I have a load going to Eureka. I'm westbound on I-80 in Wyoming and will be taking my 34 hour break tonight and making it into Reno Monday evening. My question is, what's the fastest route to Eureka from Reno? I've never driven in northern Kalifornia. My load is light, on a 48' flatbed. I can see the shortest route would be 395/44 to Redding, then 299 to Eureka. But, it looks like all two lane and a lot of twisties. I'm no stranger to mountain driving on narrow two lanes, but I have a time constraint. Would it be faster to take 80 into Sacremento, then north on 5 and west on 20 to the 101?

I would take 395/44 to Redding, then 299 to Eureka.
You won't have as much traffic congestion or small towns to go through.
...and you won't have to do Donner Pass.

That drive through the Trinity Mts. is nice.
I use to hunt mule deer up there. :block:

Hwys 20 and 101 are 2 lane roads too and 20 gets real twisty around Clear Lake. If you run the interstates to Redding, you can average better speed and fuel economy, but the distance will be much greater. As for the length restrictions, there are none for a 48ft trailer unless you're over 65ft overall. Here is a link for Caltrans truck routes. Truck Size & Routes

Getting to Eureka

299 may be the best route. Going to Sac and up adds quite a bit of time. Also, if by chance you are carrying hazmat, you have to take a detour around the south end of Clear Lake that will add another half an hour or more.

There really isn't a "quick" way to Eureka.

Thanks guys. As I said, I'm real light, grossing only about 45K and no hazmat. Trailer is only 48' and I have a KPRA of 39', but I'm 68' overall and the fifth wheel is as far forward as it can go and still be able to turn without hitting the headache rack, which makes me not California Legal on overall length. Rt. 299 is a California Legal route, judging from the link you gave, Chunker. So it looks like 299 is out and I'll have to take the longer route. Unless I'm missing something.

If you are 69 feet over-all, then 299 is exactly the route you want to take into Eureka. 395/44 out of Reno to get to Redding also the best route. Don't let the 2-lane road idea freak you out. It is a good road. Have crossed it in 235" Century class Freightliners pulling 48 foot flat and step, and with a 275" Pete 379 pulling 48 foot flat and step. Not bad at all.

Hwy 299 is restricted to Cal. Legal truck length of 65ft. and so his only legal route is hwy 20 to 101, but then there is a stretch on 101 around Leggett to Benbow that's restricted too.

If 299, parts of 36 and parts of 101 are for California Legal trucks only, how the heck do I get to Eureka? Buy a boat?

Why would anybody take a load going to Cali.?????????