Hwy 99 thru California

[dandt]

Aneyone traveled hwy 99 lately. Is it in any better condition than I-5? Heading from Bakersfield north on Friday. Thanks

[brenkco]

Yes and I prefer I-5. Fewer on/off ramps. Easy to get in with the big rigs at about 62mph. Much of I-5 has been repaved.
It's not great around Lost Hills, but better as you head north.

Ken

[rohrmann]

We, just today, were on Hwy 99, and there is a section northbound between Merced and Modesto, that you better be going maybe 45mph to no more than 50mph. You will swear the entire rig is coming apart, it's that bad. We cut across to I-5 on French Camp Rd, and stayed on I-5 until we cut off north of Sacramento on Hwy 99/70, ended up for several days in Gridley, north of Yuba City, visiting friends. So, what I'm getting at, take I-5, even though it may have some rough spots, I don't think it's anywhere as bad as Hwy 99.

[Art-n-Marge]

Good timing on this post. I am heading to Yosemite from way farther south in southern California. I remember a few years ago, there was a lot of highway improvement activity, but not all parts of 99 were involved. I am disappointed to read that the part of Hwy 99 is still pretty bad. I guess I'll take I-5 before heading north to Yosemite, instead of hwy 99. I did like that there was a better variety of services and restaurants and town the Hwy 99 route, versus I-5 that is designed to avoid major towns and all the services are travel-related (truck stops, fast food and high prices).

[grampachet]

We just came back up 99 from Bakersfield to Sacramento last week, I thought it wasn't too bad. Sure, just like many roads it has its rough patches but it also has its great smooth areas too, but we did ok, traveling at about 58mph and we have the rear kitchen, nothing broke or damaged.

[rohrmann]

Since they completed all the work just north of Bakersfield, most of Hwy 99 is good. There is still some construction on the road, but your route to Yosemite should be good. If you are going up via Hwy 41 from Fresno. there is some construction in Madera county which entails blasting, and there are some extended delays.

[drknapp]

We just came back from Yosemite a couple weeks ago on 99. While I5 is better, 99 isn't bad. There are some bumpy sections, but there are some new sections that are real nice. Traffic does seem heavier though.

[washley1]

My experience was way back in 2012, but I felt like no one had done any improvements to 99 since I was stationed up there in 1968! What a horrendous road! I came away from California with a bent axle too.