Bend, OR to Reno. PLEASE HELP (Lakeview: home, live in, safest)

[TrevDoy]

Ok, I'm driving a 20' haul from Bend to Las Vegas. I think It's best I stop in Reno because it's going to be a long one. I'm not from Oregon so I don't know these roads very well. I've google mapped it and got a number of results. It's easier to figure out a way to get from Reno to Vegas. But from Bend to Reno? What's the safest route to take with less winding roads and plenty of places to stop if need be. I've taken this trip before but in a van, and the driver was confident enough to take it upon himself to take riskier roads for faster travel. I, however, want to get there alive in this big loaded truck. If someone could please help I would be grateful. It's important for me to know the SAFEST way there. I can't handle getting lost out here. Thanks in advance.


-Trev

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by TrevDoy

Ok, I'm driving a 20' haul from Bend to Las Vegas. I think It's best I stop in Reno because it's going to be a long one. I'm not from Oregon so I don't know these roads very well. I've google mapped it and got a number of results. It's easier to figure out a way to get from Reno to Vegas. But from Bend to Reno? What's the safest route to take with less winding roads and plenty of places to stop if need be. I've taken this trip before but in a van, and the driver was confident enough to take it upon himself to take riskier roads for faster travel. I, however, want to get there alive in this big loaded truck. If someone could please help I would be grateful. It's important for me to know the SAFEST way there. I can't handle getting lost out here. Thanks in advance.
-Trev

Via 395 is probably the best. It isn't that big a deal. Take your time but remember to use the turnouts if you are piling cars up behind you. I wouldn't describe any of the roads as risky, but 139 is a bit more "winding." Unless, of course, you are going in mid-February or so.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Via 395 is probably the best. It isn't that big a deal. Take your time but remember to use the turnouts if you are piling cars up behind you. I wouldn't describe any of the roads as risky, but 139 is a bit more "winding." Unless, of course, you are going in mid-February or so.

I agree that Hwy 395 is probably the best option (Hwy 97 to 31 to 395). I've done that drive a few times and there are a few windy stretches, but by and far, it's not bad at all. It is mostly 2 lane highway, so as as PNW suggests, use the turnouts if need be. It's a remote route though.

You could also take the long way, add about 3-4 hours onto the trip and go Hwy. 97 to I-5 to I-80. Definitely a more used route and not nearly as remote. But then you have to deal with the windy route around Weed, CA down into Redding as well as the crazy drivers on Hwy. 97. Not to mention the crazy I-5 traffic. I much prefer the other route.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by delta07

I agree that Hwy 395 is probably the best option (Hwy 97 to 31 to 395). I've done that drive a few times and there are a few windy stretches, but by and far, it's not bad at all. It is mostly 2 lane highway, so as as PNW suggests, use the turnouts if need be. It's a remote route though.

You could also take the long way, add about 3-4 hours onto the trip and go Hwy. 97 to I-5 to I-80. Definitely a more used route and not nearly as remote. But then you have to deal with the windy route around Weed, CA down into Redding as well as the crazy drivers on Hwy. 97. Not to mention the crazy I-5 traffic. I much prefer the other route.

This is how I would go. It's by far the shortest route, and it's good road all the way. Carry a couple of gallons of drinking water, though. It runs across the Black Rock Desert. There are no mountains in the way, which makes pulling a trailer much easier.

[PNW-type-gal]

Couple caveats - don't go 395 when Burning Man is running (pretty much the next two weeks) and check Tripcheck and CalDot for road closures due to fires.

https://tripcheck.com/
Road Conditions
InciWeb the Incident Information System: Current Incidents

[Carlyee3]

We did the Bend to LV run many times when we had a winter home down there and a summer home in Bend.

You are getting good advice as to the best, quickest route. Bend> 97S>hwy 31 to Lakeview. Lakeview pickup 395 S to Alturas>395 into Reno. With a UHaul Reno would probably be your overnight, but if you can swing it a little longer the first day, we stayed overnight in Fallon. That makes the second day's drive more doable down 95 to LV.

Nothing is too remote and you should have a good route with convenient gas and rest stops.