Driving to La Ventana, US routes to Mexicali

phill · Since 26 May 2016 60 Posts

if driving down I 5 what are best routes to bypass LA to Mexicali?

Or better to take 97 from The Dalles to 395 then to Mexicali?

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 607 Posts Addicted

Since no one else has answered here my 2 cents
97 down is through towns and slightly more scenic but stop and go so if you’re not in a rush it’s ok but nothing special, probably should do it once to see but we like to roll until we cross at Mexicali once we get going so not for us
I-5 is steadier and you make better time but kind of monotonous and you can take 210 to I-10 to avoid most of LA (splice in Jerry Jeff “if I can just get off of this LA freeway without getting killed or caught”)
We have friends just out of Salt Lake so started going 84 to 15 through Salt Lake and Las Vegas (occasionally catch a Cirque du Soleil show) and although it takes a bit longer, maybe 1 1/2 -2 hours longer, it is a much easier drive. Much less traffic, much better roads, fewer trucks, just easier overall and more relaxed.
Just one persons opinion of course. Hopefully others will chime in as well.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 892 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

A good route to bypass much of urban LA is to get off I5 just past Gorman and take Hwy 138 through Lancaster and Palmdale and tie into I15 south at Cajon Junction. I15 goes for a short ways and then get on I215 to I10. Once you are past Palm Springs it is an easy no traffic cruise on down along the west side of the Salton Sea to the border. It is mostly country driving with the exception of making your way through San Bernadino.

shred_da_gorge · Wed Oct 23, 24 6:19 am

When I drive to SF bay area I tend to check Google Maps for its recommendations (and it's backed by Waze so shows crashes & delays). It used to always recommend I-5 from Hood River, but now it recommends 97 more often than not. Having driven them both extensively, it's surprisingly about the same, really, since I-5 has much more traffic now.

97 has had numerous improvements over the years and now goes through Bend much more quickly. It is the more scenic route, and still has the potential to be slower due to single lane in many places, and routing through a few downtowns. The hills are not as bad as on I-5 through Grants and Siskyou passes; in the winter I even take 197 sometimes to get around Mt Hood's hills.