As stated in another post, we are planning a 6 week trip from Baltimore to Oakland and back, southern route over and northern back. Thanks to all of the information so far, we are placing a lot of “dots” on the map for places to stop for a day or so and will soon start to connect as many dots as possible.We will be driving a 37 foot Class A, gas not diesel, and we will be pulling a Ford Focus, about 3,000 lbs. Are there any routes through the mountains that we should avoid? Do all of the Interstates lower grades, or are some far more difficult to travel.Again, thanks in advance for all the helpful answers that you can post for us.

Most of the interstates have "challenging" sections when they cross the high ground. I-70, 80, 90 all have at least one or more "passes" that will slow you down. I've also been caught on I-90 behind slower moving vehicles to the point that the airflow through the rad was cut, and the temp gauge let us know pretty quickly. I think the more southerly interstate crossings might have slightly better grades for climb/descent. I would make sure the engine cooling system is in good shape, and change the rad fluid and the engine oil before you hit the hills, and you'll probably be fine.

No Interstate Highway grade is over 6% -- That does not apply on other highways -- William Willard

Don’t avoid I80, US50 or CA88. You’ll miss too much of the Sierras by going on a southerly route. If I had to choose I’d go US50 in Nevada and California. They all go up and then down...thousands of RVs use them every year.

William Willard wrote:No Interstate Highway grade is over 6% -- That does not apply on other highways -- William WillardI-5 the grapevine is 7%

Google Earth Pro has a route profile feature that will give you the highest point and the grades along a route.Simply set a start and end point in Earth and right click on the route. Select Profile. Looks like this.

Roads to avoid | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

CREATO
Explorer
Jan 01, 2018
William Willard wrote:
No Interstate Highway grade is over 6% -- That does not apply on other highways -- William Willard

I-5 the grapevine is 7%
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2018
Don’t avoid I80, US50 or CA88. You’ll miss too much of the Sierras by going on a southerly route. If I had to choose I’d go US50 in Nevada and California. They all go up and then down...thousands of RVs use them every year.
William_Willard
Explorer
Jan 01, 2018
No Interstate Highway grade is over 6% -- That does not apply on other highways -- William Willard
MDKMDK
Explorer
Jan 01, 2018
Most of the interstates have "challenging" sections when they cross the high ground. I-70, 80, 90 all have at least one or more "passes" that will slow you down. I've also been caught on I-90 behind slower moving vehicles to the point that the airflow through the rad was cut, and the temp gauge let us know pretty quickly. I think the more southerly interstate crossings might have slightly better grades for climb/descent. I would make sure the engine cooling system is in good shape, and change the rad fluid and the engine oil before you hit the hills, and you'll probably be fine.

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Roads to avoid

14 Replies

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