US101 vs. I680 thru SF bay area

punomatic wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. I looked at the map closely, and the logical route is the 101-880-580-101 route; seems to make the most sense. I guess it must be right, 'cause that's what Gerty Garmin tells me, too! :-)

Good choice, my office use to be downtown SF and you want to avoid if possible if just passing thu. If stopping for a few days, of course you want to visit the entire area.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Thanks for all the replies. I looked at the map closely, and the logical route is the 101-880-580-101 route; seems to make the most sense. I guess it must be right, 'cause that's what Gerty Garmin tells me, too! :-)

TravelHawk wrote:
Maps are deceiving because of how California and S.F. Bay are tilted. US-101 is slightly shortest in miles but not in speed.

The east bay route is essentially the same distance, but typically a better drive: US-101 to San Jose, then I-880 along the east bay shoreline to the Bay Bridge "maze" of multiple freeways. Continue north on I-80/I-580, staying on I-580 when it turns west across Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, merging back into US-101. (Toll is $5 for single vehicle. For those who tow, it jumps to $20 for 2 vehicles hooked together -- the State is very bad at math.)

I-880 road quality is poor in south Oakland, and there will be plenty of truck traffic. But the west bay route of US-101 is worse, plus it requires city streets through San Francisco, and the scenic but tight GG Bridge and tight and twisty US-101 in south Marin.

PS: I-680 would be way off-course. From San Jose it leaves the bay and routes inland, north to I-80, which would then be a tough drive to get back to US-101.

Of course, commute traffic and accidents can change everything!

X2

I've gone this way three times in the past. 101 to San Jose. In San Jose over to I-280. Take 19th Ave thru SF to GG Bridge (Free direction). Things to know about this route from Paso Robles - leave early. It would be nice to hit San Jose about 10am.

Option 2 in San Jose switch over to I-880 which will take you towards the Richmond San Rafael bridge and over to 101.

Option 3 stay on I-80 over the Carquinez bridge, in Vallejo take Hwy 37 over to 101.

Option 4 Avoid the whole mess and take the long way around. In Gilroy take hwy 152 over to I-5 thru Sacramento to Williams, then Hwy 20 over to 101. This route adds about 90 miles to the journey.

If it were up to me I'd recommend option 2. I lived in the Bay Area for over 50 years so I'd have no issues with the traffic, and there will be traffic.

If you've never seen the GG bridge, option 1 works for a lot of folks. Being in a camper is easier than a 40 footer towing or a large 5er.
Best time to go through Bay Area is 10am to 1pm. traffic wise.

Lots of choices, pick what works for you.

msmith1199 wrote:
Actually, in checking Google, the 680 route only adds about 10 miles to your trip and may be the best way to go as far as traffic goes. But don't take all the way to 80, get off at 780 and take it over to 80 and then 80 up to 37 and 37 back over to 101.

Just taking 101 all the way up takes you right through the heart of San Francisco. It's a doable route, but not as much fun in an RV. If it were me and my only concern was getting through the bay area with the least amount of traffic, I'd probably take 680. But you never know where that accident is going to happen and screw up traffic.

X2 on this route except we stay on 680 to 80 to 505. Get to San Jose after about 10:00 and you should sail through. We go from Morro Bay to points north on 5. Depending on your fuel consumption and sitting tolerance, we usually stop at the gas/diesel station just before Gilroy (right at 3 hours for us). Top off the tank, streach our legs, let me and the dog sniff a few tires and lift our legs, then on the road again. That lets us get all the way to Redding before we need to refuel.

Actually, in checking Google, the 680 route only adds about 10 miles to your trip and may be the best way to go as far as traffic goes. But don't take all the way to 80, get off at 780 and take it over to 80 and then 80 up to 37 and 37 back over to 101.

Just taking 101 all the way up takes you right through the heart of San Francisco. It's a doable route, but not as much fun in an RV. If it were me and my only concern was getting through the bay area with the least amount of traffic, I'd probably take 680. But you never know where that accident is going to happen and screw up traffic.

Maps are deceiving because of how California and S.F. Bay are tilted. US-101 is slightly shortest in miles but not in speed.

The east bay route is essentially the same distance, but typically a better drive: US-101 to San Jose, then I-880 along the east bay shoreline to the Bay Bridge "maze" of multiple freeways. Continue north on I-80/I-580, staying on I-580 when it turns west across Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, merging back into US-101. (Toll is $5 for single vehicle. For those who tow, it jumps to $20 for 2 vehicles hooked together -- the State is very bad at math.)

I-880 road quality is poor in south Oakland, and there will be plenty of truck traffic. But the west bay route of US-101 is worse, plus it requires city streets through San Francisco, and the scenic but tight GG Bridge and tight and twisty US-101 in south Marin.

PS: I-680 would be way off-course. From San Jose it leaves the bay and routes inland, north to I-80, which would then be a tough drive to get back to US-101.

Of course, commute traffic and accidents can change everything!