Quote Originally Posted by glc View Post
It's only an extra hour from Needles to Kingman, your lodging and food choices are much better. If you get out of the bay area before rush hour, you should be able to make it to Kingman at a halfway decent hour.

Take whatever works best for you to get to I-5, go south to Lost Hills and take CA-46 to CA-99 to CA-58 to I-40.

Consider taking AZ-66 out of Kingman to rejoin I-40 at Seligman, it takes one extra hour. This is one of the longest continuous stretches of historic Route 66 still in existence.
Thank you for suggesting AZ-66. I was thinking of driving 66 from Barstow to NewBerry springs.. AZ-66 seems to be much more lively based on google streetview.. Will add this to my drive itinerary.