Traveling from No Calif & I5 Fog

[Bread&Butterflies]

Hi fellow Dis-ers.
We are leaving for DL Sunday am.. I had planned to leave early about 7:30 am and the fog that we had today kind of freaked me out.

Has anybody driven down from the Bay Area on I5 the past couple of weeks?
WHat was the fog like...? Do you take an alternate route to avoid it?
I am so scared to start off only to find myself in fog so think you cannot see the exit to get off the road.

Happened to me years ago but late and night.
It was the most terrified I think I ever have been in my life, to drive so many miles on I5 literally blind! as was everyone I was on the road with.

*hey where's my ticker for my new trip...??? lol

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

I drove I-5 the beginning of December from Daly City and it started with heavy fog even on the bay bridge! I never drove I-5 since my dh always drove but he couldnt get off of work so I drove this time. It was so foggy that I couldnt even tell that I-5 was a straight away...lol Most semi's went in the far left lane in case there was anyone coming on to the freeway so it was scary so most of the time I spent behind them. We left around 2am but once it turned around 8am or so the heavy fog was easier because of the daylight. You are going at a good time and wish that I would have gone then instead of so late at night so I could see better but it was a lesson learned for me.
I would say to take 101 but I think it is even worst and it is more safer on I5.
Keep safe and just take your time and just make sure to research exits for gas and food because it was not possible to see any signs or exits when we went until the last minute and that wasnt fun at all when you miss the exit and there isnt another for over 30 miles.

 

[McQueenofHrts]

I haven't driven the route myself, but I sure do understand your concerns about driving in the fog. Good Luck! I will be sending good vibes your way!

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

We had terrible fog on Highway 99 in early Dec. We were heading down from Nor CA. It started south of Stockton. Good luck....and take it slow if there is heavy fog.

 

[tink2dw]

In Fog turn OFF your Brights! Put on your low beams and fog lights if you have the yellow lights!! Low Beams make it easier to see!!

 

[konagal]

Take it easy, be safe. Dumb question, but can you leave later in the morning? Of course traffic will also be aweful later as folks return from the 4 day weekend. Daylight is better tnan darkness.

CHP has been pacing lately on both 99 and I5. Fog is expected to continue in the central valley. You never know, you may get lucky and it may not appear on Sunday. Remember to check the condition of the grapevine as it has had a few closures in the past few weeks. It usually reopens by noon, however. Go slow, take your time, use the right hand lane.

 

[bigpuma]

We drove down in the beginning of December. The fog wasn't bad going down there but when we came back we had some solid fog for about 50 - 100 miles on I5. I just drive much slower and try to get behind (way behind) a Truck and follow.

 

[pixiewings71]

We are leaving Saturday am. Not sure what time yet but we have to drive the dreaded blood alley portion of Hwy 12 between here and Rio Vista. I'm not looking forward to that but I am hoping it's not foggy. If it is we will just drive slower and turn our lights ON so people can actually see us. It never ceases to amaze me how many people don't turn their lights on or use their brights when it's foggy out......that's soooooooooo dangerous!!!!! If I can find a computer in our hotel that I can use I'll pop on and post an update on the fog conditions for you Bread & Butterflies. I hope we see you in the parks!!!! How long are you staying?

 

[cccdisney]

We drove down from the Bay Area this morning and the fog was better than we expected. We live in Eastern Contra Costa County and the fog was awful yesterday (dec 31st). This morning we woke up at 4:30am and the fog had lifted. We hit dense patches here and there but it wasn't too bad. We didn't see the sun until we went over the Grapevine though!
And the traffic was great coming down Int 5! However, DL is PACKED!!!!

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

We drove down from the Bay Area this morning and the fog was better than we expected. We live in Eastern Contra Costa County and the fog was awful yesterday (dec 31st). This morning we woke up at 4:30am and the fog had lifted. We hit dense patches here and there but it wasn't too bad. We didn't see the sun until we went over the Grapevine though!
And the traffic was great coming down Int 5! However, DL is PACKED!!!!

Good to know !!!

Thanks for the info. This is lifting my spirits a little bit because like pixiewings71 we are leaving on Saturday. I'm expecting to get to the grapevine around 6:30ish so we'll see what happens!

 

[Trader Aaron]

I've driven I5 to dland in everything, most recently some crazy hail. Unfortunately there is no way to avoid it, 99 gets fog, 5 gets fog, 1 and 101 take to long and both can get fog too. The best thing to do is be flexible, drive safe and make getting there part of the fun.

Have a great trip and be safe.

 

[pixiewings71]

I've driven I5 to dland in everything, most recently some crazy hail. Unfortunately there is no way to avoid it, 99 gets fog, 5 gets fog, 1 and 101 take to long and both can get fog too. The best thing to do is be flexible, drive safe and make getting there part of the fun.

Have a great trip and be safe.

We did it 14 times last year Trader Aaron and yes, we too hit it all. It's just nice to know beforehand how bad it might be.

 

[Bread&Butterflies]

Everyone leaving Saturday BE SAFE!
Hope to see you there.

We are trying to be as flexible as possible on our departure time while still hoping to get to DL in time to enjoy the park on the 4th... Christmas stuff etc...

Pixiewings.. thanks in advance if you can find a pc and post an update about your drive down.
I have ressies 4th -10th @ HoJos but we'll probably leave home on Friday the 9th if we get no rain all week while there. Wasn't sure on the weather when I booked last year...lol
So I booked the whole week to be sure we got enough days there with decent weather.

Looks like sunny skies at the end of the week,per the forcast, so there should be no fog for the drive home- fingers crossed!

 

[SueTGGR]

We have been coming home to Nor Cal on I5 and the fog was too much. Barely able to see beyond your front bumper and way too many semi's for my comfort. At Lost Hills we took 46 over to Paso Robles to continued up 101. There was no fog on 101 at all. I5 fog is considered "tule (sp?) fog" and 101 fog is just "coastal fog" from what I understand. Different weather conditions for them.
I have bever been so scared driving as I did that day & I grew up with lots of coastal fog. But those are you options if the I5 fog is bad, 46 or 198 but that is a little twistier. Plus you still ahve to be careful on 46 as a lot of the truckers will take that pass if the fog is bad but at least the fog eased up as we headed West.
Either way heed everyones warnings & all of you have a safe trip!