US 395 CA to Canada

You don't say when you plan to travel, winter weather can be a big issue on the back side of the Sierra. I have traveled that highway from San Bernardino, CA as far as Burns,OR in different stretches at different times for years and essentially it is a very good 2 lane highway, not an interstate. There is a hill or two but no big deal.
Tinbender

We've done from so cal to Reno and loved it. 395 is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful roads anywhere especially from about Lone Pine up to the Tahoe area. Even Boron is fun, starting from Kramer Corners thru the desert. Make sure you stop at Mono Lake, check the visitors center to see how the ecology all interacts in the lake.

I've only gone North on 395 to Susanville, CA. Interesting drive with several opportunities to spend some time. The trip going North from there looks interesting.

Sure it can driven all the way. There aren't any parts that would be difficult for a big RV. You have a few grades on the east side of the Sierras (north of Bishop and Mono lake), some freeway sections around Reno, good 2 lane across northern Calif and OR. Some low mountains in northern OR. Mostly freeway to Spokane; more 2 lane to the border.

In BC you meet Hwy 3, Crowsnest, which crosses the south side of the province. The drive east from Christina Lake has a scenic grade (2 if you go all the way to Creston). West bound there's good downgrade to Osoyoos. 3 is scenic, but can leave you feeling like a yoyo if you drive all the way across.

Did the trip 2 yrs ago...Only San Diego to North Oregon...One of the most scenic trips we have ever made.....We both loved it....Weather (rain every day in June) finally made us break East to Yellowstone.....One day we will finish the trip all the way to Canada......

The road and accommodations are great..

Suggestion: If you do it, stop by the RV park in Likely, Ca......Well worth the 2-3 mile trip off 395........Middle of nowhere but worth it.....

Tin-bender wrote:
You don't say when you plan to travel, winter weather can be a big issue on the back side of the Sierra. I have traveled that highway from San Bernardino, CA as far as Burns,OR in different stretches at different times for years and essentially it is a very good 2 lane highway, not an interstate. There is a hill or two but no big deal.
Tinbender

The plan is to leave Mesa AZ on April 1st.We don't do more than 250 300 miles per day and then stay a day or two.(or more)
I'm guessing that the snow would not be a big issue by the time we get to northern CA.Would I be guessing right? We could wait a couple more weeks to leave AZ
BTW the rest of the plan is to cross into Canada,then head east getting into Maine sometime in August/early September.

All the state DOTs have webcams. WSDOT has a lot. They show some roadside snow from the recent storms, but none on the road. Oregon (tripcheck) has fewer cameras, and less snow. I'm not seeing any roadside snow in California. This highway crosses the dryer parts of these states, east of the mountains that catch the snow.

I don't think show will be an issue on 395 but you may be blocked from the side roads, like 120 into Yosemite or some of the passes north of there. We've barely had any rain, let alone snow but don't forget you're up at least 5,000 ft in the high desert.

Forgot also, don't forget to go to Bodie since you'll have a truck. The best ghost town anywhere a few miles south of Mono Lake off 395 and about 5 miles of washboard but worth it.

jbbrick wrote:
I don't think show will be an issue on 395 but you may be blocked from the side roads, like 120 into Yosemite or some of the passes north of there. We've barely had any rain, let alone snow but don't forget you're up at least 5,000 ft in the high desert.

Forgot also, don't forget to go to Bodie since you'll have a truck. The best ghost town anywhere a few miles south of Mono Lake off 395 and about 5 miles of washboard but worth it.

We visited Bodie last year...Agree,great old ghost town!Well worth the trip on the washboard road.

We leave our winter stay in Cas Grande, AZ and head to our home base in Reno on March 20th.

Usually travel 395 and this year our first overnight after getting on 395 will be Desert Willow RV Resort just N. of San Bernadino.

Then it's on to Boulder Creek in Lone Pine for an overnight before stopping at Topaz Lake and the Topaz Lodge.

One of our favorites N. of Reno on/off 395 is Eagle Lake. The south shore of Eagle Lake, and Merrill Campground, is approximately 16 miles north of Susanville, CA and 105 miles north of Reno, NV.

Have fun in your travels.