Hi All! First let me say how much I enjoy reading the information shared on the virtual community!! I've learned a lot and think ya'll are awesome!We own an '05 Dolphin class A, and don't have nearly enough time to enjoy it! Darn jobs....get in the way of everything!Now my question: How is the drive from Phoenix to Chula Vista RV? Flat, hilly, boring, exciting :) There's a good possibility that my hubby (who normally does most of the driving) won't be able to join us on a trip to Chula Vista, so I'll be doing all the driving. I've driven our rig to Flagstaff and back, so I can do hills, although it makes me nervous.So I'm doing a virtual scouting trip here to see if anyone has made this trip and what I can expect. Thanks in advance!

If you can comfortably drive Phoenix to Flagstaff going to San Diego (Chula Vista), will hold no terror. There are a number of long 6%+ grades but Interstate 8 is in good shape. Take 85 south off of I 10 west of Phoenix and pick up I 8 at Gila Bend.The worst part of the drive is that it is mostly boring. We live in Tucson, originally from San Diego and over the last 10 years have made that drive nearly 50 times. Fuel up in Yuma as California gas prices are far higher. I 8 from Dome Valley to the border, is a serious speed trap but doubt that would be an issue for you in your coach.:C

West of El Centro you will have a winding 9 mile climb up a 6% interstate grade and then once up on top the mountains several ups and downs for about 30 miles over to Pine Valley. From PV you will have a 20 mile downgrade that goes back and forth between some interstate type 6‰ grades and leveling out occasionally. Nothing to be concerned about at all.The 9 mile climb up out of the desert west of El Centro is pretty steady and will keep your engine roaring all the way up to Jacumba. But it's a beautiful drive. Up on top the mountains is Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Center as a place to take a break if desired. Food, fuel, propane, etc. Huge parking lot. But do fuel up in Yuma. Way cheeper.Good travels.

Thanks Desert Captain and More to See for the tips, info and the votes of confidence! Is it 4 lanes the entire route?

DesertDwellers wrote:Thanks Desert Captain and More to See for the tips, info and the votes of confidence! Is it 4 lanes the entire route?You're welcome and yes.:B

Everything in CA is divided interstate of at least 2 lanes in each direction. In your climb up out of the desert you might be moving faster than some of the 18 wheelers so you'll have to time your swing out into the passing lane with any car traffic whizzing up the grade. It's not a heavily traveled section of Interstate though.

Phoenix to Chula Vista | Good Sam Community

DesertDwellers
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
Executive wrote:
CA Traveler wrote:
2gypsies,

That bridge is on I10 in CA and besides it's only a minor slow down. Plus they should take I8 for the best time.

If you start on I10 then take 85 to I8. From our location we often take 347 through Maricopa to I8.

And a quick stop at Harrahs....:W:W.....Dennis

Sidebar: just read through the last 18 mos or so of your travel blog Dennis! Great stuff :)
Executive45
Explorer III
Sep 21, 2015
CA Traveler wrote:
2gypsies,

That bridge is on I10 in CA and besides it's only a minor slow down. Plus they should take I8 for the best time.

If you start on I10 then take 85 to I8. From our location we often take 347 through Maricopa to I8.

And a quick stop at Harrahs....:W:W.....Dennis
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Sep 21, 2015
2gypsies,

That bridge is on I10 in CA and besides it's only a minor slow down. Plus they should take I8 for the best time.

If you start on I10 then take 85 to I8. From our location we often take 347 through Maricopa to I8.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Sep 21, 2015
A couple months ago there was a small bridge washed out on I-10 just west of Arizona. I doubt if it's repaired by now so all traffic east and west are using 2 lanes in that area so you might have some slow-down depending on time of day or day you drive it. Other than that it's 4 lanes and an easy drive.

Here's the status on the bridge repair:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/08/28/tex-wash-bridge-repair/71323518/
DesertDwellers
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
azdryheat wrote:
We've made many trips to Chula Vista RV and the drive is a piece-of-cake from Tucson via the 8. The mountains outside of SD are pretty steep but very do-able. We absolutely love Chula Vista RV park. Ignore your GPS if you're using it. It will have you get off on 'E' street, which is a big mistake. Get off on 'J' street instead. Make sure you bring your bicycles - we love tooling around the area, the marina next door, the city park around the rv park, etc. We'll be out there Oct 1 for a week (Miramar airshow). Counting the days.

Thanks for the GPS tip azdryheat! If all goes as planned, we'll be pulling in on the 3rd!
azdryheat
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
We've made many trips to Chula Vista RV and the drive is a piece-of-cake from Tucson via the 8. The mountains outside of SD are pretty steep but very do-able. We absolutely love Chula Vista RV park. Ignore your GPS if you're using it. It will have you get off on 'E' street, which is a big mistake. Get off on 'J' street instead. Make sure you bring your bicycles - we love tooling around the area, the marina next door, the city park around the rv park, etc. We'll be out there Oct 1 for a week (Miramar airshow). Counting the days.
More_To_See
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
Everything in CA is divided interstate of at least 2 lanes in each direction.

In your climb up out of the desert you might be moving faster than some of the 18 wheelers so you'll have to time your swing out into the passing lane with any car traffic whizzing up the grade. It's not a heavily traveled section of Interstate though.
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Sep 21, 2015
DesertDwellers wrote:
Thanks Desert Captain and More to See for the tips, info and the votes of confidence! Is it 4 lanes the entire route?

You're welcome and yes.

:B
DesertDwellers
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
Thanks Desert Captain and More to See for the tips, info and the votes of confidence! Is it 4 lanes the entire route?
More_To_See
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015
West of El Centro you will have a winding 9 mile climb up a 6% interstate grade and then once up on top the mountains several ups and downs for about 30 miles over to Pine Valley.

From PV you will have a 20 mile downgrade that goes back and forth between some interstate type 6‰ grades and leveling out occasionally. Nothing to be concerned about at all.

The 9 mile climb up out of the desert west of El Centro is pretty steady and will keep your engine roaring all the way up to Jacumba. But it's a beautiful drive.

Up on top the mountains is Golden Acorn Casino and Travel Center as a place to take a break if desired. Food, fuel, propane, etc. Huge parking lot. But do fuel up in Yuma. Way cheeper.

Good travels.