Interstate 5

[homer3]

Thinking about making a trip next year from SoCal to Medford Oregon. How many of you have traveled Interstate 5 through northern California pulling a 5er thru this area up and over the Syskou mountains. I was wondering how the road was and what the pull was like.

[jsmith948]

The pulls up through and around Lake Shasta/Dunsmuir are not bad. The road sees a LOT of truck traffic and can be rough in spots from trucks being required to run chains when there isn't enough snow on the road (yeah - CalTrans).
The road is winding and the safety lanes are narrow through the canyon (similar to Donner Pass). There are several pretty good pulls between Yreka and Medford. Mount Ashland, just inside Oregon, is a serious hill. As you probably know, whenever there is a dedicated truck lane and a lower downhilll truck speed limit, you should put the coffee down and pay agttention

[Ken / Claudia]

Been thru there many times and several in winter. Post #2 says it very well.

[homer3]

Thanks guys, do you if might be better/easier to take coast route

[Ken / Claudia]

If your just going to the Medford area, I would take I-5. If time is not a issuse go back on SR 101 the passengers get great views. The I-5 hills are not that bad, I keep speeds at 55-60 except afew points where the posted speed is slower.