Mt Shasta CA to Susanville CA on 89 and 44

[sidney]

Is this an OK winter route to Susanville CA?

From Mt Shasta CA to Old Station CA on 89.

Old Station CA to Susanville CA on 44.

We're leaving Oregon next week on our way to Phoenix AZ.

Towing a 36' Cedar Creek with our 1 ton RAM.

Or would you recommend an alternative route.

Thanks

[dave54]

The road dept keeps the road clear. During and immediately after a storm may be rough. Just wait a day or so after any storm then it will be fine. The only grade of any note is on hwy 44 east of Old Station, about a mile long. The rest of the route is basically flat to gentle rolling. Some long straightaways with sudden sharp turns at the end -- do not get lulled into speeding into a curve, probably the biggest cause of accidents along that route. Open range, so it is possible for cattle to be on the road, although they all should be in winter pasture by now.

Fuel is scarce between McCloud and Susanville. Fill up in Mt Shasta. Burney is a full service town on hwy 299 about two miles off route. One fuel station in Old Station, one in McCloud. Several fuel sources in Susanville. Do not stop at the first one you see on Main Street as you enter town. It is hard to get in and out while pulling anything. Easier access further on. Fuel at the Casino is about a nickel cheaper (tribal land, no state taxes), with more of a discount if you are a member of any tribe.

[Me_Again]

sidney wrote:
Thanks for all the replies.

I'll check the weather and CA road conditions site before we commit.

Personally... if the weather looks acceptable, I'd rather take the mountain route than drive thru southern Ca and the LA area.

Cheers

You can take 58 - 40 to Barstow/ Kingman and then cut down to Surprise on 93/60. Chris

[sidney]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'll check the weather and CA road conditions site before we commit.

Personally... if the weather looks acceptable, I'd rather take the mountain route than drive thru southern Ca and the LA area.

Cheers

[BizmarksMom]

I just wouldn't do it this time of year. Spring, summer, fall, it's a beautiful drive. Winter? I would stay on the boring interstates because they're a safer bet.

[Me_Again]

Along with trip check, I used this site this year.

http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/United-States-Of-America/Oregon/Siskiyou-Summit/14-Day-Forecast....

[Me_Again]

We like I-5 to 99 South of Stockton, 58 East at Bakersfield, down thru Palmdale, 138 to 15, 215, 210 East to 10 and on to Phoenix. We are on that route right now. In Redding tonight, Lancaster tomorrow, and Phoenix Friday.

[bdpreece]

It's a **** shoot. If the roads are clear it's a great route. Unfortunately I have had the pleasure of driving this in a 30 ft motorhome when a storm hit. snowed hard and long, could hardly tell where the road was. Never again before March or after November.

[csamayfield55x]

It all depends on the weather. Even some time after a storm in shady areas you can have ice and slick conditions. We have also seen large heards of deer and elk on that route. It is a very beautiful trip though.

Chris

[BarneyS]

Moved to Road & Routes forum from 5th wheels.

[Us_out_West]

braindead0 wrote:
We drive that route fairly often taking 44 from Susanville into Oak Run, sometimes we'll take 89 and drop into Oak Run from the north. Roads are pretty nice and well maintained. As long as the roads are clear and it's not icy, should be a pleasant drive.

You'll want to keep an eye out on road conditions and weather of course.

^^^^

Good roads and like said just pick a good weather day to travel.

[korbe]

This Cal Trans web site is very useful when we are ready to travel in this area. Click Here
Unless there has been a pretty good dry spell of about a couple weeks, I would not look forward to that route during the winter months towing. I would probably stay on I-5 down to southern Cal before heading east.

Not just the potential of snow on the road, but many areas in the shade all day and stay icy. Daytime temps may not get above freezing.

[braindead0]

We drive that route fairly often taking 44 from Susanville into Oak Run, sometimes we'll take 89 and drop into Oak Run from the north. Roads are pretty nice and well maintained. As long as the roads are clear and it's not icy, should be a pleasant drive.

You'll want to keep an eye out on road conditions and weather of course.

[Durb]

I wouldn't but I'm not Alaska hardy. Much of 44 is at 5,500 feet, too much elevation for January. I would take 5 to 210 to 10 to Phoenix. A little out of the way and boring but it might be faster overall. Safe travels.