class A route lake Havasu to Bakersfield

[rickwellman]

What is the best route for a class A motorhome with trailer from lake Havasu to Bakersfield.

[billkaufmann]

CA Traveler wrote:

rickwellman wrote:
I was going to pick up 99 out of Bakersfield and go north to the N.P's

You got it, 40, 58, 99.

Not the old 58. Take the second 58

[SCVJeff]

OP- one thing you didn't mention here is what are you driving/ hauling??

[msmith1199]

Once you've crossed Tehachapi and get to Bakersfield, if you thought that grade was too much, then stay out of the rest of the mountains in California! 58 over Tehachapi is one of the easiest mountain grades in the State. It doesn't even reach 4000 feet. I think it's something like 3700 at the highest. Just barely high enough to be called a mountain. It's actually a pretty good test for people coming to visit California from flat country. If you think Tehachapi was bad, then don't even try Tioga, or Donner Pass, or Echo Summit, etc.

[CA_Traveler]

I believe there is one section that is more than 6 percent.

Get Mountain Directory West and it will have details on grades. And other grade information is available online.

What is your concern? Based on your signature route lots of grades ahead.

[ArchHoagland]

rickwellman wrote:
Is it more than 6 percent

I don't know. It's four lane and trucks use it all the time.

There is no way into the central valley of California without doing a steep mountain drop.

[CA_Traveler]

rickwellman wrote:
I have crossed a couple coming from El paso. If they are not steeper than that I will be ok.

OK, based on your signature you are at the beginning of your western mountain trip which is great! Read up on mountain driving and you'll be fine.

It's both grade and length of the grade that's important. And yes 58 has higher grades than from El Paso and there are even higher elevations and grades in your future.

[rickwellman]

I have crossed a couple coming from El paso. If they are not steeper than that I will be ok.

[rickwellman]

Is it more than 6 percent

[ArchHoagland]

When you leave there heading west into Bakersfield you are going to encounter a very steep downgrade.
I don't know how familiar you are with going down mountains, I see you are from Florida, but start down at about 40 mph and use your lower gears. Don't ride the brakes. I mash mine on hard 5 seconds and then let it cool a bit as my speed moves up and then do it again.
Don't worry about blocking traffic, it's 4 lanes and they will go around you.

You will encounter steep mountains again at the Oregon border. The Siskiyous. Again pretty steep downgrades. Just go slow and you'll be fine.

[rickwellman]

Made it tehachapi mountain valley rv park. Nice in high 60s. Staying about 3 days a real relief from the heat.

[ArchHoagland]

We stayed a week at "Mountain Valley RV Park" in Tehachapi.

Water and electric only but they do have a dump station.

Went there to see the famous railroad Tehachapi Loop. Guess what. They were rebuilding the track near there and no trains were running during daylight hours.

[msmith1199]

Lwiddis wrote:
Vegas, more scenic too. My stick house is near the 210...nada to see.

The best route from Lake Havasu to Bakersfield is through Vegas??? I assume you're being sarcastic?

[rickwellman]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the information. As I travel through California you will be hearing a lot from me.

[Lwiddis]

Vegas, more scenic too. My stick house is near the 210...nada to see.