Thanks for any help...we r in Trinidad headed south tomorrow. We need to go to Modesto, but want to head down the 101.We have a large diesel 40 ft funmover towing a jeep. Don't want to pay any tolls if possible, and would like to avoid country roads thru Clearlake. (Done a whole lot of mountain driving this trip) Truck routes has us going down the 101 to the 580 in the Bay Area. Is this toll free? Can we drive our rig thru there no worries? Thanks, also any truck stop info is good.Chuck

I can help you out a little, I just did that route and paid NO tolls.Although it says so on the maps, and I was ready to, I saw no toll booths and paid no tolls. That Bridge is a loooong one !Good Luck.

Thanks! Beats a run on the 37! Usual rush hr in the bay area headed East I assume. We'll try to hit r before 3

I did it mid day on a Tuesday, traffic was thick around Oakland but moving after that it was pretty much clear sailing. To San Jose then on to Santa Cruz.

I would take 20 from 101 to I-5 and straight down the valley. Yes, a bit windier and might be just a few miles further, but you will wish you did when stuck in the bay area traffic.

My route for this trip would be south on 101 to Willits, and then further south on 101 and take Hwy20 over to I 5 at Williams, then south to Stockton, take Hwy 4 to Hwy 99 and on to Modesto.

Route request - Trinidad/Arcata to Modesto | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

cbigham
Explorer III
Jul 20, 2013
Made it thru no worries about 12pm. Maybe a half mile of traffic at the 580/880/80 junction of about 40 mph and again 10 min or so of construction traffic around the 205. Traffic really wasn't a factor but man, that 580 was a beater road surface wise thru Oakland.
Executive45
Explorer III
Jul 20, 2013
othertonka wrote:
OP, Now that you have done it, how was 580 traffic?

He's NOT home yet...still stuck in traffic on 580 in Pleasanton....:B:B:B.....Dennis
othertonka
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013
OP, Now that you have done it, how was 580 traffic?
Executive45
Explorer III
Jul 19, 2013
And if you end up taking SR20 the cheapest fuel is at the Casino at Clear Lake. Easy in and out, you'll have no problem with your rig....Dennis
Doug_E_
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
580 is one big parking lot east of the Dublin grade (Pleasanton) after 2:30 or 3:00 in the after noon.
I would take billinwoodland or othertonkas advice and avoid the bay area traffic, but that's just me.
Who knows You might actually enjoy sitting in traffic.
Pogoil
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
Wow you will be taking a harder route than you need to. 580???

Pogoil.
cbigham
Explorer III
Jul 18, 2013
Time to beat feet home, no need for the 20 or any more country driving. Thanks tho, the 580 should get r done.
othertonka
Explorer
Jul 18, 2013
My route for this trip would be south on 101 to Willits, and then further south on 101 and take Hwy20 over to I 5 at Williams, then south to Stockton, take Hwy 4 to Hwy 99 and on to Modesto.
Billinwoodland
Explorer
Jul 18, 2013
I would take 20 from 101 to I-5 and straight down the valley. Yes, a bit windier and might be just a few miles further, but you will wish you did when stuck in the bay area traffic.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Jul 18, 2013
I did it mid day on a Tuesday, traffic was thick around Oakland but moving after that it was pretty much clear sailing. To San Jose then on to Santa Cruz.