Driving from Los Angeles - I-5 to I-80 OR Route 14 to 395 ??

[DJa)exO.]

2 years ago we took the Interstate 5 North to Sacramento to Interstate 80 East to Reno.

This year I am wondering how option 2 is which is Route 14 North to Suburbia to Route 395 North to Reno?

Has anyone driven that route?

I see that there is construction on 1-80 from the 5 and would hate to be stalled by construction?

More details on the drive are here:
http://www.burningman.com/preparation/t ... o_brc.html

But was trying to get some feedback from fellow burners.

Cheers,
a

[Karma]

I hook up with 395 from the 15 but I know the route youre taking. If you havent driven 395 into Reno, I would highly recommend it, You skirt the sierra Nevadas the whole way driving thru little towns and enjoying some amazing scenery.

I've taken this route to the burn for the last 10 years and never get tired of it. Just heed the speed limits going into and out of each town.

You'll dig it ! Drive safe !!

[mudpuppy000]

It's a slower drive than the 5, but it's alot prettier. The speed limits drop when you're going through all the towns along the way, so watch out for that. Also, gas stations aren't as close as the 5, so don't run your gas tank too low.

There's a great micro brewery near the 395/14 junction (Indian Wells Brewing Co)

[Token]

395 for sure. Anything to avoid KowShwitz and DaKow.

The pass is higher than Donner but the grade is longer and easier.

It is the shorter route as well and this year will be much faster due to the construction on I80.

[dinks]

The i80 just near the CA/NV border is pretty messed up right now. Un even surface, single lane with barriers on each side. For that reason alone I would do the 395 if it were me.

[DrPeffer]

Definitely suggest the 14 to the 395. This is the route I've taken most times to the Burn, and the couple of times I've gone the I5 / 80 route, I've been screwed royally, either by construction (which always seems to be going on somewhere), or by Labor Day traffic jams...Which suck even worse.

The 14 to 395 is a pretty drive with plenty of services at least up until just past Mammoth, largely avoids the Sierras (which can be difficult to drive, depending on the time of day and your vehicle), and is a pretty damn swift way to get to the Playa. From LA to Reno, stopping a couple of times to eat/stretch/whatever, takes about 8 hours.

[VeganChoirGirl]

I am planning on taking the 395 out there this year. I was wondering. The directions on the burning man website and what's given on google are different. How do you guys go, from the 395 to BRC. Thanks for the input.

Can't possibly imagine doing the 5 again...worst drive in history.

[Bounce530]

395 crosses 80 in Reno.

[VeganChoirGirl]

395 crosses 80 in Reno.

Yeah, google tells me to leave the 395 to the 182, to the 338, to the 208 to the 339 to the 95 to the 427 to the 447. Any thoughts? Leaving in 12 hours.

[LostinReno]

395 crosses 80 in Reno.

Yeah, google tells me to leave the 395 to the 182, to the 338, to the 208 to the 339 to the 95 to the 427 to the 447. Any thoughts? Leaving in 12 hours.

Google kills me sometimes. You might be better off staying on 395 until you get to the 208 just past Topaz if you want to bypass Reno. The route past Bridgeport is pretty desolate.

[peacefulhuman]

I'm so thankful for this thread. I'm leaving from OC on Monday (I have to work Monday a.m., leaving in the afternoon). I was going to head up the 5 to Sacramento, get a cheap motel, then head out to BRC in the a.m. via the 80, arriving on the playa in the early afternoon Tuesday.

I HATE driving the 5, and have driven it four times from OC to Oregon / back in the last 3 months. Sick of it! I would love to go the 395 but figured the 5 would be the faster/cheaper route. (wasn't able to find any cheap motels in the Bishop / Mammoth areas - or not as cheap as Sacramento anyway, and I'm way overbudget on this trip already!)

The closer the date gets, the more I'm thinking of bailing on the cheap motel shit and just driving Monday night until I can't drive any more, pull over and rest somewhere, then push on Tuesday morning.

The excitement alone could conceivably get me to the playa in the wee hours Tuesday morning if I drove all night Monday, but that might not be safe - I'm driving alone, so there's no one to share driving duty if I get tired, and Monday is gonna be a loonngg day so it's likely I'll get sleepy en route. Plus I was told it was not a good idea to arrive at night because setting up camp in the dark is a drag. Seems it would be, but then I don't know - I'm a newbie, and I've heard a lot of conflicting opinions during my preparations.

I would welcome anyone's suggestions on cheap lodging or safe rest areas up the 395, in the event that plan works out.

SO. FUCKING. EXCITED.

[Token]

Topaz Lake, just as you cross the NV state line. Campground & motel 8 and a best western inn or somesuch.

Not cheap but not as pricy as Bridgeport.

[mudpuppy000]

Looks like 395 is closed...

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=36516

Guess I'll be heading up the 5 this time.

[peacefulhuman]

Topaz Lake, just as you cross the NV state line. Campground & motel 8 and a best western inn or somesuch.

Not cheap but not as pricy as Bridgeport.

Awesome, that would work - and make for a shorter drive Tuesday morning than coming all the way from Sacramento. Thanks for the tip!!

[dinks]

Looks like 395 is closed...

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=36516

Guess I'll be heading up the 5 this time.

Repeating this for anyone that missed it.

[Antranik]

^bump^ cause this is imperative for socal residents

[Antranik]

What about the 99 to the 80? Instead of the 5? Is that any better?

[kman]

Looks like 395 is closed...

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=36516

Guess I'll be heading up the 5 this time.

Repeating this for anyone that missed it.

I'm leaving Sunday morning and driving straight through. I had planned to take 395 so I sure as heck hope everything is back open by then!

[Gwydeon]

I'm driving up from Las Vegas, I saw a thread once that had some towns to avoid (all together) due to hostile locals and local LEO's. I have done several searches, but I can not find the thread again. Can anyone provide some insight on that drive as far as possible detours might provide smoother sailing (I'm looking for a quick and simple path, I don't care about the veiw till I'm on the playa)?


Also for Soutern California's planning to come up along that washed out freeway, try thinking of going via Las Vegas Instead. They have recently created diamond lanes though the north end of town and on the south end on the I-15 (I-5 to you) there are 2 express lanes that bypass most of the strip, there is a little slow down as you reach the interchange (they call it the spaghetti bowl, but I'm from Cali originaly, they don't know what real freeways are like here). After the interchange it'll be clear sailing up the newly widened north end and when you see the speedway your clear of town.

[Token]

Update:
As of ~ 1am this morning:
Chp is escorting vehicles on one lane northbound.

There is also a detour up Trona road on the east side of China Lake at Ridgecrest to 190 west back to Lone Pine. ~ an hour extra and some curves on 190.

Also construction near CA / NV border with single lane one-way traffic. ~ 20 minute delay.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi


http://cad.chp.ca.gov/

Select the Bishop area on the CHP site.

[LostinReno]

I'm driving up from Las Vegas, I saw a thread once that had some towns to avoid (all together) due to hostile locals and local LEO's. I have done several searches, but I can not find the thread again. Can anyone provide some insight on that drive as far as possible detours might provide smoother sailing (I'm looking for a quick and simple path, I don't care about the veiw till I'm on the playa)?

I've done this drive a gazillion times. Stay on 95 and you'll be fine. OBEY SPEED LIMITS, Most of the NHP out there are either old red necks or noobs just out of the academy (both with something imaginary to prove). The sucky things are the little towns, Mina, Goldfield etc. Where your trucking along at 70 then you have about 300 ft. to drop it down to 35. They will bust you if you don't slow down enough. If you do get pulled over just be respectful. I actually got out of a speeding ticket just outside of Tonopah last year for pulling off a lot of "Yes, sirs". Have your DL, insurance & vehicle registration in your hand before they get to your window. I'd also suggest wearing your default clothing until you get to the playa.

[DustyHugs]

Are there any better routes from SF to BRC than the 80 right now? Are the delays going to be pretty bad?

[mudpuppy000]

I'm driving up from Las Vegas, I saw a thread once that had some towns to avoid (all together) due to hostile locals and local LEO's. I have done several searches, but I can not find the thread again. Can anyone provide some insight on that drive as far as possible detours might provide smoother sailing (I'm looking for a quick and simple path, I don't care about the veiw till I'm on the playa)?

I've done this drive a gazillion times. Stay on 95 and you'll be fine. OBEY SPEED LIMITS, Most of the NHP out there are either old red necks or noobs just out of the academy (both with something imaginary to prove). The sucky things are the little towns, Mina, Goldfield etc. Where your trucking along at 70 then you have about 300 ft. to drop it down to 35. They will bust you if you don't slow down enough. If you do get pulled over just be respectful. I actually got out of a speeding ticket just outside of Tonopah last year for pulling off a lot of "Yes, sirs". Have your DL, insurance & vehicle registration in your hand before they get to your window. I'd also suggest wearing your default clothing until you get to the playa.

If you're coming out of so cal you can turn off the 15 at baker and take the 127 up through Shoshone/Death valley Junction and hit the 95. That's a gorgeous drive, but pretty lonely. The road was pretty well maintained from my memory (2 lane highway) and flat. There's gas in Baker and Shoshone (expensive). Death valley junction looks like a ghost town although I think there is a store or something open there, and the opera house.

[LostinReno]

I'm driving up from Las Vegas, I saw a thread once that had some towns to avoid (all together) due to hostile locals and local LEO's. I have done several searches, but I can not find the thread again. Can anyone provide some insight on that drive as far as possible detours might provide smoother sailing (I'm looking for a quick and simple path, I don't care about the veiw till I'm on the playa)?

I've done this drive a gazillion times. Stay on 95 and you'll be fine. OBEY SPEED LIMITS, Most of the NHP out there are either old red necks or noobs just out of the academy (both with something imaginary to prove). The sucky things are the little towns, Mina, Goldfield etc. Where your trucking along at 70 then you have about 300 ft. to drop it down to 35. They will bust you if you don't slow down enough. If you do get pulled over just be respectful. I actually got out of a speeding ticket just outside of Tonopah last year for pulling off a lot of "Yes, sirs". Have your DL, insurance & vehicle registration in your hand before they get to your window. I'd also suggest wearing your default clothing until you get to the playa.

If you're coming out of so cal you can turn off the 15 at baker and take the 127 up through Shoshone/Death valley Junction and hit the 95. That's a gorgeous drive, but pretty lonely. The road was pretty well maintained from my memory (2 lane highway) and flat.

95's a good road. The only steepish climb you have is coming into Tonopah.

Coming from SF, you might consider 50 from Sac over, its two lane most of the way and super windey, not sure if it would be any faster in the long run.

[mudpuppy000]

Update:
As of ~ 1am this morning:
Chp is escorting vehicles on one lane northbound.

There is also a detour up Trona road on the east side of China Lake at Ridgecrest to 190 west back to Lone Pine. ~ an hour extra and some curves on 190.

Also construction near CA / NV border with single lane one-way traffic. ~ 20 minute delay.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi


http://cad.chp.ca.gov/

Select the Bishop area on the CHP site.

I seem to remember a pretty big grade on 190 coming west out of panamint springs. Might be an issue if you're towing something or are loaded down.

[epic]

Assuming hwy 395 is open, which route is faster from the south, 395 N>80 e>447
or
395>182>338 N>NV-208 E >NV-339 N>95 >427 >447?
thanks

[Antranik]

Assuming hwy 395 is open, which route is faster from the south, 395 N>80 e>447
or
395>182>338 N>NV-208 E >NV-339 N>95 >427 >447?
thanks

The 395 is open now.

Just do 395 to the 80

[Thecatman]

I'd go 14, 395, 80 and stay out of that used to be nice but now nasty San Juaquin Valley IMHO.
I've read on other posts that 395 has been reopened

[TomServo]

I'm driving up from Las Vegas, I saw a thread once that had some towns to avoid (all together) due to hostile locals and local LEO's. I have done several searches, but I can not find the thread again. Can anyone provide some insight on that drive as far as possible detours might provide smoother sailing (I'm looking for a quick and simple path, I don't care about the veiw till I'm on the playa)?


Also for Soutern California's planning to come up along that washed out freeway, try thinking of going via Las Vegas Instead. They have recently created diamond lanes though the north end of town and on the south end on the I-15 (I-5 to you) there are 2 express lanes that bypass most of the strip, there is a little slow down as you reach the interchange (they call it the spaghetti bowl, but I'm from Cali originaly, they don't know what real freeways are like here). After the interchange it'll be clear sailing up the newly widened north end and when you see the speedway your clear of town.

Saw the thread, and was about to mention this. If you look like a Burner, cops will think of a reason to fuck with you! I think they're jealous, that they don't get the BM gig.

[Thecatman]

I'd also suggest wearing your default clothing until you get to the playa.

And your seatbelt.