I'm flying into California Friday to pick up my new 2000 Nassau Blue FRC and will be driving it back to Houston, TX. I'll have a buddy with me as a co-pilot and we've got 2.5 days to complete the trip. The first day I hope to go from Union City area to Phoenix and then grab a hotel. Can any of you guys that know California well give me some recommendations on a good route from Union City (San Francisco area) to Phoenix? Just looking for something that has some cool scenic stuff to pass by and maybe stop to take a few pictures.
From there, I'll probably shoot down to I-10 and head for San Antonio. Stay the night in S.A. and then onto Houston on Sunday.
Thanks,
Travis
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Travis
'69 coupe - 427 BB: VooDoo
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I just drove from Sacremento to Orlando and back. The return route was I-10 through Houston, the last leg of the drive was Phoenix to Sacramento. I took I-10 to LA area then caught CA-57 to I-210 to I-5. 755 miles took me 11 hours with all the stops. Worst part of the trip was the LA area.
All WB lanes of I-10 are closed south of Phoenix, about Firehorse exit. All the traffic was routed on surface streets around the closure. Lots of cars and detour not marked well. Don't know about the EB lanes but you might want to find out.
Have a great drive, lots of LEO's with customers between San Antonio and El Paso.
I just came back last week with my new (for me) c-6 from Alberqueque. I had a great ride took I40 along the old route 66 it was great. Really enjoyed the desert in Calif and the high desert of Ariz. Very pretty drove an avg. 85mph
I'm thinking about going through Vegas but I have to be back to Houston Sunday. So I might have to just drive through. I might be able to stop for an hour or two and 'donate' $100 to a casino but unlikely I can stay there for the night.
If I'm not really staying in Vegas is there much point to driving through? I've been to Vegas about 5 times so it's not like I haven't seen it before.
I'm thinking about going through Vegas but I have to be back to Houston Sunday. So I might have to just drive through. I might be able to stop for an hour or two and 'donate' $100 to a casino but unlikely I can stay there for the night.
If I'm not really staying in Vegas is there much point to driving through? I've been to Vegas about 5 times so it's not like I haven't seen it before.
I'll definitely take some pics along the way.
Well, if you really want to have some fun and get away from the CHP, do what I do when I drive to NorCal:
Take I80 to Reno (a bit harsh from Colfax to Donner Pass from all the truck chains during the winter, but lots of fun winding parts). That's about 3-4 hours from the Bay Area.
Then, either stay on 80 to Fernly, head south on 95 through Fallon, go around Walker lake at Hawthorne, and hit the open road. You can average 100+ at the right time of day (especially at night). Almost no traffic, great road (maintained meticulously by out of work miners), looooong stretches between historic small towns.
Then, of course, through Vegas, across the dam, and on to either Phownix and I10 or across 40 to Albuerque or any other Southbound Hwy and down. Lots of choices.
Or, if you really want beauty...out of Reno, head south on 395 through the the Sierra's, across Death Valley at Big Pine to Las Vegas. Almost no traffic and some of the most beautiful scenery in the west. That takes a few hours longer if you stop a lot, but not so much with a co-driver.
In 1977 I went from Vegas to Witchita Falls in 24 hours with a co-driver. Figure the rest based on the distances and add to your requirements. I'd hate to regret making a trip like that without making it a real TRIP. To Vegas is only 8-10 hours depending on your route. From there depends on your stamina.
Ok. Union City to Phoenix is 738 mi. with a driving time of over 11 hours (plus potty breaks and food). From Union City, go south on Mission Blvd. to I-680 (about five miles). Take I-680 north to I-580 east. I-580 east over the Altamont Pass and bear right on the east side of the pass, following the signs for Los Angeles. I-580 eventually merges with I-5 south. Take I-5 south for, oh, about 285 miles to Santa Clarita on the south end of the Grapevine. Just after Santa Clarita bear right again and follow the signs onto I-210 east. About 45 miles later, merge onto Hwy. 57 south at exit 45. About four miles later, merge onto I-10 and go for about 345 miles, carefully avoiding prarie dogs and rattlesnakes and, BINGO, you're in Phoenix.
Enjoy!
Sounds good, especially after you put in 12 hrs in the seat. Driving in the desert is a beautiful thing, in daylight, not at night
Just remember, nothing good happens after midnight out on the road.
Wellllll....I did run over this funny green thing with big eyes late one night near Tonopah. I thought it was just a big jackrabbit but there was this slimy stuff on my airdam when I got home. Whatever it was it didn't fare well at 100 mph.
How does this sound?
South on 101 to Hwy 1
to 41 to 58 to 43 to 58 through Bakersfield to Barstow
40 through Flagstaff to Albuquerque
south 285 to Roswell through Carlsbad to Fort Stockton
then I10 East to Houston
How does this sound?
South on 101 to Hwy 1
to 41 to 58 to 43 to 58 through Bakersfield to Barstow
40 through Flagstaff to Albuquerque
south 285 to Roswell through Carlsbad to Fort Stockton
then I10 East to Houston
I can only speak for the first part of this. I would not go 101,1,41,58,43,58. Do as "RAGTOP69" stated for the first part. Going down I-5 is much quicker and a four lane safer route. Those others are mostly 2 lane and almost all country except for the 101. You can get off the I-5 at 58 to Bakersfield and go either way then.
I have been on all of these mentioned above. Driven in the central valley since '68 You don't want to get killed out at Cholame (41) like James Dean did in his Porsche.
You did say you wanted to go quickly, and safe I assume.
How does this sound?
South on 101 to Hwy 1
to 41 to 58 to 43 to 58 through Bakersfield to Barstow
40 through Flagstaff to Albuquerque
south 285 to Roswell through Carlsbad to Fort Stockton
then I10 East to Houston
Love this route, do it a couple times a year to Barstow, then to Laughlin, only I skip 41 and hit 58 of off 101. But he does not have enough time. It takes me almost 9 hours to Barstow, with picture taking and stuff.
But for me, I hate I-5, and the Tehachipi route... too boring, unless there are a ton of trains running along Tehachipi. and you have to battle with all the trucks, and wannabe race car drivers going to LA. It is quite a bit out of the way but sticking to 178, though the Kern River canyon and out to 14, then to Inyokern and south on 395 is a awesome ride.
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Need good route from San Fran area to Phoenix
