Dateland, AZ to Oceanside, CA

One side note: every rest stop on 1-10 From L.A. To the Arizona border is closed (both directions) just came though there.

By far the shortest way from Dateland AZ to Oceanside CA is I 8 west to 805 north to I 5. I 8 west is a radiator tester from Ocatillo to the top. Altitude change is + approx 4,200 ft in a short distance. I did it in January two months ago and it was still cool. I can do it in July too, but I have a recently cleaned radiator and a lot of excess power.

If you have any overheating problems at all with your rig take the grade first thing in the morning or after 8 pm. It get really hot on that grade in summer. There are several water stations on the way up. I frequently see overheated vehicles on that grade in the summer.

Heading up to I-10 would be a good 100 miles further than I-8. I-8 has a long uphill grade east of El Centro followed by a long downhill grade. In summer months this grade can be very hot but is fine if you travel it early morning.

I-10 route would be easier but longer. Only major grade is downhill east of Indio. High winds can occur through Banning west of Palm Springs.

Do not attempt to drive west bound on I-10 on the last day of a holiday weekend through the Palm Springs area as it can be a traffic nightmare! Otherwise its fine.

shedberg wrote:
This summer I will be traveling to California. One leg of the trip is from Dateland, AZ to Oceanside, CA. I will be pulling a travel trailer and am looking for the easiest (easiest grades, lowest passes in elevation) way into California. I'm looking at I-8, I-10, or I-40.

Time is not critical, just looking for an unchallenging route.

Thanks!

I -8 I-8 and I-8

I8 to San Diego,I5 to Oceanside,Why the southern route to Ca
summer in Yuma,Gila Bend can be 115.
one step grade from desert to mountains E of San Diego
Make sure AC and radiator in good shape

I-40 is way out of your way. I-8 is pretty step in places but doable and is sthe shortest distance. I-10 would be your easiest route but a little out of your way. One caution about I-10, past Palm Springs, is the possibility of extremely strong headwinds, sometimes 40-50 mph. I-8 doesn't have those winds.