Community Forums

2togoNebrask · 03-20-2016, 12:54 PM

We are driving a 40 ft 5th wheel and need a route from Redcrest to Sacramento. Bumper to bumper we are 60 ft long. From Sacramento we plan on taking highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe. We will have arrived in Redcrest from the south on highway 101. The trip is being made next month, April 2016. Any suggestions on best and quick route to Sacramento?

r___r · 03-21-2016, 11:28 PM

2togoNebrask,

Couple of routes I am familiar with:

Shortest and quickest route(252 miles): US-101 South towards Ukiah; take CA-20 East to I-5 at Williams; then, I-5 South to Sacramento.
I've only pulled a 20' TT on CA-20 between Fort Bragg, through Ukiah, and through Williams, to Sacramento; but, I've seen Dry Van, Refer, Flatbed, and Logging Trucks on CA-20.

Next shortest route(276 miles): US-101 South to Petaluma; take CA-116 East towards Sonoma/Napa; take CA-37 East; then in Vallejo take I-80 East towards Sacramento. (less curvy, more traffic lanes, and highway speeds).

Safe travels to you,

Rich

biosensai · 03-22-2016, 10:42 AM

101 to 20 to 5 is what usually recommended. I've also used 16 over to Woodland to 5. Last time I did either was in a 32' Class A towing a Jeep. No issues. About a year ago we took our 37' Class A towing a Honda from 101 to 116 to 80. Couple of places where I really held up traffic. Probably would not do that again.

miwok · 03-23-2016, 01:01 AM

I don't recommend Us50 to SLTahoe, it goes to two lanes after Placerville, and it very narrow and twisty. I80 will accommodate better with trailers. Just those hills,ugh. Hope you have some horses.
16 to Woodland, where I live, is a little narrow and slower, but the casino at Cache Creek (Brooks) has a place to enjoy a night, have talked to other 40 footers, if you stay on 20 to 5, Granzella's is well worth stop for food.
If you go to Woodland on 16, just before town is the first stoplight, turn north to I5. Do not go through town. Not a truck friendly Main Street any more. Then you are 15 minutes from the airport. And Sacramento.

rver98 · 03-26-2016, 11:31 AM

To add the the previous comment. Hwy 50 does narrow down to a two lane highway, however if you are comfortable driving your rig you should be fine. I80 is too far out of the way.

Good luck

Chance31ke · 03-26-2016, 12:11 PM

I second what MIWOK has said.

Chance

miwok · 03-27-2016, 12:28 AM

The last high turn down to lake Tahoe is one of the best views of the lake area in the world, but very narrow, think 1920 stone wall with a "can't see the bottom" on your right. They improved it the last ten years but not very much. Check Street View on Google maybe for a clue? Very steep down too. Breathtaking, eh, Chance31ke?

FaithBowls · 03-27-2016, 04:51 AM

Take 101 to 37 to I-80. Easy drive - only 1 hill after you get on the freeway.

Chance31ke · 03-29-2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miwok

The last high turn down to lake Tahoe is one of the best views of the lake area in the world, but very narrow, think 1920 stone wall with a "can't see the bottom" on your right. They improved it the last ten years but not very much. Check Street View on Google maybe for a clue? Very steep down too. Breathtaking, eh, Chance31ke?

It is a gorgeous view but I don't think I would want to drive my rig on it. In fact, I can't remember being behind an RV on that stretch and we have been on it many times....but then I am a weenie

I would be more nervous on the drive back out of Tahoe since you are on the rock wall side. There is no extra room in either of the two lanes (one in each direction).

Chance

miwok · 03-29-2016, 10:34 PM

I have been behind guys up and down that hill, and it scares me just watching them. I don't know if they put a degree on it, it is really the old Stagecoach Trail, much improved... FOR STAGECOACHES!
This is too good not to show everyone : http://bit.ly/1LYWgu3
Here is one pf the pull offs near the bottom: http://bit.ly/22Nem9U
Not too steep right here, but it gets that way quickly. It is about 1/3 to 1/2 wider than thirty years ago. Looking behind is even better, but you have to wait for the trip back.