Reno, NV over to I-5 north

Picking up hwy 20 from I-80 westbound the hwy 20 road is narrow two lane with slim shoulders if I remember correctly and of course scenic and twisting thru the mountains and many spots are marked where fatal crashes occurred. Highway 395 north of Reno is often closed now due to the Beckwourth Fire Complex that has crossed the hwy and buildings have burned in Doyle that is on 395. Sometimes they use a pilot car when opening the highway north of Hallelujah junction at 395 and hwy 70. Caltrans DOT road info is usually up to date on road closures with maps and sometimes photos. This is very recent info from the fire incident website at

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7601/60867/

80 to the 5 looks pretty good right now as far as I can tell. Couple hot spots around Yuba.

I would be more worried about the Salt fire on I5 or the Lava fire if it moves toward I5.

https://www.latimes.com/wildfires-map/

like many others he/she may be trying to avoid going thru Sacramento heavy traffic most times of day and night except

Given all the unpredictable fire conditions, I would take 80 through Sacramento, up I-5 north to Hwy. 20. Hwy. 20 is an easy route for RVers even though it is 2 lanes but it is a scenic trip to hwy. 101 then north to Oregon. there is an Indian Casino 1/2 way on Hwy. 20 with a big parking lot to stay over night or just pull over to rest. No charge. As far as the Sacramento traffic cluster, I just stay in the middle lane all the way. Stay out of the right lanes to avoid the turning off and merging traffic.

MarkTwain wrote:
Given all the unpredictable fire conditions, I would take 80 through Sacramento, up I-5 north to Hwy. 20. Hwy. 20 is an easy route for RVers even though it is 2 lanes but it is a scenic trip to hwy. 101 then north to Oregon. there is an Indian Casino 1/2 way on Hwy. 20 with a big parking lot to stay over night or just pull over to rest. No charge. As far as the Sacramento traffic cluster, I just stay in the middle lane all the way. Stay out of the right lanes to avoid the turning off and merging traffic.

Good advice and a more scenic and slower route up 101.

At the end of August I would like to take 5 south from Eugene OR but it will be based on fire conditions period. In Aug 2018 we were just 2 hours ahead of the fire that swept over 5 in N CA that destroyed cars and trucks. We and they were unaware of the pending disaster and fire awareness is now burned into my brain.

Be careful, be safe.

CA Traveler wrote:

MarkTwain wrote:
Given all the unpredictable fire conditions, I would take 80 through Sacramento, up I-5 north to Hwy. 20. Hwy. 20 is an easy route for RVers even though it is 2 lanes but it is a scenic trip to hwy. 101 then north to Oregon. there is an Indian Casino 1/2 way on Hwy. 20 with a big parking lot to stay over night or just pull over to rest. No charge. As far as the Sacramento traffic cluster, I just stay in the middle lane all the way. Stay out of the right lanes to avoid the turning off and merging traffic.

Good advice and a more scenic and slower route up 101.

At the end of August I would like to take 5 south from Eugene OR but it will be based on fire conditions period. In Aug 2018 we were just 2 hours ahead of the fire that swept over 5 in N CA that destroyed cars and trucks. We and they were unaware of the pending disaster and fire awareness is now burned into my brain.

Be careful, be safe.

I terms of keeping up to date on road conditions/fires, I always have my CB radio on channel 17 on the west coast which also has the national weather alert feature. The truckers have always been helpful with information on road/traffic conditions:)

This map shows as of today that most of the US is covered in smoke.

https://fire.airnow.gov/?lat=45.5173&lng=-122.6398&zoom=10

Right now, Sacramento's traffic is not that bad. No major roadwork being done and many people are still telecommuting for work. This will change over the next few months as offices decide on whether to continue telecommuting or not, but right now take advantage of it.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful replies! We go to the Oregon Coast annually, but planning the route is getting trickier each year. We like to drive up western NV mainly to avoid as much of CA gas prices as possible! We could always just go I-40/58/I-5. If we go the Reno route, I just thought driving down I-80 to Sac was backtracking, so wanted to know about the other routes. But it sounds like I don't want to drive 20 from Reno to Yuba City. I may end up driving 20 from I-5 to 101, but I'm planning to come back that way to show more of the coast to a relative who is joining us on the return home.

What about Hwy 36 west from Susanville. Anyone know how that route is for a motorhome towing? Last time we went this way, Hwy 44 from Susanville had just reopened a day before we got there.

CA Traveler...I remember hearing about that fire. What an awful experience! I can imagine how conditioned you are now to think about that.

MarkTwain...I didn't know people still use CBs. We have a portable one. I'll have to hook it up and see if it still works.

I'll be checking all the fire and road condition websites. Thanks again!

Janss wrote:
Thank you so much for all the wonderful replies! We go to the Oregon Coast annually, but planning the route is getting trickier each year. We like to drive up western NV mainly to avoid as much of CA gas prices as possible! We could always just go I-40/58/I-5. If we go the Reno route, I just thought driving down I-80 to Sac was backtracking, so wanted to know about the other routes. But it sounds like I don't want to drive 20 from Reno to Yuba City. I may end up driving 20 from I-5 to 101, but I'm planning to come back that way to show more of the coast to a relative who is joining us on the return home.

What about Hwy 36 west from Susanville. Anyone know how that route is for a motorhome towing? Last time we went this way, Hwy 44 from Susanville had just reopened a day before we got there.

CA Traveler...I remember hearing about that fire. What an awful experience! I can imagine how conditioned you are now to think about that.

MarkTwain...I didn't know people still use CBs. We have a portable one. I'll have to hook it up and see if it still works.

I'll be checking all the fire and road condition websites. Thanks again!

But a Cobra or Midland CB and a 5ft. Wilson antenna with a magnet base so you can place it on the top of your Cab in the center. Portable CB's generally do not have the ability to talk with others in the 1 mile range because of it's antenna. $150 will get you all set up. Go to a CB shop so they can adjust the antenna to get maximum distance for good contact with others.