grand canyon village to Los Angeles

[bass_n_bob]

Taking Rt 40 west with a stop over in Needles Ca. on our way to Northridge Ca. I seem to recall a pretty good hill going that way when I traveled there a few years ago. Is this the best route for a small DP towing? Appreciate thoughts on the route and a CG in Needles.
THX

[ItsyRV]

I-40 is not bad at all. As mentioned, it's an interstate with gentle grades.

However, if you want an adventure you won't forget, exit I-40 at exit 44 and take the Oatman Highway (aka Old 66) up and over Sitgraves Pass. Most of it is rather open and scenic but there is a 10 mile section that will simply take your breath away.

After the Pass, you can take Boundary Cone straight into Ft Mohave. There's a nice Casino Resort with an RV Park connected to it. Or, just head south into Needles.

[dedmiston]

I would skip the Cajon Pass and the 210 just because of traffic. Towing on the 210 is kind of a bummer (done it many times). Like Janss said, going across the 58 to Bakersfield is an easy drive (a little boring though) or turning at Victorville to come across Pearblossom Highway is a good drive too. You'll go over a little bit of a grade on the 14 between Palmdale and Santa Clarita, but it's no big deal at all.

Stay in the truck lanes when you get to the Newhall Pass (14 to 5). That's required if you're towing, plus it makes a great shortcut to the 405 and then the 118 to Northridge.

Good luck. Don't sweat it.

[Janss]

I live in Sedona and have family in the San Fernando Valley (near Northridge). I've driven I-40 many many times over there and back, a few times with various motorhomes, all gas, some with tow car. So you should have no problem driving the route with your DP.

Needles is the hottest place! I stay about 20 miles east of Barstow at Newberry Mountain RV Park in Newberry Springs. Just a decent easy pull through for the night where I don't have to unhook my car.

From Barstow I either drive 58 to 14 all the way down to I-5 into the Valley, or I-15 down to Victorville then 18/138 over to 14. On 138 watch for left turn onto Pearblossom Hwy (to 14), else you'll end up in Palmdale.

[Lwiddis]

I'd much rather climb Cajon Pass than descend it. Crazy semis and cars.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

You will be ok along I-40.

Freeways are engineered to no more than 6% grade.

Just be careful along Cajon Pass along I-15. It's a long steep grade and rigs don't slow down -- even on a blizzard (rare though).

[NMDriver2]

There is a long pull out of the Colorado River basin up to the valley rim west of Needles.

You will have some amount of climbing regardless of the route to get into the LA Basin. That said, I think you will be better off dropping down to I-10, google maps alternate route . The climb out of the Colorado valley is a little more gradual that way, although the decent into Indio is a long down hill, you also avoid the Las Vegas to LA traffic on I-15.

BTW Needles is not good stop over IMO. If you really need to stop then I would pick Kingman or the truck stops at Exit 8 on the AZ side of the river. Parker, AZ being even better.

[2gypsies1]

Your DP can handle just about any hill! 🙂 I-40 is an interstate. Nothing bad there.

[2oldman]

For elevation, this one is UK based but works fine.

Also, if you choose to walk your route, Google maps will show elevation.