I5 VS CA 99

I'd skip them both and take CA 395. It's a beautiful scenic drive, many campgrounds, RV parks and boondocking areas, cooler temps and a LOT less traffic. Take I-80 into Sacramento.

Speed on I5 is a HUGE issue. Trucks will run from 60-75, and 80 is prettymuch the norm of keeping up with cars. While you can certainly drive slower you will have nonstop cars popping up in the rear view only to have them cut back in front of you

I asked this same question a year or two ago. Some people prefer I-5, some prefer 99. Last year I started on I-5 near Bakersfield. It felt like a racetrack, with lots and lots of semis. We broke down (nothing to do with the freeway) and had to spend a few hours on the shoulder. Got towed back to Bakersfield, repaired the MH, then decided to drive up 99. I preferred 99. Didn't quite feel like the racetrack I-5 did, maybe because there are lots of towns...people slowing down to get on and off. I don't like to drive fast or feel pressured from behind to speed up. Also 99 didn't seem to have the volume of long haul semis.

I take I5. You can get into some rush hour traffic on CA99 during the weekdays.
But either can have congestion.

We have recently traveled both -- I think the pavement on the 5 in the right lane is worse than on the 99, at the present time. The left lane on the 5 is in pretty good shape, but I can't keep up with the folks in passenger cars, so I am almost always in the bumpy right lane, except when attempting to pass a particularly slow truck. (Note that I said attempting, not actually passing.)

I used to always go I-5 if I was in a hurry. The word is out. These days, my route is a game time decision based on traffic. I check the traffic apps and look for the route with the best traffic flow. I have seen I-5 in total gridlock, as well as 99. As you get closer to Stockton on 99, the traffic almost always starts thickening up. In that case, jump on 4 to I-5. But again, it is variable from day to day.

I5 is the fastest route. Pretty boring drive but consistent. CA99 you will come across lots of traffic coming in and out and there is more to "see" (there are actually cities off the highway). You will see lots of trucks on CA99 but they are probably not driving long haul or they would have taken the I5.

Since you are going to Sacramento I probably would go with CA99. At least it will keep you a little more engaged driving.

But it is up to you. Neither is going to be a scenic drive but if the time difference is not much the 99 would be slightly more interesting.

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Six miles difference between the two from Palm Spring to Sacramento. Is CA99 a limited access freeway?
Which would you choose and why?
Thanks

Whats that mean?

99 runs through the populous side of the valley, I5 is in the middle of nowhere. The condition of the two is changing as the 99 is getting a continuous facelift