San Diego to Big Bear - what is easiest/least steep route?

[rv619rv]

We are headed from San Diego to Big Bear Lake, CA on Thursday 8/9, we are pulling a 25ft travel trailer, we are looking for the easiest route for a rig to get there. The 330 and 18 roads up the mountains out of San Bernardino look really steep - is the 38 any better/less steep? Or is it advisable to just take the long way around the mountain via I-10/62/247/18 and come in the back side of the mountain? Any tips very much appreciated! Thank you

[2oldman]

time2roll wrote:
https://www.flattestroute.com/?from=San+Diego%2C+CA%2C+USA&to=Big+Bear+Lake%2C+CA%2C+USA&travelMode=...

Excellent.

[babock]

We have a house in Big Bear. We tow our boat up the 330 all the time.

[time2roll]

https://www.flattestroute.com/?from=San+Diego%2C+CA%2C+USA&to=Big+Bear+Lake%2C+CA%2C+USA&travelMode=...

[Community Alumni]

No need to take unnecessary detours. Come up the 330 and 18. Plenty of turnouts on the 330 to let traffic pass you.

[paulj]

On Google Maps if you choose bicycle routing, it will show a plot of the elevation changes.

330 and 18 climbs from 1000ft to 7000 in about 30 miles, in a what appears to be a steady climb.

18 from the north starts higher, about 3000 ft, but does most of that climb in 15 miles. But then there's the 2000+ ft climb to Cajon Pass.

Years ago when I was in college in Pasadena, I attended a number of retreats around Big Bear. I don't recall the school buses having any problems with the direct route up from San Bernardino, even in the winter.