Traveling The 395 From CA To Reno (Los Angeles, Sacramento: ski resorts, casino, cost)

[dreamfollower]

How's the road trip from So. California to Reno via Rt. 395, in early June?

Hate planes, hate change-overs, hate having to get to Airport hours before to accommodate security. Kind of think just jumping in the car early morning and traveling 9-hours is a better deal.

Anything to watch-out for in terms of June weather or road conditions or perils of the 395 from CA to Reno? Is the 395 a typical highway/freeway, or is it a two-lane deal? I know in the high desert around Victorville it is one lane each direction, but I am not familiar with what happens to the road further North.

[Archan]

You shouldn't run into problems in June. It is a very long way to go. You go through a lot of small towns with low speed limits. I traveled from Yosemite/Mono Lake to Reno and it took me forever. I would have had a shorter drive if I went up 5 to 80. It doesn't look that far on the map, but it does take a long time. Most of it is two lane roads as I recall.

[18Montclair]

I am also interested in knowing this. Hopefully someone will have the 411.

[Lifeshadower]

It depends where in SoCal you're coming from. If you're coming from Los Angeles/Orange Counties, you will probably come from CA-14, which is a freeway from Santa Clarita to Mojave, and a four lane highway until the US-395 junction. If you're coming from San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, US-395 is two lane until CA-14 junction.

US-395 is a four lane highway in most of the Eastern Sierras, since its a busy highway connecting SoCal to the ski resorts at Mammoth, and places like Mono Lake. However, after Lee Vining, it becomes a two lane road through the mountainous areas. It only becomes a four lane highway again after Minden, NV.

If you want a faster route, you could always take I-5 north to I-80 in Sacramento, then take I-80 east toward Reno. It will be 40-50 miles longer, but also 2-3 hours shorter.

[esmith143]

Victorville to Ridgecrest, it's two lanes, and you'll frequently find yourself stuck behind a truck going 55.

Ridgecrest to Mono Lake it's four lanes almost all the way (except in some small towns), very light traffic, you should be able to go 80 most of the time.

North of Mono Lake it becomes a two-lane highway again, but by that time you're in the middle of nowhere and there's practically no traffic, especially that time of year (a lot of the traffic in that area is to/from ski resorts in Mammoth Lakes and Lake Tahoe, which are, obviously, closed in June.)

[BRinSM]

from southern california this is a very long drive. i know from the LA/OC area, mammoth is 5-6 hours. add another 2+ to get to reno. although portions are scenic, for the most part it is a very boring drive. However, there are plenty of places to refuel, grab some food, and use the toilet. i just flew to reno in december and the flight is less than 90 minutes. IMHO, the cost is worth it compared to the 8 hour drive.

[Clarks]

Again, it is the greatest scenic drive in America.
It is better done in a week than a day, at least split the trip and stay somewhere along the way.
Take your fishing pole.

You will drive the length of the deepest valley in the world, with the sides rising 10,000 feet above you.

[DMenscha]

It's an awesome drive, but I agree with most of the previous advice. You should enjoy the breathtaking vistas along the way. I've taken 3 days to drive from my central Sierra location to Mojave, just because I wanted to stop and explore.

Just go I-5 if you merely want to be in Reno. Have a safe trip no matter which way you go.

[BlackShoe]

This is a wonderful drive. Have made it dozens of times over the years, and it still remains a favorite, one that never grows tiresome. Will make a few general comments. First, do not take the I-15 to Hesperia and then 395. That stretch is awful, about 100 miles of tough boring driving. Taking the I-5 all the way to the I-80 is another very dull, tedius route. Take the Golden State Fwy I-5 and then the Antelope Valley Fwy SR14. It becomes the 395 west of Ridgecrest. In June, expect hot weather in the Antelope Valley,at Mojave, and perhaps through most of the Owens Valley. There are many things to do or see along the way, if you wish to do so. A very good place to stop is the visitors center just south of Lone Pine across from the golf course. Can pick up literature, talk to the rangers, and learn about the area. Bishop has many eating places, and is usually a gas stop. The cheapest gas is at the Indian casino at the north end of town. During the drive through Owens Valley the snow capped Sierras will be on the left. After leaving Bishop, 395 starts to climb into the mountains. In a couple of places the elevation will be just over 8000 feet. From SoCal to Reno/Tahoe most of the road will be 4 lanes, although there will be stretches when it narrows to 2 lanes. If there are traffic problems they likely would be at the start or end of the journey. Getting out of the LA metro area can be a pain. At the end, traffic picks up at the south end of the Carson Valley, and continues through Carson City and then to Reno.

[Clarks]

Excellent advice.

I sat down one day and figured out, I had slept somewhere, about every 20 miles along that route over the past 40 years. I have driven it, and motorcycled it and hitchhiked it. My favorite way is a fine day and a motorcycle or convertible.