CA 36 over the mountains

I was also going to suggest Hwy 20 as another option

Hwy 36 is O.K. for skilled drivers. Enjoy :C

I have towed on 36 west from Red Bluff to the coast. Not fun. Won't do it again.

36 East to Susanville good road, no problem. I don't know why anyone would say it is remote. Currently no fuel in Mineral. Fuel is Red Bluff, Chester, Westwood, and Susanville.

44 from Redding to Susanville is also good. Fuel in Old Station is iffy. Ample boondocking opportunities along both 36 & 44 if you want to pull over for the night. Forest is mostly flat, with many unpaved side roads. Just drive up a side road a short distance to get away from highway noise and lights.

89 through Lassen Park is still open at this writing, it will close with first good snow.

I worked CHP in Red Bluff for four years. DO NOT take SR 36 From 101 to Red Bluff. Take 299. 36 to to 101 is very crooked, narrow and not RV Friendly. We only patrolled about 10 miles west of town. Very remote.

36 to Susanville is good road, very scenic, but again remote. Crooked for a few miles west of Mineral, otherwise very good road with little traffic.

I'd gas up in Red Bluff and you'd have no problems.

Depending when you go east over the Cascades, there can be significant snow. Some roads in Lassen NP, just north of Mineral get 60+ FEET of snow with 30+ on the ground.

They try to open north/south highway by 4th of July and consider it a long summer if it is still open at Halloween.

SR 36 gets lots of snow but rarely closes and is well plowed.

Hwy 36 from 101 to I-5 is restricted, not just for 40 footer, but not recommended for over 35ft. You have two options. 299 to Redding, which turns into hwy 44 which intersects with 36 into Susanville. Option 2 is south on 101 to hwy 20, around Clear Lake to I-5. From there you can stay on 20 all the way until I-80 or take I-5 to Sacramento and I-80 to Nevada. Just depends on the kind of roads you prefer and how fast you want to travel.

You definitely do not want to take Hwy 36 from 101 to I 5. That section is twisty, narrow, and real tight turns. It is also a red route by cal Trans which means Motorhomes 40 ft and longer are prohibited. If they don't want 40 footers, I don't want to try it even with a 32 footer. I have no knowledge of Hwy 36 from I 5 east over the mountains. Maybe others have more info

Thanks for the advice. 36 does look a bit hairy from 101 to Redding, just wanted confirmation.

I'm thinking I want to get to Reno or CArson City and pick up the traces of the Lincoln Highway and follow it east. There are at least 5 alignments to choose from as we cross the country Clicky I do not want to retrace to SF to pick it up there as going over the mountains looks like fun too.

We have crossed the country on one road before for instance US 20 from Florence OR to Boston Commons in Boston. Although we started that run in Yellowstone NP After having driven just a bit of it in OR. We stayed on that to I 390 in NY.

299 to Redding is what we took. Still twisty in some spots but a beautiful drive. Allow plenty of time.

If I were you, I would consider 299 to Redding. Especially in the spring because not only is 36 from the coast a little too hairy for your rig, but snow is there. Not even sure they plow it. 299 is twisty, but OK for your rig. I wouldn't even consider trying 36 from 101. 36 from Red Bluff is easier, but pretty tough too. I would consider 44 from Redding. Much better and easier road. All of these roads could be a problem if we get snow this winter, so check far ahead.