Forum Discussion

Fulltimers's avatar
Fulltimers
Explorer
Jun 10, 2015

Best route Salinas to Petaluma California

I will be leaving soon on a trip from Salinas to Petaluma, Elks Lodge to Elks Lodge. I am not interested in going through San Francisco. Two years ago I did that by going from 101 to 85 to 280 to Highway 1 and over the bridge. What a nightmare with a 36 foot motorhome with car in tow. The fog was so bad I couldn’t see 10 feet in front of the motorhome. Highway 1 was under construction so I was routed off onto side streets. On the way back from Petaluma I followed the 37 Highway to 80 to 780 to 680 back to 101. This was a good route. I am thinking of taking this in reverse this time. It looks like I will have one toll bridge at the Benicia–Martinez Bridge. I can live with that.
What are your thoughts?
Roads and Routes
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jul 01, 2015
    nevadanick wrote:
    Just drive trough where there is no toll worker and they will mail you a bill. No stopping and convenient.
    Correct, but if you are not home for an extended period of time then you could get late charges. Probably best to pre or post pay at a store or go online and post pay.

    For our limited bay area bridges use it was best to just get Fast Trak.

    AFAIK The Golden Gate bridge is the only bay area bridge that doesn't take cash.
  • nevadanick's avatar
    nevadanick
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2015
    Just drive trough where there is no toll worker and they will mail you a bill. No stopping and convenient.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jul 01, 2015
    Fulltimers wrote:
    Thanks everyone for your replies. This route 101 to 680 to 780 to 80 to 37 and back worked perfect. Very easy drive with no traffic both up and back. Parts of the 680 were rough and rattled the motorhome pretty good and the $20 toll bridge is a bit much though.
    I'm in the bay area enough that I got the Fast Track device. I believe you save a buck or so. The kicker for me was no cash on the Golden Gate bridge, no toll collectors, etc.
  • Fulltimers's avatar
    Fulltimers
    Explorer
    Jul 01, 2015
    Thanks everyone for your replies. This route 101 to 680 to 780 to 80 to 37 and back worked perfect. Very easy drive with no traffic both up and back. Parts of the 680 were rough and rattled the motorhome pretty good and the $20 toll bridge is a bit much though.
  • Just_Lee's avatar
    Just_Lee
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2015
    Fulltimers wrote:
    Just Lee wrote:
    My response is "Hi Dan" LoL

    Hi Lee. I see you got another RV. That makes about 6 to my 1.


    Yup and this should be "It" we are aging out.... ha ha
  • Fulltimers's avatar
    Fulltimers
    Explorer
    Jun 12, 2015
    Just Lee wrote:
    My response is "Hi Dan" LoL

    Hi Lee. I see you got another RV. That makes about 6 to my 1.
  • dkreuzen's avatar
    dkreuzen
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    Instead of taking 37 to/from 101, you can save about 5 miles and the traffic by using Lakeville Hwy between 37 and 101 at Petaluma.
  • Fulltimers's avatar
    Fulltimers
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    CA Traveler wrote:
    37 ALERT! If it's a race day at Sears Point good luck!
    That’s the reason we are heading there. We will be traveling before and after race day so no problem.

    Thanks

    And thanks for everyone’s response.

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