Route from Reno to Redwood

Their is construction in several places north of Yreka into Oregon with only one lane and reduce speed limits, It's summer time and most Hwy's are under construction.

Here's a little more detail on the three choices. Going Hwy 20 will be difficult in a day. Simply a slower route, I would allow two days for that journey. Stopping for a overnight in Ancient Redwoods RV park along Avenue of the Giants. The temperature will start to cool down around Avenue of the Giants. Once past Scotia you can usually turn off the A/C.

The Redding route is the most challenging drive of the three. Hwy 44 from Old Station to Palo Cedro has sections where you will need to keep your speed in check (curvy, narrow, and downhill) from Palo Cedro to Redding its 4 lane freeway. Redding is a bottle neck, but in 10 minutes you'll be through it. Once past Whiskeytown lake you will start hitting construction delays. As you drop down 299 you will probably see fog. Soon you can turn off the A/C. Once on 101 you will make pretty good time to Crescent City. A lot of this stretch runs along the ocean, and probably the prettiest drive (and coolest) of the whole trip.

The third route is a easier drive as it takes hwy 89 into Mt Shasta City instead of going down 44 to Redding. However, once you leave Yreka I-5 will climb into Oregon and keep climbing for several miles. Then you get a long downhill into Ashland. after that its a piece of cake. On 199 you have to go through Grants Pass, but a good road until you get to the other end. There is a section where the road is very narrow, and curvy, as you get near Crescent City. This is the fastest route. The only towns you slow down for are Susanville and Grants Pass. This is still a long drive (420 miles) in a RV. If you need to do it in a day, leave earlier.

Where you are going after Crescent City could influence which route I would take to get there. Be safe and enjoy.

Gonna be a long 1 day trip....you better figure an extra day to stop and enjoy yourself.

According to Google maps the shortest route from Reno to Crescent is 415 miles. If you drive straight through with no stops and can maintain the speed limit, it will take you over eight hours. IMHO, you need to plan to take at least two days if you hope to do any sightseeing along the way.

One day. That doesn't leave any time to stop and see the sights. 1st time I drove to Reno I took 5 days from CC.

Thanks for the great suggestions RognBon, Marv Hoag & Tin-bender. Researching them now and I'll let you know what we decide.

Yes, we often look for interesting things to see along the way. No, not in a hurry...we have the whole day to make the trip with no other plans. Just need to eventually check in to our destination campground in Crescent City sometime before dark...most likely leave Reno before 8am...so we'll have time to check out some stuff along the way.

Thanks Tin-bender for the tip on the rest stop and scenic overlook @ Mt. Lasssen as well as the Straw House. All are now on our list to consider and making us lean in the direction of that route.

What is the purpose of your drive from Reno to Crescent City?
Just to get there as fast as possible or maybe enjoy the drive (scenery) along the way. Do you enjoy good state highway blacktop or are you more comfortable sticking to Interstates?

All the three routes mentioned above have pros and cons to consider. Here is my take,keep in mind I have traveled all of these roads for many years.

Interstate 80 from Reno west has nice scenery, very rough surfaces, very heavy truck and RV traffic. If you take 20 at Emigrant Gap it has curves and can have heavy traffic. Highway 20 from west of Grass Valley to Calpella (at US 101) in my opinion is devoid of scenery and a pretty boring drive except along Clear Lake. Traffic along the resort towns of Clear Lake can be a real bear on summer days especially weekends. 101 north from Calpella is great Redwood forest/ park and ocean scenery country all the way to Cresent City.

Highway 395 Reno to Susanville runs through the high desert country and is a good 2 lane and 4 lane highway. Leaving Susanville there is a good stiff climb to get up on the bench but no real problem. Just west of Susanville turn north on Hwy 44 and on to Redding. Hwy 44 is a very good 2 lane state highway and presents no problems towing. The scenery in the north Sierra range and the south Cascades is worth the drive. Very good rest stop about halfway across at Bogart and don't pass up the scenic overlook stop to see Mt Lassen.

It's gonna be HOT in Redding so be ready. Highway 299 west of Redding to Arcata is a beautiful drive on good 2 lane state highway. Yes there is construction going on but most of the delays are now pretty minimal, but construction delays are everywhere in the west this time of year. If you can stop at a little roadside cafe called the Straw House in the small river community of Big Bar. The food is excellent and enjoying the river flowing past the patio is a great way to relax for a little while. Great Redwood parks between Arcata and Cresent City.

The last route taking I5 north from Redding to Grants Pass,OR takes you through some great mountain and river canyon scenery but the truck traffic can be bad sometimes. There is a serious traffic delay at the Antlers Bridge project can sometimes amount to hours depending on the traffic. Highway 199 from Grants Pass down to Crescent City is a good state highway passing through some great scenery. Be sure to visit the Oregon Caves, a must see in my opinion.

Hope this helps, they are all good roads, just depends on what you want or are interested in seeing.

Tinbender

You've got three choices on routes. The hwy 20 to 101 as previously described. The 299 route thru Redding to 101 as you described (the route I almost always use). The third is hwy 44 to hwy 89 Mt Shasta, I-5 to Grants Pass then hwy 199 to Crescent City. All are good routes and I've done all three many times. The big issue on 299 between Redding and Hwy 101 is road construction. Several large projects to straighten the road with one way traffic delays. Based solely on driving ease,from Reno I would go the I-80 to hwy 20 route.

The fastest is probably Grants pass to Crescent City.

If it were me, I would take I-80 to Hwy 20 to Hwy 101 and then North to the redwoods. This route will take you through the Grass Valley/Nevada City area to Colusa and then around Clear Lake.

Bumping this back up in the hopes some more suggestions come through...

We are about 2 weeks from our departure date. Still not settled on our route from Reno to Cresent City, CA. Any suggestions...scenic routes?

I'm not hesitant about most road types, but the in-laws are a little more conservative when it comes to "adventurous routes". May consider taking different routes.

Thanks.