CA 175

I've driven 108, where grades are up to 26% and there is a 25ft length advisory
http://webs.lanset.com/rcochran/images/steep.jpg

By comparison 175 on Google Maps looks gentle. Still I wouldn't recommend it for a bus size RV. The views are totally different.

I might be the He-man from Santa Rosa. I would go back and read my posts. I said I don't think it is a good rv route but know someone who towed illegally over the 39 foot length and had no problems. My point was I have been on worst roads that don't have length restrictions. But don't go by what I say look at roads on google maps at a similar scale. To me the curve on CA 128 outside Cloverdale is worst and maybe CA 29 over mt. St. Helena and how about CA 108 Sonora pass (only a truck advisory route) but they don't have the same restriction. I would rather drive on 175 over 108 any day. The restrictions on 175 were put in place in the 1990s when it use to be legal to go with 40' king pin to axle length which would have a total way over the current 39' restriction and the road seems like it has been improved a lot since then.

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=CA-175+E%2FRiver+Rd&daddr=CA-175+E%2FLakeport-Hopland+175+Rd&hl=en&ll=38.971547,-123.027108&spn=0.00053,0.001051&sll=38.974924,-123.044815&sspn=0.016815,0.033646&geocode=FWWnUgIdoGap-A%3BFSCwUgIdhpWq-A&t=h&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=15&z=20
Google Maps sat view of the western length lines. Use streetview to see more detail.

I live here...IF YOU Attempt it, let me know on what time/day so I can plan NOT to be on the road the same time you are......LOL!......Seriously, I travel Hopland grade IN MY CAR often and take MOST corners at 10-15 mph...However, there is one HE-MAN from Santa Rosa that will tell you he does it "all the time"....There is a painted white line on each side of the grade, if you don't fit, chances are, CHP and a tow truck will need to rescue you...Go the extra 16 miles and take 20

175 is called the "Hopland grade" by the locals. I have been over that route towing my boat and it is not a nice road. Take 20 as been suggested.

Looks like CA20 is the better route.

https wrote:
Originally constructed in the early 1920s, it is one of the steepest and most difficult to drive of any California state highway. Indeed, until recently it was called the "crookedest road in California". Vehicles more than 39 feet (12 m) in length are banned from the Hopland Grade, due to its many tight hairpin turns and curves.

I'd suggest looking at it with Google Maps. Zoom in enough I see lots of curves. Terrain mode gives an idea of the ups and downs. Streetview shows the curves, though the road does not look particularly narrow. There are some good views, since this is drier part of the state than the forests closer to the coast.

Hopland profile

Interactive map with profile (for bicycles)

I have never driven 175 but according to Cal Trans Motor Home Map, part of it is shown as a RED route, which means Motor homes 40 ft and longer are prohibited. That alone tells me it is probably narrow and winding and I am not going to take that road even in my 32 ft MH towing a CRV. Here is the link, when the map comes up, click on number 1 and find 175.

Cal Trans map

On edit, I just noticed a note on the map, no vehicles over 39 ft allowed on 175, scroll down and read at the bottom of the page. Use your own judgment on this one.