Salt Lake City, UT to San Fran, CA

[ecycled]

Have a good friend who is looking at heading west out of Salt Lake City, UT towards San Fran, CA. Was wondering if anyone had thoughts on best route. Looking at either heading south towards Delta, UT then west or possibly heading west towards Wendover, NV, then south to Ely, NV then west. Anyone travelled the route west out of SLC? I think most is via I-80. Thanks

Edward
Salt Lake City, UT

[jd1180]

I-80 hits the main towns in northern Nevada. It is a 75 mph freeway with a good shoulder; there are frontage roads in a few places. West of Elko it follows the Humboldt River valley so the passes are fewer. US-50 out of Delta and Ely, the "Loneliest Road in America", is part of AC's western express route and according to them has some long waterless stretches. Also several passes topping 6-7000 feet.

Any way you cross Nevada you are looking at many long, dry and lonely miles.

[mtnroads]

Yeah, that is a bad direction to head from SLC. I might consider I-80 to Wendover, south to 93, to 379, to 6, at Benton hwy 120 will take you over a pretty little road to 395 where you can take either 120 or 108 over the Sierra. I would not do this in July or August, however, as it will be too hot.

Hwy 50 is beautiful, but it is a long route since you have to go south to get on it, then it works somewhat NW toward Reno, then you have to find a decent route back SW to SF. I prefer the more southerly route but have not done it on a bike, only motorcycle.