Is there still construction on I-5 ?

[fairytalelover]

The past few times we have driven to Disneyland from northern California we have been had severe delays on I-5 due to construction by the grapevine. Does anyone know if this is still going on? The first time we hit it was a couple hours before the grapevine then last month it was right before.

 

[NStramler]

Yep but it is hit and miss... who knows when they will decide to work... I still have not figured Cal Trans out and probably never will... for a State that is broke we sure have a lot of road construction... There is also construction on the Grapevine .. southbound by Frazier Park and also remember the rest areas up there are closed because this broke state tore them down to rebuild them...

Have fun at Disneyland...

 

[silence]

Yes, we had construction two weeks ago when we drove down on Friday. The nice thing for us we drove during the night, so it was about 3am when we hit it, so we didn't add a lot of time to the drive.

NOTE: On the way home we decided to take 99 to try and avoid the construction. HAH! Little did we know there was also construction on 99.

 

[NStramler]

Yes, we had construction two weeks ago when we drove down on Friday. The nice thing for us we drove during the night, so it was about 3am when we hit it, so we didn't add a lot of time to the drive.

NOTE: On the way home we decided to take 99 to try and avoid the construction. HAH! Little did we know there was also construction on 99.

Yes, north bound 99, starting right outside of Bakersfield...

 

[fairytalelover]

Does anyone recommend a detour?

 

[jetskigrl]

Does anyone recommend a detour?

You can also take the 101 but that adds about an extra hour to the ride (but it is a much nicer trip).

We hit the construction coming home from No Cal on Sunday July 8. I thought it would be terrible at the end of a somewhat holiday week but it wasn't bad at all. Only about 15-20 minutes added to our trip. The other side of the 5 was much worse though so it is kind of hit or miss.

They weren't even actively working when we went through there. But it is still down to one line in both directions since the road is torn up.

 

[pixiewings71]

We hit traffic on our last trip, it wasn't a big deal either way though. We weren't delayed more than 15 minutes or so.....

 

[kylie71]

Living in Reno, we will take 395, and avoide the 5, unless it's on the Sunday return.......

Lori

 

[blackjackdelta]

It will be interesting to see when we go past Buttonwillow in a couple of weeks, all the rest stops were closed, what a mess just to find a bathroom, I thought the girls were going to pop.

Jack

 

[kylie71]

We always stop at the fast food places to use the restroom...
Starbucks
Jack in the Box
McDonalds, etc...

Now we will be heading down, right behind you, Jack!

Lori

 

[blackjackdelta]

We always stop at the fast food places to use the restroom...
Starbucks
Jack in the Box
McDonalds, etc...

Now we will be heading down, right behind you, Jack!

Lori

I wish you were in front Lori.

Jack

 

[kylie71]

It would be fun to do a meet and greet!

Lori

 

[blackjackdelta]

It would be fun to do a meet and greet!

Lori

I always like to know what other people look like that are always on the boards. It would be great fun I am sure.

Jack

 

[Disco]

Living in Reno, we will take 395, and avoide the 5, unless it's on the Sunday return.......

Lori

Ugh,
Hate driving that route. Two lanes most of the way stressing over whether I can pass the trailer in front of me... I'll take the constuction LOL.

 

[kylie71]

Ugh,
Hate driving that route. Two lanes most of the way stressing over whether I can pass the trailer in front of me... I'll take the constuction LOL.

Lots of it is 4 lanes now, except for around Topaz lake...

It's faster don't you think?

Lori

 

[Disco]

Lots of it is 4 lanes now, except for around Topaz lake...

It's faster don't you think?

Lori

Yeah, if they've widened a lot more of it I would say it is faster. It was always border line before. Just when we popped over to California we could drive 80mph most of the way while on 395 we'd always be stuck behind a camper doing 55.

 

[pixiewings71]

It will be interesting to see when we go past Buttonwillow in a couple of weeks, all the rest stops were closed, what a mess just to find a bathroom, I thought the girls were going to pop.

Jack

Lost Hills, before Buttonwillow, stop at the Love's Country Store, they have great bathrooms there. Usually very clean and there is a good snack selection if you need a little something. Gas prices are usually very competitive too, in fact they are pretty much the best I've seen on the drive.

 

[kylie71]

Thanks, I will keep a eye out for that place too....

Lori

 

[Argento]

395 is awesome, until you hit Bishop and then it makes I-5 look positively scenic. I still prefer it over either 80 -> 5 or 80 -> 99 because the drive between Reno and Bishop is awesome.

 

[NStramler]

It will be interesting to see when we go past Buttonwillow in a couple of weeks, all the rest stops were closed, what a mess just to find a bathroom, I thought the girls were going to pop.

Jack

They are still closed, as is the one on the Grapevine.. Our news last night said that traffic on I 5 is one lane each direction and was advising people to use HWY 99 instead. Once you hit Panama Lane south bound on 99 the speed limit is 70 mph so that helps a little.. Also.. if you are in Bakersfield and needd gasoline DO NOT get it on the east side of Panama Lane... there is an AM/PM on the westside that is pretty reasonable but the stations on the east side are about 40 cents a gallon more.. Hope you have a safe trip!