driving Crater Lake to Reno NV

[dougschne]

HI All and thanks in advance for your replies.

Planning our retirement trip and have a question regarding route from Crater Lake to Reno/Lake Tahoe. RV Parky routes me south on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mts. Rt 97 in OR then over to Mammoth CA, Beiber, and onto 395 on into Reno. Would this be a good route for our 38ft 5er or would we be better to take Rt 97 back to I-5 South and then thru Yuba City and east to I-80

Thanks.

[moose074]

I took the following route about 6 years ago in my 2014 crewcab Tundra pulling 36’ trailer. Only problem was getting in and out of gas station in Susanville

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by moose074

I took the following route about 6 years ago in my 2014 crewcab Tundra pulling 36’ trailer. Only problem was getting in and out of gas station in Susanville Attachment 223325

A tundra? With. A 36 ft trailer? WT AF?

[moose074]

Originally Posted by Beachbourbon

A tundra? With. A 36 ft trailer? WT AF?

Yep I was newby had a 2011 Ram 2500 with. Cummins when I bought my 2012 31qbs north trail caliber edition from hitch to rear bumper was 35’10” Great truck should have kept but instead fell in love with the Tundra in May 2014 took the trip in June. I had to do lots of extra driving just to break truck in before I made trip. I told myself 1900 miles was close enough of a break in. First time I hooked trailer to truck was the day before we left for Oregon. I was super glad I had the Equalizer 4 pt with the Ram and kept it for the Tundra with all the weight of the trailer on the hitch before I loaded the bed of the truck for the 30 day trip. The spare tire underneath the tongue of the trailer was maybe inch off ground. Spent my first night readjusting the Equalizer but truck did outstanding.

[dougschne]

Originally Posted by moose074

I took the following route about 6 years ago in my 2014 crewcab Tundra pulling 36’ trailer. Only problem was getting in and out of gas station in Susanville Attachment 223325

Thanks for your reply. Is this a 2 or 4 lane and were there any truck stops along the way? With the length of my truck and 5er, doing gas stations for diesel is much of an option.

[OldGal3]

Originally Posted by dougschne

HI All and thanks in advance for your replies.

Planning our retirement trip and have a question regarding route from Crater Lake to Reno/Lake Tahoe. RV Parky routes me south on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mts. Rt 97 in OR then over to Mammoth CA, Beiber, and onto 395 on into Reno. Would this be a good route for our 38ft 5er or would we be better to take Rt 97 back to I-5 South and then thru Yuba City and east to I-80

Thanks.

Your route will work. I seek out roads other than Interstates and they are fine for my 60' overall length. Depending on where you are staying around Crater Lake, find your way to Klamath Falls, 39/139/299 to Alturas, then 395 to Reno. There are a couple other similar ways to arrive in Reno, but this one gives you the general area. Lived in Central Oregon for many years and traveled ALL of them - less traffic, good scenery.

There's a small RV park in Standish, near Susanville, that is great for a stop, easy pull thru FHU - Days End RV.

[dougschne]

Originally Posted by OldGal3

Your route will work. I seek out roads other than Interstates and they are fine for my 60' overall length. Depending on where you are staying around Crater Lake, find your way to Klamath Falls, 39/139/299 to Alturas, then 395 to Reno. There are a couple other similar ways to arrive in Reno, but this one gives you the general area. Lived in Central Oregon for many years and traveled ALL of them - less traffic, good scenery.

There's a small RV park in Standish, near Susanville, that is great for a stop, easy pull thru FHU - Days End RV.

Thanks. I did a bit more research and and that route looks pretty good. Several truck stops along the way as well. Will check out Days End RV.

[Harkerr]

Go 395. Good 2 lane. Very scenic. Stay at Alturas and explore a bit.

[tahoe1840]

I've done that route several times. Crater to K-Falls, K-Falls to Alturas, Alturas to Reno via 395. Bypass Susanville, follow signs to Reno 395, there is a small shortcut bypassing Susanville. Use A3 off Highway 395 near Standish, CA. You and your rig will have no problems. Semis use that route all the time. Fuel in K-Falls and if needed in Alturas. An alternative for fuel is Merrill OR. Point is if you can make it to Nevada the fuel is cheaper. Tahoe is beautiful.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Harkerr

Go 395. Good 2 lane. Very scenic. Stay at Alturas and explore a bit.

x2

[dougschne]

Originally Posted by Harkerr

Go 395. Good 2 lane. Very scenic. Stay at Alturas and explore a bit.

Originally Posted by tahoe1840

I've done that route several times. Crater to K-Falls, K-Falls to Alturas, Alturas to Reno via 395. Bypass Susanville, follow signs to Reno 395, there is a small shortcut bypassing Susanville. Use A3 off Highway 395 near Standish, CA. You and your rig will have no problems. Semis use that route all the time. Fuel in K-Falls and if needed in Alturas. An alternative for fuel is Merrill OR. Point is if you can make it to Nevada the fuel is cheaper. Tahoe is beautiful.

Thanks. Got the route saved and looking forward to the drive.

[cmar273225]

If you are traveling US 395, get a wind forecast first. I have traveled in many times and the wind can and has been a problem. Had a acquaintance flip a triple axel 45 footer a few years ago.

[Tahoe John]

I will defer to those who have hauled a trailer on this route. I thought some of the road after Susanville was very narrow, but I was only in SUV. From Hwy 5, 89 is not bad from Shasta Lake to Susanville, but there is a steep climb out once you leave 89 to 44, or is it 33, I do it so often I no longer pay attention. Fuel is much less in Nevada due to lower taxes and Oregon will not allow you to pump your own fuel.
The road past Topaz Lake is narrow as well, but only 25 MPH. Be sure to fill up at the casino Chevron at Topaz as it will be t he cheapest that you will ever see. As a result, try to bypass Carson City for fueling, and never fuel up in Bridgeport because it is well over $5 a gallon at the Shell.
In Reno, try Johnny's Restaurant for excellent Italian. Seafood at the Peppermills' Oceana is superb and the decor is outstanding. If you cook seafood yourself, the Golden Sierra Fish Market (Open to the public after 11 AM: Wholesale) flies in daily fresh fish from everywhere and all of the top restaurants buy from them. You will need Google Maps to find most of this stuff. I believe most casinos, Grand Sierra Resort allow free camping, but you should get a "player's card" just to be sure and ask.
Have a safe trip. With a truck I would stay away from the downtown as garages may not accommodate your truck height. Open parking lot casinos are Atlantis, Peppermill, Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) and the Nugget

[lbrjet]

We took 139 from the OR border to Susanville, then 395. Had no issues. In 2016. Road was rough in some places, but hey so were a lot of them in CA. OR roads were fantastic.

[mtnlvr]

Originally Posted by Tahoe John

I will defer to those who have hauled a trailer on this route. I thought some of the road after Susanville was very narrow, but I was only in SUV. From Hwy 5, 89 is not bad from Shasta Lake to Susanville, but there is a steep climb out once you leave 89 to 44, or is it 33, I do it so often I no longer pay attention. Fuel is much less in Nevada due to lower taxes and Oregon will not allow you to pump your own fuel.
The road past Topaz Lake is narrow as well, but only 25 MPH. Be sure to fill up at the casino Chevron at Topaz as it will be t he cheapest that you will ever see. As a result, try to bypass Carson City for fueling, and never fuel up in Bridgeport because it is well over $5 a gallon at the Shell.
In Reno, try Johnny's Restaurant for excellent Italian. Seafood at the Peppermills' Oceana is superb and the decor is outstanding. If you cook seafood yourself, the Golden Sierra Fish Market (Open to the public after 11 AM: Wholesale) flies in daily fresh fish from everywhere and all of the top restaurants buy from them. You will need Google Maps to find most of this stuff. I believe most casinos, Grand Sierra Resort allow free camping, but you should get a "player's card" just to be sure and ask.
Have a safe trip. With a truck I would stay away from the downtown as garages may not accommodate your truck height. Open parking lot casinos are Atlantis, Peppermill, Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) and the Nugget

Carson City has the lowest gas prices; less than Topaz Chevron , Carson Valley and Reno. The speed limit is not 25 mph at Topaz. I live here and pump gas regularly all along hwy 395.The casinos in Topaz, Carson Valley and Carson City have decent rv parks. I haven’t camped in Reno at any of the casinos. Carson City and Carson Valley allow boondocking, Reno doesn’t.

[ppine]

97 and 395 are great roads, some of the best.
You will be no where near Mammoth going south to Reno.

[Beachbourbon]

I like the 167 from Nevada west to the 395. This is one of my favorite roads of all time for a road trip. Straight, slight downward slope, good pavement, no other traffic and a beautiful view of the mountains in Yosemite. You take this from the 95 and When you come around a bend and over a small hill, you see an amazing mountain range and crater lake right there. But the as you drive and drive and drive, you realize the are much further away. I didn’t mind, it was so beautiful I didn’t want it to end.

[OldGal3]

I believe Hwy. 167 in Nevada is down along the shore of Lake Mead - maybe there's another 167 road? Crater Lake is hidden until you get into the park, then it's spectacular!

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by OldGal3

I believe Hwy. 167 in Nevada is down along the shore of Lake Mead - maybe there's another 167 road? Crater Lake is hidden until you get into the park, then it's spectacular!

I meant mono lake. 167 is also known as pole line road and intersects 395 at Lee Vining

[High Desert]

Be aware that coming into California, on 395, you will have to go through an Ag check station. Depending on who's there, and what kind of day they are having, they will either wave you through, or go through your Frig / RV to see what "forbidden" fruits you are bringing in to California. Funny things is, what they often take, is the same thing sold to all the stores by produce companies. Never understood the rational there (unless it is home grown foods).