Indio to Temecula best route?

Great route. Definitely the way we go. After living in Temecula since the mid-80's, when we retired we left the area (except for MD & DDS visits) to tour the country to find a less congested better place to live. There's a reason all those people live in So Cal. 360 days of the year, the weather . . . We are currently in the process of buying a very much downsized property in Murrieta. Pechanga is nice for So Cal. Locals can be too noisy for me on the weekends. And Hemet has definitely gone to the dogs.

Also, it can be confusing, since there are two Rt. 79's in Temecula. 79 North is also Winchester Road going east to Hemet. 79 South is also Temecula Parkway going east to Anza. If you "take 79," make sure you're taking the one you want. 79 South will take you a much different route than 79 No.

mileshuff wrote:
I normally drive I-10, 60, I-215, I-15.

Some have mentioned exiting I-10 at Beaumont on 79 thru Hemet then west to I-215 to I-15. This cuts off about 10 miles. Is it worth it?

Years ago I remember bad traffic driving through Hemet. Any other routes to consider?

In 1999 we visited Perris and the National RV Factory and when we left we took Rt 79 out of Temecula to Rt 371 to Rt 74 saving say 15 miles but adding 15 minutes and a Great drive through the mountains to Indio, very little traffic and a Fun drive if you are into mountain driving. Only issue we had was the 20 minute delay while they were prying boulders loose to keep the road safe.

It was no issue in the 37' gas unit we had then, sure beats the I's for travel.

Just another option that could be interesting, if you enjoy driving in the Mountains.

BOL,

I live in Temecula and I have family in Indio, so I have traveled this route a few thousand times. I always go through Hemet (79 off the 10, Sanderson by Domenegoni reservoir coming out to Winchester and then going left into Temecula). The traffic through Hemet isn't bad and the mountains you go through aren't bad at all (not curvy or winding). The problem actually comes in when you get to Temecula. The traffic is just terrible. I've lived here for 25 years and I am ready to move b/c of the traffic. I would do all I could to avoid going through town during rush hour. I would also just stay on Winchester straight and get on I-15 South and then exit at 79 S. and go left, then left onto Pechanga Parkway and go straight down to Pechanga. I am currently on a cross country trip in my 40 foot RV and Pechanga still remains in my top 5 RV parks. Please feel free to ask me any other questions about the routes or town or restaurants or things to do, etc.

P.S. I second that Temecula is MUCH nicer than Hemet. Hemet has a serious meth issue in the past couple of years. Crime is much higher.

I've driven that route a few times, actually 79 meets I-10 at Beaumont. Good route. We like to stay at Pehchanga Vs Hemet. Temecula is a nicer town.