I-5 or Hwy 99

[hohiso]

I've seen many threads about I-5 & Rt 99, but bear with me for asking about them again in a general way:
From the intersection of I-5 & 99 south of Bakersfield, to where they intersect again in Sacramento, which do you think is the more "comfortable" route? What's "comfortable" to me? Good road surface, reasonable traffic conditions, not in a hurry. Will be towing a 30 ft 5th whl.
Thx,

[hohiso]

A worthwhile comment about water heater covers, Campingwewillgo. I also have a comment about the covers and will place it in Tech Issues.

[Acampingwewillg]

This was my experience last year.
I've driven the MH for almost 13 year's without this happening including times on both the 99 and 5 in the same area your referring too but alas, last year while traveling the 5, I lost my water heater outside cover because of the rough road. I don't know exactly where it went bye bye but soon after Sacramento, I noticed it missing. May I suggest to those reading this to place a small "carabiner" clip or small padlock on the eyelet of that cover. I'm not the first to lose one.

[MarkTwain]

hohiso wrote:
The only Hwy 33 I see is west of I-5.

My mistake, it is Hwy. 46:(

[hohiso]

The only Hwy 33 I see is west of I-5.

[MarkTwain]

hohiso wrote:
I've seen many threads about I-5 & Rt 99, but bear with me for asking about them again in a general way:
From the intersection of I-5 & 99 south of Bakersfield, to where they intersect again in Sacramento, which do you think is the more "comfortable" route? What's "comfortable" to me? Good road surface, reasonable traffic conditions, not in a hurry. Will be towing a 30 ft 5th whl.
Thx,

From hwy. 99 at Bakersfield go north to Hwy. 33 (about 16 miles) go west to I-5. From I-5 head north to Sac. IMHO hwy. 99 is similar as far road condition but I just don't like all on and off ramps traffic. You have to pay attention to cars going slow getting on and off. When you go through Stockton stay in the middle lane and just keep up with traffic. It is legal to drive in the middle lane for both trucks and RV's.

[hohiso]

Lots of good input - appreciate it all. Looks like I-5 at 65 mph will be my choice.

[hotpepperkid]

Last time I was on I-5 which was a couple years ago it was rough in a lot of places, but I guess that's SOP for most roads these days.

[lanerd]

Given those choices, I would go on I-5. 99 goes through a lot of small towns/cities with lots of on/off ramps. I-5 is very boring, but you can pretty much maintain a decent speed. Last time we went through that route, the traffic was pretty heavy in Modesto and Sacramento with lots of construction going on. Have no idea if that was completed or not. Haven't been up 99 in quite a few years....but it was in need of repair in several places and really rattled the motor home.

I would stay on I-5.

Ron

[korbe]

More on-ramp activity on 99. Always merging left and right. On I-5, with traveling the same speed as the big rigs (about 65), I was able to sit in the slow lane for most of the trip without merging back and forth all day. JMHO

[the_bear_II]

Here's my opinion based on numerous trips from LA to San Francisco or Sacramento for work. I found that the time on I-5 or Hwy 99 only varied by less than an hour if conditions were similar and no accidents.

Personally I prefer Hwy 99 because there is more to see along the way.

Hwy 99 does have more rough patches than I-5. The drawback on I-5 is the section Through Lost Hills and past Los Banos you end up slowed down by strings of trucks passing each other on the hills. This can go on for miles and miles. It get frustrating, just as you get a nice run at a hill a truck will pull out and slow you down. Hwy 99 isn't as hilly so this doesn't happen as often.

[2oldman]

The GF drove the 99 in December and said it was rough.