CA-20 Exit 161 Donner Pass/Yuba city

It's been many years since I've been on that stretch and I was in a car when I did it.

From what I remember, it was a really nice drive, scenery and all. But there are sections of it that are pretty curvy. For example I remember at least 3 curves that had a warning sign for 15 mph. What they really meant was 5 mph.

A truck could make it, but you would be really slow in some sections.

 

It's a nice drive from 80 to grass valley. Then from grass valley to yuba city it's got some narrow winding parts. Nothing to worry about. I used to cut over and take that route all the time when I was pulling tanks.

 

Better double check about length restriction on 20....been so long, can't really remember if 72' is legal on that stretch.

 

Smooth bore. I used to haul food grade from Washington to Colfax. I'd get off I-5 in Red Bluff on CA 36. Take that to 99 south. 99 south to 20 east. 20 east to 174. 174 into Colfax. You wanna talk about a pissing everybody off drive that would be 174. Winding, narrow 2 lane highway. Used to get all kinds of dirty looks.

 

Last sign I saw said not advised. To me that says its legal if ya want to go for it.

 

65' or less is legal, you shouldn't have too much trouble as long as you don't run into chp

 

I took the short route CA 20 once ....never again, 44 k in the box. Too heavy for the very long downhill near the end, smoking brakes, full jakes on...had every gear over rev. My freightliner with DD60 was not set up to handle the steep grade. But the view was excellent. Didnt see any other trucks, Recommend stay on 80 unless you like taking risk. Think about it, you'll be coming down off a mountain on a two lane hwy in a residential area. Best be light! Alt route 80 to CA 99 (70) to Yuba ....shorter may be quicker by car, but the shortest route is not always the quickest for trucks.

P.S. Local motorcycle cop gave me a ticket for being over length 73 ft. In california one time when my route took me off the Truck Terminal Route, he was all over me like white on rice.