Whats the drive like between Portland,Oregon and Sacramento,California? It it doable or too long?

[psichick]

Does anyone know what the speed limit is in the area the OP was asking about? And do you have to absolutely do it? Can you go 5mph over? 10mph?

I'm making the drive next week and obviously don't need a speeding ticket. But yes, I speed all the time (this is going to be a change) on the freeways down here and usually I'm doing about 10-15mph over. Which is "flow of traffic". I know in OR, people tend to drive the speed limit, so I'll watch that and stick with the flow.

I'm just hoping the drive from SMF to PDX is a bit more like LA to Las Vegas...open, easy, speed limits aren't 55. Am I wishing too much?

Thanks.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by psichick

I'm just hoping the drive from SMF to PDX is a bit more like LA to Las Vegas...open, easy, speed limits aren't 55. Am I wishing too much?

Speed limit is based on State. In California it's 70, Oregon is 65. Between about Roseburg and Redding you'll pretty much stay the speed limit. There are a lot of hills, curves, and trucks that make it too dangerous to go faster, including several dangerous curves that have big flashing signs.

Usually you can go +5 over the speed limit, that is the normal traffic flow.

[kadylady]

If you've never done that drive....it's a lovely drive, once you get to Redding, IMO.

[psichick]

Originally Posted by hamellr

Speed limit is based on State. In California it's 70, Oregon is 65. Between about Roseburg and Redding you'll pretty much stay the speed limit. There are a lot of hills, curves, and trucks that make it too dangerous to go faster, including several dangerous curves that have big flashing signs.

Usually you can go +5 over the speed limit, that is the normal traffic flow.

Thank you. That helps a lot. I'll watch my speed (glad to see it's 70 up there like it is to Vegas, so much easier).

[BayAreaHillbilly]

For the part that's 70, I set my cruise control to 75 and have never had any issues. The CHP are after those doing 80 or higher.

For the part that's 65 I set it for 70, same deal with the OHP, with the obvious caveat of those curvy sections mentioned above. The other thing that gets you is the series of little passes between Roseburg and the Rogue. The semis pull out suddenly as they pass each other respectively going 56 and 55 MPH (curses!).

[kadylady]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

For the part that's 70, I set my cruise control to 75 and have never had any issues. The CHP are after those doing 80 or higher.

For the part that's 65 I set it for 70, same deal with the OHP, with the obvious caveat of those curvy sections mentioned above. The other thing that gets you is the series of little passes between Roseburg and the Rogue. The semis pull out suddenly as they pass each other respectively going 56 and 55 MPH (curses!).

They've started construction on the Sexton Summit. There will be delays, but I think mostly after 7:00 PM is what I heard on the news.
They're adding a truck climb lane, which will help out that truck problem in that stretch of I-5.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by kadylady

They've started construction on the Sexton Summit. There will be delays, but I think mostly after 7:00 PM is what I heard on the news.
They're adding a truck climb lane, which will help out that truck problem in that stretch of I-5.

Yeah, that's true. That construction is pretty wild. They are even doing some during day time. They are using those mining dump trucks that have the off road suspensions and massive knobby tires to dig out the road cut eastward. Some trick driving is involved. So far they have not messed up, the consequences of which would be pretty bad!

[psichick]

FYI for anyone else reading this. I made the trek up here from SoCal Wed and Thurs.

Speed wise, well, prior to Sac, I was going about 15mph above the speed limit. From Sac to Medford, with the curvy roads, obviously my speed dropped to posted limits or lower. But typically, I kept it at about 10mph above the limit. From Medford to Portland, I was keeping it between 5-10mph over and guess what? I was getting passed by ppl with OR plates (probably californians,lol) doing 15-20mph over the limit. The people holding up traffic in the fast lane were people with WA plates.

The biggest difference in driving styles though, once I hit the border, is that people in OR drive in the "slow" lane even if they're doing 80. They just use the passing lane (aka fast lane) to go around those that are slower. I started doing the same and well, it worked out for me. 1,000 miles and no ticket.

Oh, and anyone driving through right now, they shut down...oh dang, where was it....in Shasta Natl Forest....the roads go down to one lane going both directions for a couple of miles. Slow going if you're stuck behind a very slow truck. And heed the MPH signs on the turns. Sheesh. I didn't and I think my dogs got tossed a bit. Oops.

[apwall2]

Hello,
You are mistaken. Vacaville is not on I-5. However, there is a fairly new Costco (about 3 years or so) in Woodland. That store is right off an I-5 exit. And, they have gas.

Woodland is about 20-30 minutes from Vacaville.

Vacaville is on Hwy 80, and it is an okay choice if you are going from Sacramento area to San Francisco. But, like the poster below said, it is a little awkward off the freeway.

Woodland is about 20 minutes North of Sacramento on Hwy 5.

Lastly, if you are driving from let's say Portland to San Francisco, definitely take Hwy 113 at Woodland and don't go all the way to Sacramento. If you have time and need a stop, stop in Davis...great University town with lots of reasonably priced restaurants.

Have fun travelling!

Andy

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

We too do the I-5 drag from Portland to the Silicon Valley in one day keeping our speed no more than 5 miles above the posted limit.. HOWEVER if you do that in San Francisco metro you will be 'pushed'. 10 mph over the posted limit is routine, most seem to be traveling +15. Keep pace with traffic around you and don't take your eyes off the road. If you can avoid San Francisco metro traffic do so.

FWIW, Costco has a gas stations in Vacaville, Medford, Eugene and Wilsonville. We know them well. The Vacaville store is hard to find but it is next to I-5.

[Nell Plotts]

Right you are, Vacaville is off I-80 - on our way to San Jose...