Interstate 5 or Hwy 99 through Calif

[sd1209]

I came south on I5 last year, Bay Area to San Diego and swore it was the worst road ever.....Taking the truck camper to AK in June and need to get North, either 5 or Hwy 99, San diego to north of Sacramento...

Anyone been on 99 recently?? Is it any better?? I5 last year was very bad.....A few extra miles is fine as long as the ride is better.....

[corgi-traveler]

There's a little construction on each at the moment.
FWIW, if you're considering 395 to 58 and then catching either 99 or 5 from there, the interchange between 58 and 99 is a hot steaming mess at the moment. Some time late next year we will have a straight shot of freeway all the way from 58 out to I5, only 35 years later than we actually needed it.

I tend to prefer 5 when towing, 99 in the car. But if I'm wanting or needing to take frequent stops on the way 99 is better for that. Try to time your trip so that you're not in Sacramento trying to cross the Bus. 80 to get over to 5 near any rush times and you're good.

[bigjimcruising]

While 99 has improved a lot over the years the traffic has gotten worse with it. Lot of big rigs racing to wherever. I usually swing over to 101 for a much nicer drive and not as crazy much traffic. With a good GPS and some planning you'd be amazed how far north you can go while avoiding I5 and see some nice stops along the way. Just pass on the garlic wine. lol

[53_willys]

We traveled Interstate 5 today from Valencia Ca to Sacramento with our truck and 5th wheel and 99.9% of the highway is in very good condition, headed to Oregon in the morning.

[D_E_Bishop]

We just returned from a round trip from L.A. to Rocklin and back a few hours ago. This was a fast turn around in the DW's DD. Took 99 both ways, road surface is 1000 times better the truck lane on I-5 which we have taken twice this year from L.A. to Florence OR.

Take 99!

There were a couple of spots where there was no lane changes and the lanes were narrow but not a bad as I80 was a few years back. Just plan on an extra hour going up as far as Sacramento.

[time2roll]

Just going here to there we take I5.

[1320Fastback]

If you think 5 is bad you really should drive the 285 out of Carlsbad, NM or any street heading towards New Orleans, La.

[Ski_Pro_3]

Interstate 5 up the central valley is the worst road for the slow lane that I can think of in the nation. I have a truck camper (see sig line). I took 99 down to San Diego last fall and it was MUCH better than I5 ever was. It's been repaved and repaired regularly. I took 395 home (Sacramento area) and it took us almost twice as long, although it is a scenic route if you have the time.
Without any doubt, 99 is better than either 5 or 395 for road surface condition, and when driving a truck camper, it's a no brainer. I'll never go I5 again to SoCal.
As far as heading North from Sacramento to the state line, in Stockton take hwy 4 over to I5. Then take I5 the rest of the way as it's faster.

[azdryheat]

I've done both and prefer the 5.

[MarkTwain]

I--5 vs 99
Overall 99 is a better road on your RV. Although I-5 has been getting alot of road repairs, there are still some sections north of Kettlemen City are less than smooth. I-5 might be a little quicker as far as time but as of May 2019 I would still choose 99 until they do some more road repair on I-5. On and off traffic is not a big issue like it use to be. 99 is not as hard on your RV . I-5 around Salem can have some traffic to contend with especially early am and around 5 pm when workers are going home. Try to avoid those times. I-5 in Seattle can be a real cluster of traffic. Take the 405 to skirt around Seattle.

[maddog348]

Bob213 ~~ That sounds about right

[bob213]

Lots of improved road on 99 for the "Bullet Train to nowhere" realignment. We take99 from LA all the time. At Manteca, you can go west for a very short distance and catch 5 which will put you on the west side of Sacramento with far less traffic.

[Willcamp4]

Having driven both many times I usually take 99, but they are pretty much equal. Don't know about construction this year.

[1320Fastback]

I prefer 5 as there are less cities and less merging traffic. The road conditions seem the same to me between the 5 and 99.

[Lwiddis]

“Too many nice places to stop.....” x2 That’s 395!