Lincoln Highway/US 50 from Western CO to San Francisco CA

[Stargazer]

I am currently in western Colorado in my Class B and am considering heading to the SF Bay Area in August/September.  There is no rush.  Have looked at the I-80 route (groan, interstates) which may be faster but yuck?  Then there's US 50, the Loneliest Road...

I am a bit concerned about it.  Too hot this time of year?  I do have dash AC and a little dog.  Places to stop overnight without hookups?

Has anybody here driven that route?  Would it be crazy this time of year?  The interstate route would be a "just get there" drive, not my thing but will do it if necessary. The US 50 looks really interesting, tho.  I have driven some pretty crazy roads (The Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay AK) so I'm not a weenie.  My rig is in very good condition (2011, 24,000 miles on the odometer), tires less than two yrs old.

Any comments, suggestions from those who have been there done that will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[highdesertranger]

it is a lonely road. it's going to be hot but so is the I-80. basically you can pull off the highway and camp anywhere. Nevada is one big campground. highdesertranger

 

[Stargazer]

Thank you. Hot either way, just a matter of dash through fast on the 80, or take it slower on 50 then.

Anything really good to see along the way?

 

[highdesertranger]

US-50 roughly follows the Pony Express Route though Nevada.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_50_in_Nevada.

I-80 roughly follows the emigration trail to California. plenty to see and do both ways. highdesertranger

 

[WalkaboutTed]

Hubby rode his bicycle that entire route late (US50) July during daylight hours. There was an 80 mile stretch with no water or any other services. He carried 10 litres of water and had some left over. He dipped his front wheel into the Atlantic and his rear wheel in Pacific (3899.6 miles). It took 10 weeks. He's kinda slow.

So, yes, I think that driving it is not a problem.

The two of us drove the old US 80 (what was still negotiable ) from Phoenix to San Diego. It took us five days.
Ted

 

[Blanch]

Be sure to see Great Basin if you possibly can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MrNoodly]

Be sure to see Great Basin if you possibly can.

The Wheeler Peak Campground there is amazing in autumn when the aspens are golden. The road up to it isn't for the faint of heart, though.

 

[wayne49]

Eureka and Austin are time warps to the past.

 

[highdesertranger]

yep a couple of years ago I had a hard time trying to leave Austin. if you see my rig it's pretty obvious that I am a desert rat prospector. I pulled into a gas station to fuel up. I had a hard time leaving everyone from the gas station owner to tourist going though wanted my story. there was like 5 vehicles in a jeep club who were quite impressed with my rig they kept walking around it asking this and that. there was a couple of guys from Germany riding BMW's who kept insisting I take them along. there was a couple from an English speaking country that had way to many questions. there was a motorcycle club that kept trying to get me to drink a beer with them. it took me like 2 hours to get out of that station. oh yeah I almost forgot the 2 guys who notice my license plate frame that says proud to be Basque, they kept calling me a crazy Basque as they were asking questions. next time I go through Austin I am going to sneak through town. highdesertranger

 

[Stargazer]

Austin sounds interesting ?. I love these travel stories. No bicycles for me, though.

I think I'll just do the US 50. I really despise interstates, the traffic, the trucks, and nothing to see. It'll be hot part of the way but that's the way it's gonna be. I'll just drive till it cools off after sunset. Done that before.

Thanks everybody. And anybody else who has a story or suggestions about that drive, please jump right in here!

 

[Van Man Dave]

Definitely check out hwy 50. There are signs posted occasionally that say "The loneliest road in America" which, in my opinion, make it a very desireable route. So much nicer than the busy Interstates. Plenty of beautiful desert scenery, backroads and my favorite: Hot Springs! I really enjoy the springs near Austin. Safe travels and don't forget to stop and smell the roses (or cacti)

 

[wagoneer]

Just about 20 or so miles on 50 west of Austin you hit "3 bar road" mild unpaved then when you reach the power line road make a right turn and you wind up at a free hot spring stay overnight.

 

[slynne]

I went on a road trip to SF where we took that route. This was more than 25 years ago. It was truly a lovely drive. We really took it too fast though, 120mph at times, but there were no other cars and sometimes the road was straight and flat. Also there was an element of being young and stupid. I dream of doing it again but more slowly :

Have a nice drive! Way better than the interstate!!!

 

[MrNoodly]

yep a couple of years ago I had a hard time trying to leave Austin....

Austin, Nevada: Population 190, one gas station, two churches, five bars.

 

[bonvanroulez]

I have driven the "Loneliest Road". I've also eaten the Worlds Best Cheeseburger, had the Creamiest Milkshake, a World-Famous cup of coffee, drank the Coldest Beer, and I've been to the "Best Town in the US" (I forget where it was!).

In the 60s when Charles Kuralt was doing On the Road, it may have been a lonely road. (note: it was Charles Kuralt who named US 50 through Nevada the Loneliest Road.) But now it's kind of touristy with a good amount of traffic, and 60-70 miles between towns is not unusual in the west. There are other stretches of road out there with 150+ miles of nothing, and very few travelers.

That being said, it is a beautiful drive, and the towns along the route are fun. Between Austin and Eureka is the Hickison Petroglyphs area with a really nice, free, BLM campground. And as mentioned in this thread, Great Basin National Park is a treasure.

 

[wayne49]

Eureka has two gas stations.

Note that these gas stations are 1950 gas stations. Not modern convenience stores with fuel pumps.

Sunday AM in Eureka trying to get a fresh cup of coffee. Only the Owl Club/Hotel had fresh coffee at the 24x7 bar and gaming. One pot. One choice. Two bucks a cup!

Not 1950 prices.

Modern stores are being built north of Eureka just outside city limits. A building with an Ace Hardware and a supermarket.

Ely has a state prison for hard time inmates. Ely has modern stores and a larger population.

"Nearby" Wal-Marts are Fallon or Elko.