Forum Discussion

DandM-AG's avatar
DandM-AG
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017

Best route from Hollister, Ca north to Santa Rosa, Ca

Hello All,

Looks like the 2 best routes for this trip are:

1) 101>880>580>101

2) 101>280>CA1>through Golden Gate Park>across the GG Bridge

The negative to option 1 is that we have to pay the big toll crossing the 580 bridge.

The negative to option 2 is driving through San Francisco on CA 1 and driving through the MacArthur tunnel (not sure what the vertical clearance is). Also, not sure how easy it will be to cross the GG Bridge.

Any thoughts on which route is better would be much appreciated.

Our rig is a Ram 3500 dually pulling a 40' fifth wheel (with a vertical clearance of 13' 2"

Thanks, Mark
Roads and Routes
  • Travelon's avatar
    Travelon
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2017
    Option 1, your rig is too big to haul through town, pay the toll. Been there, Done that.

    Our 5er is 37'.

    Travelon
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2017
    Travelon wrote:
    Option 1, your rig is too big to haul through town, pay the toll. Been there, Done that.

    Our 5er is 37'.

    Travelon


    X1, Going through SF would be a night mare expecially when you have other options.
  • Cordelia's avatar
    Cordelia
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2017
    The tunnel is not a problem as Trucks and tour buses do it all the time, don't use the curb lane! Depending on time of day 880/580 can be a traffic nightmare. I would also look at 680 to 80 to 37 to 101 this will bypass most the bay area commute traffic and the bay bridge maze. Note 37 has been flooded and closed due to our liquid sunshine we have been having. Check with Caltrans if your are doing this soon.
  • haddy1's avatar
    haddy1
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2017
    Northbound, go through SF on 19th Ave to the GG bridge. The buses and trucks do it every day. The lights on 19th ave are timed so if you can get "in sync" you might have to stop only a couple of times.

    If going south, use 580 and the east bay route.

    I've done this many times with trailers and motorhomes pulling a toad.
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2017
    djgarcia wrote:
    Travelon wrote:
    Option 1, your rig is too big to haul through town, pay the toll. Been there, Done that.

    Our 5er is 37'.

    Travelon


    X1, Going through SF would be a night mare especially when you have other options.


    I have done it once and yes it is doable but in opinion for the typical RVers who has not taken that route and unfamiliar of what to expect, it would not be my choice. IMHO
  • haddy1's avatar
    haddy1
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2017
    djgarcia wrote:
    djgarcia wrote:
    Travelon wrote:
    Option 1, your rig is too big to haul through town, pay the toll. Been there, Done that.

    Our 5er is 37'.

    Travelon


    X1, Going through SF would be a night mare especially when you have other options.


    I have done it once and yes it is doable but in opinion for the typical RVers who has not taken that route and unfamiliar of what to expect, it would not be my choice. IMHO


    19th. Ave is not too bad. Many have attempted to follow 101 through the city. That is a BIG mistake.
  • DandM-AG's avatar
    DandM-AG
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2017
    Great input, I really appreciate all of your thoughts. I think I will take the East Bay Interstate route.

    Thanks Again,
    Mark

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