Heading to Quartzsite, AZ from Sacramento, CA

[obiwancanoli]

Heading to AZ mid-November, and I'd very much like to avoid going over the Grapevine near Lebec, CA both for weather risk and ease of driving. Is anyone familiar with a less wintery route that might make the trip a bit easier? Travel time isn't really an issue...

[time2roll]

Google says to me:

Fresno
Bakersfield
Barstow
Needles
Parker
Q

Grapevine does not bother me but I would consider this route to avoid LA

[MarkTwain]

Ed_Gee wrote:
Or go down 99 to 58 and route yourself that way...

Take 58 to 395 then south and head to Apple Valley which will drop you off at Palm Springs at I-10.

[Janss]

Dang dedmiston! I was in Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley just last month. I probably drove right past the Beale's Cut and didn't even know it! Thanks for the *obscure* info 🙂

[Curly2001]

I would take 58 east to Barstow, then I-40 all the way to AZ and take AZ95 south by Lake Havasu and Parker to Quartzsite. We just made that trip earlier this year and it worked out great for us. Nice scenery along the river, too.
Curly

[dedmiston]

There's also the 101 if you don't like the other routes. I think the 58 through Tehachapi is your best bet though.

As you weigh the risks and discomfort of the various passes, take a look at the olden times. Beales Cut used to be THE way in and out of L.A.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/beales-cut

[obiwancanoli]

58 East seems to make the most sense to me... by the way, 35' MH w/toad...Diesel 340

[Edd505]

Janss wrote:
Ummm...I-10 goes straight to Quartzsite. Maybe Edd505 means I-5 down to I-8 to Yuma?? I certainly wouldn't want to drive in all the southern CA traffic to go that way. And of course, it doesn't avoid the Grapevine.

Yep mind fart,I-5 - I-8 then north on 95. Long way around but be said time was not an issue. Thanks for the correction.

[Janss]

Ummm...I-10 goes straight to Quartzsite. Maybe Edd505 means I-5 down to I-8 to Yuma?? I certainly wouldn't want to drive in all the southern CA traffic to go that way. And of course, it doesn't avoid the Grapevine.

[Edd505]

travel times no issue, I-5 to I-10 10 to Yuma 95 north to Quartzsite.

[Janss]

Any way you go, there is a pass. IMO all these passes are easy to drive. But of course, you should check the weather before you go.

I would avoid the Grapevine, not for your reasons, but to avoid the mess of the greater L.A. area. Just south of Lebec/Gorman, you could take 138/14/138/15/215/10. You'll hit Cajon Pass when you get to I-15.

You could go to Bakersfield and take 58 east, going over Tehachapi Pass, to 395 to 15, etc.

You could continue on 58 east to Barstow, then I-40 all the way to AZ and take AZ95 south by Lake Havasu and Parker (along the Colorado River) to Quartzsite. This is the one I might choose, since you have time, just for a nice drive.

[Lwiddis]

Flyboy’s idea if passes open. Otherwise, Ed’s.

[Ed_Gee]

Or go down 99 to 58 and route yourself that way...

[_1Flyboy]

Hwy 395 is a lot nicer if passes are open....