Gilbert AZ to Sacramento CA to Tillamook OR

Hello.  We are tripping from Belen NM to Gilbert AZ (we have this route planned already - no layovers).  We will stay a few days in the Gilbert AZ area - could use suggestions on a place to stay there for a few days (almost a week).

Then from Gilbert AZ to Sacramento CA with a layover enroute - could use some suggestions to a one night camp site along the route. 

Stay in Sacramento CA a couple days - could use a camp site recommendation here also.

From Sacramento CA then off to Tillamook OR with a possible overnighter enroute - it shows 610 miles on mapquest.  A 10 hour day dragging a fifth wheeler might be a little much for this old guy.  So could use a recommendation for this leg stopover as well. 

From Tillamook OR then back to Sacremento CA for a few more days and then route back to Belen, NM - could use some stopover and route recommendations here as well. 

Thanks for any suggestions. 

Edited to add:  Truck is a 1 ton Chevy diesel long bed and the trailer is a 33' fifth wheel.  Not having to back into a camp site would be nice. 

Welcome to The RV Forum!

If you're coming west on I-10, a good way to bypass most of L.A.'s traffic is to take I-215 and I-15 north over Cajon Pass, then 138 west to Hwy 14.

From I-15, take US 395 north to Phelan Rd, then turn left and follow Phelan Rd. to Hwy 138.  It's a fast, level road with only a couple of stoplights and you'll miss several large hills this way.

Follow 138 west to Hwy 14, then go north on the 14 freeway until 138 turns west again.  Take 138 west to the top of the Grapevine and proceed north.  Smooth, level roads the whole way until you get to the Grapevine.

If it's not too hot there's a nice boondocking spot in Indio.  It's a dirt lot adjacent to Fantasy Springs Casino (on the north side of the highway, the first exit after the Hwy 86 merge).  At the entrance to the casino (after the motels) turn left and go through the asphalt bus parking lot to the dirt lot behind it.  There's no camping in the asphalt lot but you can just pull in and park in the dirt lot, no need to check in with the casino.

Antelope Valley Fairgrounds on Hwy 14 in Lancaster has an overnight RV park.  It's a couple of miles south of where Hwy 138 goes west to I-5.  The  RV park is an asphalt parking lot, clean and secure.  $25 for a pull through 50 amp full hookup site, $20 for a back-in 30 amp site.  It's on the north side of the fairgrounds, so circle around the RiteAid distribution center next door and take Avenue G-8 back towards the RV park.

If that doesn't work, take US 99 north 15 miles from the I-5 split at the foot of the Grapevine to Bear Mtn Blvd (Hwy 223).  Go east 1 block to South Union Ave, then south a half block to Bear Mountain RV Park.  It's a fairly new mobile home park that hasn't filled up yet and they have an overnight section for $25 or $30. 

You don't say what your last leg to Tillamook is going to be.  Be aware the most direct route from I-5 is to pick up SR-22 in the area of Salem.  However the 30-40 miles from Grande Ronde to Hebo and US-101 is very winding, no shoulder and large trucks race through this part of the hwy. 

I have and do drive my 29' class A towing a small pickup on this route, but I do go really slow on the curves and keep a close lookout for the big truck.  Kind of white knuckle drive. 

There is no easy way to get to Tillamook from I-5. All are time consuming for the last 50-100 miles no matter which route you take. 

If your in a big hurry to Tillamook then north on I5 cut over to 101 at Eugene.  If your not in a hurry, hwy 20 north of Sac around Clear Lake to 10q and enjoy the trip north.

Another option is I-80 (not very inspiring) skirting around SF via Napa then north, you get to see the redwoods and the Oregon coast.

Lou Schneider said:

If you're coming west on I-10, a good way to bypass most of L.A.'s traffic is to take I-215 and I-15 north over Cajon Pass, then 138 west to Hwy 14.

From I-15, take US 395 north to Phelan Rd, then turn left and follow Phelan Rd. to Hwy 138.  It's a fast, level road with only a couple of stoplights and you'll miss several large hills this way.

Follow 138 west to Hwy 14, then go north on the 14 freeway until 138 turns west again.  Take 138 west to the top of the Grapevine and proceed north.  Smooth, level roads the whole way until you get to the Grapevine.

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Lou, I've often looked for a way around the LA basin when heading north, both for traffic and the pounding concrete roads, so I'm very interested in this reroute. Why do you continue up 395 to Phelan Rd rather than just grab 138 from Cajon Junction?

What a group! 

Lots of good information here. 

Thanks to all. 

Especially thanks for the detour around the LA area... 

Sun2Retire said:

Lou, I've often looked for a way around the LA basin when heading north, both for traffic and the pounding concrete roads, so I'm very interested in this reroute. Why do you continue up 395 to Phelan Rd rather than just grab 138 from Cajon Junction?

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138 between I-15 and Phelan Rd. goes through the north edge of the San Gabriel Mountains - it actually intercepts I-15 on the south side of Cajon Pass before the summit.

There are a couple of long grades that are single lane, and trucks climbing them slow everyone down to 25-30 MPH. Caltrans is in the process of widening that section of the road but I'm not sure when the work will be finished.

Phelan Rd. is straight and flat, with a 55 MPH speed limit most of the way.  There are a couple of traffic lights but all in all it's a nicer drive than taking 138 through the mountains.

From Phelan Rd. to Hwy 14, 138 is flat and except for the first couple of miles is mostly 4 lane divided highway.  A far cry from a few years ago when it was two lanes and known as Blood Alley.

At the west end, turning left and taking Avenue S to Hwy 14 is a good bypass around downtown Palmdale.

I'm in the San Fernando Valley and often use that route when I have to go to Palm Springs.  Going north on Hwy 14 and then taking 138 east is about 20 miles longer than taking the direct route on I-210 but the time works out about the same or better.

Thanks, great info - we've had some miserable rides through the basin. May be doing it in reverse in July coming down from Bakersfield on our way back to the Phoenix area and will give it a try.

donn said:

If your in a big hurry to Tillamook then north on I5 cut over to 101 at Eugene.  If your not in a hurry, hwy 20 north of Sac around Clear Lake to 101 and enjoy the trip north.

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Yep. Slower, but once you hit the coast, it's a beautiful drive. Lots of nice places along the way to overnight. No major hills/passes to negotiate either.