Paul Clancy
BC Canada
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Joined: 09/16/2005
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Well after 3 long days and a new set of trailer rubber we made it from Canada to San Diego and the glorious Chula Vista RV resort - what a dream location - bay side space, wonderful park, beautiful city with the best climate I've ever encountered. As the title suggests I was amazed at the overall poor quality of I5 (not in SanDiego), the bumps, holes, ruts and construction road shaving were terrible through much of California. I5 through Washington and Oregon was much better. The Grapevine was rough beyond words and LA truly horrid. Area through Stocton and above Sacremento also scary rough. The good news is they took excellent care of us at Billingsley Tire in Coalinga (what an outstanding owner and crew). So the question I have is why are the roads like this when so much fuel tax is paid - is this all political or is it the heavy truck traffic or huge population? I remember coming to SanDiego as a kid and the freeways were a dream of smoothness then (35 yrs ago). To be fair much of the bad roads were in the stages of repair (Grapevine looked half done). I'm kind of dreading the trip home - may have to stay put gg.
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SAR Tracker
SoCal
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Joined: 05/29/2003
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Paul Clancy wrote:....So the question I have is why are the roads like this when so much fuel tax is paid - is this all political or is it the heavy truck traffic or huge population?....
If you find out, please let the rest of us know.... I've been asking that question for 40 years now!
Rusty & Cheryl
2011 F250 2WD 6.2L Gasser
2008 Weekend Warrior FB2100
"Common sense is in spite of, not the result of, education" - Victor Hugo (1802-1885)
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sgip2000
Oregon
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Joined: 05/01/2012
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The interstates in California are some of the worst I've ever driven on. Chipped the windshield due to all debris on the road.
It was even worse than the stretch of I90 in Montana last year that was 7 miles of gravel.
Not sure why California's roads are so much worse.
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Cottontop
Vancouver, WA
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Joined: 11/02/2002
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I belive they are useing the money for other things like they use to in WA state
1998 Beaver Patriot (Magnum)
FMCA- Good Sam- BAC- CAT (3126)
PT Cruiser AUTO with Remco 4down
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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SAR Tracker wrote:Paul Clancy wrote:....So the question I have is why are the roads like this when so much fuel tax is paid - is this all political or is it the heavy truck traffic or huge population?....
If you find out, please let the rest of us know.... I've been asking that question for 40 years now!
It ain't just CA.........travel ANY interstate in the US east/west, north/south. They're all in bad shape....some worst than others.
Road monies have been gobbled up for 'funding' other things.......even the privatized interstates turned into 'toll' roads are beat up.
Yes there is some major road construction going on all over but it's way past due. I see a lot more band-aid repairs (crack/seam filling, cold patch jobs, small pave over sections etc.) being made.
We travel secondary roads as much as possible......in better shape, more relaxing of a drive.
BUT ain't nothing relaxing about going thru LA. Enjoy that time at the resort......weather, relaxing, the water ahhhhhh.
2007 RAM 3500 QC LB SRW 5.9L CTD 48re 4:10 4K in bed 'quiet genny'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
Hit the Road Free & Clear April '07
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paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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Certainly heavy traffic is a big part of why roads like I5 have a poor surface. Not only does heavy traffic wear it, but it complicates the logistics of repairing. The easiest way to repair a road is to divert all traffic, and do a thorough job of it. In the middle of Montana they can do that, by sending traffic over to the other side for a 10 mile stretch. But no way can they do that in the middle of LA. Even when I was in college 40 years ago, I5 was the busiest route through the basin (or maybe 2nd to I10).
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2gypsies
Enjoying the West!
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Joined: 04/02/2003
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That's why we rarely use interstates unless we really have to! Why don't you consider heading over to 395 and taking that up? It's a gorgeous drive - nice and quiet!!
Extremely Happy Full-Timers for 16 years
.... now trying to adjust to 3-season traveling - and it isn't easy! 
2004 40' Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher
2004 Jeep Liberty
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Paul Clancy
BC Canada
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Joined: 09/16/2005
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We drove I5 down for time reasons but will look at another route north if it has better surface, less traffic and doesn't add days to the trip.
Now back to fish tacos and beer.
Thanks All,
Paul
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easttexan
Texas
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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Most of the interstates were only designed to last 20 years and some are near 60 years old. If you have seen them removing some of the old concrete, you saw approximately 10 inches of concrete. The replacement is 18 inches plus an asphalt base. Of course, todays cost is probably 20-30 times more, plus the removal costs.
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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I avoid Interstates everywhere whenever possible.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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