Anaheim to Felton/Santa Cruz

[Dee4j]

looking for some route advice as to which way is easier for Me to go. (or better due to number of gas stations, not getting stuck in the middle of BFE etc)I will be driving solo with the kids


the online trip advisor from AAA showed me going up the 5 to the 46 to the 101

distance 379 mi. 5 hr. 52 min.

another source had me go across the 152 so I moved the the route line to go the 5 to the 152 to the 101 and it was 384 mi. 5 hr 55 min

then I took and moved the line and modified it to take the 101 up

it showed 402.2 mi. 5hr 58 min.

is my logic correct in thinking the 101 is really a  faster/better route because I'm adding 23 more miles but only 5 minutes more time?

I have never personally driven the 152 or the 46 so I have absolutely no clue what they are like

[Azusateach]

Dee, I've taken the 5-46-101 route many, many times when going up to Monterey.  It's definitely much faster than going straight up 101.  That said, there's always the Grapevine to take into account going that way.  Also, the 46 is a 2-lane road that's heavily patrolled to keep EVERYONE down to 55 mph --not a speed in your traveling vocabulary   .

The 152, also known as Pacheco Pass, is a big road with quite a climb going west.  Coming down into Los Banos/Gilroy the road gets really narrow and it's thick with huge produce trucks.  I wouldn't do it since there are other options.

When I took my "big trip" to the Redwoods I took 101 both directions because it's just a "kinder, friendlier" road with many more options to stop and stretch.  

When I go up I'll probably head straight up 101.  I'm not in a hurry, the weather will be cooler that route, and I might even stop somewhere halfway on my way up.

[Recumbentman]

Dee
I agree with Laura the 46 would be the better route over the 152. taking the 5 to the 46 would be faster, but taking the 101 you will have more scenery and views to look at. So it really depends if you are in a hurry or not. curious minds want to know, what does your GPS tell you to do  :Z

[JohnandLeann]

I agree that the 101 will prob be your best bet.
 
Just watch out for the Highway Patrol in the area from Buellton to Los Alamos/Santa Maria area.  They can sometimes be rather thick in there with many places to hide.

[Hoagie]

Hi Dee,

Maybe I missed it, but I don't see where you say what day of the week and time of day you are planning on leaving. These could also affect your drive.

Overall, I agree with everyone else:  the 101 is much more scenic, has more places to stop and stretch your legs, and you will probably find it a more relaxing drive.

However, speed control is very stringent on the 101 once you get north of Ventura. As previously stated, the CHP can be rather thick in this area.

I-5 isn't nearly as interesting, but there are plenty of places to stop for gas and food. Just expect more chain fast food places, fewer mom 'n' pop cafes. Also, much higher traffic speeds. I've had semi-trucks pass me like I was parked. Looked down and I'm doing 70MPH!! How fast are they going?!!??

Highway 46 is a good road that has been steadily improved between 1-5 and the 101 over the past few years. It is still mostly 55MPH IIRC, but there are more sections of divided highway and passing lanes.

One option we use frequently when heading to Paso Robles, leaving early in the morning of a workday, is to head north on the 57 to the 210, then west on the 210 back to I-5. This adds a few miles, but you completely avoid the bottleneck of downtown LA. Again, the best route will be affected by day of departure and time of day.

Check out the traffic reports online right before you leave the house. That might help too.

[TheViking]

Southwest Airlines.....

[dkutz]

Southwest Airlines.....

Hate to know how much they would charge for the RV carry-on!!! :yikes:

[Dee4j]

I will be leaving on a WED still deciding if leaving super early before morning traffic or waiting until 9-ish and going the 57 to 210 route

probably early cause once I get there I still have to set up

the AAA site has options to show campgrounds, gas stations etc it showed a bunch of gas at the 5 & 46 and only one gas until the 101..I haven't gone any further than Santa Paula & Pt mugu with this expedition so I'm not sure exactly how many miles I can go while towing...

[dkutz]

I will be leaving on a WED still deciding if leaving super early before morning traffic or waiting until 9-ish and going the 57 to 210 route

probably early cause once I get there I still have to set up

the AAA site has options to show campgrounds, gas stations etc it showed a bunch of gas at the 5 & 46 and only one gas until the 101..I haven't gone any further than Santa Paula & Pt mugu with this expedition so I'm not sure exactly how many miles I can go while towing...

do you really plan this far ahead??  Good lord the rally isn't till August!!

[mrsoreo57]

O M G  !!!  That's only 5 months away !!!  Oh wait...we aren't going...

Dee...it's 5 months away !!!...relax girl...

[OC Campers]

Dee. don't worry about gas stations going up the 101.  There are plenty of places to stop for gas.  Now rest areas is another story.  I agree with the majority.  The 46 is a good route but it is 2 lanes most of the way.  There is 1 rest area along the way.  We have pulled the camper many times done this road along with lots of other people.  It is one of the main routes to pismo so you will have lots of toyhos and 5ers traveling with you.  

Jacqui

[Dee4j]

Dee. don't worry about gas stations going up the 101.  There are plenty of places to stop for gas.  Now rest areas is another story.  I agree with the majority.  The 46 is a good route but it is 2 lanes most of the way.  There is 1 rest area along the way.  We have pulled the camper many times done this road along with lots of other people.  It is one of the main routes to pismo so you will have lots of toyhos and 5ers traveling with you.  

Jacqui

are there plenty of gas stations on the 46?

Yes I know it's 5 months away...what started it was cjpoppin was stopping part way and suggested I do the same thing. so I started out looking for campgrounds which started the whole which way should I go.

[Azusateach]

are there plenty of gas stations on the 46?

No.  From where you get on in ... I can't remember the name ... to where you get off in Paso Robles there are no gas stations.  But it's only about 60 miles, so if you've got even just half a tank you'd be fine.  Remember though, it's going to be pretty toasty going up that way.  And it's a SLOW road, no matter how you slice it.  At least on 101 you've got places to stop when you need to take a breather.  On 46 there just isn't.

And yes, you've got 5 months to figure this out.  

[dkutz]

are there plenty of gas stations on the 46?

Yes I know it's 5 months away...what started it was cjpoppin was stopping part way and suggested I do the same thing. so I started out looking for campgrounds which started the whole which way should I go.

oh we are stopping half way.  Sort of.  We are stopping in arroyo grande.  We made a trip from san fran home in one trip, and the kids were a pain, so we won't do that again soon...

[Dee4j]

No.  From where you get on in ... I can't remember the name ... to where you get off in Paso Robles there are no gas stations.  But it's only about 60 miles, so if you've got even just half a tank you'd be fine.  Remember though, it's going to be pretty toasty going up that way.  And it's a SLOW road, no matter how you slice it.  At least on 101 you've got places to stop when you need to take a breather.  On 46 there just isn't.

And yes, you've got 5 months to figure this out.  

Laura you know me too well, I don't like heat and I don't do Slow... :p

I'm not worried about the kids making it..they travel pretty well

Carol was worried about me having to sit and drive that long. I guess she doesn't want to peel me out of the car when I get there..

the kids have been asking to go to flying flags again so maybe I'll stop there or Pismo