sunbum1944

Have never driven this route before. Most on line driving directions show us going past LA and then over.

But - a few people I talked to suggest cutting over around Bakersfield - avoiding LA traffic and the Grapevine.

What do you suggest?

Tomsd

My mother in law took this route when driving from the Bay Area back to Palm Desert - and liked it. Just be aware that when you go down the pass by Tehachapi - don't go over 90 or you will get a ticket.

sunbum1944

Are you saying your mother got a ticket? I don't usually drive that fast anyway

tomfuller

It depends a little on which part of Oregon you live in. I live in Central Oregon and the last time I went to and came back from AZ, I went through Susanville and Reno and spent the night in Beatty. From there, I went through Las Vegas to Kingman.
The heaviest traffic, was around Reno and Las Vegas. The cheapest gas that I saw was in Kingman.
There was a horrible bus crash in Oregon yesterday morning on I-84. The report was that they were heading for Canada from someplace in Nevada. Don't go that way!

Tomsd

Yes, LOL - my mother in law got a ticket for going 90. The traffic was moving fast down the big hill - she even had a guy on a motorcycle pass her - and she wasn't really paying that close of attention to the speedometer - and voila - Chippie pulled her over.

In Cal - if they are going to cite you at 90 mph (or more) - it's a big fine - and then you are not eligible for traffic school either. So - watch the speedometer.

Really - on wide open roads with little traffic - and in a good car - it's not that hard to be zipping along - and I have done it - but now am very careful to stay under 90 - no matter how smooth the road, etc.

If you want a more scenic option - come down I-5 and then go into Yosemite for the night. From there (assuming the Tioga pass is open) - head out via Toulumne Meadows and then down 395 - and over through Death Valley to Las Vegas and then on to Mesa, by Phoenix, right?

janisj

"If you want a more scenic option - come down I-5 and then go into Yosemite for the night. "

Not if you are doing the drive in the next six months (the road won't open until probably late May at the earliest). . .

sunbum1944

no plans to go to Yosemite- I am not a fan of snow, cold - leaving Sat and want sunshine as soon as possible.

Tomsd

Yes, if you are leaving Sat - Tioga Pass is not an option. Didn't know when you were going.

dbdurand

No reason to avoid the Grapevine, unless it is snowy. But the weather forecast in your time frame looks good. And if you follow the route that google maps suggests, you will take the 210 from Santa Clarita, which skirts the northern boundaries of the LA area, and it's likely you'll be driving it in the morning of your last leg on your way to Mesa. You'll be going against traffic, so no problem.