Hi we heading down to southern California next weekend. Driving down 101 from Oregon into California. Now my problem is I-5 thru Stockton. I despise this part of the trip, so we are thinking of staying on 101 to San Francisco then making our way up to Tracy to I-5, then I-5 to Los Banos then east to 99 to Bakersfield. Have never driven close to San Francisco before, looks like a bigger city than I would like but anything is better than Stockton. Any ideas would be great. we drive a 36Ft Gas Motor Home towing a Jeep, if that helps any.Cheers.

Hi. Why not GO east over a I-5 by-pass route, and jump over to I-5 before you get to S.F. Or try Cal S/R 99 which will put you closer to stackton which is still east of I-5. I came down from Wa.,Or. in Sep. / Oct. 2015. WATCH OUT FOR BAD WEATHER.

Depending on the day of the week and time of day taking 101 to the Richmond/Rafael bridge takes you east of San Francisco where you can rejoin 101. In Gilroy you can take 152 over to 5, then 46 to 99 a few miles north of Bakersfield.

The alternate routes aren't any better but:101 37, 80, 780, 680, 580, 5or101, 19th Ave through SF, 280, 85, 101, 152, 5You will have to pre or post pay the GG toll as you cannot pay as you cross. Then you'll have 6 miles of SF city traffic. You can stay on 101 through SF which is also city traffic and continue to 152. I prefer the middle lane of 19th Ave.Do the above routes midday and your best route is to take 20 to 5 and through Sac/Stockton midday. In Sac you could take 50 to 99 to avoid Stockton.

Richmond/Rafael bridge etc is an alternate. But I'm a member of the I hate Berkley/Oakland club. But I've done it many times midday and you could take 580 over to 99.

What is the matter with 101 to the 37 to the 80 to the 680 back to the 101?I have that route marked on my map so I have done it before. No big "red X" on it so it must not be to bad.

101 south over to I-5 around San Francisco | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

the_bear_II
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
I was through the Stockton area last year. It looked like CalTrans was just completing a construction project. I-5 wasn't bad on the trip up and the trip down. It really depends on the day and time of day.

Actually that's the same for 101, I-5 and 99 through some of the larger cities like San Francisco, San Jose, Stockton, Bakersfield, Fresno and all of Los Angeles county... Tues thru Thursday after 9AM before 11:30AM and after 1PM before 3PM are the times I try to travel through larger cities.
korbe
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
I would take mid-day Stockton I-5 traffic over the Bay Area.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Dec 09, 2015
Just don't stop in Stockton? It'll take you a lot longer to take 101. But, if you have the time, and like to see the coast, do it.. :)

But, if you are on a time crunch, i5 all the way down to LA is the way to go, time wise... Not so much scenic... Just hammer down and don't look back.

Mitch
Janss
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2015
Is Stockton worse than southern CA? Just curious, what's so bad about driving through Stockton?

I have taken 101/37/80/780/680/580 route with no problem. Of course, plenty of vehicles on the road!
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 09, 2015
dons2346 wrote:
What is the matter with 101 to the 37 to the 80 to the 680 back to the 101?
That is one of the routes I suggested except to cut over on 580 since he's going to Bakersfield. But 152 and 46 are cut overs from 101.
dons2346
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
What is the matter with 101 to the 37 to the 80 to the 680 back to the 101?

I have that route marked on my map so I have done it before. No big "red X" on it so it must not be to bad.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 09, 2015
Richmond/Rafael bridge etc is an alternate. But I'm a member of the I hate Berkley/Oakland club. But I've done it many times midday and you could take 580 over to 99.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 09, 2015
The alternate routes aren't any better but:

101 37, 80, 780, 680, 580, 5

or

101, 19th Ave through SF, 280, 85, 101, 152, 5

You will have to pre or post pay the GG toll as you cannot pay as you cross. Then you'll have 6 miles of SF city traffic. You can stay on 101 through SF which is also city traffic and continue to 152. I prefer the middle lane of 19th Ave.

Do the above routes midday and your best route is to take 20 to 5 and through Sac/Stockton midday. In Sac you could take 50 to 99 to avoid Stockton.
JohnG3
Explorer II
Dec 09, 2015
Depending on the day of the week and time of day taking 101 to the Richmond/Rafael bridge takes you east of San Francisco where you can rejoin 101. In Gilroy you can take 152 over to 5, then 46 to 99 a few miles north of Bakersfield.
Tankcar
Explorer
Dec 09, 2015
Hi. Why not GO east over a I-5 by-pass route, and jump over to I-5 before you get to S.F. Or try Cal S/R 99 which will put you closer to stackton which is still east of I-5. I came down from Wa.,Or. in Sep. / Oct. 2015. WATCH OUT FOR BAD WEATHER.

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101 south over to I-5 around San Francisco

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