Welcome to RTA!

I too enjoy forums and sharing information. It sounds like you have some good ideas for a trip here, but there are a few things I'd like to caution you about.

First, going from Vancouver, BC down to the Weed, CA area in one day. It's well over 660 miles, which is more than we usually recommend for a day's drive because it will take you more than 10 hours WITHOUT a stop at the bookstore that you're interested in. Ten hours is about what commercial drivers are allowed to drive in a day and then must go 8 hours without being behind the wheel. It will take you more time to maneuver yourself through Portland, find parking, and then find your way back to I-5. So be careful there, and consider stopping earlier than Weed.

On the second day, you have a similar problem, but the mileage isn't the issue. It's 520 miles from Weed to Bakersfield WITHOUT a stop in San Francisco. To stop in the city for lunch, you will A) have to go at least 50 miles out of your way, B) Find very expensive place to park your vehicle which will probably NOT be right next to where you want to eat, and C) traverse a lot of traffic. If I planned something like this, my husband's first question to me would be, "Is this really worth it?" If it's worthwhile, then perhaps you could cut that day's drive a little shorter, too, because Bakersfield to Las Vegas is about a 5-6 hour drive (just short of 300 miles).

Hopefully someone here will be able to answer your question about the service-less area you mentioned. It's not something familiar to me.


Donna