Considering going to Pomo in Fort Bragg, pulling a 36' fifth wheel, how good or bad is highway 20, Willits to Fort Bragg ?Thanks

It's not bad a little curvy bout 35 miles if I remember right.

It's 32 miles from Willits to the junction of Highway 1 which is 1 mile South of Fort Bragg. It's curvy and has a couple of 6-7% grades. It's pretty slow going, but you will have no problems. We were in Fort Bragg in early June and again in early July with our 40' Dynasty towing a Ford Edge. It will take about an hour to make the trip.

Oops - I gave a critique going east to I-5. You're heading west.....deleted my post. :S

I camped in the Jackson State Forest in both of the last two summers, and I'm here to say that Hwy 20 between Willits and Fort Bragg is AWFUL!It's narrow and very curvy...a sightline longer than a few hundred yards is the exception. Pullouts are few to begin with, rarely warned of, and too short once you find one. All of that would be easier to live with except for the posted, very bizarre rule that one has to yield to A SINGLE VEHICLE when it comes up behind you...which leads to a whole lot of very aggressive tailgating by the commuters that use the road daily. They don't want to take the hour mentioned (above-post-but-one) to go 35 miles, and will let you know in no uncertain terms. Once I "learned the road" it got a little easier, but for those who just want to pass over it once or twice, brace yourselves for a white knuckler...especially if you're towing!

I live outside of Willits and would state, it is a two lane approximately 32 miles, winding road. I would yield to other vehicles by using only the paved turn outs. Approximately 15 or so miles (half way there) there is a large flat area where you are able to pull off the road, use the facility, walk the dog etc. We have driven all the highways to the coast and Hwy 20 is your best and easiest road.

Highway 20 Willits to Fort Bragg, Calif. ??? | Good Sam Community

rr2254545
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
svjim wrote:
othertonka wrote:
In California you have to yield if 5 vehicles are behind you, not just one. So scope your turnouts very careful and use them if you are slowing 5 or more vehicles behind you. As for the hwy 20, it can be quite curvy and some grades but it is doable, better then Hwy 1. I will be going on hwy 20 to Fort Bragg on wednesday and will refresh my memory as it has been a few years since I have been there. I do know that Cal trans has that section of Hwy 20 as a red route which means MH over 40 feet are prohibited. Here is a link to the map that shows Hwy 20 as a RED route, when it comes up click on number 1 on the map and scroll down and find Hwy 20
Cal Trans map

Thanks for the cal trans link. I didn't know there was such a service. Quite nice. After reading this post in which there was quite a bit of good information. I have decided to use 20 for our up coming trip. I have been wondering what route to use and despite its short comings, it would appear to be the least of evils. I know I went over the route probably 15 or more years ago pulling a 5th wheel. Hauling a TC now should make it a bit easier.

I drove this route last week in my toad, I would not do it in my motor home pulling.

Besides once you get there HW 1 north and south are even worse. So the only thing to do is come back the same way you went in. Since caltrans prohibits 40 and over motor homes this should tell you something.

Stay in Willits and drive over to the coast like we did.
svjim
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
othertonka wrote:
In California you have to yield if 5 vehicles are behind you, not just one. So scope your turnouts very careful and use them if you are slowing 5 or more vehicles behind you. As for the hwy 20, it can be quite curvy and some grades but it is doable, better then Hwy 1. I will be going on hwy 20 to Fort Bragg on wednesday and will refresh my memory as it has been a few years since I have been there. I do know that Cal trans has that section of Hwy 20 as a red route which means MH over 40 feet are prohibited. Here is a link to the map that shows Hwy 20 as a RED route, when it comes up click on number 1 on the map and scroll down and find Hwy 20
Cal Trans map

Thanks for the cal trans link. I didn't know there was such a service. Quite nice. After reading this post in which there was quite a bit of good information. I have decided to use 20 for our up coming trip. I have been wondering what route to use and despite its short comings, it would appear to be the least of evils. I know I went over the route probably 15 or more years ago pulling a 5th wheel. Hauling a TC now should make it a bit easier.
supercub
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
I just drove this rode both directions. It's a very winding and narrow 2 lane road. There's a couple of 6% grades and one marked 10% grade. Most of the rodad has no shoulders..the only place to pull over are the marked turnouts....which there are several along the way. I saw several 18 wheelers, including one 18 wheeler propane truck pulling a trailer. As one of my fellow campers stated, it's the longest 30 miles you'll ever drive. If you have a problem, you won't be able to pull off the road, unless you're at one fo the pull outs..which are just long enough to get your rig off the road. It's a doable drive, obviously, people do it all the time. For me it was miserable drive.
ratherBcampin
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
Francesca Knowles wrote:
RognBon wrote:
The directions on the sign are not vague at all. You must pull over to allow passing. No where does it indicate how many vehicles must be behind you. Every such sign in California reads the same. When driving in the state you are expected to know the law which says you must pull over when "SAFE" to do so to allow faster vehicles to pass.

Well, then I guess I'm right after all, and so is the guy honking and flashing behind me, all by himself back there. If one guy comes up behind me, I'm "slow" and must pull over to let him pass. Seems like madness to me, but what the hey- who am I to question, being a stranger in a strange land?

Thanks!
signs in both directions state: "Pullout 1/4 mile ahead to allow for passing".....In my mind, that gives me a 1/4 mile to prepare to use pullout. O.P......Just went from Ft Bragg to Willits about 4 hrs ago. If you're traveling westbound on a weekday, be prepared to use turnouts for the empty, FAST MOVING Anderson Logging trucks! THEY MAY run you over if you don't!!!!!!
paulj
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2013
Litch wrote:
...
Hwy 20 in CA goes from I-80 at Yuba Gap to Ft. Bragg at Hwy 1, not just from I-5 to 101.

Though the I5 to US101 segment is most frequently cited on this forum, since it is easiest way to the popular Redwoods. This thread is an exception, focusing on the western section.
Litch
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
Francesca Knowles wrote:
RognBon wrote:
The directions on the sign are not vague at all. You must pull over to allow passing. No where does it indicate how many vehicles must be behind you. Every such sign in California reads the same. When driving in the state you are expected to know the law which says you must pull over when "SAFE" to do so to allow faster vehicles to pass.

Well, then I guess I'm right after all, and so is the guy honking and flashing behind me, all by himself back there. If one guy comes up behind me, I'm "slow" and must pull over to let him pass. Seems like madness to me, but what the hey- who am I to question, being a stranger in a strange land?

Thanks!

No, the law does not require you to pull over for 1 vehicle, it is 5 vehicles when safe, as posted earlier. You run into jerks in every state that flash their lights and honk, not just CA.
Litch
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
djgarcia wrote:
Unless there two Hwy. 20 roads, the 20 hwy. between Williams, Ca. to Hwy. 101 Ca. is a very RV friendly, yes you have to go through a few little towns but just slow down and enjoy the trip. I tow a 34' 5th Wheel over Hwy 20 3 or 4 times a year. Are you sure you haven't confused Hwy. 20 with Hwy. 299 out of Redding.

Hwy 20 in CA goes from I-80 at Yuba Gap to Ft. Bragg at Hwy 1, not just from I-5 to 101.
restlesswind
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
Getting back to the OP,I have pulled our 35' 5er over 20 from Willits to the Pomo RV Park.Don't worry,relax and enjoy the trip. Yes,there may be people behind you,waiting for you to pull over to let them pass. When you get to a place to do so,just do it. The locals are used to being held up by large vehicles.
BTW,Pomo is a nice park. Enjoy the coast.
(I have also pulled the same 5er from I-5 to 101 on 20.No big deal.)
RognBon
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
Posted By wrote:
Well, then I guess I'm right after all

Well, I guess that as long as you "think" you're right then all is well with the world. :R
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
RognBon wrote:
The directions on the sign are not vague at all. You must pull over to allow passing. No where does it indicate how many vehicles must be behind you. Every such sign in California reads the same. When driving in the state you are expected to know the law which says you must pull over when "SAFE" to do so to allow faster vehicles to pass.

Well, then I guess I'm right after all, and so is the guy honking and flashing behind me, all by himself back there. If one guy comes up behind me, I'm "slow" and must pull over to let him pass. Seems like madness to me, but what the hey- who am I to question, being a stranger in a strange land?

Thanks!