Soon I will be going to Oregon, entering via I-5 northbound. I know that the wildfire situation can change every day. I just want to be prepared with alternate route choices in case any roads are closed on my planned route, which from Reno is up to Susanville, then 44 and 89 to Mt. Shasta/I-5.So as an alternate, from Reno, I'm looking at I-80 then exit onto Hwy 20 across through Grass Valley, Yuba City to Williams/I-5. I'd like to know if this section of Hwy 20 is RV friendly. (MH and tow car in signature)Also what about Hwy 36 west from Susanville to Red Bluff/I-5?I've done another route before that is on my list.....north from Susanville, 139/39 to Klamath Falls then 140 over to I-5.I'm fine driving on 2-lane roads through the forest, sweeping curves, a few passing lanes, some inclines/declines. But I don't like driving on the edge of cliffs or heavy duty switchbacks. (Though I've done some of both!)Thanks for any help!

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.

Reno, NV over to I-5 north | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Jul 15, 2021
395 is listed a no restrictions even with the Beckwourth Complex fire in the vicinity.

https://roads.dot.ca.gov
Janss
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2021
I forgot...I don't want to take 101 up north because of the major road construction at Last Chance Grade south of Crescent City. Timed closures and long waits, and I'm thinking possibly broken up crappy section of road. Don't want everything rattled loose on my motorhome.

I'll probably go to Reno and hope for the best. Thanks for the update time2roll. Hope it stays that way.

MarkTwain...Actually, I think we do have an old CB with a very tall magnetic antenna in our storage room. I'll have to look for that. Thanks for letting me know.
NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2021
In May 2018 I drove 44 out of Susanville to old station and then 89 north and it was a nice wide two lane with wide shoulders most or all of the way and no hair raising curves,drop offs or severe grades all the way to I-5 that I recall. I was only towing a 5X8 U haul but would tow my 28 Foot TT over the same route with no fears. I do remember one very short steep grade just outside of Susanville heading west on 36 or maybe it was 44.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Jul 15, 2021
MarkTwain wrote:
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!

Buy 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. Buy a cheap CB but make sure you buy a Wilson 5ft. antenna. Portable CB's generally do not have the capability to reach out any real distance to talk with other people. You want the capaility to reach out in the 1 mile range. Approximately $150 or less 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.
Janss
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2021
NamMedevac 70...That is my planned route, as I mentioned in my original post. I've driven it before. I really like it!

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