Seattle to Palm Springs , mid May , route help

Will be headed to PS from Seattle , due to time constraints I will have to slab it some on I-5 for half of the trip down .

Where is the best place to head east and connect to US 395 ?

Any suggestions for trip there and back appreciated .

I am planning for 2 and a half days down and 3 back .


Tork

I would take I-5 into Sacramento to Hwy 50 east toward South Lake Tahoe. You'll see Lake Tahoe, then take 89 to 395. Things will be OK once you are past Placerville on 50.

I've always headed southeast on SR89 from Mount Shasta to SR44 to Susanville. When I head up to visit my sister near Medford and the shortest time is not of the utmost importance, this route avoids the mind numbing I5. Mentally it seems to take less time.

Take 120, Tioga pass, super pretty high sierra pass through Yosemite...

Try this out for size. I did this a couple of weeks ago.

Take Hwy 66 (Green Springs HWY) off of I5 about 13 miles south of Medford, to hwy 140 east to hwy 39 south to hwy 139 south to 36 / 395 south to Reno.

The section between I5 and 140 has fantastic twisties. The route takes you through forest, by lakes, near lava beds, farming. It was well worth the extra time.

Either of the two inland routes described is better than slabbing it on the interstate.

Point your ride at Reno, then come down the 395.

Cut over at the 58 and take 247 to Yucca Valley and into PS.

Nice trip. 3-4 days minimum for some enjoyment. More is better.

I lived in Seattle area for 35 years, 20 here in so-Cal. The interstate is for 4-wheels and cruise control.

1st, what are you riding? If you plan on pavement all the way; run I-5 to Portland and then take Ore hwy 26 to eastern Oregon, then 97 south to La pine, then 31 until you connect to 395. No disappointments! CA 89 is a must do road in your travels. But you can stay on 395 south , it is nice. This is two long days or an easier two and a half. But a excellent trip anyway you go! Have fun! Watch for deer in evening ; gas up in La Pine. Speed limit on 97 for sure.

At Indian Wells for a few days, any ideas for day trips or must sees ?

Tour the park...just watch for the rule-nazi's - birkenstock wearing uptites. They're worse than the rangers. Generally the place is overrun with asian tourists and rented mini-RV's.

There's not a lot out there in that area. And it's gonna get hot. Probably unbearable yesterday, but cooling off for the rest of the week.

A few things in Palm springs...the air museum being one of them.

The further north you can get over to US 395 the better.
There are several good suggestions above.
My favorite is the CA 89/CA 44 route.
Otherwise Oregon 140/CA 139 route.
-ceej

"Tour the park " If you mean Joshua Tree Park than I just got back from it .

Went west on 10 then up to 29 Palms and entered on the north side .
Toured the park , went to Key view and even went off road a little .

Left the park thru Cottonwood, only bummer was a little wait for road construction going that way .

Was nice and cool up there , plan on laying by the pool with an adult beverage .


Also the conference my wife is attending took us out to the Air museum last night for dinner and to look at the displays . Drinks on the house

Very cool.
You have now seen everything there is in Riverside County.

South of PS, and west from Salton Sea is Borrego area, lots of good riding and scenery. Dirt and road. Check it out. Go to Julien, have some pie.

Go ride Palms to Pines Hwy, 74. Up near Lake Hemet you'll see some nice pine tree's and shade. Scoot over to Idywild for a break. There's a nice view point at the east end of 74, called Cahuilla Tewanet. There is a tiny little walk to the view pt, but is very pleasant. As you start up 74 just past Bighorn will be the Santa Rosa Visitor's Ctr., they have some good info and worth the stop.

East of you is Box Canyon Rd. That is a continuation of the road that is south of Cottonwood Visitor Ctr. on the south side of 10.

If you go down to Borrego Springs, this is Font's Point...


Lots of metal art in Bor Springs...

Made it home .
Day 1, Palm Springs to Carson City via Johnson Valley
Day 2, CC to Bend Or via 139 from Susanville
Day 3, Bend to Duvall WA up hwy 97 to I90 then home.

Thanks to all who gave suggestions .