How to drive in Cali?
Posted by Sharp-Put1315@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 37 comments
I just grabbed a run that heads down to Riverside from Denver and then up to Portland. I'm governed at 70. I want to do the trip as quickly as possible but obviously I would like to avoid a speeding ticket. What tips do y'all have? What is a mostly safe speed where cops typically won't bother you? What areas/times can I go a bit faster because cops aren't typically around. I'm supposed to get in to Riverside around 2pm on a weekday and leave 5pm same day.
Ironically, just last week I drove down I-5 to LA on my vacation and was thinking how glad I was I didn't have a run that went through CA. This week, new runs and whaddya know, I get stuck in CA. Sumbitch
nicerakk@reddit
It's the "officers discretion" to pull you over doing up to 10 miles over the speed limit. 65+ cruising and you will get pulled over. I've passed chp doing a constant 63. I've also had chp pass me after I did 72 just to pass and avoid backing up traffic in the left lane on I-5. So take that for what it's worth.
jadedshibby@reddit
I used to drive CA local, 60 is safe, 62 is pushing it, 65+ you're gonna get stopped (unless you're agriculture)
Also I would try and time it out to take your 10 at the customer in riverside, or go straight to Ontario and do it. Leaving out at midnight/3am instead of 5pm is gonna save you several hours of traffic. 5PM on a weekeday is a reeeally bad time to head NW from there.
Also if you leave between 3-4am it puts you in the bay area around 10am and sacramento around 1 so you don't catch rush hour in any of them.
EnvironmentalYam2058@reddit
58-60mph you’re generally on par with a lot of trucks. If you’re by yourself or in the front back I’d stay at 58 if I’m in the middle I’d bump it up to 62 but I just go in and out on i 15 to LA I’m not going N/S or doing it multiple times a month. I see a decent amount of trucks doing 70 and I also see a decent amount of trucks pulled over so I wouldn’t chance it. 70 mph is 15 over and automatic termination at my company.
Few_Jacket845@reddit
So my ignorance is coming out to play here. I've been to CA many times, but never in a truck. The state CMV limit is 55 mph. Does everyone just ignore that?
I would be scared poopless of drawing attention to myself, so I'd be the fool driving no more than 55. But I'm O/O, so I can justify charging more for more time spent, while reaping the benefits of better mileage. Except where it's stop and go. So probably a wash on MPG. 🤷♂️
Sharp-Put1315@reddit (OP)
I'm a company driver and the faster I go, the more I make. However my main incentive is time at home. The quicker I get home, the more time I get to spend with my family.
People always say going faster doesn't really save much time but when you're driving 5200 miles a week like I do, the difference between going 65 and 70 is about 6 hours. Some of that is time getting paid by the hour waiting for loads to be ready, and some of it is time home early with my family. Everything I make up in California will be family time.
Few_Jacket845@reddit
That's totally fair! If you can keep the left door closed, it makes a lot of sense. I run mostly local, and a little close regional. My current truck is geared such that running 65 is as high as the truck is comfortable at. She'll push to 75 without being in the danger zone, but it takes a lot of pedal.
Anyway, it makes me chuckle when the same trucks pass me multiple times because they need to stop more often than me, set on cruise at 62. Don't get me wrong though, if my truck were geared differently, I'd be thrilled to take advantage of the 80 mph limit in most of rural Utah!
flergityberg@reddit
Once you’re past Bakersfield traffic on the i5 thins out a LOT. I never saw truckers keeping at at the 55mph limit, usually more like 60. Keep pace with other drivers and you’ll be fine.
papisilla@reddit
Make a the run a few times and vibe it out
Matlovestruck@reddit
CHP is no joke and they love commercial vehicles. Governed at 70 you're already fine on most of I-5, speed limit for trucks is 55 in CA but enforcement is inconsistent. The real thing to watch is the Grapevine and the ag inspection stations, they will pull you in for anything.
Riverside to Portland is a solid run though. Once you cross into Oregon it opens up.
Twisty12223@reddit
I go 63-65 depending on what the other trucks are doing. The main thing that will get you in trouble is impeding the passing lane.
Sharp-Put1315@reddit (OP)
Thanks. How do you deal with getting stuck at the end of a long convoy of trucks doing 55 in the desert? Hop on the passing lane at 65 and cross your fingers?
Waisted-Desert@reddit
Been out here a few decades, what you describe doesn't exist. Heavy trucks will be slow uphill, but unless you're really light so will you.
I said screw it awhile back and now I set the cruise at 58mph and stay in the right lane.
Twisty12223@reddit
You can pass. Just don't hang out in the left lane and hold up traffic.
Sharp-Put1315@reddit (OP)
Oh, so don't be an asshole. Cool I can do that.
Pm_Me_Mtn_Bikes@reddit
My time to shine. Local owner op here. It dependeds what time your running, if it’s at night 65-70 on i5 from i5/99 split to Stockton. Don’t take 99, you’ll hit all the cities in the Central Valley and their traffic. Just be smart and keep Google Maps or Waze open for those hidden cops.
jabber1990@reddit
speed limit is 55, so I set the cruise to 55
Traditional_Ad_1360@reddit
The posted limit is best.
HighwayStar71@reddit
Anything over 60 and you're taking your chances. I figure they would never pull you over for doing 59.
HatedReaper@reddit
Find a truck train and just stick to them. There's a reason why they're all going at the same speed.
QBall3577@reddit
I was gonna say this, too. Stay in the middle of the pack... Not out in front but not in the rear. They go after the lead and stragglers. Ask me how I know (I got nailed leading the pack back when I had my own authority🤦😆)
Wadester58@reddit
If your not California base plated run 62/63 you should be ok with that
rollon34@reddit
This guy knows. It's 62
rollon34@reddit
In town it's how ever fast traffic is moving.
62.
But if you are heading east they seem to not care too much.
Weed and the grapevine are the spots you get pooped
rollon34@reddit
It's 62
TaperingRanger9@reddit
I used to drive cali all the time. I'd go 62-63 past CHP almost everyday and they never lit me up.
J-Rag-@reddit
Set your cruise for 59 and forget it.
Auquaholic@reddit
anxious_polarbear@reddit
How to drive truck in California: don't.
IBringTheHeat2@reddit
You can run full speed out in the desert but as soon as you start seeing any town or city slow down cowboy
coldafsteel@reddit
55
Sharp-Put1315@reddit (OP)
It's about 900 miles of driving. The difference between 55 and 65 is 2.5 hours. Over the year period I'll have this run that's 130 hours. 130 more hours home with my wife and kids, I'll take the ticket if it's only 1 or 2.
Dezzolve@reddit
I do a lot of Cali driving, my advice is just to not be the fastest idiot on the road.
On I-15 and I-40 the highway patrol won’t really bother you. Just keep it around 65, there will be plenty of other trucks doing 70+ that they’ll pull over instead.
I-5 or any other major road is where you have to be careful, they are pretty strict on speed enforcement once you get north of LA.
Sharp-Put1315@reddit (OP)
So try to only be the 3rd fastest idiot on the road, got it! I assume I'll just try and be the middle truck in a lot of convoys but I'll also want to escape the 55mph convoys and need to learn where it's presumably safe to do so.
I'm based outta WA where it's 60 for truckers and I know I'm basically good up to 67. I'm just trying to figure out where that line is in CA. Thanks for the comment
Wicell@reddit
🎶 I can't dri-🚓🚨
Environmental-Pear40@reddit
I dunno, I have the weirdest luck and have never had any issue doing 65 all over Cali. Been passed by troopers doing 65 as well with out anything. I noticed a lot of people prefer to stay at 63 though. Thats probably the safer speed. There's also the guys hauling drugs guns and people that sit at 54 and break anytime they think they see a cop. I never trust a driver staying at the speed limit, they're crazy.
Dezzolve@reddit
I’ve always thought that fact is hilarious.
Like what do you think draws more attention? Cruising by at a steady speed, or slamming on your brakes and swerving over a lane.
TheJuggernaut043@reddit
If you just passing through CA on occasion, 55 mph.