SoCal to Central Cali run first time

You'll probably take 99

 

Once you bounce over the grapevine it’s nothing but flat ground for 500 miles

 

I would look toward running I15 and then 395 toward 58, just to get out of the basin sooner. But I am biased toward using 99 also.

WOW having a hard time coming up with non derogatory remarks for the "drivers" that I see on I5..... I gona be a good boy and stop right about here.

 

I-5 has better parking options. 99 has some of the biggest s-hole truck stops in the country. I-5 is SO boring combined with the LA-Bay Area traffic makes for an unpleasant drive. Pick your poison.

 

I. CANT. DRIVE.. 55!!

(I'll see myself out)

 

99 is 200 miles of urban freeway…Bakersfield to Sacramento. Take I-5 there’s ample parking and every exit has truck services. Take both, one up and the other back down south. You’ll take 5 both ways next time.

 

I hate everything about California.....but.....stay on I-5. 99 is just a several hundred mile drive through Northern Mexico.

 

I run that area often. From Moreno Valley, go North up to the 210. Better road and usually better traffic, although traffic in that whole area is a PITA. Once you get to I- 5, you'll start climbing into the Santa Monica Mountains. It can get windy and gusty, so advice tomcheck out wind conditions. You'll go through Castaic with a Flying J. It's always packed and their reserved parking often gets sold out days in advance, so be careful on planning to stop there. As you pass Lubec,,you'll come to the grapevine. A long steep grade down. Truck speed is 35 mph for a reason. If you're heavy and/or inexperienced with long steep grades, GO SLOW!!! I've seen more than 1 truck smoke their brakes coming down the grapevine. Once at the bottom, you'll get to Wheeler Ridge with both a TA and a Petro. The TA always had spots there, once you continue North passed that parking can get iffy, especially at night. But, once you get that far, no more grades of any significance as you cruise North through the Valley. If you're going to Tracy, you'll take I-5 and not 99. I like I-5 better.
Lastly before you get to Tracy, you'll pass through Patterson. Theynhqve a Flying J there and behind the Flying J is an independent truck wash place. It's my preferred place to get my truck washed, they always do a good job, at least they have for me.
Speed. Trucks usually run from around 61 to 64 through there. If you keep it under 65 very most likely no cops will bug you.