Anybody have experience with route 395 in California? I'll be traveling from Yuma, Az to Susanville, Ca (northern California) & Good Sam's RV trip planner has me going over 400 miles on Ca 395. Any difficult mountain passes to worry about? Is this the best route to take?
Also, does anyone know of a good source of info about maximum highway / road grades? I tried internet searching for Ca395 grades but could find nothing.
As always, thanks for your valuable advice!
Bill and Jodee said
10:15 PM Jul 6, 2015
I haven't driven the entire way, but recently (May) drove from Carson Valley, NV to Mojave, CA. We did it in the Jeep in anticipation of driving our 35' MH north in July. We changed our route to come up the coast because of the heat, not the road.
There were high winds in the Antelope Valley and the Owens Valley and a couple 6% grades with curves and two-lane road. Nothing difficult, just slower driving.
There is a blogger who has traveled it the whole distance in their 40' MH, with a toad. wheelingit.com has numerous posts on traveling the area, campground reviews, etc. They love the area and the drive so I'm thinking it's good for RVs.
Have fun!
Jodee
NWescapee said
10:29 PM Jul 6, 2015
Good route searching tools include Mountain Pass Directory and the Allstays app for trucks and RVs, good road grade info.
CurveCarver said
09:40 AM Jul 7, 2015
Been up and down 395 many times, in fact I would have to say it's one of my favorite routes in CA. Most recently the first week of June.
You'll find it a pleasure, the scenery is outstanding, and the road itself is in very good condition. Not too much traffic, there are hills and dales as the road winds its way through the valleys along Owens River at the Western edge of the Sierras, and between the Inyo, and White Mountains, but nothing to get excited or concerned about. There are some wonderful spots to picnic beside the river, or stop in Lone Pine for a bite to eat and an ice-cream. Not a bad idea to shoot over to Death Valley for a day or two while in the area. The Bishop,/Susanville region is a pleasure to behold. I will encourage you to bring a fishing rod. Don't worry about the road probably a thousand people a day navigate it with out a problem. Enjoy a safe, relaxing trip.
DreamerBob said
06:17 PM Jul 7, 2015
Thanks very much! I'll be driving it tomorrow.....I sure appreciate the advice!
Barbaraok said
06:53 PM Jul 7, 2015
I don't know that Death Valley would be the place to be in July?
Barb
HighwayRanger said
10:18 PM Jul 7, 2015
Great route, it's just climate dependent. It gets hot down around Ridgecrest in the summer, and gets cold and white north of there during winter. From about May through October, it's great (if you are okay with some warm spots!)
Roy
-- Edited by HighwayRanger on Tuesday 7th of July 2015 10:19:30 PM
DebbieM said
11:40 PM Jul 7, 2015
I lived not too far from there and have driven it with our 40' 5er. We were driving it on July 5 just a couple of days ago. It's SO beautiful! Like someone else said, bring your fishpole! The Walker River from 108 to the tiny town of Walker is fantastic to fish We stayed at Bootleg Campground (water spigots in several areas) and it was wonderful. No electric or sewer. $20 a night.
NWescapee said
09:15 AM Jul 8, 2015
A few years ago before we were FT we stayed in the June Lake area north of Mammoth Lakes. Loved it, very peaceful, far enough off 395 to not hear the highway. Mammoth Lakes was a fun area to explore, the bike ride going out of town to a series of lakes is beautiful, but make sure your legs and lungs are ready for that climb. Hubby's comment at the end of the ride? That was our slowest ever 5 miles up and fastest ever 5 miles down!!
Mono Lake is well worth a stop to explore that area as well, it feels like you are in another world.
Ann-Hank said
11:11 AM Jul 8, 2015
I grew up in Ridgecrest, and raised our family in Big Pine. The steepest grade is Conway, between Lee Vining and Bridgeport. You can go out towards Hawthorne by Mono Lake and catch hwy 95. You will be able to cut back to 395 at Fallon to Fernley and back to Reno. The Road over Conway is very good, just a long steep grade. Good luck, it is a beautiful drive.
-- Edited by Ann-Hank on Wednesday 8th of July 2015 11:12:07 AM
DreamerBob said
02:39 PM Jul 8, 2015
Ann-Hank, any idea of what the steepest grade % is? Thanks!
Ann-Hank said
05:38 PM Jul 8, 2015
Bob, I will send you PM with my phone#. I can text you pictures of the info on the main passes from Mountain Directory. It looks like all have stretches of 6%.
Ann
Anybody have experience with route 395 in California? I'll be traveling from Yuma, Az to Susanville, Ca (northern California) & Good Sam's RV trip planner has me going over 400 miles on Ca 395. Any difficult mountain passes to worry about? Is this the best route to take?
Also, does anyone know of a good source of info about maximum highway / road grades? I tried internet searching for Ca395 grades but could find nothing.
As always, thanks for your valuable advice!
There were high winds in the Antelope Valley and the Owens Valley and a couple 6% grades with curves and two-lane road. Nothing difficult, just slower driving.
There is a blogger who has traveled it the whole distance in their 40' MH, with a toad. wheelingit.com has numerous posts on traveling the area, campground reviews, etc. They love the area and the drive so I'm thinking it's good for RVs.
Have fun!
Jodee
You'll find it a pleasure, the scenery is outstanding, and the road itself is in very good condition. Not too much traffic, there are hills and dales as the road winds its way through the valleys along Owens River at the Western edge of the Sierras, and between the Inyo, and White Mountains, but nothing to get excited or concerned about. There are some wonderful spots to picnic beside the river, or stop in Lone Pine for a bite to eat and an ice-cream. Not a bad idea to shoot over to Death Valley for a day or two while in the area. The Bishop,/Susanville region is a pleasure to behold. I will encourage you to bring a fishing rod. Don't worry about the road probably a thousand people a day navigate it with out a problem. Enjoy a safe, relaxing trip.
Thanks very much! I'll be driving it tomorrow.....I sure appreciate the advice!
Barb
Great route, it's just climate dependent. It gets hot down around Ridgecrest in the summer, and gets cold and white north of there during winter. From about May through October, it's great (if you are okay with some warm spots!)
Roy
-- Edited by HighwayRanger on Tuesday 7th of July 2015 10:19:30 PM
I lived not too far from there and have driven it with our 40' 5er. We were driving it on July 5 just a couple of days ago. It's SO beautiful! Like someone else said, bring your fishpole! The Walker River from 108 to the tiny town of Walker is fantastic to fish We stayed at Bootleg Campground (water spigots in several areas) and it was wonderful. No electric or sewer. $20 a night.
Mono Lake is well worth a stop to explore that area as well, it feels like you are in another world.
I grew up in Ridgecrest, and raised our family in Big Pine. The steepest grade is Conway, between Lee Vining and Bridgeport. You can go out towards Hawthorne by Mono Lake and catch hwy 95. You will be able to cut back to 395 at Fallon to Fernley and back to Reno. The Road over Conway is very good, just a long steep grade. Good luck, it is a beautiful drive.
-- Edited by Ann-Hank on Wednesday 8th of July 2015 11:12:07 AM
Ann-Hank, any idea of what the steepest grade % is? Thanks!
Ann