We are traveling to Indio in mid-January I plan to take I 40 from Bakersfield, but after that there are a number of options. I would like to avoid heavy traffic if I could. There are so many options that I would love help. I guess the first would be the choices between I14, 395 and I15 or even 247 to enter 247 at Lucerne Valley. I was thinking of ending up on highway 247 to Yucca Valley and then 62 to I10. So which of the four possibilities would be the best way to reach 247?
The other options I was thinking about was taking highway 14 to 138 to 215 then I10. Any thoughts this is all new to us.
Thanks
Michael
2007 Dodge 3500 Quad 6.7 L Cummins
2006 SunnyBrook 32BKWS
wife Diane and 110lb German Shepherd "Tye"
I - or Interstate 40 goes East from Barstow to Wilmington North Carolina. It does not go west to Bakersfield, but state route 58 goes from Barstow to Bakersfield.
State Route 14 is not a interstate, it is a state highway, so does not have a I in the name.
If you are at I-5 and exit #238, you can go east towards Tehachapi, and then on towards Barsto. I have driven this small road to connect to SR 58, towing my car behind my motorhome, and it is a good road. Usually even if I5 over the grapevine is closed for snow, there will be rain or very light snow on SR 58, it is a much lower pass, with less precipitation. Also there are windmills if you want to look at them.
You can also take I-5 south, over the grapevine, take I210 east through the very crowded Passadena, and then take I10 east to SR 62, northheast to Joshua Tree and you will cross highway 247 there. It is 225 miles according to my mapping program, and only the part through Passadena will have really bad traffic (that must be avoided between 1 PM and 7 PM weekdays). While I am not recomending this route to you, you can compare the distance to the other options.
So taking SR 223 east to SR 58, then east to highway 395, and south to I-15, and then southeast on I215 to I10 is the next best way, with much less traffic. This is 243 miles. If you are going to Indio, and not Joshua Tree, this is the best route.
The shortest distance is to take SR 233 to SR 58, then 395 south to Bear Valley Road. Take this east about 20 miles, then you will reach Highway 18, and then another 4 miles highway 247 will split from Highway 18, and go east, while 18 will go up to Big Bear mountain to the southeast. You probably don't want to drive through the winding mountain passes, and cross a 4,500 foot+ mountain if you don't want to. You can take Highway 247 and get to Joshua Tree with only 214 miles, saving about 11 miles over taking I-5 to I210 and I10.
I have driven SR 223, SR 58, SR 395, and the 210/10 interchange many times in the past two years. All will work great. I have not driven SR 247 between SR 18 an Joshua Tree, but think it is a good road too. Not much traffic, perhaps 10 - 20 cars per hour. Bear Valley road is a busy street, with many red lights, and is two lanes each direction.
If you like dry camping, then Joshua Tree is a great place to dry camp. There is water and a dump station at one campground, but the most senic campgrounds don't have water or dump stations.
Personally I like to camp in Painted Canyon, where it is free to camp. I also like a full hookup campground called Fountain of Youth, near Salton Sea, where they have minerial water in their pools. Also Slab City is nearby in Niland, where you can park for free.
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche or Country Coach!
Hi, We live in Indio, CA. Most of the roads you have picked are pretty desolate. We are talking two lane, in the middle of nowhere, no services kind of roads. I know you said you wanted to avoid traffic, so maybe that is your plan. Just to give you heads up. Have a safe trip. If you need restaurant or other ideas let me know.
Thanks Fred, I think I'll take the 395 to 18. The maps I have make it difficult to see where one highway flows into another. This is our first trip this far south and I'm learning as I go, thanks for the lesson on the letters and numbers, I'll eventually get this all straight.
Michael
First of all, welcome to California. I suppose your doing the Snowbird thing. To answer you question on a route from Bakersfield to Indio. I live between the two cities. Take Hwy 58 east from Bakersfield, turn south on Hwy395 to intercept I15, then continue south on I15 to the I215, then east on I10 to Indio. These are all main highways but, if inclement weather, check road conditions through Tehachapi and over Cajon Pass.
Or, east from Bakersfield on Hwy 58, south on Hwy 14 at Mojave, east on Hwy 138 from Palmdale (wave when you pass through Palmdale) until you intercept I15 in Cajon Pass, then continue as described above.
Or, you can take the google route through Los Angeles, but that can be a challenge and agonizing for someone unfamiliar with the Los Angeles freeways.
Richard L. Miller
2001 Safari Zanzibar, 38'
2003 Jeep Liberty Toad
Amateur Radio KJ6W
Take 395 to 18 to Lucerne Valley. From there take 247 toward 62. DO NOT take 18 from Lucerne Valley. That will tke you up to Big Bear the back way and that road is not RV friendly due to very steep and windy road. I spent 12 years with the CHP in Big Bear so I know the area.
Stay off 138 also. Parts are good but traffic is heavy and bad passers make it a death trap.
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