SoCal to Central Cali run first time

I almost always take I-5 up to Tracy instead of CA-99. 99 has a ton of aggressive traffic. Most of the on-ramps are about 6 inches long so plenty of cars merging at 8 mph. More truck parking on I-5.

 

99 has a lot of little short get-on ramps that dump slow moving traffic onto the freeway right in front of you. It's probably the worst designed four-lane in California.
If you're going to one of the valley towns like Fresno or Modesto 99 is the best choice but for Tracy I'd run 5.
5 is boring but it's a lot easier drive with more choices of where to stop.

 

Watch out for the Tule Fog.

 

If you’re leaving after 7pm then traffic should not be that bad, but still bad. The grapevine is where the cops hang out. Watch your speed. There’s usually two of them, sometimes more.
5 is boring so I’d suggest you take that.

 

I'd be more worried about Tracy i still have nightmares over some of the grocery warehouses up there.

 

What is the Grapevine i keep hearing about?

 

It’s the big mountain between LA and Wheeler Ridge on I-5

 

I've lost count of the number of times I've gone down it and my usually gross is around 78,500lbs. So, yeah, I'm always slow with full engine brake. But, you do that, be patient, go slow, it's not a problem.

 

That mountain pass from the Flying J down to the TA.

 

Georgia Overdrive...j/k

Remember to follow all local state and federal speed guidelines