Looking for advice

[edski]

We are leaving Monday for a road trip with a 36 foot Crusader fifth wheel....heading from Sarnia to San Francisco! would really appreciate any advice and suggestions from anyone who has done this route! Thanks from a slightly nervous RV'er!

[bikendan]

where is Sarnia?

[edski]

It is a border crossing west of Detroit/Windsor, a hopefully less crowded border crossing. any suggestions on the best route to take going west to San Fran?

[bikendan]

depends on how you want to travel.

if you just want to get there, I80 is as straight a shot as you could hope for.
not much climbing through the Rockies.
but it's not a very scenic route, especially through Nebraska and Nevada.

if you have more time and want more scenic, there are other options.

[edski]

Thanks! We were thinking of taking 70 across as far as possible, I have heard that is way more scenic! Any thoughts?

[danno2u]

If you like mountain driving, take I-70 across the Rockies at Denver. Me personally, I avoid that climb & descent by taking I-80 across Wyoming. Scenery is in the eye of the beholder. Plus I-70 dies in Utah (after some more pretty good climbs & descents) whereas I-80 will take you all the way.

So if it were me, I'd take I-80

If you do opt for I-70, you can cross Nevada on the Loneliest Highway (50). It's a good road all the way from Utah to California albeit pretty barren out there. There's plenty of gas as long as you watch the distances.

You'll end up climbing the Sierras on I-70 either way. That pass is comparable to crossing the Rockies on I-70 west of Denver. Just keep it slow going both up and down and you'll be okay. Don't push it going up so you don't overheat and let the transmission do most of the work going down.

Happy trails and don't be nervous. Just don't be in a hurry.

[bikendan]

you'll have more elevation on I70 to deal with, plus once you get to Utah, I70 ends.
and there's no easy way from there to San Francisco.

I70 only makes sense if you planned on visiting the Canyons(Zion, Bryce, Grand), Arches NP and other attractions of the Southwest.

[DDC]

I've done that trip twice but not with an RV, just pick up I69 down to I80 and hey presto 46 hours later you are there, great trip have fun.

[litgrep]

Agree with DDC . Don't know your tow vehicle but gas runs out of power over the passes. I80 is the easier route. Either route is very possible. Depends on how long you plan to take. Different but great scenery either route.

[tahoe1840]

Just did I80 from Salt Lake City, plenty of places to stop and hill climbs are a minimum. Fast road too.

[johnzendrac16]

Great! I love traveling and this information really helps.