Community Forums

blazinlynn · 10-01-2021, 12:16 PM

First post here but I've been lurking for a while and learned so much, thank you all! We're currently in Truckee and leaving Sunday for Las Vegas. I'd prefer to go 395 as far south as possible before cutting over to the less interesting 95. We're comfortable with winding roads and steep grades (have done plenty of = or <6%) but am concerned about excessively winding roads, super steep grades and temps much >100. Right now I'm thinking of Sunday night in Bishop, CA and then take 168 to 266 to 95. Would appreciate your opinions, other route options and campgrounds for the overnight on the way. Thanks!!

twogypsies · 10-01-2021, 04:06 PM

You might not like 168 - the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers' (highly recommended, by the way) states "You'll immediately be greeted by a series of warnings.... steep 5-9% grades, sharp curves, narrow pavement, not recommended for large or heavy vehicles". Once you cross into Nevada on 168 it states "1.5 mi of 7-8% then 1.5 mi of 5% followed by 8 mi of 3-4%".

While you're there why not take a drive on it to see if it's something you'd want to do. I'm sure RVers have done it as it's a good shortcut.

We've take 395 to 120 east to 6 to Tonopah. You might want to take that to 95 south. Tonopah has a nice rest area just for RVs if you need to spend a night.

RogerThat99 · 10-01-2021, 04:35 PM

I can't help you with a route from Bishop, other then the 395 to the 58 to Batstow, to the 15 to Vegas.

It is the long way, but you can eat at the oldest Del Taco (in Barstow). LOL.

I have only taken the 95 from Northern Nevada to Vegas, and never been any further south on the 395 than Bishop. The drive to Bishop is nice though.

NevadaNick · 10-01-2021, 05:45 PM

If you want to avoid 95 go 395 then through Death Valley to Pahrump and Blue Diamond into Vegas.

followingsea · 10-01-2021, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazinlynn

..... the less interesting 95. .....D

Got that right! But sometimes boring is beautiful.

PNW in the summer and Las Vegas in the winter sometimes via NYC.

One year did Death Valley to Lake Tahoe going north. If you have never done it you should.

Two years ago came down from Susanville into Reno and then US-95 to LV. It was beautiful. At that point if I never saw another pine on a steep windy incline I would be happy.

Of course I am back in the PNW waiting to head south again.

twogypsies · 10-01-2021, 10:14 PM

I thought of going thru Death Valley but it's a BIG descent from 395. It's a drop in elevation of 5,000'. It begins with 6% for 3 miles and a few sections are more than 6%. The road is winding with 30 mph curves. After the 3 mi is a sign "8% grade next 5 miles." At the end of the 5 miles is another sign "6% grade next 5 miles." So there is a total of 13 miles of 6-8% grade followed by several miles of 3% into Stovepipe Wells. It's a biggie.

We've done it both directions but it is steep.

followingsea · 10-01-2021, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

I thought of going thru Death Valley but it's a BIG descent from 395. .....

No long after getting our first DP we visited Death Valley. Was taking to with the owner of a similar DP who came in from the opposite direction. Said he almost burned out his brakes.

Showed him the the exhaust brake switch.