AZ to OR- which route is flatter?

[soon2bexpat]

Leaving Flagstaff on 5/7 to head to the Oregon coast for a workamping gig. One route is 95 out of Vegas. The other is I40 to I5 up Cali.

I've never taken 95 but had one trip up I5. I remember it as being in very bad condition but relatively flat. It seems like 95 would be more mountainous, esp. when turning west into CA.

I would prefer a flatter route. Recommendations?

[Janss]

Last summer, I took I-5 to the Oregon Coast and was pleasantly surprised that they had repaved some long stretches since I last drove on it. Wasn't a bad drive.

When I've taken 95 to the coast, I go 95 to Fallon, then 50/80/395/44/89 to I-5 by Mt Shasta.

Try this website:
www.flattestroute.com

Look at the graphs under the resulting map. If you pass your mouse pointer over the graph, it will pinpoint the position on the map.

[2gypsies1]

I'd also recommending you avoid California unless you take 395 on the eastern Sierras. It's a gorgeous drive, nice wide highway with a few 'ups' but not serious. Or go up through Nevada.

It appears you have a small RV. Why are you looking for flattest? You're traveling in beautiful areas and hills are a part of it. Don't avoid major secondary highways. That's where you'll find the beauty. Forget about I-5 in California!

Have a good trip and a good gig!

[Ed_Gee]

This is a tough one.....both routes are flat for long distances. I have driven both many times. Not sure the 95 route you have in mind is the best for flat. The most extensive mountainous driving will be in Northern California above Redding, and Oregon. Because of that, and because I like to avoid California all together, I recommend 95 all the way north through Nevada - and north from Winnemucca to Oregon 78 - to Burns where you get on Oregon 20 West - to Oregon 126 which can take you west to Florence on the coast. The only mountains you would go over are the Cascades and 20/126 route over them is fairly quick and easy. An option in Nevada that will save some time is leave 95 at Tonopah and take 376 North to Austin and then 305 north to 80 and down to Winnemucca where you would pick up 95 north into Oregon again. This route is even flatter and more boring but perfectly acceptable for any RV.

[azdryheat]

My recommendation would be to learn Google Maps. Great route planning and with satellite and street views. You can see where the mountains and flatlands are in satellite view and in street view you can move down onto the street itself to see what the road looks like.

[donn0128]

Where on the coast? Personally to avoid CA as much as possible, I would take 395 to just north of Lakeview, 31 NW to LaPine, 97 north to Bend, 20 toward Salem. There is one short climb on 31 and about 15 miles oit of Sisters. The rest is relatively flat. This will drop you onto the central coast at Lincoln City. South coast? Thats a different story. No matter what your going to have climbs and decents getting here.