Sacramento to Bakersfield

With family in both Redding & Temecula, we've driven both many, many times. We prefer 99. Both had patches of road that were horrible & other stretches being repaired last time we used them. We do tend to somewhat alternate between them. I find no significant difference in the difficulty of driving one as opposed to the other. 99 is virtually flat. 5 tends to be more in the low level foothills, so our coach spends a lot of time downshifting which means I turn off th cruise control. I will share this. We practically always spend a night in Flag City RV (Passport America) on 5. Then take 12 over to 99 to avoid both the construction & rough roads south of there on 5. We use 58, as I suspect you will, out of Bakersfield. If we feel like a good meal, we stay at Bakersfield RV Resort & have dinner at there on site restaurant after a dunk in the pool & jacuzzi. If not we usually stay at Orange Grove on 58, just to the east of Bakersfield.

I5 has a fair amount of commercial traffic but nothing like 99. Last time down 99 the commercial traffic outnumbered the cars with lots of slow trucks entering and exiting due to all of the town and business hauling. Not possible to cruise in the right lane and lots of moving left when clear to go around trucks at 45mph. I5 may be dull but I spend most of the time at a steady speed and not dodging trucks. Being from SoCal I would be happy if Sacramento and Bakersfield were twin cities as there is little between the two I find a need for.

kalynzoo wrote:
The 99 is about the same as the 5 (both badly need repair). Scenery is different. On the 99 you will have many more on/off ramps so there is more merging traffic. Beyond that, it is a nice drive.

"I5" and "scenery" should never be used in the same sentence.. :)

The 99 is about the same as the 5 (both badly need repair). Scenery is different. On the 99 you will have many more on/off ramps so there is more merging traffic. Beyond that, it is a nice drive.

I'm assuming you are going to take 58 over the hill from Bakersfield. If so, I would take 99. If you were going south of where I5 and 99 meet, I would take I5. If you took I5 and planned on taking 58 east, the stretch between I5 and 99 on 58 can have real bad traffic during most day time hours.

When we went South in Dec. I5 was in lousy condition (South of Sacrament), 99 has lots on on/off traffic but is a better ride.

I have found that travel during the weekday has more local traffic getting on and off the freeway with 99. But have found that if I'm traveling the same speed as the big rigs (or a bit slower) on I-5, I can stay in the slow lane without changing lanes for hours......and hours.....and hours.

Well it is a Ford/Chevy debate thing for folks around here... but I'm with the 99 crowd. 99 has been upgraded to federal interstate standards the last few years and is a real nice ride... more exits with 'things' you may need or want also.

X2

I travel back and forth between Southern and Northern California numerous times each year. Sometimes I go 99 and other times I use I-5. Both take about the same time depending on traffic, weather, construction...etc.

I actually prefer 99. More to see, more places to stop.

99 to Bakersfield would be my choice.

If you do take I-5 be sure to stop at Harris Ranch for lunch or dinner...great food and service.