Best route: Phoenix to Bakersfield

[otrfun]

Towing a TT at 60 mph departing Phoenix at 9am on a Sunday.

1. Phoenix, I10, 72, Parker AZ, 95, I40, Barstow CA, 58, Bakersfield (493 miles)

or

2. Phoenix, I10, I210, Pasadena, I5, Bakersfield (483 miles)

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[MarshaNichols]

dicknellen wrote:
We lived in Bakersfield and I would and have taken your route 1. I really dislike LA area freeways. When we go back to visit we like to stay at Bakersfield RV Resort. Dick

" 1. Phoenix, I10, 72, Parker AZ, 95, I40, Barstow CA, 58, Bakersfield (493 miles)"

Agreed...Bakersfield RV Resort is wonderful!

[Marv_Hoag]

I've used 395 and 14 a few years back. Not any more. I've also used CA 95 to Blythe. Honestly, there are so many routes, and I've tried most. These days the only thing that might cause me to change routes is the weather or destination change. Bottom line they all get you where you want to go.

[brooks379]

Marv Hoag wrote:
If you don't want to go through Lake Havasu City, this is the route I take. I-10 to Quartzsite (diesel up in Q )to AZ 95 north. In Parker, instead of turning right on 95, continue straight over the bridge and turn left on Hwy 62 to Vidal Junction, then right on CA 95 into Needles.

This is a good way to go ^^^^ but I like to go to Blyth, CA and then north on 95 to I 40 at Needles. 2 lane with some rolling hills but not much traffic and the only stop is a stop sign in Vidal Jct. pretty easy drive.

[mileshuff]

What about I-10, I-215, 138, I-5, 99? Or same route but 14 to 58 or 395 to 58?

I'll be heading from Phoenix to Paso Robles in November. Looking to avoid the worst of the L.A. area as well. Was thinking of routing thru Bakersfield.

[dicknellen]

Marv bring up a good point, there are two 95s one in AZ which is scenic and the one in CA which is not and the CA 95 is faster. Dick

[Marv_Hoag]

If you don't want to go through Lake Havasu City, this is the route I take. I-10 to Quartzsite (diesel up in Q )to AZ 95 north. In Parker, instead of turning right on 95, continue straight over the bridge and turn left on Hwy 62 to Vidal Junction, then right on CA 95 into Needles.

[CA_Traveler]

Not to much traffic on those roads except possibly rush hour. The Antelope Fairground in Lancaster is a good stop over.

[otrfun]

Looks like we'll be giving route 1 some serious consideration 🙂 Thanks, everyone!

It's nice to get some realworld input from experienced travelers like yourselves in order to make an informed decision.

CA Traveler, I really like the idea of taking I10 to San Berdoo then bypassing most of the LA basin by taking I215/I15 to 138 (from Cajon Junction) to Palmdale. How is local traffic on this 50 mile stretch from Cajon Junction to Palmdale?

Toobold, appreciate the heads-up about heavy Vegas to Bakersfield traffic on 58 on Sundays. If we take route 1 we'll probably spend the night in Barstow Sunday night. Hopefully it'll be clear Mon morning.

2gypsies, yup, that I40 stretch from Needles to Barstow looks pretty desolate. My only worry with that stretch is a potential breakdown. With a well-maintained, relatively new, TV and TT hopefully that won't be an issue.

Thanks again everyone!

[Marv_Hoag]

Traveled both routes, prefer Route 1 - Use this route every year going to Mesa & back.

[CA_Traveler]

Because of family in Simi Valley we've taken 210 many times. But we stop in Q or Indio which allows us to leave Phoenix after rush hour and 210 mid day.

Given that and given adequate power for the ACs during the summer it wasn't to bad. But route 1 is generally the best.

We've also taken i10 to San Bernardion and up to 58 or through Lancaster to Gorman. Also not a bad alternative.

[2gypsies1]

We've taken your first route through Havasu City to I-40. Once you get on I-40, there is absolutely nothing to stop for and no campgrounds within easy reach so plan for a straight through to Bakersfield. Have a good one!

[TOOBOLD]

Route 1 can get busy on Sunday afternoons to early evening as people are returning from Las Vegas on the 58. Traffic gets backed up on the 58 at Kramer's Junction(395/58). We got stuck one time for over an hour. Thought there was an accident, but it was the delay from the stop light.

I would take route 2 if I were you.

[RE_Todd]

I would take route 1. Fill up at AZ exit 9, right before you get on the I 40, much cheaper than CA as a whole, way cheaper than Needles!

[dicknellen]

We lived in Bakersfield and I would and have taken your route 1. I really dislike LA area freeways. When we go back to visit we like to stay at Bakersfield RV Resort. Dick

" 1. Phoenix, I10, 72, Parker AZ, 95, I40, Barstow CA, 58, Bakersfield (493 miles)"