 PM
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#48
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Tustin Ca
Posts: 11
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Hey really I just pulled the I5 from SoCal to Oregon and back..I don’t see the issue.. yes there can be issues in the grapevine during a winter storm but at highway speeds yesterday what’s the issue.. it’s a mountain pass plan ahead and enjoy the trip
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12-07-2020, 12:44 AM
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#49
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Oregon occasionally, Baja often
Posts: 659
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I understand your concern!
Sacramento north:
* Although the rioters in Portland -- generally -- stay in one area, they can explode anyplace at any time.
* You are prudent to anticipate the rioters in any area along Interstate Five.
* I would add additional concern for remote forested areas because of arsonists.
Sacramento south:
Our last trip through south California was decades ago, so my concern is based on second-hand information:
* According to reports, I would be concerned about traveling through Modesto, Stockton, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Los Angeles/San Diego in anything less than a convoy of Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
* Same with frisco and around there.
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12-07-2020, 05:12 AM
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#50
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 41
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Why?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoadEyePie
I imagine I-5 from Sacramento south should be avoided at all cost in an RV, but how about Sacramento north?
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Why avoid i5 south of Sacramento? Stockton gets a little congested but south of Stockton is the big valley and hundreds of miles pretty smooth sailing.
I’ve driven i5 both north and south of Sacramento A LOT but not in a motorhome. Now that my daughter and her family are in Oregon, we plan to visit in our 43 DP at least once a year.
What am I missing?
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12-07-2020, 06:04 AM
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#51
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Hot Springs, VA
Posts: 1,946
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When we are in a new area of the country that we want to see and explore, we general prefer to avoid interstates. I definitely don't like interstates around cities where traffic congestion becomes stressful and dangerous particularly in an RV. There is nothing in LA, San Francisco, Oakland, etc. that I want to see enough to drive my 5th wheel through.
__________________
RoadEyePie - 2019 VLRV Beacon 39 GBB
2018 GMC 3500 HD Sierra Denali Durmax Diesel DRW CC LB 4x4
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12-07-2020, 12:18 PM
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#52
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Member
Monaco Owners Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 35
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If your Rig is safe and you're a competent driver both north and south should be fine! Personally, I'd rather drive the grapevine than the Siskiyou's as they have less room for traffic and pull-outs. Drive both with respect, don't drive in adverse conditions, hot or cold, and don't abuse your brakes! Use your Transmission to slow you down if at all possible and pump your brakes giving them a chance to cool in between slowing to minimize brake fade.
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12-07-2020, 01:30 PM
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#53
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Redondo Beach Ca.
Posts: 37
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if you do go down 395, which in my opinion is a beautiful drive, there is lots to see. among them Mammoth mountain and June lake. if at all possible go to Lone Pine the second weekend of October for the Lone Pine Film Festival. look it up on Google. lots of places to boondock south of Mono Lake.
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12-07-2020, 03:57 PM
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#54
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Hot Springs, VA
Posts: 1,946
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kleg
if you do go down 395, which in my opinion is a beautiful drive, there is lots to see. among them Mammoth mountain and June lake. if at all possible go to Lone Pine the second weekend of October for the Lone Pine Film Festival. look it up on Google. lots of places to boondock south of Mono Lake.
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We are staying at Boulder Creek RV Resort in Lone Pine the first week of Oct.
__________________
RoadEyePie - 2019 VLRV Beacon 39 GBB
2018 GMC 3500 HD Sierra Denali Durmax Diesel DRW CC LB 4x4
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12-07-2020, 08:58 PM
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#55
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 2
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What/where is the grapevine??
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12-07-2020, 09:55 PM
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#56
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 599
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it is the I5 grade from Bakersfield over Tejon Pass
__________________
2013 Coach House 261XL QD Banks
SafetyPlus steering, Centramatic, TSTint TPMS, Dish
Sacamento, CA
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