Yosemite to Petaluma, Calif.

[sigbowman]

We plan to drive from Yosemite to Petaluma in May in a 30' Class A MH with tow car and big dog. It's our first trip to California, and we would greatly appreciate routing suggestions. As much as possible, we would like to avoid steep, windy roads and heavy traffic, even if it means some extra miles. I just joined the forum and already found lots of good advice for the next portion of our trip up 101 to Washington.

[CampMacD]

dkreuzen wrote:
To miss traffic and windy roads I would recommend taking CA140 to CA99, north on CA99 to CA12, west on CA12 to I-80, west on I-80 to CA37 in Vallejo, north on the Lakeville Highway right into Petaluma. I have taken that route many times.

Ditto!

The stretch of Hwy 101 through Novato can bunch up real bad. Lakeville Highway is a much prettier drive.

If you are heading to the Petaluma KOA take Lakeville Hwy to Hwy 101 in Petaluma, then take Hwy 101 north to the Petaluma Blvd N/Penngrove Exit. Go left over the Hwy, then right at Stony Point Rd (first light). You can pretty much follow the signs to the KOA from there.

Enjoy the trip!!!

[freewayrandy]

dkreuzen wrote:
To miss traffic and windy roads I would recommend taking CA140 to CA99, north on CA99 to CA12, west on CA12 to I-80, west on I-80 to CA37 in Vallejo, north on the Lakeville Highway right into Petaluma. I have taken that route many times.

Agreed!

[dkreuzen]

To miss traffic and windy roads I would recommend taking CA140 to CA99, north on CA99 to CA12, west on CA12 to I-80, west on I-80 to CA37 in Vallejo, north on the Lakeville Highway right into Petaluma. I have taken that route many times.

[sigbowman]

Many thanks, spacedoutbob and paulj, for your very helpful suggestions. Can't wait to see beautiful California.

[paulj]

spacedoutbob wrote:
You can take CA140 to leave Yosemite, take CA99 North at Merced to CA120 West at Manteca, then take I205 at Tracy to I580 West, follow that to I680 at Dublin, take that to I80 at Cordelia, then take CA37 to US101. I hope this doesn't sound too confusing. The only steep climb is out of the canyon on CA140, and it is only a little more than 3 miles. Have a Fun and Safe Trip.

Bob in Calif.

I replaced your 'Hwy.' with more specific designations, which should make it easier to identify the hwys on the map (especially the interstates).

Basically the route consists of - leaving the mountains on CA140. Heading north in the Central Valley on CA99, taking several interstates to the north end of San Francisco Bay. Looks like there are several options for transitioning from I680 to CA37 in the Vallejo area.

[spacedoutbob]

You can take Hwy. 140 to leave Yosemite, take Hwy. 99 North at Merced to Hwy. 120 West at Manteca, then take Hwy. 205 at Tracy to Hwy. 580 West, follow that to Hwy. 680 at Dublin, take that to Hwy. 80 at Cordelia, then take Hwy. 37 to Hwy. 101. I hope this doesn't sound too confusing. The only steep climb is out of the canyon on Hwy. 140, and it is only a little more than 3 miles. Have a Fun and Safe Trip.

Bob in Calif.

[sigbowman]

Just looking at the map -- coming from Oklahoma -- we believe that I-40, 99 and 41 are the most direct route to Yosemite. But everything west of Flagstaff, Ariz., will be new territory for us, and all suggestions are very much appreciated.

[paulj]

How are you getting to Yosemite?