Best Route to Pacific Coast from I - 5
Hey, I am looking for the best route to pull a 34ft 5er from Interstate 5 either from the Redding area or from the southern Oregon border. I will be traveling from Sacramento to Lincoln City Oregon bu...
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One thing that is key to answering your question is from what direction are you traveling? Traveling north on I-5 it is obvious that you will want to take Hwy 42 because you would have to drive another 35 miles north on I-5 or old Hwy 99 through Elkton to connect with Hwy 38, then drive south another 30 miles from Reedsport to North Bend/Coos Bay, (as the other poster mentioned). So...traveling from the south, use Hwy 42 to get to Coos Bay. HOWEVER, DO NOT TAKE SIDE ROADS FOR SHORT CUTS THAT ARE ON YOUR MAP OR GPS IF YOU HAVE NEVER DRIVEN THEM BEFORE. People have died from exposure getting caught on forest service roads without a clue, and based on some route they gleaned from a road map or GPS. Stick to the main road HWY 42 and you will have clear access almost all the time, with the exception of black ice and fog in the late fall to early spring.
The main difference between HWY 42 and HWY 38 is that 42 is much more curvy, a little more bumpy, (generally less maintained). Winston is the last main pit stop, so stock up there.
Of course, Hwy 38 is a little better ride, but they are just finishing up road work, which may cause delays. Other than that, it is a easier route to drive. It is the obvious choice especially if driving south on I-5 from PDX etc. Fog and black ice are also a major factor in the late fall and winter, but Hwy 42 is a little more creepy to drive and more difficult to navigate
By the way, to give credit where it's due...this is a post that forwarded from some forum (?) and the poster for that forum is titled
poetatheart
But it is a great response to your question about routes--have a great trip!
Larry
One thing that is key to answering your question is from what direction are you traveling? Traveling north on I-5 it is obvious that you will want to take Hwy 42 because you would have to drive another 35 miles north on I-5 or old Hwy 99 through Elkton to connect with Hwy 38, then drive south another 30 miles from Reedsport to North Bend/Coos Bay, (as the other poster mentioned). So...traveling from the south, use Hwy 42 to get to Coos Bay. HOWEVER, DO NOT TAKE SIDE ROADS FOR SHORT CUTS THAT ARE ON YOUR MAP OR GPS IF YOU HAVE NEVER DRIVEN THEM BEFORE. People have died from exposure getting caught on forest service roads without a clue, and based on some route they gleaned from a road map or GPS. Stick to the main road HWY 42 and you will have clear access almost all the time, with the exception of black ice and fog in the late fall to early spring.
The main difference between HWY 42 and HWY 38 is that 42 is much more curvy, a little more bumpy, (generally less maintained). Winston is the last main pit stop, so stock up there.
Of course, Hwy 38 is a little better ride, but they are just finishing up road work, which may cause delays. Other than that, it is a easier route to drive. It is the obvious choice especially if driving south on I-5 from PDX etc. Fog and black ice are also a major factor in the late fall and winter, but Hwy 42 is a little more creepy to drive and more difficult to navigate
By the way, to give credit where it's due...this is a post that forwarded from some forum (?) and the poster for that forum is titled
poetatheart
But it is a great response to your question about routes--have a great trip!
Larry
