California East bound Hwy 74 to Palm Desert

[snicky]

We're traveling East from Pala, CA to Palm Desert via hwy 79/371/74. My concern is from the stretch between intersection of where Hwy 371 meets Hwy 74, and from Hwy 74 to Palm Desert. I believe they call this Pines to Palms Hwy. We're traveling in late April and driving a 36' Class A towing 4 down. Is this road manageable?

[snicky]

Thank's for all the suggestions. I'm glad I asked 🙂

[DaveG39]

I have been on it with a car. Would not take it with an RV towing a car.

[Dryheat36]

In a motohome alone would be a challenge. With a vehicle in tow adds to the challenge and certainly not a fun drive. Go around, I drive from Palm Desert to Temecula frequently and in a car it is only 15 minutes longer going through Temecula, Winchester Rd to Hemet then hwy 76 over to hwy 10. We have a 30’ TT and would avoid that section of hwy 74.
Safe driving.

[SAR_Tracker]

ohhell10339 wrote:
....I would just head west to I-15 and then go north until I hit I-10 or the connector freeway, I think it's CA 60, which gets you to Palm Desert very easily. It's longer in terms of mileage but much shorter in terms of time.

15-60-10-111 IS a lot easier route.

[CA_Traveler]

Lots of 5-8% grades...

[ohhell10339]

Well, anything named "Pines to Palms," you should expect a major elevation change 🙂

In general, the area northeast of San Diego is quite mountainous and just about any route across it will be a windy goat path. If I was driving any kind of big rig, I would just head west to I-15 and then go north until I hit I-10 or the connector freeway, I think it's CA 60, which gets you to Palm Desert very easily. It's longer in terms of mileage but much shorter in terms of time.

[Lwiddis]

I don’t mind CA Hwy. 74 up...but then again I enjoy a driving challenge. Won’t do CA Hwy 4 / Ebitts Pass again but I was young and...

[romore]

We took 74 once, I was really glad we didn't have the trailer.

[ppine]

It qualifies as a steep, windy mountain road. It is narrow with a few turnouts and no where to turn around. If you are confident in your driving it will not be a problem unless there is snow on top.

[SAR_Tracker]

Definitely a STEEP white knuckle ride about 1/2 way down 74, at which time there's no chance to turn around. If you're very confident re: controlling your speed, and your brakes are in good condition, you can do it.

FWIW, it's GREAT fun on a motorcycle!