Salinas to Santa Rosa via 101

Thats as good a time as any, though the traffic is getting heavier all the time regardless of commutes. Going North you'll miss the toll and its a beautiful ride over the bridge. 2 ways to go, either follow 101 thru the city, over Lombard St to the bridge but I prefer 280 over 19th avenue. Less signals and a nicer ride. If you're already on 101 you may want to just stay on it instead of detours to 280. Santa Rosa traffic is also getting heavier, be prepared to slow down on the way up there too.

Don't even think about 101 through SF. Use 280 and 19th Ave.

My preferred route would be 101 to 85 and then 280. That will avoid some congestion in San Jose and is also a much prettier route. Rt. 85 has a "no trucks" restriction, but that doesn't apply to RV's.

What about tunnels on the 85 or 280? I know I got an alert on one road that there was as low tunnel. We are around 13' high give or take a few inches. The other route taking 880 I suppose is ok but I think I would run into traffic there too.

Apparently there's a tunnel on Veterans Blvd which is right after 19th Ave that's only 13' 6" so that's cutting it to close. As an alternative I could stay on 280 to 101 I suppose. Is that better for traffic??

101 through San Francisco is not RV friendly. 101 to 85 to 280 is the way to go. If you miss the turn off from 101 to 85 you can still pick up 280 just south of San Jose. Stay in the center lane on 19th ave. and you will be fine. The tunnel is not an issue. Semis, tour buses, log trucks all use this route.

Hmm...the tunnel was the only issue I saw. It listed it as 13'6" which only gives me 6" to spare....will be close!!