Can someone with lots of experience tell me which route is better to take in terms of driving (ie road condition, pavement, pot holes, bugs)? I'm trying to decide which to take as I take my G on a final socal to norcal trip since i'm done with school. I don't care about time or length just don't want to drive through lots of uneven road with a lowered car and trunk full of books. I usually always take highway 5 and I don't feel like bluetaping up my front end this time either haha. any thoughts?

 

i5 = quicker, 101 = nicer scenery

 

Nothing really wrong with the roads on I5 for a lowered car. I've made the drive a couple times since my G has been lowered on coils. I'd suggest traveling in the evening or early in the morning, less cars and hardly any cops on the road.

I would not suggest the 101, takes way too long. Its a beautiful drive, but it just takes forever. I did it once, that was enough.

 

well my car isnt lowered but I will be moving to Norcal with my whole room literally

5 is quicker, 101 would be good if you don't mind driving a lot longer, but might as well enjoy the scenery if you have the time/patience. 101 is ~1 hour longer w/o traffic or so.

5 seems fine for lowered cars, I saw some cars that were lowered on my way to San Jose. But can't take my word for it since I'm not lowered but it seems like candle says its fine and he is lowered so yeah.

Sadly enough I did get 2 or so chips on the road, which was pretty random.
My car was like a bug pit, it was covered with dead bugs and blood and such lol.

 

both routes are fine for lowered cars, but the 5 is definitely quicker. i'd only recommend taking the 101 for the novelty factor (nice coastal views through pismo beach) and/or to hit up the wineries between santa barbara & paso robles.

since you're only making the trip because you're done with school / moving, i strongly suggest you take I-5. moving a bunch of stuff is stressful & tiring enough as is - no need to spend more time on the road than necessary.

 

As far as I can remember, 5 has always been well maintained and has always been good to my slammed cars.

 

Both are pretty good, I drive the 101 to and from norcal to san luis obispo many times and depending on your setup you won't have any problems to maybe 1 or 2 rubs. Slo -> socal isn't bad at all.

 

The I-5 is a better, quicker way to reach NorCal. I've been on the 101 North a few times in the past 90 days and the road south of Santa Barbara isn't in great shape. Load up your G and leave SoCal on Interstate 5 at 4AM set the cruise at 70MPH turn up the tunes and relax you'll be in NorCal for lunch. Doesn't that sound easy.... I'd still use "Blue Tape."
Gary

 

I-5 and blue tape it is! i'll be leaving sunday, i'm going to miss los angeles, except for the potholes haha

 

i driveon the 5 free way every weekend from lemoore, ca to LA and back.. its not really horrible for lowered cars. the only problems i get are the bugs and gettin chipped heavily on my hood. once i get on the 405 though thats when the road gets too unven for me especially when you just got off 5 to 405.. that one huge bump ugh pisses me off everytime..

 

Another vote for the 5

 

You'll Like it in Fremont. You'll miss the Good Mexican & Ramen places in LA. What school did you go to? Well good luck!

 

i grew up in fremont, went to MSJ haha, went to UCLA for college, now graduated so driving back home, next week moving to cornell in NY for graduate school, man i'm all over the place lol