Has anyone ever driven from Hwy 12 in Lodi CA through Napa and over to HWY 101 with a trailer and during a work day? Is it slow go and not worth it? I plan to not stop at wineries, just need to get to the 101 to head north to Crescent city.
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Why not take I-5 N to Williams Hwy 20W take it to 101 - it will intersect with 101 just south of Willits. Easy road around Clear Lake. 12 can have a lot of traffic and will be a slow go.
I didn't know how bad Hwy 12 has gotten. I lived in Stockton back in 1982 and the road was good then. I just want to connect to the 101 to head north to Crescent City. How is the 101 North from there? Also there is a stretch of road from Woodland sr16 goes to Clearlake. It seems to cut off some miles anyone ever taken this or should I push on to Williams?
The last I've heard about 12 is that between Rio Vista and fairfield is sometimes a pain. That several years ago because of partial construction... Otherwise, between Napa and 121 is heavy during weekdays... I agree on the 20 from Williams to 101 would be quicker...
I live in the Lodi area, and to go where you are planning, I go north on I5 then West on 20 through the Clearlake area and pick up the 101 up there to continue on North. It will avoid all the traffic you could encounter on the 12, as well as up through the Napa/Sonoma regions, and it is also a pretty drive. If you have no other reason to go through Napa, take the I5 to 20 alternate.
More directly in response to your question, the route you ask about tends to be more (meaning "really") congested in several places during morning and evening commute, and less so during "off" hours. However, it is a busy route at all times. I've done what you are considering, in my sig rig, more than once. I've been frustrated by traffic more than I've been blessed to miss it, and so have migrated to the alternate. It's not impossible, but it will probably be an opportunity to practice patience. In it's defense, though, this is also a pretty drive, imho, if you can take a minute now and then to look.
Good Luck and happy camping
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I just travelled Hwy 20 about a month ago between Hwy 101 and the Hwy 16 junction. There was a 45 min. construction delay just east of Clear Lake. Otherwise, no problems. I also took the Hwy 16 cut-off between Woodland and Hwy 20. There were no problems whatsoever on Hwy 16.
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RLMiller wrote: I just travelled Hwy 20 about a month ago between Hwy 101 and the Hwy 16 junction. There was a 45 min. construction delay just east of Clear Lake. Otherwise, no problems. I also took the Hwy 16 cut-off between Woodland and Hwy 20. There were no problems whatsoever on Hwy 16.
The 16 cutoff although no problems is not a short cut timewise.
5/20/101
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Highway 12 is 'blood alley' from Lodi to Fairfield due to head-ons. It's a farm road carrying freeway traffic.
16 is not an option.
5N to 20W at Williams.
At Clearlake, take 53E to Lower lake, 29N to Upper Lake, then pickup 20E again to Ukiah. Safe, scenic.
Fillup in Dunnigan, Pilot, road 8 at 5/505 junction before heading west though.
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The Lake County locals are split on the "Stay on 20" vs. the "20/53/29/20" Route. Although you continue to travel at higher speeds (up to 55) on the 20/53/29/20 route, the slow way around the lake Hwy 20 takes no more time, it is just slower speeds.
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