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MikelClough's avatar
MikelClough
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015

Easiest route from hwy 101 to ca coast hwy

I am looking for the easiest route to hwy 1 from the Sacramento area. We've traveled to hwy 1 literally 100's of times since I was little. But now I'm driving AND pulling a small camping utility trailer and want to avoid hills and curves where ever possible. We are heading up to Gualala. We typically head over from Petaluma on one of the little roads, then on up 1. Pulling the trailer I know we'll be slower so I wanted to find a more direct route. My fear is mostly hills and tight curves. Several years back we left Gualala and headed to Oregon via I5 and the hwy we chose from 1 didn't look bad on the map but it ended up having severe up and downgrades! And we were only driving our loaded van! We barely made it to 101. The kicker now? We can't remember which hwy we took!
Sorry for the long post and thanks for any help!
Roads and Routes

10 Replies

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  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2015
    Since he's coming from the south Toad Rd to 12 avoids Santa Rosa traffic and brings you to 1 just south of Bodega Bay. The Petaluma route is good but you do get the city traffic.
  • elkhorn98's avatar
    elkhorn98
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2015
    Or you can take 101 to River road in northern Santa Rosa. Then to 116 and hwy 1. That's how I would go.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2015
    The mini truck fuel station at Todd Rd/101 often has lower priced fuel. Then west on Todd Rd and on to Bodega Bay.
  • MikelClough's avatar
    MikelClough
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2015
    Thanks so much for all the input n info!!! I think we'll stick with the tried n true Petaluma/Bodega route I'm more familiar and comfortable with anyway. And besides, I was feeling a little neglectful about not taking our old, traditional, route anyhow! haha

    PS Mtn Directory is great! Will be adding that one to my 'must check' route planning next time!
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2015
    Mountain Directory West will give you information on various grades which can be helpful. You can cross on 20 or take 80 to 37 over to 101, kinda depends upon where you want to go next.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Jun 29, 2015
    While you'll be driving the "back roads" longer doing the Petaluma rather than out of Santa Rosa, I think Bodega Rd is the least twisty of all the roads going from 101 to 1.
  • MikelClough's avatar
    MikelClough
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2015
    Yah, Bodega's the way we travel over most of the time. I definitely think out of Geyserville would be too twisty! I was contemplating heading out the north end of Santa Rosa to 116 and over thru Guerneville. Thought maybe going up 101 would give us a little more time at higher speeds before we have to slow down too much for the curves, etc.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Jun 28, 2015
    I'd say west from Petaluma on Bodega Ave, then north on 1 is the easiest route. The other route would be heading up further on 101 to Geyserville and then take Canyon Rd, but it is twistier than Bodega Ave and 1.
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Jun 28, 2015
    Hwy 1 and 101 are two different highways. You said you don't want hills and curves so I'd definitely not recommend Hwy 1. However, Hwy 101 does have some more minor ones. From I-5 you could cut over to 101 via Hwy 20. We've done that. We also worked our way to Petaluma and headed north that way. These trips were with a 40' motorhome towing a vehicle. No problem.

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