PennyPA
Out There Somewhere
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When we leave Las Vegas, we plan on going south on I-15 to 58 then 58 to 99 to around Fresno then switch over to 41 for the rest of the trip to I-80 which we'll use to go to Reno. We'll be stopping in Mojave then up somewhere around Yosemite Nat'l Park and then on to Reno. Can anyone give me an idea of road conditions (construction, potholes, etc.) and altitudes along these highways?
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reasley
Motherlode
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Good roads all the way. The truck lane on 99 can be a little rough. 41 will top out around 6000' at the turn off to Glacier Point. The best route from Yosemite to Reno is 120 out of the valley and over Tioga Pass. Tioga is a long pull from Yosemite Valley. 4300' to just shy of 10,000', but well worth the trip. 395 is a good road, mostly two lane.
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coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
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Have you driven Hwy 395? Easy and scenic way to visit Yosemite and Reno. Have fun.
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isa
Richmond, B.C. Canada
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This is a long way to get to Reno from Las Vegas.
If there is no particular reason for you to go the route you have described the fastest and shortest route is to take Hwy. 95 North out of Las Vegas to Fallon, then Hwy.50 to I-80 to Reno.
This is an excellent hiway with lots of scenic areas on your route. Death Valley will be just to the west of you and you can also go through it and pick up US 395 to go north to Reno.
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NorCal Dan
Coffeyville, Kansas
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Construction is in progress on both East and West bound I-80 lanes heading from Sacramento to Reno. Single lane with some tight spots for wide vehicles. Summit on I-80 is 7239 feet.
More construction in Reno on I-80 as well, went over there a few days ago and had to take a detour to hit 395 south. Traffic was backed up for about a mile.
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F-TROUP
VISALIA, CALIF
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When you pickup Hwy 58 at Barstow I would take 58 to 395 and head north the heck with 99. A ton of things to see and do on 395. Stay at Mono Rv park in Lee Vining and do a day trip to yosemite, then 395 north to Reno and 80. There is some hwy work at Topaz Lake 20 min delay.
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PennyPA
Out There Somewhere
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The reason we chose the western route is because there are some high passes along 395. (1) I have emphysema and don't do well at altitudes; otherwise, that was my route of choice. And (2) I don't have an exhaust brake on my Dodge 3500 and, after one smoking brake episode, surely don't want another coming down from high passes.
I know the 95 route would be easy but then not too sure how we'd get back to it after going over to Lee Vining.
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paulj
Seattle
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Conway Summit on US395 is 8200', Deadman 8000'. Reno is about 5000'. I80 gets to 7200'. Mono Lake at the south end of Conway is 6400.
(Altitudes from Google Maps terrain mode)
* This post was
edited 05/18/12 01:58pm by paulj *
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PennyPA
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Okay, another question. On 395, are the ascents to these summits (Conway and Deadman) steep? What about the descents? Can you tell I want to do this but am a bit (a BIT? A LOT!) nervous about the ascents and descents and final altitudes. And I assume that there is a truck lane o all the ascents. And it won't be like going from 2000 ft. to 8200' in a short distance, right? I'll probably already be at 6000 ft or better just driving along, right?
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coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
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The first real climb is Sherwin grade from Bishop 4,200' to basically level @ 7,000', then Deadman @ 8,000', down gradually to Mono Lake @ 6,400', then Conway @ 8,100', then down to Bridgeport @ 6,500'. Just gear down as needed and watch your speed. Not a big deal and certainly no need to smoke your brakes. The condition of 395 is very good to excellent for the most part.
Boulder Creek RV Park just south of Lonepine would be an excellent 1st. stop.
I bet you could get an exhaust brake installed in Vegas 
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