Central CA I-5 to Borrego Springs

[nandj]

If heading south on I-5 to Borrego Springs, CA, it looks like the following is the most direct route.

I-5, I-210 at Santa Clarita, CA-57 at San Dimas, CA-71, CA91, I-15 at Corona, CA-79 at Temecula.

Would there be a less congested route where we're not going too far out of our way? Have considered I-5, CA-138 through Palmdale then I-215 through San Bernardino. Have done Palmdale once and it was slow due to small towns.

Thanks,
Neil

[msmith1199]

djgarcia wrote:

nandj wrote:
If heading south on I-5 to Borrego Springs, CA, it looks like the following is the most direct route.

I-5, I-210 at Santa Clarita, CA-57 at San Dimas, CA-71, CA91, I-15 at Corona, CA-79 at Temecula.

Would there be a less congested route where we're not going too far out of our way? Have considered I-5, CA-138 through Palmdale then I-215 through San Bernardino. Have done Palmdale once and it was slow due to small towns.

Thanks,
Neil

Yes,
Take 1-5 to Hwy. 58 at Bakersfield then go east to hwy. 395. South on 395 to Hwy. 18 to hwy 247 to hwy.hwy 62 to I-10. This drops you out at Palm Springs. Go east on I-10 to hwy. 86 to S22. Go west for about 20 miles and you will be Anza Borrego. This route avoids all the traffic clusters you hit around the L.A. area. I tow this route every year with a 35' 5th. wheel with no problems.

This is the route I always use to go down anyplace in that area. I even use this to go to San Diego. If you check Google maps it only adds about 40 miles to use this to San Diego. I just checked Google and this route is 19 miles further than going down to 210 to get to Borrego Springs.

The problem with going through Los Angeles is no matter what day of the week or what time of day it only takes one crash to bring everything to a halt. Especially going over the Grapevine. So unless I'm going to Los Angeles, I always take 58 and 395 to go to anything down South. And don't go through Palmdale because that is congested and there are lots of intersections on that route. 395 has some cross traffic, but it's not bad.

[nandj]

djgarcia wrote:

Hello Neil,
I think you are really going to enjoy this route and find it easy to drive. There is some pretty county to see. I recommend you fill your tank in Bakersfield as this will get you to Indio without having to fuel up again. Fuel up in Indio again as the price of fuel is not as cheap once you leave Indio. I would also suggest you stock up on all your food and staples in indio for the same reason. Shopping in Anza Borego is pretty limited and costly.
Enjoy your stay.

Thanks for the extra bit of advice on fuel and food.
Neil

[MarkTwain]

nandj wrote:
I think I'll try the route djgarcia suggested. I've been on CA-58 and US-395 before then down through San Bernardino and Redlands. I'm interested in trying the bypass route north of San Bernardino. As several have suggested it looks like 86 entering Borrego Springs from the east is preferred. Before I wasn't looking at the terrain west of Borrego Springs as closely as I should have.

Thanks,
Neil

Hello Neil,
I think you are really going to enjoy this route and find it easy to drive. There is some pretty county to see. I recommend you fill your tank in Bakersfield as this will get you to Indio without having to fuel up again. Fuel up in Indio again as the price of fuel is not as cheap once you leave Indio. I would also suggest you stock up on all your food and staples in indio for the same reason. Shopping in Anza Borego is pretty limited and costly.
Enjoy your stay.

[nandj]

I think I'll try the route djgarcia suggested. I've been on CA-58 and US-395 before then down through San Bernardino and Redlands. I'm interested in trying the bypass route north of San Bernardino. As several have suggested it looks like 86 entering Borrego Springs from the east is preferred. Before I wasn't looking at the terrain west of Borrego Springs as closely as I should have.

Thanks,
Neil

[Rocky2]

I always take the 210 all the way to Redlands and then the 10 east to the 86 to the Borrego Springs turnoff. I just time the 210 east bound after 10 am.

[MarkTwain]

nandj wrote:
This is great feedback from everyone. It helps.

Thanks,
Neil

Which route did you choose for your trip??

[nandj]

This is great feedback from everyone. It helps.

Thanks,
Neil

[1320Fastback]

If going to Borrego via Temecula/79/San Felipe Road be carful of Montezuma Valley Road which takes you thru Ranchita. It is the most direct route and probably suggested on navigation. It is one hell of a curvy decent with many switchbacks.

I suggest continuing on San Felipe Road passing Montezuma Valley Road to Hwy 78 and turn left. Then left on Borrego Springs Road.

[MarkTwain]

nandj wrote:
If heading south on I-5 to Borrego Springs, CA, it looks like the following is the most direct route.

I-5, I-210 at Santa Clarita, CA-57 at San Dimas, CA-71, CA91, I-15 at Corona, CA-79 at Temecula.

Would there be a less congested route where we're not going too far out of our way? Have considered I-5, CA-138 through Palmdale then I-215 through San Bernardino. Have done Palmdale once and it was slow due to small towns.

Thanks,
Neil

Yes,
Take 1-5 to Hwy. 58 at Bakersfield then go east to hwy. 395. South on 395 to Hwy. 18 to hwy 247 to hwy.hwy 62 to I-10. This drops you out at Palm Springs. Go east on I-10 to hwy. 86 to S22. Go west for about 20 miles and you will be Anza Borrego. This route avoids all the traffic clusters you hit around the L.A. area. I tow this route every year with a 35' 5th. wheel with no problems.

[kalynzoo]

The 210 is fine, however at rush hour it too gets jammed. The problem with going through Palmdale is the Conejo Grade, very steep both up and down, you could hit very high gusty winds anytime during the year, and you could have snow. I avoid that grade with the motorhome whenever possible. It is ok in a car, but not in the RV. Taking the 210, if by chance the traffic is two heavy you can swing down to the 10, but the 210 is usually the better choice. Happy Trails.

[Tiger4x4RV]

Either go east on 210, then south on I-15 or from 57/71, go east on I-10, then south on I-15. Avoid the 71/91. I live near the 71/91 junction; that whole area is in a state of perpetual construction and changes. A Highway Patrol officer told me that even they don't know what lanes go where each day until the morning briefing.

Avoid rush hours. Traffic on I-15 in Temecula to the 79 junction can back up quite a ways, with fast lanes moving OK and the two "slow" lanes stopped dead. Be careful.

[cmeade]

Why not I 5 to 210 Start Clarita to the I 15 to the 79? We were on the 210 last year and it was three or four lanes each way. Avoid the rush hour jams when you go thru.