Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Better route north? (Read 952 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Better route north?

Yahoo Message Number: 86977
We will leave the beautiful beaches in San Felipe and head for our summer home in Bellingham, WA in 3-4 weeks. We are so tired of the dreadful Yuma to Bakersfield, then the godawful I-5 or 99 to Oregon & Washington, and we need a change. Any ideas that don't add major mileage to the trip?

Gracias,

Ricardo

04 Intrigue #11830

Re: Better route north?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86978
You might go from Yuma up the Havasu and Vegas, then on up 95 through Nevada to Susanville, CA and over to I-5 at Shasta. The worst traffic areas will be through Las Vegas and the various cities along I-5 north.
A little longer, but interesting would be from Vegas to Salt Lake City, up through Idaho to I-84 and then through the Columbia Gorge.

S. Brandt, '06 Intrigue, 11964

Re: Better route north?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86979
You could go due north to Vegas, Reno, Bend, Yakima and then home. It would be 2 lane most of the way, but you could have great stops in Vegas, Reno and Bend. But from there I am of no assistance. From Reno you could cut across to Clear Lake and Eureka and then work your way up the coast. Florence and Astoria are great places to visit and then on Home. All two lane excepting crossing the Sierras. Like you have ruts in the highway from El Paso to Houston on I-10 in my part of the world. When not going to weddings or funerals I choose anything but I-10. Its pretty bad when you know the Prairie Dogs and antelope by name. TWI 204 intrigue 11731

Re: Better route north?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86981
I would suggest if you go through Vegas to continue to Reno and then 395 north to the CA/OR border. Then west over to 97 through central OR. clear to the Columbia River. A lot of beautiful country, mostly 2 lanes, however, the roads are pretty good. Sure keeps you off of a lot of freeways. We try to stay off Interstates whenever possible. We full time so I am not in any hurry to get any place. If you need a place to stay just before the CA/OR border there is a RV park called Likely Place Golf & RV resort. It is in the area called Likely, CA. Great golf course, full hook ups, small cafe on site, and paid $28.00 per night. It seems to be out in the middle of nowhere and that would be correct. Great place to stop for a day or two or more.

Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire
51428

Re: Better route north?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86985
Thanks Jock,

If the weather is nice and we decide to do part of the Oregon Coast, where would you leave 395 and head west? Also, Vegas would be a likely stop for a night or two. Where would you stay without driving down the strip?

Ricardo

Re: Better route north?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86986
I know you asked Jock, but I will give you an option. When you get to Klamath Falls, OR on the route outlined by Jock, you go to Medford (Central Point) and take I-5. If you are adventurous, you can head for the coast from Grants Pass. Ron and I have found that it is an easier drive to continue North on I-5 to the Exit 112 or Exit 113 and take Route 42 over to Coos Bay. Not as many sharp curves.

S. Brandt, '06 Intrigue, 11964

Re: Better route north?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86988
We avoid the interstates like the plague unless we are in a rush. We have taken various routes north - 395 is a good way to go - up through Reno and on north never really leaving 395. We have also taken 95 and 93 through Nevada. Last summer we left Scottsdale in June and meandered to northern New Mexico and then north on to Casper, Wyoming, and then followed the Oregon Trail. Another way, quite scenic, is 89 through Flagstaff and Lake Powell. We think the journey is the trip - the destination secondary.

Clint & Kathy Frederick
2004 Inspire 51038

Re: Better route north?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86990
Some great options from all of you. If our weather is decent we would probably like to do the Oregon coast while heading north. Have not done it for 3-4 years and it is great. Since we will be leaving out of Yuma, Lake Havasu City could be a good stop for a day or two. Is 95 north out of Vegas in pretty good shape? Of course nothing could be as bad ad I-5 from Bakersfield to Sacramento.

Ricardo

04 Intrigue #11830

Re: Better route north?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87002
Ricardo,

We have stayed several time @ Lake Mead RV Village, Boulder City, NV. 89005 702-293-2540 268 Lakeshore RD. Boulder City, 89005. This is just north of Hoover Dam and overlooks Lake Powell. Very nice park on Natl. Park Land. You can use your senior pass to access the park entrance. This is about 20 to 25 miles south of Vegas.

From Likely, CA. You can go west on 299 at Alturas, CA. Northwest on 139 to Klamath Falls, OR. and 66 to Ashland, OR. From there you have several options to get to the Oregon Coast. The part of 66 does go up over some mountains, however, very doable. No freeways in site on this route, very pretty.

Jock Vargo

2005 Inspire
51428

Re: Better route north?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87005
On 4/9/2013 2:28 PM, Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com wrote:

Quote
Better route north?
Bingo on the suggestion to use US 395! It is a fine road, and things are very beautiful along this road at this time of year (after you get to Lone Pine). Stop in Lee Vining, at the Mono Lake Committee store.
In fact, have lunch at Nicely's, where raspberry pie is a common offering. Stop at Mono Lake itself...it is a fantastic site. Stop in Bishop and visit the Galen Rowell photography museum in the middle of town. Take a jaunt from Bishop over to Laws on US 6 and visit the Laws Railroad Museum. Find US 97 and take it north through Madras and find the town of Shaniko, with its wonderful old hotel and ice cream parlor.
Salmon burgers at The Dalles are also wonderful.
Decent RV sites can be found in Bishop (Brown's Campground) and at Topaz Casino (near the CA/NV state line). Topaz Casino even gives you a couple of free drinks (a well pour, not particularly interesting liquor) in the bar just for staying one night. The restaurant is decent, but nothing about which to write home. There are other RV sites along the way, but we have not used them.

Ken Harrison

2004 Allure #31035
-- "The great thing about science is that it's true, whether or not you believe in it." (Neil deGrasse Tyson)

Re: Better route north?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87006
I recommend that you stay on 395 to Valley Falls, north of Lakeview, then take the Silver Lake Cuttoff (Oregon 31) to LaPine, then north on 97. There is a good golf course, Quail Run, at LaPine.

David W

Re: Better route north?

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87013
David & Ken,

Thanks for the additional comments about routes and facilities. I have pasted all of them in our travel book and will sort it all out when we hit the road. Sounds like some great things to see along these less-traveled routes. We will really miss I-5!!!!!

Ricardo

04 Intrigue #11830

Re: Better route north?

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88410
If you come thru Reno go up Hwy 395 to Alturas. Then take SR 299 for about 18 miles west then North on SR 139 to Oregon border It then turns in to SR 39 to Klamath Falls to Hwy 97. Maybe find a Park. Take toad (If you have one) and take in the Crater Lake National Park. If you are going to go to the Oregon Coast then you Have a choice of at K-Falls take Sr 140 to I-5 and then North to Sutherlin. Then take Sr 138 to Reedsport and you are on the Oregon Coast.

Hope this helps. This is the route I would take in 40 Ft Magna.
Bo & Kathy Lee

2000 Magna #5896 40 FT

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Rubicon
 

Re: Better route north?

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88415
Bo & Kathy Lee,

Thanks for the route input. We came north a month ago and did the Oregon coast, but will try your route next year.

Ricardo

04 Intrigue #11830