Newbie, and a Full-timer - Looking for list of RV Safe/worthy Roads

by Juliana, aka Kernut the Blond
(Morgan Hill, California, USA)

Me, before the white-knuckled trip over the LA freeways.

I'm new to the RV lifestyle, and also a full-timer. Had my first road trip last week from San Jose, California to San Diego, California and back.

The roads in LA scared the begeezus out of me. I'm looking for a road map/website/something? that has either a list of highways and small roads to avoid, or ones that are good for a newbie driving a 29' class A, with white knuckles. (They will return to normal after a while, right? LOL)

Thank you in advance for you help!

Safe Travels,
Juliana, aka "Kernut the Blond"

Comments for Newbie, and a Full-timer - Looking for list of RV Safe/worthy Roads

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Sep 29, 2011

Thanks for the advice!
by: Juliana, aka Kernut the Blond

Hi,

Thank you guys for the advice. Got the Rand McNally road map. Thinking of getting their new RV-worthy GPS.

Also, I heard there's a route map for truckers that lists all the road signs, roads big trucks should avoid, etc. Should be available at truck stops, so I'll look for it next time I'm at one.

Safe travels!
Juliana
http://kernut.com

Aug 18, 2011

Not A Newbie Anymore
by: Bud Corwin

Hi Juliana,
First off, you're not a newbie anymore. If you drove a 29 foot motorhome through Los Angeles on the interstate, bravo. My first trip through LA was back in 1979 driving a semi. The bad thing about freeways in California is, if you're driving a semi, you can not be in the far left lane. Unfortunatly, there are so many interchanges you have to keep an eye on which lane you're in. I found myself in the left lane and was trying to get over to my right. The guy in the right lane flashed his lights, which generally means it's safe to change lanes. Well, I started to ease on over and I felt something in my steering wheel. I finally got to the right emergency lane and stopped. What I had felt was my wheel lug nuts cutting a hole in the door of a VW bug. The young lady driving it was petrified. Thank god she was not injured, and it taught me a lesson not to expect too much from other drivers.
As for driving on side streets, I would advise against it. You have a lot less room to negotiate turns and stopping and starting in traffic will cost you an arm and a leg in fuel. Just take your time and stay in the next to the right lane. That way you won't be in anyones way and avoid slowing traffic for an exit that is coming up. Check your maps and know where your exits are. Plan ahead and stay focused on the road. Watch for signs for low bridges and such, although most freeways are not going to have low overpasses.
Good luck and hope to see you on the road.

[email protected]
Bud Corwin

Aug 18, 2011

Finding roads
by: Anonymous

I can sympathize with your concern. Its stress enough learning to handle a larger vehicle, with different height and width, turning radius, etc. without having to worry about crazy drivers. Any established road atlas (Rand McNally, etc.) color codes highways. Look for the color code for primary highway (not interstate, but wide enough) that is not an urban commute route. Secondary routes are even nicer to travel, but can be narrower, have sharper turns, and more local obstacles like stop signs, pull-outs, etc.

You will get used to driving faster than you might imagine. It goes from "white knuckles" to "edgy but familiar" to "comfortable." Never rush. Good luck and enjoy!

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