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Barbleephoto's avatar
Barbleephoto
Explorer
Nov 17, 2016

California Highway 5 northbound surfacing conditions

Two years ago, when driving on highway 5 north of Bakersfield, the road surface was SO bad that our kitchen cabinet came off the wall of our 5th wheel and I had a migraine.

Does anyone know if this section of highway 5 has been resurfaced? We are thinking of using 5 to return back to the Bay Area from our So Cal holiday. Been sticking to the 101 since that experience but it takes so much longer!

Thanks!
Barbara Lee

6 Replies

  • 1 week ago we used the 99 again to go from Sacramento to Bakersfield...no issues.

    This is our preferred route/road every year when heading to AZ for the Winter.
  • Just keep close to the speed limit (55 in CA while towing) and you should be fine.
  • Just drove that route in the car. Much of the 5 was resurfaced recently, however the right lane seems to have pocked already. I can't image that the contractor got away with this work, but this is California. Anyway, it is not as bad as before, but still not wonderful. If your going into Stockton there is still a bunch of construction all around the 4. The problem with taking the 99 is that there are so many on ramps all along the way. Driving in the right lane you must constantly adjust speed as cars and truck enter and exit the freeway.
    I'd still take the 5.
    Happy Trails.
  • Road work is still going on out there, just in a different place. It gets rough and a tad narrow inalong the zone.
  • I agree with profdant139 on 99 but I really prefer 101/1. But I'm getting old and don't like the traffic on the mid state routes.
  • Barbara, maybe consider Highway 99?? Much of it has been recently resurfaced -- we just took that route a few days ago and were pleasantly surprised. Depending on where in the Bay you are going, it may be worth considering.

    Also, welcome to the forums -- I see that you are new here! I sure hope you ask lots of questions and post some of those amazing photos. For example, there are frequent discussions of the Canadian Rockies on the Canada forum, and your pictures would be very valuable additions to the discussion.