North San Diego to Lake Havasu City - Which way do you take and why?

[mentalmatt]

So I normally go up the 15, to 215, to 60 E, to 10 E, exit Rice Rd (95 N), and take that into Lake Havasu. I was thinking about it, so I google mapped it and it says going out the 40 is the faster way. It says take 15, 215, 15, to 40E to 95 S and that it's almost 45 mins faster.

Which way do you take? Which way is really faster? I've always taken Rice Rd, but I'm open to a faster route as that 1 lane road sucks sometimes.

What about if you're towing a boat, do you change routes depending? Let me know, leaving in a couple hours and wouldn't mind changing routes if it's faster / easier towing a boat. :hmm

Thank you for the help in advance!

 

[Rvrluvr]

I drve down the street hop in an airplane and take off. 1:45 later i land at havisu and take a cab to the house. Thats the quickest for me

 

[POWERCATDON]

So I normally go up the 15, to 215, to 60 E, to 10 E, exit Rice Rd (95 N), and take that into Lake Havasu. I was thinking about it, so I google mapped it and it says going out the 40 is the faster way. It says take 15, 215, 15, to 40E to 95 S and that it's almost 45 mins faster.

Which way do you take? Which way is really faster? I've always taken Rice Rd, but I'm open to a faster route as that 1 lane road sucks sometimes.

What about if you're towing a boat, do you change routes depending? Let me know, leaving in a couple hours and wouldn't mind changing routes if it's faster / easier towing a boat. :hmm

Thank you for the help in advance!

That's it. Even From San Diego's east County. Now if it was Parker, Lower River, Martinez. For Me i would take the Eight.

 

[V.O.R.F]

I drve down the street. park the car. go into my FBO, check the weather. walk outside. do my walk around. get in the plane, do my preflight, check the ATIS, start the plane, check in with ground control, taxi to the run up, contact the tower, wait for 6 other 172's to take off and a cirrus to do a touch and go, take off, climb out as per the ATC instructions, spend 1:45 in the air, do my downwind approach, land, contact ground, taxi to the hanger/FBO, shut down the plane, tie down the plane then take a cab to the house. 4.5 hours later I'm in Havasu. Thats the quickest for me

fixed :champagne:

 

[riverroyal]

That's it. Even From San Diego's east County. Now if it was Parker, Lower River, Martinez. For Me i would take the Eight.

it cant be???

 

[shippingguy]

So I normally go up the 15, to 215, to 60 E, to 10 E, exit Rice Rd (95 N), and take that into Lake Havasu. I was thinking about it, so I google mapped it and it says going out the 40 is the faster way. It says take 15, 215, 15, to 40E to 95 S and that it's almost 45 mins faster.

Which way do you take? Which way is really faster? I've always taken Rice Rd, but I'm open to a faster route as that 1 lane road sucks sometimes.

What about if you're towing a boat, do you change routes depending? Let me know, leaving in a couple hours and wouldn't mind changing routes if it's faster / easier towing a boat. :hmm

Thank you for the help in advance!

I would go 15 north. Exit Winchester in Temecula and take that all the way to Domenigoni Parkway. Go right then left on Sanderson. Take that all the way to the 10. From there you can go all the way to Rice Road or Erhenburg or you can take the 62 through Twentynine Palms.

I take the 62 option, but I also go to Bullhead City. I live in Murrieta. Driveway to Driveway it is 218 miles.

 

[Rvrluvr]

fixed :champagne:

Vfr untowered my friend. Foreflight on i-pad is awesome. Check weatherand do a flight plan while driving to airport. Havasu is also a non tower:thumbsup

 

[PolarBearKing]

If I'm towing the boat, I by pass the 60 by taking the 215 to the 74 thru Hemet. Turn left at the 79 which takes you to the 10 at Beuamont. It works out good because there is a Carls Jr with a large parking lot that the little lady can go to the bathroom. I used to fight her and try to get her to hold it to Indio (half way) but both of our trips are much more enjoyable now.

I also prefer the 95 over Rice Rd. Its about 15 minutes longer but much more mellow. When I'm on Rice Rd I feel obligated to put the pedel down.

I've done the 15 to the 40. It may be a little faster but it sucks.

 

[shippingguy]

If I'm towing the boat, I by pass the 60 by taking the 215 to the 74 thru Hemet. Turn left at the 79 which takes you to the 10 8" Beuamont. It works out good because the is a Carls Jr with a large parking lot that the little lady can go to the bathroom. I used to fight her and try to get her to hold it to Indio (half way) but both of our trips are much more enjoyable now.

I also prefer the 95 over Rice Rd. Its about 15 minutes longer but much more mellow. When I'm on Rice Rd I feel obligated to put the pedel down.

I've done the 15 to the 40. It may be a little faster but it sucks.

FYI...You can get off on Winchester(79) in Temecula. Winchester dead ends at the 74 then go right. It is quicker!

 

[RaceTec]

fixed :champagne:

:rotflmao: :thumbsup

 

[Captain Dan]

I would go 15 north. Exit Winchester in Temecula and take that all the way to Domenigoni Parkway. Go right then left on Sanderson. Take that all the way to the 10. From there you can go all the way to Rice Road or Erhenburg or you can take the 62 through Twentynine Palms.

I take the 62 option, but I also go to Bullhead City. I live in Murrieta. Driveway to Driveway it is 218 miles.

Why not avoid French Valley and take 15 to 215, right on Menifee Road (which turns into Domenigoni), left on Warren, right on Ramona Expressway and left on Lambs Canyon to the 10.

Avoids the stupind traffic in French Valley, and the numerous traffic lights on Sanderson.

 

[Wheeler]

I drve down the street hop in an airplane and take off. 1:45 later i land at havisu and take a cab to the house. Thats the quickest for me

You need a faster plane.

 

[shippingguy]

Why not avoid French Valley and take 15 to 215, right on Menifee Road (which turns into Domenigoni), left on Warren, right on Ramona Expressway and left on Lambs Canyon to the 10.

Avoids the stupind traffic in French Valley, and the numerous traffic lights on Sanderson.

Depends on time of day. The 215 is a mess at certain times and there is construction. I live out by French Valley so for me I do not even get on Winchester until Scott. I go on the back road by Lake Skinner and the wineries.

 

[shippingguy]

Why not avoid French Valley and take 15 to 215, right on Menifee Road (which turns into Domenigoni), left on Warren, right on Ramona Expressway and left on Lambs Canyon to the 10.

Avoids the stupind traffic in French Valley, and the numerous traffic lights on Sanderson.

I do take Warren I don't take Sanderson either, but it is easier to give those directions to people. Also Warren is closed right now.

 

[Captain Dan]

Depends on time of day. The 215 is a mess at certain times and there is construction. I live out by French Valley so for me I do not even get on Winchester until Scott. I go on the back road by Lake Skinner and the wineries.

True - but I would still rather endure the 215 at least to Scott instead of Winchester from the 15 to FV. Time of day is definitely the major factor around here.

 

[Captain Dan]

I do take Warren I don't take Sanderson either, but it is easier to give those directions to people. Also Warren is closed right now.

I haven't been through there recently - Warren is closed north of Florida?

 

[shippingguy]

I haven't been through there recently - Warren is closed north of Florida?

Yes, but may be open now. It was supposed to reopen the 15th of June, but it was still closed when we headed out Father's Day weekend. I will know Tuesday.

 

[V.O.R.F]

Vfr untowered my friend. Foreflight on i-pad is awesome. Check weatherand do a flight plan while driving to airport. Havasu is also a non tower:thumbsup

you get my point, its not the tower that eats up all the time.

where are you taking off from thats non towered?

 

[WATERDOG]

Yes, but may be open now. It was supposed to reopen the 15th of June, but it was still closed when we headed out Father's Day weekend. I will know Tuesday.

It was still closed yesterday AM. Should be opening any day now.:headscratch:

 

[Ziggy]

So I normally go up the 15, to 215, to 60 E, to 10 E, exit Rice Rd (95 N), and take that into Lake Havasu. I was thinking about it, so I google mapped it and it says going out the 40 is the faster way. It says take 15, 215, 15, to 40E to 95 S and that it's almost 45 mins faster.

Which way do you take? Which way is really faster? I've always taken Rice Rd, but I'm open to a faster route as that 1 lane road sucks sometimes.

What about if you're towing a boat, do you change routes depending? Let me know, leaving in a couple hours and wouldn't mind changing routes if it's faster / easier towing a boat. :hmm

Thank you for the help in advance!

We are coming from the same city so here is my normal route if I'm not towing. Hell, I even towed my boat this way most of the time.
76e to 15n to 79s to 371 to 74e(Monterey Ave) to 10e to Rice, etc.
This route takes you through Anza and drops you into the desert, you get back on the 10 where the Costco and Sams Club are located. It is a smaller road and slightly curvy but it saves me time and mileage.
I personally prefer this route because you eliminate the worst traffic areas through the IE.
.
The other route I took while towing was the 79n either by exiting Winchester back in Temecula or Newport ave in Sun City. 79n drops you back onto the 10e in Beaumont.

The 15 to 40 route could possibly be faster since its all freeway but its significantly further.

 

[Ziggy]

And yeah, if you do go through Hemet avoid Sanderson and take Warren as suggested above.

 

[shippingguy]

It was still closed yesterday AM. Should be opening any day now.:headscratch:

Yeah they said it was to reopen the 15th, but I saw last time the 28th. Will be nice that part of the road needed work!

 

[Singleton]

I would go 15 north. Exit Winchester in Temecula and take that all the way to Domenigoni Parkway. Go right then left on Sanderson. Take that all the way to the 10. From there you can go all the way to Rice Road or Erhenburg or you can take the 62 through Twentynine Palms.

I take the 62 option, but I also go to Bullhead City. I live in Murrieta. Driveway to Driveway it is 218 miles.

Best way to go. Driveway to driveway from Carlsbad is apx 270 miles.
4hrs without stops, 4.5 with gas and potty break for kids, 5 if we stop at ROC in the desert.

 

[Ziggy]

Best way to go. Driveway to driveway from Carlsbad is apx 270 miles.
4hrs without stops, 4.5 with gas and potty break for kids, 5 if we stop at ROC in the desert.

4hrs=68mph average from start to finish?

Takes me on average 4.5 to 5 hrs.......with and without breaks.

 

[mjc]

It was still closed yesterday AM. Should be opening any day now.:headscratch:

It was open by noon yesterday, went through at lunch

 

[Rvrluvr]

you get my point, its not the tower that eats up all the time.

where are you taking off from thats non towered?

cable in upland

Its still quicker, plus its stress free. I drive all day everyday, I hate to drive now. I kringe when momma wants to go on a road trip. We flew to the damn run, had to stop in Havi for some swimsuits momma left at the house then off to bullhead. McRib left before we did (lives in same area) and we were at Bullhead airport when he was still outside Essex road.

 

[Rvrluvr]

You need a faster plane.

Please convince my wife of that

 

[PolarBearKing]

Google maps says the 15 to the 40 is 337 miles.

The way you've been going is 293. I hate the 60, so it's worth it to me to go a little further.

My suggested route is 310.

Ziggy's is 280. I almost always tow when I go. I've been this way, but I wouldn't reccomend towing.

 

[Dave Sammons]

I would go 15 north. Exit Winchester in Temecula and take that all the way to Domenigoni Parkway. Go right then left on Sanderson. Take that all the way to the 10. From there you can go all the way to Rice Road or Erhenburg or you can take the 62 through Twentynine Palms.

I take the 62 option, but I also go to Bullhead City. I live in Murrieta. Driveway to Driveway it is 218 miles.

I have been driving to Parker from Carlsbad for over 30 years and have timed/clocked EVERY way there...
My personal findings are, for what it is worth...
Get to the 15 however you see fit...there is no easy way, worst part of the trip for me...
Going on a Friday night...I take the 78 east, to Melrose, turn left all the way to Santa Fe, turn right to Osborne, turn left to Vista Way, Turn left to Gopher Canyon, turn Right to the 15, north to Winchester, right to Dominigoni(they just put a new light in at Scott that backs up traffic now), left on Warren or Sanderson, up and over the hill to the 10, (if you are not towing it's just over 2 1/2 hours to Earp from the light that goes to the dump right before Banning. 2 hours from Ramon Rd to Earp), east on the 10 to Rice Road and then on out. If you go through Twentynine Palms it's 11 miles shorter but about 15-20minutes longer depending on lights. Ehrinburg is about 25 minutes longer(I just hate that farm road!...lotsa Indian Radar) On a Friday Night it's between 4hr 20mins and 4hr 45min depending on stops and maybe a pee break.
Coming home on a Sunday...Same route except I stay on Dominigoni as it turns into Newport and take it all the way to the 215 and then south, usually then go straight through Vista to the 78. Travel time is always between 3hrs 40 and 3hrs 50min from Earp to Driveway.

Note...my hope is that they will finish the lane widening soon on the 215 going up the hill, so I can bypass Winchester and go to Scott or Newport!

Also, Turning off the 15 and going through Anza is a bit shorter and quicker, but the Wife doesn't like all the turns going down the hill into Palm Desert(Did you know that the opening of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World was filmed on that stretch?). I do go that way when I am by myself for a change of scenery once in a while.

 

[V.O.R.F]

cable in upland

Its still quicker, plus its stress free. I drive all day everyday, I hate to drive now. I kringe when momma wants to go on a road trip. We flew to the damn run, had to stop in Havi for some swimsuits momma left at the house then off to bullhead. McRib left before we did (lives in same area) and we were at Bullhead airport when he was still outside Essex road.

Piper or a 172?

 

[arch stanton]

I bet i have one not used by many take HWY 76 up palomar to HWY 79 make a left to S2 make a right to S22 make a left go through Borrego to HWY 86 and go left to 66st or HWY 195 good fuel stop hear along with del taco and Starbucks go about a mile and make a left on HWY 111 go 200 yards and make a right on 4th go over RR tracks stay right and go 3 blocks and make a left back on 66th st this will go 25 miles through box canyon to HWY 10 on average one car passes me going the opposite direction i take Rice into Parker this takes about 4 hours with one stop while towing but i'm not pushing it and there is no traffic and very few CHP on most of this route i always leave Wednesday or Thursday morning and come back Sunday morning
http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/iPhorum/attach/jpg.gif


Now if your not towing i find this route can be done much faster

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/iPhorum/attach/jpg.gif

 

[Rvrluvr]

Piper or a 172?

172

I've got my eyes on a 210, should cut the time down a tad

 

[Dave Sammons]

I bet i have one not used by many take HWY 76 up palomar to HWY 79 make a left to S2 make a right to S22 make a left go through Borrego to HWY 86 and go left to 66st or HWY 195 good fuel stop hear along with del taco and Starbucks go about a mile and make a left on HWY 111 go 200 yards and make a right on 4th go over RR tracks stay right and go 3 blocks and make a left back on 66th st this will go 25 miles through box canyon to HWY 10 on average one car passes me going the opposite direction i take Rice into Parker this takes about 4 hours with one stop while towing but i'm not pushing it and there is no traffic and very few CHP on most of this route i always leave Wednesday or Thursday morning and come back Sunday morning
http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/iPhorum/attach/jpg.gif


Now if your not towing i find this route can be done much faster



http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/iPhorum/attach/jpg.gif

I've taken that route, except I took the 76 and cut over to the 78 and went through Ocotillo Wells instead of Borrego. I have never been through Borrego so I didn't know what the road was like(how is it coming down the hill from Lake Henshaw to Borrego?). You are right about the drive through the Box Canyon up to the 10...fast and real scenic!
SO...no BS about the 4 hours Huh??
I would like to try this route on a Friday night...Maybe this coming Friday???
How much faster if you are not towing and where are you leaving from out on the coast?

 

[NoShow]

This is the way we've always gone. Going down Montazuma grade with a big tow behind can be hairy for some. Passing through the little town of Mecca can be an eye opener for some that think they have it tough. First time going through Box Canyon at midnight had the family spooked out. My wife was worried if we broke down someone might rob us and haul us off into the canyon and kill us. GPS and cell phones back then would stop working when you got into the canyon.

 

[Ziggy]

I have been driving to Parker from Carlsbad for over 30 years and have timed/clocked EVERY way there...
My personal findings are, for what it is worth...
Get to the 15 however you see fit...there is no easy way, worst part of the trip for me...
Going on a Friday night...I take the 78 east, to Melrose, turn left all the way to Santa Fe, turn right to Osborne, turn left to Vista Way, Turn left to Gopher Canyon, turn Right to the 15, north to Winchester, right to Dominigoni(they just put a new light in at Scott that backs up traffic now), left on Warren or Sanderson, up and over the hill to the 10, (if you are not towing it's just over 2 1/2 hours to Earp from the light that goes to the dump right before Banning. 2 hours from Ramon Rd to Earp), east on the 10 to Rice Road and then on out. If you go through Twentynine Palms it's 11 miles shorter but about 15-20minutes longer depending on lights. Ehrinburg is about 25 minutes longer(I just hate that farm road!...lotsa Indian Radar) On a Friday Night it's between 4hr 20mins and 4hr 45min depending on stops and maybe a pee break.
Coming home on a Sunday...Same route except I stay on Dominigoni as it turns into Newport and take it all the way to the 215 and then south, usually then go straight through Vista to the 78. Travel time is always between 3hrs 40 and 3hrs 50min from Earp to Driveway.

Note...my hope is that they will finish the lane widening soon on the 215 going up the hill, so I can bypass Winchester and go to Scott or Newport!

Also, Turning off the 15 and going through Anza is a bit shorter and quicker, but the Wife doesn't like all the turns going down the hill into Palm Desert(Did you know that the opening of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad World was filmed on that stretch?). I do go that way when I am by myself for a change of scenery once in a while.

Hey Dave, How's Ralph?

I love the Anza route because of the curves. My wife has two turns she specifically hates going down the hill so I just go easy there. I probably average 45-50mph from the 371/74 intersection down the hill in the superduty. 50-60 in the car.

 

[Ziggy]

This is the way we've always gone. Going down Montazuma grade with a big tow behind can be hairy for some. Passing through the little town of Mecca can be an eye opener for some that think they have it tough. First time going through Box Canyon at midnight had the family spooked out. My wife was worried if we broke down someone might rob us and haul us off into the canyon and kill us. GPS and cell phones back then would stop working when you got into the canyon.

Isn't Montezuma Grade nicknamed the Glass Elevator? Been down it a few times. Might have to try this route some time soon, thought about it but never tried it.

 

[arch stanton]

I've taken that route, except I took the 76 and cut over to the 78 and went through Ocotillo Wells instead of Borrego. I have never been through Borrego so I didn't know what the road was like(how is it coming down the hill from Lake Henshaw to Borrego?). You are right about the drive through the Box Canyon up to the 10...fast and real scenic!
SO...no BS about the 4 hours Huh??
I would like to try this route on a Friday night...Maybe this coming Friday???
How much faster if you are not towing and where are you leaving from out on the coast?

I think it is much better going Montezuma grade than through the narrows on S2. Montezuma is a steep grade and i take it slowly with the boat but is nice and wide compared to S2 the only area you will want to be careful is as S22 comes off the hill dropping into salt and sea is the road has some big bumps off and on for about 2 miles.
I leave from Escondido and if you go out Friday night you will going with all the people going to the casinos and all the other people headed home that live out east that will add 1/2 hour or more,and i always tow a boat to the river but i have taken that route in the Viper to Vegas all i will say is the rear wing starts working about 90 MPH and the car rides much smother