Hwy 395 the length of California

[rondeb]

It has been since back in the 70's I was on this road. Has anyone been on it lateley. Are there any RV parks along the way that anyone knows about and is there a gas problem (especially in the Northern part of the State)

We are thinking about going this route from Washington State to Barstow then on to LV. We are in absolutely NO hurry.

Also wondering how this road it in condition wise (I don't want to beat the RV to shreds)

[Roy_Lynne]

In 05 we took 395 and it seems to me that somewhere around Mammouth there is a section with high wind warnings and signs that tell you not to take it when winds are high. We didn't have an issue.
If your going to stop at Death Valley, and if you haven't be, do... DONT take 190 into the park.

[OutlookLee]

I drove this route from just north of Meso, WA to Carson City NV, this fall. We stayed at the casino in Pendleton OR. Kind a nice for out west. Then Goose Lake on the border of OR and CA, also kinds nice. Then to CC, lots of CG in this area.
The road was your typical 2 lane highway, i.e some areas in good shape and others not so good. There were some big hills, that's from a guy from PA, to go up and then down. I towed with the motorhome and had no problems at all. Of all the 2 lane roads I took from central OH to CC, I'd rank this as tops.I'd do it again...

[aerbus32]

As of yesterday, in Bishop, the gas/diesel price at Von's is the same as the casino. Von's is just off 395 on the north end of town. It's probably usually less crowded. We're staying at the Fairgrounds RV park. Looks to be the best in the area. I'll be posting a review at rvparkreviews by the end of the week.

[freewayrandy]

Since you're in no hurry, and you have your toad, consider Mono Vista RV Park in Lee Vining for a few nites, go to Bodie Ghost Town, see Mono Lake, a short drive south to June Lake Loop, Mammoth and Devils Postpile Nat'l Monument, also there is the largest open fault in Calif.
.

[paulj]

US395 in Washington is basically freeway connection I84 to I90 and Spokane. It's crossing farmland.

US395 in southern Oregon is still in the Nevada like basin-and-range land, flat dessert like land flanked by rims. North of Burns, US395 crosses rolling uplands/mountains of north central Oregon.

[Roy_Lynne]

smkettner wrote:
I15 to Reno has always been a great drive. Someday I want to get all the way to Canada on that road.

Last spring we did it through Oregon and it was beautiful. I've done most of Washington, not so great.

[Valkyriebush]

gemsworld wrote:
You'll find plenty of RV parks and campgrounds. Gasoline can be found but it's a bit pricey if you have to fuel in places like June Lake. The best place to buy gas is at the Indian casino in Bishop.

Also the Indian Casino in Independence, Ca

[rondeb]

Thanks tons of great information. I am going to use your posts and plant the trip down 395.

[dave54]

rondeb wrote:
... and is there a gas problem (especially in the Northern part of the State)...

If you fill up in Reno you should not have any problem getting to Alturas. 395 does not enter Susanville, it turns east then north a few miles south of Susanville and bypasses. So if you are worried about the long stretch between Susanville and Alturas just detour into Susanville and get fuel. You can take county roads from Susanville east to connect back to 395, no need to backtrack. Fuel is about a nickel per gallon cheaper at the Casino in town and big rigs can get in and out relatively easy. The rest of the stations are on main street, and a few are difficult for a big rig to get in and out.

There is a fuel station in Doyle between Reno and Susanville with high prices and limited hours. The next fuel north of Susanville is in Likely. Ravendale and Termo are small hamlets with no services.

[coolbreeze01]

Thats_Ok wrote:

coolbreeze01 wrote:

CarlGeo wrote:

old guy wrote:
I always wondered about 395 in claif. does it have the same amount of pot holes per mile as the rest of the roads in claif.

I am not sure about the state of claif, but probably about the same as roads in State of California!

Roads in California are usually in better shape than those in Onrygone, not to mention better and smarter drivers here........

WHAT!
Come on down here and see if you can find a better driver coolbreeze 🙂

I'm waiting for the day people can use their smartphone devices to drive.
Maybe if there was an app with a steering wheel we could get some cooperation underway.
(Kidding as always of course) :B

Wasted drivers down there? Sorry to hear that.......

[deleted-2]

coolbreeze01 wrote:

CarlGeo wrote:

old guy wrote:
I always wondered about 395 in claif. does it have the same amount of pot holes per mile as the rest of the roads in claif.

I am not sure about the state of claif, but probably about the same as roads in State of California!

Roads in California are usually in better shape than those in Onrygone, not to mention better and smarter drivers here........

WHAT!
Come on down here and see if you can find a better driver coolbreeze 🙂

I'm waiting for the day people can use their smartphone devices to drive.
Maybe if there was an app with a steering wheel we could get some cooperation underway.
(Kidding as always of course) :B

[coolbreeze01]

CarlGeo wrote:

old guy wrote:
I always wondered about 395 in claif. does it have the same amount of pot holes per mile as the rest of the roads in claif.

I am not sure about the state of claif, but probably about the same as roads in State of California!

Roads in California are usually in better shape than those in orgun, not to mention better and smarter drivers here........

[msmith1199]

I was in Yosemite a few years ago up on Tioga Pass having lunch and a couple from Germany with their kids came and sat at the other end of the table. We got to talking and they were on their first trip to the States. They were staying that night in Yosemite and then the next day they were going to head down to 395 and make their way to Las Vegas. They were so funny because they thought they were going to have to find a store to buy gas cans and water cans so they could make it all the way through the desert. They were very relieved when I told them none of that was necessary. I had them get their map out and showed them all the towns and places to see. They had been told that the Mojave Desert was just a barren wasteland. I think they had watched too many John Wayne movies!

[msmith1199]

rondeb wrote:
thanks for all the info

A couple questions for those that know. What is the furthest distance for gas (not diesel)

and are there RV parks along the route say every 250 miles or so. We don't use the State of Federal Parks, just RV parks. Not that we have anything against them, we just haven't ever used them (usually no water and we don't carry water in our Fresh Water tank other than to flush and wash hands)

There are way more RV parks than every 250 miles. Some are off the highway by a mile or two, but there are all kinds of parks along 395.