cal. 299

[brokenoaks]

how is Hwy 299 from Redding to Eureka pulling a 33 foot 5th wheel with a F250? we would be doing it around the first of March. thank you for any advice.

[profdant139]

I've towed on 299 several times -- not a big problem. But watch out for construction delays -- check the CalTrans site before starting out on that particular road. They are having some geologic problems -- unstable hillsides.

[Willcamp4]

I go to the coast and Brookings often from Reno and personally I detest towing on 299. I think of it as a 120 mile corner with some steep grades, a couple of which are 8%. From Brookings I always take 199 up to I-5 at Grants Pass and south on I-5 to Shasta City. You can then get on the combination of Highways 89/44/36/395 into Reno.

On 199 in California there are a few narrow winding sections, but you can usually move along fairly quickly. Once in Oregon it moves fast all the way to I-5. On I-5 there are a couple of fairly steep(6%) grades near the border going back into California, but they aren't bad. When you turn off onto Hwy 89 South it is the most direct route to the Reno area and is a pretty good road, mostly 2 lane with passing lanes, and it moves fast. Once you get on US 395 just south of Susanville the traffic gets heavier, but you can stay on 395 all the way south until the turnoff into Death Valley. The only real headache along that route is the possibility of a late season snow storm. The last two trips from Brookings to Reno when towing took me 8.5 hours with some breaks along the way.

[Islandman]

Maybe you should try 199 which begins at Crescent City and goes east into OR.

[DarkSkySeeker]

brokenoaks wrote:
what might be better options. we will be going from the coast heading east. our actual trip is from Brookings OR to Death Valley.

I'd skip 299 unless you have a desire to see the Trinity Alps. I just came back from Weaverville on 299 to Redding last week. That part is in great shape, but there is an 8% grade approaching Redding. Weaverville to 101 is narrow, at times, with lane controls.

Highway 101 south all the way to San Rafael is good, avoiding commute times, then 37 east to 80, 680, 580, 5.

[donn0128]

In that case I would drive a bit farther south to near Ukiah and take 20 east. At the top just before you get to clear lake you can cut off arou d the south side of Clear Lake. This will get you back on 20 east of the congestion. From there its a fairly easy drive to I5. Remember the CA fires, so how you get east from there is up to you. As an alternative, from Brookings you could head east on 199 and 140 to Klamath Falls, jog to Alturus and pick up 395 south. That will put you east of all the fires and avoid most of CA. Remember CA limits you to 55MPH towing.

[brokenoaks]

what might be better options. we will be going from the coast heading east. our actual trip is from Brookings OR to Death Valley.

[donn0128]

I see that road differently. There are a lot of climbs. The first one west of Redding is slow and twisty. Then its down to Weaverville and the next of several twisty climbs and decents to the coast.
Depending on where your starting and ending there are options IMHO better than 299.

[downtheroad]

It's fine...have pulled it many times.. Some curvy sections and a grade or two.
But, it seems to us that it takes forever. March is good; not too hot. Redding can get blistering hot in the summer.