Eureka to Yosemite - RV-Dreams Community Forum

DreamerBob · RV-Dreams Family Member

Eureka to Yosemite

Ann-Hank · RV-Dreams Family Member

YES!! I don't like going down it in as car. You will be on the outside lane, as in big drop off vs going up and being on the inside lane with mountain next to you.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would take CA20 over, get on I-5 and go south, cutting over to CA99 at Stockton on CA4 and then CA120 to Yosemite.

US101 is not a problem for many of us, we love it. CA20 is about the best route between US101 and I-5, it does have grades and curves, but is better than CA299 and don't even think of taking CA36 with something larger than a car. If you want to cut over further south, take Lakeville Road out of Petaluma and hook to CA37 and then pick your poison on which highway to I-5. I-5 is not much trouble through Sacramento, you are west of the city.

HighwayRanger · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
I would take CA20 over, get on I-5 and go south, cutting over to CA99 at Stockton on CA4 and then CA120 to Yosemite.
Bill nailed it. I drive these routes often. You gotta go down US101 to SR-20 then southbound 5, etc. That first half of your trip will be beautiful. Second half, not so much. But the route is fine for a big RV. Just be sure to use the pullouts and passing lanes appropriately.
Have fun!

Roy

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

These guys got it right. I would take I5 to CA120 rather than CA4 due to road construction. Lots of K-rails on CA99 north of CA120. Lanes aren't too narrow but it depends on how much you like hugging a concrete wall. I do it all the time in the big truck so it doesn't bother me. From Sacremental to Stockton CA99 parallels I5. Either one will get you to your destination. Thru that section, traffic on I5 is less of a concern due to construction.

Right now there is a fire in Yosimite. Might want to check that status before proceeding.

DreamerBob · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks very much you guys, this is been really helpful.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

One note on CA 4, make sure you know your height, we've been through there with a 5th wheel at 12'8" tall without a problem. However, someone in the RV park we're in is right at 14' in height and said he didn't feel comfortable on CA4 due to a couple of low underpasses.

MarkS or some of the other guys who drive that with the big trucks might be better informed than I am. Given the opportunity, we prefer I-5 over CA 99, CA99 is a much rougher ride.

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

99 is getting better. The parts that are done are great. Then there is the rest of it. There is nothing on any of the main highways that is less than 13'6". Let's hope your neighbor doesn't get caught. Maximum legal height is 13'6" nationwide. Some states differ slightly.

This height thing has been discussed before. But, there is something I should mention. Do not assume the signs on the bridges are dead accurate. Seldom will they be less than they say. However, assume you slowly crawled under one marked 13'3" and found that you made it without a problem. The next time you come across one marked 13'3" it might really be 13'3". I encountered a bridge on a back road near Sacramento. It was labeled 13'3". I watched some trucks go thru without hesitating. Come to find out the clearance was actually over 15'.

Ed and Beth · RV-Dreams Community Member

bjoyce wrote:
I would take CA20 over, get on I-5 and go south, cutting over to CA99 at Stockton on CA4 and then CA120 to Yosemite.

US101 is not a problem for many of us, we love it. CA20 is about the best route between US101 and I-5, it does have grades and curves, but is better than CA299 and don't even think of taking CA36 with something larger than a car. If you want to cut over further south, take Lakeville Road out of Petaluma and hook to CA37 and then pick your poison on which highway to I-5. I-5 is not much trouble through Sacramento, you are west of the city.

That's the route we take but given the current fire situation I think I would go over to Lakeville hwy to 37 right now. Everything around Clear Lake on 20 is a bit of a mess right now.

Going down 101 from Eureka through the redwoods will be lovely especially if you're able to drive on the Avenue of the Giants for a bit.

Enjoy, Beth

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Beth,

This thread is about a year old, so I think DreamerBob has already made that trip. To check to see how current a thread might be, check out the date under the username and avatar information.

However, it is nice to know your suggestion is a nice route for scenery.

Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 15th of September 2015 09:31:22 AM

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I don't know when you will be at Yosemite but if there's a full moon be sure to take a drive around the valley at night. Between the stars, the moon glowing on the granite walls and the waterfalls, it's a whole different experience.

Ed and Beth · RV-Dreams Community Member

Terry -

Thank you. That's embarrassing! I get caught up reading all the posts and I'm trying to start responding where I can. I just have to remember check the year.

biggrin Beth