Interstate 5 (I-5) is a United States interstate highway that starts at the border with Mexico in San Ysidro, California and runs 1381 miles (2223 km) north through the states of California, Oregon and Washington to the border with Canada in Blaine, Washington. It serves as an important north-south transportation corridor along the U.S west coast connecting the major cities of San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle; the three state capitals of California (Sacramento), Oregon (Salem) and Washington (Olympia); and two additional major cities in neighboring countries (Tijuana & Vancouver) just over the international borders.
Understand
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Interstate 5 (I-5) replaces the former US Route 99 (Pacific Hwy Auto Trail from before 1926) from Blaine, Washington to Los Angeles, California and the old US Route 101 from Los Angeles to San Diego, California as the main north-south route along the west coast. The old U.S. Highway 99 then continued east along the present Interstate 10 from Los Angeles to Indio CA. From Indio U.S. Highway 99 turns south towards the Mexican border in Calexico, on the present day CA-86, along the western shores of the Salton Sea; and from Brawley to Calexico on CA-111. Prior to 1926, the old Pacific Highway Auto Trail went from Davis, California, along Interstate 80 (formerly US Hwy 40) into San Francisco where it went south towards San Diego along US Highway 101.
After decommissioning in the 1960s segments of the old US Highway 99 have been re-numbered to State Route 99 (SR-99) in Washington, Oregon and California while other sections have been re-assigned different state highway numbers in all three states. Others have been decommissioned altogether as a U.S. and state highway (not numbered) but are still remembered by being named "Pacific Highway" (in OR & WA); "Golden State", "County Rd 99", "Old Highway 101" (in CA); "Old Highway 99" or by a different name (in all three states). The old Highway 99/101 can serve as an alternate scenic drive alongside the present I-5 corridor in rural areas while passing through urban areas (or in small towns) as local surface streets. It is accessible from I-5 through multiple exits in all three states. Because of its continuity and its close proximity to the I-5 corridor, in most places, the old Highway 99/101 can serve as an alternate route around a traffic jam on I-5 if needed. There are other sections of the old Highway 99 that are decommissioned as a road for vehicle travel and are used primarily as walking and bicycling trails.
There are no toll segments on the "Freeway". Plans are underway to upgrade the Interstate Bridge (I-5) and the Glenn Jackson Bridge (I-205), over the Columbia River, between Oregon and Washington. Therefore, tolls will be collected to cross these bridges between the two states to compensate the cost of the upgrades.
Prepare
[edit]- See also: Driving in the United States
- See also: Winter driving
You'll obviously need a vehicle, but there is nothing really necessary for the route unless you want to eat your own food or you're coming from another country, in which case you might need passports, for example, to get in. Services are generally available and are closer together along I-5.
Traffic on I-5 usually goes on mostly uninterrupted all year round but during winters the sections of I-5 through the Siskiyous between Medford, Oregon and Weed (or even Redding), California can be interrupted prompting the closure of I-5 through the Siskiyous in Southern Oregon and Northern California. This may even prompt authorities to require chains and slower driving or closing the highway in one or both directions. In winter weather it is not recommended for travelers use secondary roads, to get around the closed highway, as they are not usually plowed or sanded. Therefore travelers should plan on using the coastal highway on US 101 before reaching the Siskiyous via CA-36 from Red Bluff to Fortuna or from further south and on US Hwy 199 from Grants Pass to Crescent City or further north. Check the weather and traffic reports before taking alternate routes.
During blizzards, enough snow to get you stuck can fall in very little time. Visibility may also be restricted by falling or blowing snow or by condensation or ice on vehicle windows.
Cold weather is hard work for the car. A weak battery, ice on electrical parts or in fuel, frozen diesel, or a frozen cooling system may cause your car to break down. If you get stuck, you may be at risk for frostbite or hypothermia; see cold weather, snow safety and ice safety for discussion.
Get in
[edit]Interstate 5 begins/ends at the US/Mexican border crossing in San Ysidro at 15 mi (24 km) south of San Diego. Continuing south the freeway splits up with the right two lanes west towards Las Playas of Tijuana on via Internacional and the left two lanes going straight ahead (south) into Zona Rio as Av Via Rapida. The highway continues as Mexico Federal Hwy 1/D along the Pacific Coast towards Ensenada from Las Playas in Tijuana. In the north, I-5 begins/ends at the US/Canadian border crossing at Peach Arch Park in Blaine, Washington. From the border crossing, the freeway continues the next 25 mi (40 km) north to the Oak Street Bridge, over the Fraser River as BC-Hwy 99 where the freeway ends at. From the bridge, BC-Hwy 99 continues towards Vancouver as Granville St through the South Vancouver neighborhood.
Interstate 5 intersects other major US interstate highways diverging to/from different directions such as Interstate 15 and Interstate 8 in San Diego; Interstate 10 in Los Angeles; Interstate 80 in Sacramento; Interstate 84 in Portland; Interstate 90 in Seattle and various three digit interstates (serving as local auxiliary highways), state and U.S highways where travelers can enter and leave I-5.
By plane
[edit]- See also: Air travel in the United States
The Interstate 5 corridor can be accessed by plane through San Diego, Santa Ana, Burbank, Sacramento, Medford, Portland, Seattle, Everett and Bellingham with airports next to or near the freeway. In other cities, such as Los Angeles and Long Beach the airport can be further away (20-40 mi/32-64 km) from the I-5 corridor on another highway. From outside the U.S. the I-5 corridor is also accessed from Vancouver International Airport and Tijuana's General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport.
Go
[edit]By train
[edit]- See also: Rail travel in the United States
Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains "more or less" along the Interstate 5 corridor serving the major west coast cities. Some segments are further away such as the segment from Emeryville to Oxnard in California while other parts of the route are practically next to the freeway such as the segment between Longview and Centralia in Washington state. The following routes operate along the I-5 corridor:
- Amtrak Coast Starlight runs once daily between Los Angeles and Seattle via Portland, Klamath Falls, Redding, Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley and Van Nuys. It shares the same route with the Cascades between Seattle and Eugene, with the same stops (except Tukwila, Vancouver, Washington, and Oregon City); and with the Pacific Surfliner between San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles (see below).
- Amtrak Cascades runs between Seattle and Portland four times daily serving Tukwila, Tacoma, Lacey (Olympia), Centralia and Kelso in Washington state. They run from Seattle to Vancouver via Everett, Stanwood, Mt Vernon & Bellingham twice daily and from Portland to Eugene via Oregon City, Salem & Albany twice daily. Additional service from Seattle to Vancouver and from Portland to Eugene are provided on the Amtrak Thruway Bus.
- Pacific Surfliner San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Los Angeles & San Diego. The segment of this route closest or parallel to the I-5 corridor is between Simi Valley and San Diego. Passengers continue south towards the Mexican border in San Ysidro on the SDMTS 'UC San Diego Blue Line' Trolley from the American Plaza Station, across the street the Santa Fe Station.
- San Joaquins Sacramento, Merced, Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield. Some trains on this route will go west towards Emeryville and Oakland from Stockton instead of continuing north to Sacramento. This route is then connected to Los Angeles from Bakersfield and from Stockton & Sacramento to Redding by Thruway buses via I-5.
By bus
[edit]There are several bus companies operating buses along the I-5/CA-Hwy 99 corridor with Greyhound, Flixbus and Fronteras del Norte serving the entire length while other companies operate buses along certain sections of the I-5 corridor in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon or Washington) or California to make the trip possible without a car:
- Greyhound Lines, Bolt Bus, Cruceros USA, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Travels along the entire I-5/CA-Hwy 99 corridor between Tijuana, San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle,Vancouver BC and several smaller cities/towns in between each of the above cities. Some of their schedules run contiguously between Seattle and Los Angeles while others break up the trip in Sacramento and/or Portland, requiring a layover or transfer. Cruceros USA is their cross-border shuttle connecting Los Angeles to Tijuana via Santa Ana.
- BellAir Airporter, toll-free: +1-866-235-5247. Goes up from SeaTac & downtown Seattle to Stanwood, Burlington/Mt Vernon, Bellingham & Blaine on one route and a separate route to Anacortes and the San Juan ferry terminal from Burlington.
- Cantrail & Amtrak Cascades Thruway Bus, (bus stops) Seattle's King Street Station & Vancouver's Pacific Station. Additional stops at Sandmans Signature Hotel and Pacific Inn in Surrey. No additional stops in the U.S., toll-free: +1-877-940-5561. Operates direct express buses between Seattle and Vancouver, BC $40 for one-way, $75 round trip; discounts for students, military, seniors & children ages 4-11..
- Flixbus, ☏ +1 855 626-8585. Travels along the I-5 corridor between Seattle and Eugene on one segment and from San Francisco to Los Angeles on another.
- Fronteras del Norte, ☏ +1 323 587-5233. Connects Pasco, Sunnyside & Yakima WA in eastern Washington (state) to Los Angeles and the Mexican border in San Ysidro via Portland, OR. They travel along I-5 between Portland, Los Angeles and the Mexican border in San Ysidro.
- Hoang Express, ☏ +1 714 839-3500, toll-free: +1-888-834-9336. Travels between SoCal (San Diego, El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster) and Sacramento along the I-5 corridor. $60-65 to Bay Area; $80 to Sacramento.
- International Bus Lines (formerly Intercalifornias), toll-free: +1-888-834-9336. Buses goes up from Tijuana to San Ysidro, Santa Ana, Los Angeles San Fernando, Bakersfield, Fresno, and San Jose/Stockton (route splits/joins in Madero) along the I-5/CA-99 corridor. Prices vary depending on your destination.
- Lower Columbia CAP, Longview Transit Center, ☏ +1 360 200-4911, +1 360 200-4910. Rural public bus system connecting Longview to Vancouver, WA through Kalama, and Woodland. Connections to Greyhound in Kelso if using this option. $2 Each Way.
- Oregon Point-Cascade Point Line & Amtrak Cascades Thruway Bus (Operated by MTR Western), ☏ +1 541 484-4100. Bus between Portland, Woodburn, Salem, Albany & Eugene.
- Oregon Point-Southwest Point (Operated by Klamath Shuttle), ☏ +1 541 883-2609. Connects Brookings to Klamath Falls via Crescent City, Grants Pass, Gold Hill, Medford and Ashland, etc.
- Quick Shuttle, toll-free: +1-800-665-2122. Runs between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Stops in Downtown Seattle (outside the Best Western at 200 Taylor Ave N) and SeaTac Airport (at the main terminal near south end of baggage claim, outside door 00, bays 11-16. Provides affordable and reliable transportation from Seatac Airport, Downtown Seattle, Bellingham Airport to Vancouver Airport, Downtown Vancouver and Cruise Ship Terminals. Fares from Vancouver to Downtown Seattle are round-trip; $36 one-way, $65. From Vancouver to SeaTac, fares are $49 one-way, $87 round-trip..
- Rapid Connections LLC, ☏ +1 559 442-3000. Buses goes up to Sacramento via San Fernando, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton and several other places along SR-99; and down to Tijuana via Santa Ana and San Ysidro.
- Tufesa, ☏ +1 213 489-8079. Connects Los Angeles to Sacramento (via Bakersfield, Fresno, etc); to Salt Lake City (via Barstow, Las Vegas, St George, etc); to Hermosillo (via Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales); San Francisco Bay Area; and to Tijuana (via Santa Ana, San Diego/San Ysidro). Prices vary depending on your destination.
There are additional express and local buses operating as local public transportation along the I-5 corridor at varying distances in different places. These options are generally cheaper than Greyhound or other intercity carriers for the same distances. See "By bus" under "Get in" and "Get around" in the article of a particular city or locale and under "Get around" in a state article for an additional list of other bus companies serving the west coast.
Drive
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Map of Interstate 5
Mile markers are statewide mileposts, starting with "0" at the south border of each state which increases as you go north and then starts over at "0" when crossing the state line into the next state. Therefore, when going south the numbers on the mileposts will decrease and then start over at the highest number (276 in Washington, 308 in Oregon & 796 in California) when crossing a state line. The exit numbers correspond with the mileposts so some numbers may be skipped if the exits are further apart from one to the next. Other exits that are next to each other or "2 in 1" may have the same exit number followed by an "A", "B" or even a "C" such as "Exit #100A" to get on A St, "Exit #100B" to get on B St and so forth.
The maximum speed limit is 70 mph (112 km/h) for cars on rural stretches and 65 mph (104 km/h) in urban areas or lower if posted otherwise. Speed limit for large trucks is 55 mph (88 km/h) in both rural and urban areas.
From its southern end near Wheeler Ridge (Exit 221 of I-5) to its northern end at SR 36 in Red Bluff, State Route (SR) 99 goes through the densely populated eastern parts of the valley. Cities served include Bakersfield, Delano, Tulare, Visalia, Kingsburg, Selma, Fresno, Madera, Yosemite National Park, Merced, Turlock, Modesto, Manteca, Stockton, Sacramento, Yuba City, and Chico. SR 99 replaces US Route 99 between Wheeler Ridge and Sacramento and US Route 99E from Sacramento to Red Bluff (as the Golden State Freeway). Interstate 5 bypasses the Central Valley along its western edge between Wheeler Ridge and Sacramento and replaces US Route 99W between Sacramento and Red Bluff as the Westside Freeway.
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Historically US Route 99 splits in Sacramento at the present junction of State Route (SR) 99 and US Route 50. US Route 99W goes west from Sacramento to Davis along I-80 (formerly US Hwy 40), from Davis to Woodland on Road 99, and alongside I-5 from Woodland to Red Bluff. The old US Route 99E goes east along I-80/US Route 50 to Roseville. SR-65 from Roseville to Olivehurst; SR-70 from Olivehurst to Yuba City and on the Golden State Freeway (present day CA-99) from Yuba City to Red Bluff. The remaining segments in northern California, to Oregon, have been decommissioned as a US or state highway except SR 273 through Anderson and Redding; SR 263 and a section of SR 96 between Holbrook and Yreka; or as Business Loop (BL) 5 through different towns along the way in northern California. In southern California the old Highway 99 continues east along the present Interstate 10 from Los Angeles to Indio and then SR 86 from Indio to Brawley along the western shores of the Salton Sea. From Brawley to the Mexican border in Calexico the Old Hwy 99 follows SR-111. In everywhere else the Old Hwy 99 exists as local roads/streets named "Old Highway 99", "State Highway 99W", "Golden State", "Road 99" or by a different name from a time before the Golden State Freeway (US Route 99/99E, Los Angeles to Red Bluff) and the Cascade Wonderland Freeway (from Red Bluff to the Oregon border) were built in the 1940s through the 1950s which are described throughout this article in the below:
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- 1 San Ysidro (Mile 0). Border crossing at the international border with Mexico at Tijuana.
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North (NB); Camino de la Plaza (SB) (Exit 1A). Interstate 805 serves as a local auxiliary/by-pass highway that continues 32 mi (51 km) around to the eastside through the North Park, Mission Valley, Clairemont, and University City neighborhoods. It rejoins I-5 at Exit 32 in Sorrento Valley. If you miss this exit there are numerous east-west roads connecting the 5 to the 805 further north. The other exit 1A from the southbound lanes only goes into Camino de la Plaza which accesses the Las Americas Premium Outlets, San Ysidro Village Mall and the border station parking for those who plan to take a day trip into Tijuana by foot and not drive across the border. It is closer to the PedWest port of entry which is closer to Plaza Viva and downtown Tijuana than the main border crossing east of I-5. Last USA exit before the border crossing into Mexico for southbound travelers. - Via de San Ysidro (Exit 1B). Accessible from both directions. Access to I-805 from the southbound lanes via W San Ysidro Blvd as there is no direct access to I-805 at Exit 1A from the southbound lanes.
- 2 San Ysidro Blvd, Dairy Mart Rd (NB); Dairy Mart Rd (SB) (Exit 2). Dairy Mart Rd goes south and then curves west as Monumental Rd to Border Field State Park (at the beach by the border) through International Park and the Tijuana River Reserve. North bound exits go into San Ysidro Blvd. Take a left on San Ysidro Blvd, after exit, to reach Dairy Mart Rd.
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East, Tocayo Ave (Exit 3). SR-905 goes east to the Otay Mesa border crossing (for trucks) and into Otay Mesa, an industrial neighborhood east of Tijuana. The road goes past I-805, the industrial Otay Mesa neighborhood on the American side, CBX airport terminal (access to Tijuana airport from the American side), and the Brown Field Airport. Going west of I-5, SR-905 ends and becomes Tocayo Ave.
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- 3 Chula Vista (Exits 7A-9). There are five exits for Chula Vista.
- 4 National City (Exits 10-12). There are four exits for National City.
- 5 San Diego (Exits 13A-36). There are over thirty exits for San Diego.
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Riverside (Interstate 15) (Exit 13A). Interstate 15 runs 1,433 mi (2,306 km) north from southern California to the Canadian border in Sweet Grass through Nevada, NW corner of Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Montana. The same highway continues another 108 km to Lethbridge AB as Hwy 4. It is the most convenient route for travelers going to the Inland Empire and Las Vegas and another way to reach the local communities of Miramar, Mira Mesa and Poway and to Escondido in North San Diego County from San Diego (proper). From here the exit is marked as State Route (SR) 15 which becomes I-15 north of its junction with I-8. For travelers moving towards Arizona, Texas or Florida it is more efficient to go east on I-8 to I-10 in Casa Grande, Arizona rather than continuing north on I-15/215 to I-10 in San Bernardino, Use I-40 from I-15 in Barstow for moving towards Tennessee. - "
San Diego Airport, Sassafras St" (SB Side); "Pacific Highway" (NB Side) (Exit 18A). Travelers going towards 1 San Diego International Airport (Limbaugh Field) from the northbound lanes would exit off at 17A just north of downtown San Diego.The rental car center can be reached through Washington St at Exit 19 from both directions. - Washington St (Exit 18B).
- Old Town Ave (Exit 19). Nearest access to Old Town San Diego from Interstate 5.
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East El Centro (Exit 20). Interstate 8 begins/ends 2.5 mi (4.0 km) west of the I-5 corridor at its junction with Nimtz & Sunset Cliff Blvd. It goes 347 mi (558 km) east across the Cuyamaca Mountains, Imperial Valley and Sonoran Deserts to its junction with I-10 in Casa Grande, AZ. It passes through El Centro, Yuma and Gila Bend before reaching Casa Grande. Locally it crosses I-15/SR-15 (Exit 7); and serves Old Town (Taylor St & Hotel Circle @ Exit 3); La Mesa (Exits 11-14); El Cajon (Exits 15-20) and Alpine (Exits 30 & 33) before heading up the Cuyamaca Mountains and into the Imperial Valley. Travelers going towards Phoenix can exit from I-8 at AZ-85 (AZ Exit 115) in Gila Bend and go north along AZ-85 to I-10 in Buckeye, west of Phoenix. Others going to the Mexican border at Mexicali can leave I-8 at CA-111 (Exit 118A) and go south on CA-111 into Calexico. - Sea World Dr, Tecolote Road (Exit 21). Go west on Sea World Drive to reach Sea World at Mission Bay. Road continues past Sea World towards the beaches as W Mission Bay Dr and ends at its intersection with Mission Blvd in the Mission Beach neighborhood.
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- 6 Encinitas (Exits 39-41B). There are four exits for Encinitas.
- 7 Carlsbad (Exits 43-51A). There are eight exits for Carlsbad.
- 8 Oceanside (Exits 51B-54C). There are seven exits for Oceanside.
- 2 Aliso Creek Rest Area (Exit 59 (northbound), Exit 60 (southbound) / Mile 59.87). Closed for maintenance Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone, vending machines and RV sanitation station.
- 9 Basilone Road (Exit 71 / Mile 71.3). There are a handful of fast food restaurants, a commissary, and a single gas station on the east side of the interstate, but these lie behind a gate to Camp Pendleton Marine Base and are thus off-limits to non-military travelers. Less than a mile south of this exit, San Onofre State Beach is publicly accessible and is a popular surfing spot that also offers camping. A short distance further south, the now-decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is visible just west of the interstate; the station's twin spherical containment buildings famously inspired Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun to lament that "everywhere I look something reminds me of her".
Orange County and Los Angeles
[edit]Past the Camp Pendleton Marine Base the interstate enters the large conurbation of cities in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. This section is multi-lane (3 to 8) in both directions and is busy with traffic at nearly all times of the day. If at all possible avoid driving at peak commuter times. Some drivers may be tempted to take Interstate 405 as an alternate route, but check traffic conditions before doing so as it is often even worse for traffic congestion.
- San Clemente (Exits 73-77). There are five exits for San Clemente. El Camino Real runs almost parallel to the highway and has a number of restaurants, many of which are Mexican.
- Dana Point (Exits 78-79). There are two exits for Dana Point.
- San Juan Capistrano (Exits 81-83). There are three exits for San Juan Capistrano.
- Mission Viejo (Exits 85A-88). There are four exits for Mission Viejo.
- Laguna Hills (Exits 89-92). There are four exits for Laguna Hills.
- Irvine (Exits 94-100). There are eight exits for Irvine.
- 10 Sand Canyon, Old Town, East Irvine (Exit 96 / Mile 96.22). In addition to the chance to have a Knowlwood Burger in a building built in 1900, check out the 19th-century Irvine Bean and Growers Association Building.
- 10 Sand Canyon, Old Town, East Irvine (Exit 96 / Mile 96.22). In addition to the chance to have a Knowlwood Burger in a building built in 1900, check out the 19th-century Irvine Bean and Growers Association Building.
- Tustin (Exits 101-103). There are four exits for Tustin.
- Santa Ana (Exits 103-105). There are five exits for Santa Ana.
- Anaheim (Exits 109-113). There are seven exits for Anaheim.
- 11
Buena Park (Exit 116 / Mile 115.71). On Beach Blvd there are a number of chain hotels and restaurants such as Fuddruckers. - Los Angeles.
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. Interstate 10 travels west to Santa Monica and east to San Bernardino.
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- Santa Clarita (Exits 163-172). There are eight exits for Santa Clarita.
- 12 Magic Mountain Parkway (Exit 170 / Mile 170.23). The famous Magic Mountain amusement park is along the western side of the freeway and is home to roller coasters that have held world records for height and speed; freeway travelers will have an excellent view of thrill seekers taking the plunge over one of the many terrifying hills on the park's iconic rides. There are gas stations, chain restaurants and hotels at the exit that cater to park visitors, but expect heavier than normal traffic in the area during the summer when the park is busiest.
- 12 Magic Mountain Parkway (Exit 170 / Mile 170.23). The famous Magic Mountain amusement park is along the western side of the freeway and is home to roller coasters that have held world records for height and speed; freeway travelers will have an excellent view of thrill seekers taking the plunge over one of the many terrifying hills on the park's iconic rides. There are gas stations, chain restaurants and hotels at the exit that cater to park visitors, but expect heavier than normal traffic in the area during the summer when the park is busiest.
Tehachapi Mountains
[edit]The road climbs out of the San Fernando Valley, which although multi-lane will have slow-moving traffic before entering the Santa Clarita Valley. Oddly, at one point the north and south bound carriageways cross and run for a number of miles separate from one another.
- 13 Castaic (Exit 176 / Mile 176.15).
- 3 Tejon Pass Rest Area (Exit 206 / Mile 205.97). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone, vending machines and RV sanitation station.
- 14 Lebec Road (Exit 207 / Mile 206.88). The highway descends at a sharp six percent grade through a curving path within Grapevine Canyon from Lebec down to the Central Valley. The original route was infamous for its accidents until being straightened and widened between 1933-34. This stretch of road is known as The Grapevine and is often closed during storms when driving conditions become treacherous.
Most of this section is two-lane carriageway in both directions, running straight with only small rises though sparsely populated areas. Most of the route here is uninteresting, though in some places small detours reveal points of interest.
- 15 Laval Road (Exit 219A & B / Mile 218.79). The Laval Road exit has undergone dramatic development by the Tejon Ranch Corporation and now offers significant amenities for travelers. The Outlets at Tejon have over 70 outlet stores. Food options include Chipotle, Subway, Starbucks, In-N-Out, Panda Express, Black Bear Diner, and Carl's Jr. Gas options include Shell, Travel America, Chevron, Mobil, and Petro.
- 16
Bakersfield-Fresno (Exit 221). The Golden State Freeway continues north as SR-99 towards Sacramento. It passes through Bakersfield, Madera, Merced, Fresno, Turlock, Stockton and other cities and towns of the Central Valley. I-5 exits off to the right, goes over the Golden State Freeway, and forms a separate Westside Freeway which goes through Los Banos, Tracy, Jct I-580, Lodi and Stockton. The cities along the Golden State Freeway (SR-99) can still be accessed from the Westside Freeway (I-5) on different east-west roads crossing over I-5. This exit is accessed only by northbound traffic, while southbound traffic on I-5 merges into the Golden State Freeway (SR-99) which continues south as I-5. There are additional sections of the Old Hwy 99 through the San Jaoquin Valley that served as US Hwy 99 from before the construction of the Golden State Freeway in the 1940s and are in existence today. They carry names like "Old Highway 99", "Road 99" or by a local name as surface streets through many of the cities and towns of the San Joaquin Valley.
- 17
Bear Mountain Rd (Exit 239). Goes east 30 mi (48 km) to its other end at SR-58, east of Bakersfield and another 107 mi (172 km) east to Exit #179 of I-15 in Barstow on SR-58. This serves as a bypass of the Los Angeles area from Bakersfield or anywhere north along the I-5/CA-99 to Las Vegas (I-15); Phoenix (I-40/US Hwy 93); the Grand Canyon (I-40), etc through Barstow and to San Bernardino & Riverside (US Hwy 395, I-15, 215) through Kramer Jct and Victorville. Travelers from the Bay Area or anywhere north, going towards Texas or Florida would go south on I-15/215 from CA-58 and then east on I-10 via San Bernardino. Other travelers going towards Tennessee or the Carolinas would go east on I-40 from Barstow instead of I-10. There are no services immediately available from the freeway but are available in the town of Arvin 25 mi (40 km) east along SR-223. - 18
Buttonwillow & McKittrick (Exit 257 / Mile 257.42). The town of Buttonwillow is actually five miles west of the interstate, but more than enough gas stations, fast food restaurants and even a couple of motels are clustered just off of the east side of the highway. For those heading north, services start to become sparse, so this is a stop worth considering if your gas tank is heading towards empty. Chevron, Mobil, Arco, Shell, and Travel Centers of America are all fuel options, while food options include Starbucks, Denny's, Carl's Jr, McDonald's, Taste of India, and Tita's Pupuseria. - 4 Buttonwillow Rest Area (Exit 259 / Mile 259.38). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and vending machines. No RV sanitation station.
- 19 Lost Hills (Exit 278 / Mile 278.29). Just off the highway are a number of gas stations and fast food establishments. The town further down the road only really caters for local agricultural workers.
- 20 Twisselman Road (Exit 288 / Mile 287.62). This exit lacks services, but may be worth a stop between October and March to visit the Kern National Wildlife refuge. The refuge is about seven miles east of the interstate. It is a winter home to herons, cranes, hawks, ducks, and many, many other species of birds.
- 21
Kettleman City (Exit 309 / Mile 308.90). - 5 Coalinga/Avenal Rest Area (Exit 320 / Mile 320.45). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and vending machines. No RV sanitation station.
- 22
Lemoore & Hanford (Exit 334 / Mile 333.89). It is in the midst of a long stretch of empty highway; this exit has the Harris Ranch Complex, which sells fuel and food, and has a farm stand, a Tesla Supercharger, and lodging. The main ranch building offers a pretty good bakery, and those seeking out a steak won't be disappointed by the restaurant. If long drives aren't your thing, the location is approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and thus offers a good place to stop and spend the night. The town of Coalinga is 13 miles southwest of this exit and has additional amenities. - 6 John "Chuck" Erreca Rest Area (Exit 386 / Mile 385.83). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and vending machines. No RV sanitation station.
- 23
Los Banos (Exit 403 / Mile 402.76). CA-152 west is the main route through the hills to Gilroy and onward to either San Jose (via 101-N) or Monterey Bay (via CA-156). Los Banos, 6 miles east on CA-152, offers amenities for travelers. One exit west (at CA-33) is a Petro station with reasonable restaurant. - 24
Santa Nella (Exit 407 / Mile 407.02). This exit has several gas stations and a handful of motels. Food options are plentiful and include a Starbucks and an In-N-Out, and for those who have been seeing the many billboards during hours of travel, this is the northern half of the Pea Soup Andersen's chain and its namesake soup. - 25 Gustine (Exit 418 / Mile 417.57).
- 26 Patterson (Eit 434 / Mile 433.52).
- 27 Westley (Exit 441 / Mile 440.73).
- 7 Westley Rest Area (Exit 445 / Mile 444.86). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone, vending machines and RV sanitation station.
- 28
Tracy San Francisco (northbound only) (Exit 446 / Mile 446.35). The two right lanes exit from the freeway to continue towards Stockton and Sacramento as the West Side Freeway (I-5) while the two left lanes continue north/northwest as the William Elton Brown Freeway (I-580) towards Tracy and San Francisco through the East Bay. From the northbound lanes only. Southbound traffic merges into the William Elton Brown Freeway from the right and continue south as the West Side Freeway (I-5). - 29 To
San Francisco (southbound only) (Exit 458B / Mile 458.34). I-205 takes southbound drivers to San Francisco via the East Bay. - Stockton (Exits 469-481). There are eleven exits for Stockton.
The Sacramento Valley is the area of the Central Valley of California that lies north of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and is drained by the Sacramento River. It encompasses all or parts of ten Northern California counties. Although many areas of the Sacramento Valley are rural, it contains several urban areas, including the state capital, Sacramento.
- Twin Cities Rd (Exit 498).
- Hood Franklin Rd (Exit 504).
- Elk Grove Blvd (Exit 506).
- Laguana Blvd (Exit 510). The main road into town from the I-5 corridor. .
- 31 Sacramento (Exits 510-525). The Sacramento and American Rivers played prominent roles in the city's and county's development, and today offer outdoor opportunities ranging from boating to fishing to birdwatching. California's oldest incorporated city and capital is located at the rivers' confluence, and visitors will appreciate its historic districts and more than 25 museums. There are 15 exits into Sacramento.
- Consumnes River Blvd (Exit 510).
- To
Pocket Rd; Meadowview Rd to south Freeport (Exit 512). - Florin Rd (Exit 513).
- 43rd Ave (Exit 514). Southbound access only. Return to northbound lanes only.
- Fruitridge Rd, Seamas Ave (exit 515).
- Sutterville Rd (exit 516).
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to South Lake Tahoe San Francisco (Exit 518). US Hwy 50 connects Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe via Jct Hwy 99, Rancho Cordova, Folsom and Placerville in the east. Going west, US Hwy 50 goes across West Sacramento and ends at Exit #81 of I-80, 4.5 mi (7.2 km) west of the I-5 corridor. SR- 99 goes south through the San Joaquin Valley which begins 2 mi (3.2 km) east of the I-5 corridor from US-Hwy 50. It goes through Elk Grove, Lodi, Stockton, Turlock, Merced, Madera, Fresno and Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley as the Golden State Freeway before rejoining I-5 at MM 221 south of Bakersfield. Going north the old US Hwy 99 follows the Golden State Hwy (CA-Hwy 99) and splits at its present junction with US Hwy 50 to become US Hwy 99E & 99W. The old US Hwy 99W follows US Hwy 50/I-80 west to Davis and then north toward the present day I-5 in Woodland on Road 99. The old US Hwy 99E follows Business Spur (BS)-80/I-80 to Roseville; CA-Hwy 65 from Roseville to Olivehurst; CA-70 from Olivehurst to Yuba City and the Golden State Hwy (present CA-99) from Yuba City to Red Bluff. The "old US Highway 99E/W" are not signed. - Q St at Exit 519A & J St at Exit 519B (Exits 519A & 519B). Access into downtown Sacramento from I-5. Additional downtown exits are on US Hwy 50. Access to Sacramento Valley (Amtrak) Station via J St at Exit 519B to 401 i St.
- Richards Blvd (Exits 520). Local access to the industrial areas north of Sacramento. There are a series of restaurants and hotels clustered around this exit and the Greyhound bus station down the street at 420 Richards Blvd. .
- 32
East Reno, West San Francisco (Exit 522 / Mile 522.26). Interstate 80 is the second longest interstate in the country, traveling approximately 2900 miles from San Francisco in the west to New York City in the east. It is the most convenient route to San Francisco and to Lake Tahoe and Reno in the other direction. Local access to Davis, North Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Roseville and Auburn are along I-80. - Garden Highway (Exit 521/521A). Signed as exit 521 from the southbound lanes and 521A at the northbound lanes.
- Arena Blvd (Exit 524).
- Del Paso Road (Exit 525A). Local access to the northern suburbs surrounding North Natomas Regional Park in Sacramento County. Majority of the services are east of the freeway at Del Paso Rd & E Commerce Way. There are some on the opposite of the freeway at Del Paso and E Centro Rd too.
- Yuba City Marysville (Exit 525B). From here SR-99 and I-5 runs parallel to each other to Red Bluff at Exit 649. SR-99 passes through Yuba City, Marysville and Chico while I-5 goes through Woodland, Williams and Willows to reach Red Bluff. Additional connections between the SR-99 corridor and I-5 by various east-west roads. The old US Route 99E follows present day CA-Hwy 99 from Yuba City to Red Bluff while the old US Route 99W goes along side I-5 (as a separate 2 lane road) from Woodland to Red Bluff.
- Metro Air Pkwy (Exit 527).
- 8 Sacramento International Airport (Exit 528 / Mile 528). Dedicated exit with direct access to Sacramento International Airport from I-5 via Airport Blvd, 10.5 mi (16.9 km) NW of downtown Sacramento.
- 9 Elkhorn Rest Area (southbound only) (Exit 529 / Mile 529.26). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station.
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Winters San Francisco (Exit 553). Connects I-5 to Vacaville along the I-80 corridor. I-505 ends at Exit #56 of I-80 in Vacaville. If coming from Dunnigan or anywhere north and going west towards the San Francisco Bay Area on I-80 this would be the route to take without going through Woodland or Sacramento. - 10 Dunnigan Rest Area (Exit 557 / Mile 556.52). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station.
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Colusa & Clear Lake (Exit 578 / Mile 578). SR-20 connects Fort Bragg in the west to Exit #161 of I-80 in Yuba pass, 58 mi (93 km) west of Reno, in the east. SR-20 passes through Willits, Clear Lake, Jct I-5 north of Williams, Yuba City and Nevada City. Travelers coming from Williams or anywhere north and going towards Lake Tahoe or Reno would take this route without going through Sacramento and to avoid heavier local traffic in/around Sacramento. This is also one of two exits for local access into Williams - 33 Williams (Exit 577 / Mile 577). Go west on 'E' Street into town from the freeway off ramps. The town of Williams, CA is just west of the freeway.
- 11 Maxwell Rest Area (Exit 583 / Mile 583.41). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station.
- 12 Willows Rest Area (Exit 608 / Mile 608.00). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and RV sanitation station. No vending machines.
The Shasta Cascades region is home to volcanoes, lush forests, high mountains, and clear lakes. California is the most populous state in the US, but you wouldn't suspect it from traveling through most of this region, which is generally wild and remote.
- 34
Chico & Orland (Exit 619 / Mile 619). The town of Chico is actually 20 mi (32 km) east of the interstate at Orland. There are several gas stations, fast food restaurants, a couple of motels, and a RV campground accessible from highway in the town of Orland. For those coming from north of Red Bluff you can take exit 649 (SR-36 East/Antelope Blvd/Park) to reach Chico via Hwy 99. . - 13 Lt. John C. Helmick Rest Area (Exit 633 / Mile 632.73). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station.
- 14 Herbert S. Miles Rest Area (Exit 656 / Mile 655.66). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station.
- 35 Red Bluff (Exits 647-653). There are six exits for Red Bluff.
- S Main St (Exit 647). Access to Main St from south of town. Main St (BL-5 & Old Hwy 99) goes north into town from this exit. Access from northbound lanes only. Southbound traffic exit would get off at Diamond Ave (Exit 647B) and turn right (north) on Diamond Ave to get onto S Main St. Additional access to this segment of Old Hwy 99 (Main St) are through Exits 649, 650 and 651 (from SB side only).
- Diamond Ave (Exit 647B). Access from southbound lanes only. Take a right on Diamond Ave to get onto S Main St.
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to Antelope Blvd, Chico (Exit 649 accessed from both directions). The intersection with the Golden State Highway is (SR-99, formerly US Route 99E) 2.1 mi (3.4 km) east along Antelope Blvd (SR-36) from I-5. The Golden State Hwy (Hwy 99) goes down towards Exit 525B north of Sacramento through Chico and Yuba City as a separate highway. SR-36 itself continues 106 mi (171 km) east to US-395 in Susanville and go another 86 mi (138 km) south to Reno on US-395. If going west on SR-36 go north on Main St (right turn from Antelope Blvd), through downtown Red Bluff and a left on Beegum Rd north of town. . - Adobe Rd (Exit 650). Go west on Adobe Rd to get to Main St from both directions of I-5.
- Main St (Exit 651). Access into Main St from the southbound lanes only. Return to northbound only. Main St (BL-5) is the Old Hwy 99 through Red Bluff. SR-36 (second right on Beegum Rd) goes 142 mi (229 km) west, through Mad River, to Fortuna which is 17.5 mi (28.2 km) south of Eureka on US Hwy 101. To go east on SR-36 continue south on Main St, through downtown Red Bluff, and take a left on Antelope Blvd (Exit 649 from I-5). Additional access to this segment of Old Hwy 99 (Main St) are through Exits 647/647B, 649 and 650 .
- Wilcox Golf Rd (Exit 652). As the name implies alongside of the freeway there is a local Wilcox Oaks Golf Club northwest of the highway junction along Wilcox Golf Rd. There are no other lodging, gasoline or restaurant/grocery store options at this exit.
- Jelly Ferry's Rd (Exit 653).
- 36 Anderson (Exits 667-670). is named after Elias Anderson, who granted the Oregon and California Railroad trackage rights and land for a station. Today, the city has a population of 9,000, and is about 10 mi (16 km) south of Redding. There are five exits for Anderson.
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North (Exit 667B). Old US Hwy 99 follows CA-Hwy 273 through Anderson (un-named locally) and becomes Market St north of town. It continues through Redding as Market St and connects back to the I-5 corridor at Exit 681B. It is only accessible from the northbound lanes only, no return to freeway going north. Southbound traffic can only merge into I-5 going south from CA-Hwy 273. - Deschutes Rd Factory Outlets Dr (Exit 667A). Accessible from both directions.
-
- 37 Redding (Exits 675-682). For anyone visiting, Redding and the surrounding has numerous outdoor and indoor activities. Including two lakes and an inactive volcano within close driving distance. Plus many parks, hiking trails, and adequate shopping. There are seven exits for Redding.
- S Bonnyview Rd, Churn Creek Rd (Exit 675).
- Cypress Ave (Exit 677).
- "
Lassen National Park, West" (NB); " Eureka, Susanville" (SB) (Exit 678A & B (NB); 678B (SB)). SR 44 goes east towards Susanville through the Lassen Volcanic National Park and west to SR-299 (Market & Eureka Way) in downtown Redding. For those going towards Reno or Lake Tahoe one can take this route to US Hwy 395 in Susanville and to Reno on US Hwy 395 or on SR 36 and 89 towards Truckee (Exit 188 @ I-80) from Lake Almanor. Check weather and traffic reports during the winter as the roads towards Reno and/or towards Oregon may be closed due to high standing snow before proceeding. Locally Mt Shasta Mall and the surrounding stores, restaurants, hotels and gas station are immediately accessible from this exit.. 
. - 38
Lake Blvd (Exit 680). Going east SR-299 goes up through Modoc National Forest in Modoc County, towards the Nevada state line near Cedarville. Going west SR-299 goes into downtown Redding and then go west towards Arcata through Weaverville and Willow Creek. - Market St (Exit 681B is only accessible from southbound lanes). The old US Hwy 99 follows CA-Hwy 273 through the northern suburbs of Redding to reach downtown Redding. Accessible from the southbound lanes only, no return to freeway going south. Northbound traffic can only merge into I-5 going north from CA-Hwy 273. The old Hwy 99 follows CA-Hwy 273 through Redding, to Anderson where it rejoins I-5 at Exit 667A.
- Twin Views Blvd (Exit 681 (NB) & 681A (SB)). Local access into the northern neighborhoods of Redding from both directions of I-5. This exit is numbered 681 from the northbound lanes and 681A from the southbound lanes.
- Oasis Rd (Exit 682).
- Bridge Bay Road (Exit 690 / Mile 690.48). The interstate crosses Shasta Lake, California's largest reservoir, just north of Bridge Bay - the lake level at the crossing provides a quick way to judge the health of the state's water supply. The Bridge Bay Resort is just off of the exit at the marina and offers a restaurant and lodging, but the beautiful scenery will be of more interest to most travelers. Houseboats are a popular rental option on the lake, and over one hundred of them can sometimes be seen docked in Bridge Bay.
- 15 O'Brien Rest Area (northbound only) (Exit 694 / Mile 693.88). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station.
- 16 Lakehead Rest Area (southbound only) (Exit 705 / Mile 704.50). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, phone and vending machines. No RV sanitation station.
- Dunsmuir (Exits 730-734). There are three exits for Dunsmuir.
- Mount Shasta (Exits 738-741). There are three exits for Mount Shasta City.
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McCloud (to Reno) (Exit 736). Hwy 89 goes through the town of McCloud in the Shasta Trinity National Forest and through Lassen National Forest to Exit 188B of I-80 in Truckee, near Lake Tahoe, 32 mi (51 km) southwest of Reno. If coming from Mt Shasta or anywhere north and going towards Reno or Lake Tahoe on I-80 this would be the route to take without going all the way down through Redding or Sacramento. This route (or parts of) may be closed during the winter due to high standing snow. Therefore, check weather and traffic reports during the winter before using this route in the winter. Chains may be required if the road is open during the winter. This exit is named "McCloud" from the northbound lanes.
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- 39 Weed (Exits 743-751). Despite what you might think, the city's name has nothing to do with cannabis—instead, it comes from the founder of the local lumber mill and pioneer Abner Weed, who discovered that the area's strong winds were helpful in drying lumber. Weed was home to a thriving lumber industry from its founding in 1901 to as late as the 1980s. The historic industrial area at the northeast corner of town has been plagued with environmental concerns and clean-up efforts as a result of chemicals used for wood treatment and glue. There are four exits for Weed.
- Summit Dr, Truck Village Dr (Exit 743).
- Vista Dr (Exit 745). Multiple restaurants and hotels clustered off of this exit. See 'Eat' and 'Sleep' in the Weed Article. Also the location of the Greyhound stop (at Dos Amigos Restaurant) (bus stop symbol not signposted). .
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S Weed Blvd Klamath Falls (Exit 747). 'Downtown' Weed and the south end of US Hwy 97 on the Volcanic Legacy Byway. US Hwy 97 runs parallel with the I-5 corridor to the Canadian border in Oroville WA through Klamath Falls, Crater Lake National Park, Bend, Redmond, The Dalles in Central Oregon; and Yakima, Ellensburg, Wenatchee and North Cascades National Park in Eastern Washington. BL-5 (Old Highway 99) goes south from downtown Weed to Vista DR (Exit 745) as S Weed Blvd goes south along the westside of the freeway. - "Edgewood Rd, Gazelle" (NB Side); "Stewart Springs Rd, Edgewood Rd" (SB Side) (Exit 751). Old Hwy 99 goes north from here, along the west side of the Pacific Wonderland Fwy (I-5), through Gazelle, to Yreka. The old Hwy 99 iis also accessible from Exits 766, 770 and 773. Going south Edgewood Rd parallels the east side of the freeway into town (Weed).
- 17 Weed Airport Rest Area (Exit 753 / Mile 753.43). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station.
- 40 Yreka (Exits 766-776). With a population of 7500 (2019), Yreka is home to the College of the Siskiyous, Klamath National Forest Interpretive Museum and the Siskiyou County Museum. There are five exits to Yreka.
- Grenada, Gazelle (Exit 766). The old Highway 99 goes along the west side of I-5 at this point between Yreka and Jct 751 north of Weed. Go south along the Old Highway 99 from this exit to get to Gazelle. Grenada is just on the opposite side (east) of I-5 from the Old Highway 99 via 97-99 Cutoff Rd that crosses over the freeway.
- Easy St, Shamrock Rd (Exit 770). The old Hwy 99 goes along the west side of i-5 of as East St at this point. It connects Yreka to Jct/Exit 751 through Grenada and Gazelle.
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"Fort Jones Etna" (SB Side) / "Yreka" (NB Side) (Exit 773). The Old Highway 99 turns on Westside Rd from Main St (left turn if going south on Main), south of this junction, south of the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The Old Highway 99 follows along the west side of the freeway as "Westside Rd" which becomes "Easy St" and "Old Highway 99 S" to Jct/Exit 751. Additional access to this segment of Old Hwy 99 are at Exits 770, 766 and 751. Going north, S Main St (SR-3) goes into downtown Yreka. - Miner St, N Foothills Dr (Exit 775). The most direct way into downtown as W Miner St. The Old Highway 99 goes (N-S) through town as Main St. Main St becomes SR-263 north of town and SR-3 south of town.
- 41 Montague (Exit 776). Goes east to the town of Montague and south through Yreka as Main St. Road continues south from Yreka through Coffee Creek & Trinity Center to SR-299 in Weaverville. So if going towards Weaverville, Eureka, Arcata or anywhere that direction from Yreka this another route to take to avoid going further down into Redding.
- 18 Randolph C. Collier Rest Area (Exit 786 / Mile 785.81). Closed for maintenance Restrooms, water, picnic tables and phone. No vending machines or RV sanitation station.
- 42
Willow Creek (Exit 786). SR 96 goes south/southwest towards Arcata and Eureka through Willow Creek in the Six Rivers National Forest. It cuts through the Klamath National Forest to get to Willow Creek. From Willow Creek go west on SR-299 to Arcata. The Old Highway 99 follows and 
from this exit to Yreka. This exit is only accessible from the southbound lanes and only merges into the northbound lanes. No return to the southbound lanes. - 43 Hornbrook (Exits 789 &790). . Hornbrook can be accessed from Exits 789 (Henley Hornbrook) and 790 (Hornbrook Hwy-Ditch Creek)
- 19 Hornbook Inspection Station (Mile 791, 7 miles south of the state line), 14601 I-5, ☏ +1 530 475-3100. Southbound traffic must stop for agricultural inspection. They're looking for fruits, vegetables, firewood, hay, nursery stocks and anything invasive that may be in violation of state and federal quarantine laws.
- 44 Hilt Rd (Exit 796). Local access road to the nearby communities of Hilt, Cole and the surrounding areas. .
The maximum rural speed limit is 70 mph (112 km/h) & 65 mph for large trucks which is more relevant along I-84 between The Dalles & the Snake River (Idaho border). The I-5 corridor remains at 65 mph (104km/h) in rural areas and 55-60 mph in urban areas or lower if posted otherwise. The stretch of I-5 between Portland & Eugene remains at 55-60mph (88-100km/h). The state fully lifted its decades-long ban on self-service gas on August 4, 2023. However, the law does not require any station to offer self-service, and stations in counties along the I-5 corridor must reserve at least half of their pumps for full-service. When you arrive at a filling station that doesn't offer self-service, wait for an attendant to come to your car rather than attempting to get out and fill up your car on your own.
The present State Routes (SR) 99, 99E and 99W and Interstate 5 replace the former US Highway 99 very closely as the Pacific Highway (or by another name), through the entire state. SR 99 runs concurrently with the present I-5 between Eugene and Grants Pass except the stretch through Sutherlin, Roseburg and Winston as the Oakland-Shady Tree Hwy where SR-99 pass through town as a separate road for local access. From Grants Pass (exit 58) to Ashland (exit 14) SR 99 (Rogue Valley Hwy) passes through Grants Pass, Gold Hill, Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, Talent and Ashland pass through continuoisly as a separate road. From Ashland to the border with California the Old Hwy 99 follows SR 66 to the south of Emigrant Lake and as SR 273 from Emigrant Lake to the California border. Going north from Cottage Grove, SR 99 goes through Eugene as a series of local streets and north to Junction City where it splits between OR 99E & OR 99W (formerly US Hwy 99E & 99W), through the Willamette Valley, to Portland where they rejoin before crossing the Columbia River into Washington:
Junction City, Halsey, Albany, Salem, Woodburn, Canby, Oregon City, Gladstone, Milwaukie, Portland
Eugene, Albany, Salem, Wilsonville, Portland
Junction City, Corvallis, Amity, Monmouth, McMinnville, Newberg, Tigard, Portland
which are described throughout the article in the below:
Southern Oregon has become a popular retirement community over the past few decades; what was once a lumber-oriented economy has gradually adapted to service and tourism-based businesses. Like much of Oregon, the outdoors are one of the region's most valued assets, but more visible products include pears, wine, and timber products. The region is primarily composed of mountains and high desert, while the Rogue Valley, Grants Pass, and Klamath regions are home to agricultural, commercial, and industrial enterprises.
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- Siskiyou Summit (Exit 1). Old Hwy 99 S winds alongside of I-5 as a two lane highway in the mountains from Exit #1 to OR-Hwy 66 in Ashland. It crosses I-5 at Exits #6 and 14 (as SR 66). Accessible from the northbound lanes only, no return to freeway going north. Southbound traffic can only merge into I-5 from here. Access from the southbound lanes of I-5 (and northbound return to I-5) from Exit 6 only. The Cascade Wonderland Highway (CA) becomes Pacific Highway (OR) upon crossing the state line.
- Mount Ashland (Exit 6). Old Hwy 99 S runs parallel to the I-5 corridor between Exit #1 and OR-Hwy 66 in Ashland at Exit #14. This exit is accessible from both directions of I-5. .
- 45 Ashland (Exits 11-19). A small town that is home to the Tony award winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival that has productions from February to October. There are three exits to Ashland.
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Siskiyou Blvd Ashland (Exit 11). OR Hwy 99 diverges from I-5 and runs parallel through Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford and Grants Pass. Hwy 99 intersects I-5 at Exits 35, 43, 45 and 58. - 20 Welcome Center & Rest Area Accessible from the northbound lanes only.
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Ashland Klamath Falls (Exit 14). SR 66 goes west into town as Ashland St towards Southern Oregon State University and east and then south, parallel, along I-5 as Green Springs Hwy (Old Hwy 99) to 
(Old Hwy 99 S) south of Emigrant Lake. From Emigrant Lake SR 66 continues east towards Klamath Falls while Old Hwy 99 S continues south towards the state line at Exit 1. - 46 Talent (Exit 21).
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- 47 Phoenix (Oregon) (Exit 24).
- 48 Medford (Exits 27 & 30). Southern Oregon's largest and most diverse city, brimming with historical and cultural attractions while offering regional tax-free shopping. Medford is the county seat of Jackson County, and is the commercial and medical hub of southern Oregon. Its autumns tend to be very mild, and dry when compared to the rest of the state.
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North Medford, Crater Lake (Exit 30). Access to 21 Medford Rogue Valley International Airport, Rogue Valley Mall and the surrounding retail stores, restaurants and hotels for supplies, food and/or a night's stay. SR-62 continues north and east towards Crater Lake. Immediate left (north) on Biddle Rd from SR-62, follow signs to Airport Rd to reach the airport. . - Central Point Eagle Point (Exit 33). Also another way to access the airport. Go east on E Pine which become Biddle Rd. Follow signs to the terminal
- 49 to
Scenic Byway & Gold Hill (Exit 40). Exit into the town of Gold Hill.
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- 50 Rogue River Route (Exits 43 & 45A). Additional access to Hwy 99 in Rogue River Valley between Grants Pass and Medford. Both exits are named as "Rogue Valley Route" and are accessible from both directions.
- Valley of the Rogue State Park (Exits 45B). The park offers a year-round, full-service campground, a nature trail, a day-use area, and river access for boating, fishing, and swimming.
- 51 City of Rogue River (Exit 48).
- 52 Grants Pass (Exits 55-61). Grants Pass is the county seat of Josephine County and is famous for its white river rafting in the Rogue River. It is also the gateway to the nearby Oregon Caves National Monument 30 miles (48 km) south of the city. I-5 goes east-west from Central Point (Exit #33), through Grants Pass, to Merlin Rd (Exit #61). There are two exits to Grants Pass.
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S Grants Pass Crescent City (Exit 55). Connects the I-5 corridor to Crescent City in the northern California coast. From Crescent City one can go north on US Hwy 101 to reach the Southern Oregon Coast. Locally US Hwy 199 accesses the local neighborhoods in south Grants Pass as Grants Pass Pkwy and Redwood Hwy. - to Grants Pass City Center (Exit 58). Access into downtown Grants Pass via NE Scoville which becomes NE 6th St. From downtown go north on NE 7th St to return to the freeway. SR-99 passes through downtown Grants Pass as NE 6/7th St and east towards Medford as Rogue River Hwy.
- Merlin Rd (Exit 61). Local road to the town of Merlin.
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- Hugo (Exit 66). Monument Dr to Hugo an unincorporated community name after a longtime farmer and resident, Hugo Garber in 1896. The townsite was a flag stop for the train to Grants Pass and Medford from the time before the automobile. Nowadays it's a farming community surrounded by cherry farms.
- Sunny Valley (Exit 71).
- 53 Wolf Creek (Exit 76). unincorporated town.
- 54 Glendale (Exit 80). The Glendale Valley Rd leads traffic from the freeway to the town of Glendale, Oregon.
- Barton Road (Exit 83).
- Barton Road (Exit 83).
- Quines Creek Rd (Exit 86).
- Azalea Galesville Reservoire (Exit 88).
- 55 Canyonville (Exit 98).
- 56 Myrtle Creek (Exit 108).
- to
Dillard Coos Bay (Exit 112). Accessible from the northbound lanes only, no return to freeway going north. Southbound traffic can only merge into I-5 from here. SR-99 leaves the I-5 to loop into the towns of Dillard and Winston. From Winston SR-42 goes west to Coos Bay at the coast. SR-42 returns to the freeway at Exit 119 while SR-99 continues north, as a separate road, towards Roseburg. - South Winston Dillard Coos Bay (Exit 119). Signed as "Dillard Coos Bay" from the northbound lanes. SR 42 goes southwest to the towns of Dillard and Winston where SR-42 continues west to Coos Bay. SR-99 follows SR 42 through Dillard and Winston, from Roseburg, before rejoining I-5 at mile 112 to continue towards Grants Pass.
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- " South Roseburg"(NB side); " Green District Roseburg"(SB side); (Exit 120). State Route (SR) 99 winds along the Umpqua River, from exit 112, through Dillard, Winston and Green south of Roseburg. It passes under I-5 (at this point) as the Coos Bay-Roseburg Hwy and goes into town as Stephens (NB) and Pine (SB).
- McClain Ave (Exit 121).
- Fairgrounds Umpqua Park (Exit 123). Portland Ave goes across over the freeway to the Douglas County Speedway and the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
- "
Crater Lake Diamond Lake" (NB side); " City Center Diamond Lake" (SB side) (Exit 124). This is also the main exit into downtown Roseburg which is across the Umpqua River, east of the I-5 corridor. SR-138 continues 98 mi (158 km) east, across Umpqua National Forest, to Crater Lake. Hwy 99 goes 20 miles along I-5 through Roseburg, Union Gap, Sutherlin, Oakland and merges back into I-5 at mile marker 140 (into NB side only)(Exit to Hwy 99 at Exit 140 is from SB side only). - Roseburg, Garden Valley Blvd (Exit 125).
- N. Roseburg, NW Edenbower Blvd (Exit 127).
- Winchester Wilbur (Exit 129). NB traffic exits into Hwy 99 which runs along the east side of I-5. SB traffic exits, into Del Rio/Umpqua College Rd which goes over I-5 to Hwy 99. NW College Rd continues east to Umpqua Community College (for local access). Umpqua College Rd becomes Del Rio Rd west of I-5.
- "
The Willamette Valley is centered around the Willamette River, and home to the state's three largest cities and much of the state's agriculture industry and the Oregon Wine Country:
- Cottage Grove (Exit 170). OR-Hwy 99 goes alongside of I-5 as a two lane highway from Exit #170 to Exit 188 in Goshen. It passes through Cottage Grove and Creswell. This exit is accessible from the northbound lanes only, no return to freeway going north. Southbound traffic can only merge into I-5 going south. Hwy 99 goes along I-5 to Oakland (Oregon) at Exit #140 where it splits as a separate highway, alongside I-5 to Exit #120 south of Roseburg.
- 58 Eugene-Springfield (Exits 189-195B). The second-largest city in Oregon, home to the University of Oregon Ducks.
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Oakridge Klamath Falls (Exit 188). From the southbound lanes there's only one exit leaving the freeway towards SR-58 and it splits again towards towards Goshen (SR-99) and "Oakridge Klamath Falls" (SR-58). From the northbound lanes Exit #188A forms SR-58 going towards Oakridge while Exit 188B (a separate exit) ends into Franklin Blvd which goes south into Goshen as SR-99. - 30th Ave South Eugene (Exit 189). From here one can approach Eugene from the south via 30th Ave or continue north on Franklin Blvd into Springfield.
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University of Oregon Eugene Downtown (Exit 192). From the south, downtown can be reached via Franklin Blvd (Hwy 99) which also passes by the U of Oregon campus. This exit is only accessible from the northbound lanes and only goes west into Eugene. Going south SR-99 merges onto I-5 from mile marker 192 and runs concurrent with I-5 to Exit #188 where it forms a separate parallel route through Cottage Grove and Goshen. -
Eugene-Springfield (Exits 194A & B). This highway connects into downtown Eugene as I-105 and continues east into Springfield as SR-126. Follow Exit/off ramp 194A to Sprinfield and Exit/off ramp 194B towards Eugene. -
Randy Pape Beltline Eugene-Springfield (Exits 195). The Randy Pape Beltine serves as a circular freeway to circle around the Eugene-Springfield area as a way to connect the outer suburbs to each other without going into downtown.
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Halsey - Brownsville (Exit 216). Holly Sweet Home Rd goes east/west, connecting Halsey (west, Jct 99E) to Brownsville (east).
- 59
Corvallis - Lebanon (Exit 228). Corvallis (the home of Oregon State University) (and Jct 99W) is 11 mi (18 km) west from the I-5/SR-34 junction while Least is 8 mi (13 km) east.
- 60 Albany (Exits 233 - 235) (west of I-5.). The town is known as the "hub of the valley" as it sits at the confluence of the Willamette River and Calapooia Rivers. Albany's streets are lined with historic homes and a carousel museum. Its location in the Willamette Valley, known for its wine, allows the town to offer locally made wine, as well as cider and beer.
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Santiam Hwy Albany-Lebanon (Exit 233). Signed as "Lebanon Sweet home"' from the 'southbound lanes. Travelers coming from the north and going towards Lebanon (SE) or Corvallis (SW) can use this exit and go on US Hwy 20 instead of going to Hwy 34 at exit 228. . - Fair/Expo Center Knox Butte Rd (Exit 234/234A). Access to local Albany Municipal Airport (general aviation only) and Linn County fairgrounds. Exits 234 & 234A are two separate exits but are signed the same from both directions. Exit 234 is accessible from the northbound lanes only to Knox Butte Rd E while Exit 234A, just south of 234B, is accessible from the southbound lanes only. Exit 234A goes into Albany Ave SE/Airport Rd Se, west of the freeway, which intersects Pacific Blvd SE (Hwy 99E). .
- Albany (Exit 234B). Accessible from southbound lanes only. Hwy 99E goes south into town as Pacific Blvd SE and follows I-5 north to Salem. From Albany Hwy 99E continues south towards Junction City (where it merges with Hwy 99W into Hwy 99) through Tangent, Halsey and Harrisburg. .
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- Millersburg (Exit 235). Accessible from southbound lanes into Old Salem Rd NE. Exit #235 are two separate exits which are accessible from one side of the freeway only.
- Viewcrest (Exit 235). Accessible from northbound lanes into Century Dr NE, parallel along the east side of the freeway.
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- 61 Salem (Exits 248-260B). The capital city of Oregon, traditionally known for being low-key, the downtown area is showing the early signs of rejuvenation.
- Sunnyside Turner (Exit 248).
- Commercial St SE (Exit 249). Major thoroughfare into town (Salem) from the south
- Keubler Blvd (Exit 252).
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Detroit Lake Bend (Exit 253). OR Hwy 22 & Bus 99E goes northwesterly into town as Mission St SE. OR-Hwy 22 then goes across the Willamette River into West Salem and another 25 mi (40 km) west to OR-Hwy 18 in Willamina via OR-Hwy 99W in Rickreall which is the gateway towards the Yamhill Valley Wine Country (north on 99W towards McMinnville). Going east OR-Hwy 22 passes by Detroit Lake and Mt Jefferson towards US Hwy 20. It continues into Bend as US Hwy 20. Going south OR Hwy 99E follows I-5 to Exit 234B in Albany. -
Market St Silverton (Exit 256). Closest exit to downtown and the state capitol. There are multiple roads/bridges crossing over I-5 between Hwy 22 at mm 253 and Hwy 99E at mm 258 that are not accessible. This is the only exit to take between Hwy 22 and 99E. - Portland Rd NE (Exit 258). OR-Hwy 99E goes N/NE towards Portland through Woodburn, Canby and Oregon City and towards Albany along I-5 in the other direction. Going into town Portland Rd NE (Hwy Bus-99E) passes the by state fairgrounds where it becomes Fairgrounds Rd the rest of the way into downtown Salem.
- Chemawa Road - Keizer (Exit 260).
The Portland Metropolitan area is a large conurbation of cities (municipalities) surrounding Portland, Oregon in the northern end of the Willamette Valley and Southwest Washington (Clark County, WA) at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.
- 62 Wilsonville. Located within the Portland metropolitan area, the city also includes the planned communities of Charbonneau on the south side of the river, and Villebois on the western edge. The city is bisected by Interstate 5 and includes I-5's Boone Bridge over the Willamette.
- Wilsonville Rd (Exit 283). .
- Ellingson Rd, Boones Ferry Rd (Exit 286).
- Wilsonville Rd (Exit 283).
- 63 To Oregon City (Exit 288). I-205 goes north to Oregon City, Gladstone, and the Portland International Airport; reconnects with I-5 north of Vancouver, WA at Exit 7 (Washington).
- Access to Tualatin, Tigard and Lake Oswego (Exits 289-293). Between the I-205 exit (#288) and Haines Rd (#293) I-5 serves as a dividing line between the suburban municipalities of Tualatin and Lake Oswego. Tigard is further away from the I-5 corridor on Hwy 217 from Exit #292.
- Nyberg Rd Tualatin Sherwood Rd (Exit 289). Tualatin Sherwood Rd serves as the main road into/through Tualatin towards Hwy 99W in Sherwood. From Sherwood travelers can continue into Newberg, Dundee and McMinnville in the Yamhill Valley Wine Country, a world-renowned wine tasting destination via Hwy 99W.
- SW Carman Dr (Exit 291).
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(Exit 292). Connects to Tigard (SR-99W); Beaverton and ends at US-26 west. Serves as a partial western bypass for northbound drivers to connect with Hillsboro (via US Hwy 26 & SR-8) and the Northern Oregon Coast (US Hwy 26). SR-217 ends east of I-5 where the same road becomes SW Kruse Way leading into Lake Oswego a wealthy suburban enclave. - SW Haines St (Exit 293).
- 64 Portland (Exits 294-308. There are 18 exits into Portland). The largest city in Oregon, and a cultural center for the region. Known for its food and music scenes, and counter-cultural attitudes. Thousands of acres of gardens, parks, and trails to explore, as well as a multitude of shops and restaurants spread across several neighborhoods.
- Tigard & Southwest Portland (Exit 294). SR-99W officially begins/ends here. It goes west through Tigard, King City, Sherwood, Newberg and McMinnville in the Yamhill Valley Wine Country, Going into Portland the road becomes SW Barbur Blvd through Southwest Portland and into downtown Portland as SW Naito Pkwy (Front Ave). The old 99W continues along Naito Pkwy through downtown to the Steele Bridge where crosses over the Willamette River and continues north along N Interstate Ave. It rejoins into I-5 at Exit 306.
- SW Taylors Ferry Rd (Exit 295). Access from northbound lanes only. Exit 295 are two separate exits to different local surface street at opposite sides of the freeway.
- SW Capitol Hwy (Exit 295). Access from southbound lanes only. Locally SW Capitol Hwy goes south from the I-5/Barbur Blvd corridor to Portland Community College Sylvan Campus (PCC) the largest community college in Oregon.
- SW Barbur Blvd (Exit 296A). Barbur Blvd is the old Hwy 99W. Access from southbound lanes only.
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- SW Terwilliger Blvd (Exit 297).
- SW Corbett Ave (Exit 298). Access to a local street from northbound side only
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Macadam / Ross Island Bridge (Exit 299A). US Hwy 26 crosses over the Willamette River on the Ross Island bridge. US 26 goes through SE Portland as SE Powell and continues east towards Bend in Central Oregon through Gresham, Sandy, Mount Hood/Government Camp and Madras. SR-43 goes south along the west side of the Willamette River as SW Macadam towards Oregon City through Lake Oswego and West Linn. - 65
North to City Center West; North to Seattle 
(Exit 299B (from left lanes of the northbound side) into I-405). Interstate 5 crosses the Willamette River on the Marquam Bridge and continues north towards Seattle from the other side of the river. Interstate 405 is a local auxiliary highway that continues 4.5 mi (7.2 km) around downtown Portland (westside of the Willamette River) to the Fremont Bridge where it rejoins I-5 in the other side of the Willamette River. I-405 connects the I-5 corridor to downtown and to US Hwy 26 west (Exit 1D of I-405) towards Beaverton,Hillsboro and Seaside. -
The Dalles (Exit 300). After exiting from I-5 the off-ramp splits with one lane going right into SE Water Ave & Yamhill for local access to the warehouses and to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in southeast Portland while the other lane continues into I-84. Access from the northbound lanes only.
- Oregon City OMSI East (Exit 300B). Off ramp splits again after exiting from I-5. Left lane goes into Morrison Bridge east which leads towards another off ramp to MLK south (99E to Oregon City and OMSI) or continue east on SE Belmont. Right lane goes into Morrison Bridge west going into downtown Portland. Road becomes SW Washington St in downtown. Access from the southbound lanes only.
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- 66 East The Dalles (Exit 301 (southbound) / 300 (northbound)). I-84 passes through Portland's Eastside and through the Columbia Gorge to Hood River, The Dalles, Pendleton and Boise, ID. Travelers going to 22 Portland International Airport can follow I-84 to I-205 North towards Seattle at Exit #8 of I-84 and then to Airport Way W from Exit #24A of I-205. Likewise travelers can also go north towards the airport on NE 82nd (OR Hwy-213) from Exit #5 of I-84.
- NE Broadway-Weidler Moda Center (Exit 302A). Access to NE Broadway (WB) from the southbound lanes and NE Weidler (EB) from the northbound lanes. Nearest access to the Portland Memorial Coliseum, Oregon Convention Center and the Moda Center (Rose Quarter) all hosting different sporting events, concerts/performances and conventions throughout the year. .
- 67 West Beaverton St Helens (Fremont Bridge) (Exit 302B) (Fremont Bridge). I-405 connects Northwest Portland and downtown Portland from the I-5 corridor, while US 30 branches off from the west end of the Fremont Bridge and continues along the Willamette River through the northwest industrial areas to Sauvie Island, Scappoose, St. Helens and Astoria. I-405 then joins I-5 at the west end of the Marquem Bridge south of downtown Portland.
- Swan Island, N Killingsworth (Exit 303). Exit accesses N Going St (to Swan Island) and Killingsworth. Both are connected by local paralell roads at both sides, without re-entering the freeway.
- N Caesar Chavez Blvd (Exit 304).
- N Lombard St (Exit 305A). Accessible from the northbound lanes only
- Columbia Blvd (Exit 306A). Accessible from the northbound lanes only
- 68 Interstate Ave Portland International Raceway (Exit 306). Interstate Ave served as the "Old Hwy 99W" (not signed) through North Portland. The Old Hwy 99W crosses into downtown from N Interstate via the (black) Steele Bridge and continued along the downtown waterfront as Naito Pkwy. It goes through Southwest Portland as SW Barbur Blvd to it junction with I-5 at Exit 294 where OR-Hwy 99W officially begins. On some maps OR-Hwy 99W begins at SW Naito Pkwy and Clay St in downtown Portland. This exit (#306) is only accessible from the southbound lanes. From the northbound lanes take Exit 306B towards "Victory Lane/Expo Center" and take a left on N Victory Ln to reach Interstate Ave & the Portland International Raceway.
- MLK Jr Blvd & Marine Dr (Exit 307). OR-Hwy 99E begins here and goes parallel I-5 along the east side towards Salem. It goes through northeast and southeast Portland as Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Hwy 99E branches between NE Weidler and SE Mill St. Southbound traffic continue on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd while northbound traffic travel along Grand Ave. It continues south from SE Mill St to Oregon City as SE McCloughlin Blvd. This is where the old US Hwy 99 split between US Hwy 99E & 99W.
- 69 Hayden Island ODOTS Permits (Exit 308). Access to Jantzen Beach Shopping Center on Hayden Island. There are other restaurants, hotels and retails stores surrounding the Jantzen Beach mall for food, fuel, supplies and/or a night's stay. Exit is signposted "Hayden Island ODOTS Permits" from both directions. ODOTS permits are for commercial truck drivers to travel through the state.
The maximum speed limit is 70 MPH (112 km/h) for cars & 60 MPH (100 km/h) for large trucks on rural stretches and 60 MPH (100 km/h) in urban areas or lower if posted otherwise. Some of the highway rest stops in Washington are also staffed by volunteers from different local religious and fraternal organizations such as the Lions Club or Elk's Club to offer free coffee, tea, water and cookies to travelers. Some even offer home baked goods such as brownies too. A donation of any amount is appreciated in the can provided on the counter. Rest stops in Washington state do not have exit numbers but rather marked with a blue sign rather than the green sign.
Unlike California and Oregon only a short segment of the Old Hwy 99 ((47 mi (76 km) long) between Fife and Everett have been commissioned as State Route (SR) 99. The remaining segments of Old Highway 99 run continuously alongside I-5, as a separate road, between Olympia and Vancouver, Washington; Tacoma through Fife; and from Everett to Bellingham as "Old Pacific Highway", "Old Hwy 99", "Pacific Hwy" or by a local name. Some sections have been re-numbered as a different state highway described throughout the article in the below. There have been different alignments and re-alignments throughout its existence before 1940 which are included in some parts of this article but not all. Most of the segments described in this article are what is/was there as US Highway 99 when Interstate 5 was built in 1964-69:
- 70 Vancouver (Exits 1A-7). Fourth largest city in Washington and oldest permanent settlement in the Pacific Northwest; not to be confused with Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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East Camas (Exit 1A). Goes through the Columbia River Gorge along the Washington side of the Columbia River to Exit 131 of I-82 in Eastern Washington, north of Hermiston. In town the highway ends at Washington & W 5th St in downtown Vancouver. Exit 1B goes from the northbound lanes to E 6th St & C St. This is also another way to reach the airport. Go east on SR 14 to I-205 and then south on I-205 to NE Airport Way (Exit 24) on the other side of the Columbia River. -
E Mill Plain Blvd (Exit 1C). Major east-west road through town. Access to the Historic Ft Vancouver and the adjacent old military base of the same name just east of the freeway. Going the other direction Mill Plain goes into downtown Vancouver. Exit 1D continues north to 4th Plain, another local east-west road. - Old Hwy 99 (Exit 3). Going north, Old Hwy 99 becomes NE 20th Ave (north of the I-205 jct), NE Union Rd and NE 15th Ave and ends at NE 179th at Exit 9. Going south, the Old Hwy 99 becomes Main St ending at E 5th & Main in downtown.
- NE 78th St (Hazel Dell) (Exit 4). Local east-west street with multiple places for Lodging, fuel, restaurants, supplies/groceries (Costco, Fred Meyer, O'Reillys Auto Parts, etc) surrounding the I-5/Trosper Rd Jct.
- 71 NE 134th St Salem (Exit 7). I-205 goes south to the Portland International Airport (via NE Airport Way at Exit #24 from southbound lanes & 24A of the northbound lanes of I-205), East Portland, Gladstone, and Oregon City; and reconnects with I-5 at Exit 288 (Oregon) south of Portland. This exit is only accessible from the southbound lanes only. From the Northbound lanes Exit off at NE 134th St/ E WSU Vancouver (Exit 7A) and go east on NE 134th St to I-205.
- NE 179th St (Exit 9). Location of Clark County Fairgrounds at west side of freeway. The Old Hwy 99 is NE 15th Ave running along the eastside of the freeway from NE 179th St. The same road becomes NE Union, NE 20th, NE Hwy 99, crosses I-5 at Exit 3 and becomes Main St.
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- 72
Battleground (Exit 11). The town of Battleground is 6 miles (10km) east of the freeway along NE 219th. - 23 Gee Creek I-5 NB (Exit 11 / Mile 11). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines, RV sanitation station, and electrical vehicle charging station.
- 24 Gee Creek I-5 SB (Mile 12). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station.
- 73 La Center Cowlitz Reservation (Exit 16).
- 74
Woodland Cougar (Exit 21). SR-503 goes east through Woodland and connects to FR-90 in Cougar along the southside of Mt St Helens. It is also another way to access Mt St Helens from Portland and Southwest Washington. There are a series of gas stations, restaurants, motels and a couple of groceries stores to stock up. .
- Dike Access Rd (Exit 22).
- 75 Kalama (Exits 27 - 32). Exit 30 goes into downtown Kalama while Exit 27 access the industrial areas south of Kalama (Port of Kalama). Pin is at Exit #30. There are three exits to Kalama/Port of Kalama.
- Todd Rd, Port of Kalama (Exit 27). Going north Todd Rd goes towards downtown Kalama as the Old Pacific Hwy S, along the east side of I-5.
- Kalama (Exit 30). Downtown Kalama. The old Hwy 99 goes through downtown Kalama as 1st St and becomes Meeker north of town, winding towards Kelso as River Rd, along the east side of I-5. The northbound exit goes into E Frontage Rd while the southbound exit goes into W Frontage Rd. After exiting, southbound travelers can take a left on Oak St and a right on E Frontage Rd on the other side of the freeway to get into town.
- Kalama River Rd (Exit 32).
- 76 Kelso & Longview (Exits 36-46). Five exits to Kelso; SR-432 (Exit 36) and Pleasant Hil Rd & Headquarters Rd (Exit 39). SR-432 provide access to neighboring Longview west of the Cowlitz River. SR-4 continues west along the Washington side of the Colombia River to US Hwy 101 north of Astoria, Oregon. Likewise travelers can also cross the Columbia River from Longview into Rainier, OR and continue towards Astoria on US Hwy 30.
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Talley Way (Exit 36B). Goes from Exit 36B of I-5 to 3rd Ave and aound town as Industrial Ave to SR-4 west of town. To go into town go past 3rd Ave and continue onto Tennant Way (follow signs) which ends at 15th Ave/Oregon Way, just south of town. Exit 36A diverge into Kelso Dr which is local road that runs parallel (at 35 mph) along I-5 at the east side of the freeway from Talley Way (Exit 36) to Allen St (Exit 39).
- Kelso Dr (Exit 36A). The same exit (Exit 36B) splits after leaving the freeway with 36A leading into a roundabout at Kelso Dr. Going south the Old Hwy 99 become Old Pacific Hwy towards Kalama River Rd (Exit 32) and north towards Allen St at Exit 39 alongside the eastside of I-5. This exit is accessible from the northbound lanes only. Southbound traffic would leave the freeway at Allen St, turn left at Allen St and right (south) of Kelso Dr.
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Allen St to Kelso (Exit 39). Allen St is the main road into Kelso from the I-5 corridor and is the beginning of SR-4 which goes out through and past Kelso and Lonview towards Ilwaco & Longbeach out in the coast. There are multiple places for Lodging, fuel, restaurants, supplies/groceries (Safeway, Red Lion Inn, Three Rivers Mall, Target, etc) accessible from this exit. . - N Kelso Ave (Exit 40). Local access to local residential neighborhoods north of Kelso.
- Lexington Bridge Dr (Exit 42). Local access to residential neighborhoods north Kelso.
- Headquarter Rd/Pleasant Hill Rd (Exit 46).
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- 77
Castle Rock (Exit 49). SR-504 goes 52 mi (84 km) east to the Johnston Ridge Observatory in Mount St. Helens. There is a Visitors' Center closer to the freeway, only 5 mi (8.0 km) east. - 25 Toutle River I-5 NB (Mile 54). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and visitors info. No RV sanitation station.
- 26 Toutle River I-5 SB (Mile 54). Restrooms, water and picnic tables. No RV sanitation station. .
- 78 Jackson Hwy. Jackson Hwy is the segment of old hwy 99 through Toledo, Chehalis and Centralia in Lewis County. Exit is signposted as "Jackson Hwy Barnes Dr" from the southbound lanes. In downtown Chehalis Jackson Hwy becomes Market St.The Old Hwy 99 intersects with I-5 at Exits 82 and 88.
- 79
Toledo Vader Rd (Exit 60). Local road to access the town of Toledo. The other exit for going towards Vader is at Exit 59. - 80
Winlock Toledo (Exit 63). SR 505 goes across I-5 connecting Toledo to Winlock. - 81
East to Morton Yakima (Exit 68). US Hwy 12 goes east through the Cascade Mountains between Mount Rainier and Mount St Helens to Exit 31 on I-82 north of Yakima. Travelers can get to Mt Rainier from US Hwy 12 via SR 7 at Morton or SR 123 in Packwood and to Mt St Helens on SR 131/FR 25 in Randle. Going westbound, US Hwy 12 goes north along I-5 from Exit 68 to Exit 88. - 82
Napavine Onalaska (Exit 71). W Forest Napavine Rd/Main Ave connects Napavine in the west and Onalaska in the east - 83 Chehalis (Exits 72-79). Chehalis is a small town and the county seat of Lewis County. There are five exits to Chehalis. The pin is at SR-6 / W Main St at Exit #76 which connects I-5 to downtown Chehalis.
- Rush Rd (Exit 72). .
- Labree Rd (Exit 74).
- 13th St (Exit 76).
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West Pe Ell & Raymond (Exit 77). Connects Chehalis to Raymond and South Bend by Willapa Bay at the coas via the town of Pe Elit. Going east it goes into downtown Chehalis as Main St. - NW Chamber of Commerce Way (Exit 79). A local NW/SE street in Chehalis where there are multiple places for fuel, restaurants, a strip mall (Grocery Outlet, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, Dollar Tree, Taco del Mar, Starbucks, Wendy's, etc); Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc for supplies.
- Rush Rd (Exit 72).
- 84 Centralia (Exits 81-82). Founded as a railroad town, Centralia's economy was originally dependent on such extractive industries as coal, lumber and agriculture. It was named in reference to the midway point between Tacoma and Kalama (which were originally the NP's Washington termini), but proved to have longevity when it became the midpoint between Seattle and Portland after I-5 was built. There are two exits to Centralia
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Mellen St City Center (Exit 81). Accessible only from the northbound lanes only. From the southbound lanes exit at Harrison Ave (Exit #82) and follow the parallel side road past Harrison, past the merging lane (do not re-enter freeway) to Mellen St. Follow signs. (at Chevron Gas Station). - Harrison Ave Factory Outlet Way (Exit 82). Accessible from both directions. Harrison Ave is the segment of the Old Hwy 99 going into downtown Centralia where Old Hwy 99 goes north-south, through downtown, as Pearl St (SB) and Tower Ave (NB). Going towards Chehalis the old Hwy 99 becomes Kesky Ave (SB)/National Ave (NB) between Centralia and Chehalis. Going west from this junction, Harrison Ave curves northwards, alongside I-5, as 'Old Highway 99' towards US Hwy 12 in Grand Mound by Exit #88. There are multiple places for Lodging, fuel, restaurants, supplies/groceries (Bugerville USA, Dennys', Safeway, Centralia Outlets, Goodwill, etc) in the immediate areas. Click here for a list of hotel/motels in the area. .
- Aberdeen -Tenino (Exit 88). US Hwy 12 goes west towards Aberdeen through Rochester and Elma. US Hwy 12 ends at SR 8 in Elma. If coming from Centralia or anywhere south and going west towards Aberdeen this would be the route take without going through Olympia. If Going eastbound, US Hwy 12 goes south along I-5 from Exit 88 to Exit 68. Old Hwy 99 SW goes northeast from here to Tenino. From Tenino the Old Hwy 99 goes into Tumwater where it becomes Capitol Blvd. Going south Old Hwy 99 parallels along the west side of I-5 to Harrison Ave in Centralia at Exit #82 from its intersection of US Hwy 12 and Old Hwy 99 SW /Elderberry SW. .
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- 27 Scatter Creek I-5 NB (Mile 90). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station.
- 28 Maytown I-5 SB (Mile 93). Restrooms, water, picnic tables and visitors info. No RV sanitation station.
North of Olympia the interstate enters the large conurbation of cities in Thurston, Pierce, King and Snohomish counties. This section is multi-lane (3 to 5) in both directions and is busy with traffic at nearly all times of the day. If at all possible avoid driving at peak commuter times. Some drivers may be tempted to take Interstate 405 through Bellevue as an alternate route, but check traffic conditions before doing so as it is often even worse for traffic congestion than Interstate 5.
- 85 Tumwater (Exits 99-103). Southernmost city of the Puget Sound Region and the Olympia conurbation. There are four exits to Tumwater from I-5.
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93rd Ave SW (Exit 99). - Tumwater Blvd (Exit 101).
- Trosper Rd SW (Exit 102). There are multiple places for Lodging, fuel, restaurants, supplies/groceries (Costco, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, etc) surrounding the I-5/Trosper Rd Jct. Trosper ends at Capitol Blvd (Old Hwy 99), which parallels I-5 along the east. Capitol Blvd goes north through Tumwater into downtown Olympia at 4th Ave. The Old Hwy 99 then follows 4th Ave (WB)/ State (EB) through downtown and along E Martin Way through the eastside of Olympia and Lacey towards the Nisqually Tideflats at Exit 116. Going south/southeast on Capitol Blvd it becomes Old Hwy 99 SE towards Tenino. .
- Desuchutes Way (Exit 103). Access from northbound lanes only
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- 86 Olympia (Exits 104-108). The capital of Washington offers an unusually large and active arts and music scene for a city of its size, and its identity as a city remains distinct despite strong influences from Seattle, Tacoma and Everett to the north and from Portland/Vancouver to the south. Olympia is somewhat of a breeding ground for Pacific Northwest alternative culture having spawned or influenced many of the region's better-known personalities. North of Exit #104 (US-101) I-5 curves eastward and become an east-west highway through Olympia, Lacey and Joint Base Lewis McChord where it curves northwards again.
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- 87
North Aberdeen Port Angeles (Exit 104). US 101 begins/ends here. It goes west from I-5 to the third exit where US 101 exit off to the right and goes north towards Shelton and around the Olympic Peninsula via Port Angeles. The highway itself continues west as 
towards Aberdeen from the US Hwy 101 turnoff. There are two additional local exits to Olympia along US Hwy 101 between I-5 and where US Hwy 101 goes north towards Shelton. - City Center, State Capitol, Port of Olympia (Exit 105). Closet exit to downtown, the state capitol and the Port of Olympia (via downtown) from both directions.
- Pacific Ave Se (Exit 107). Prior to 1936 (before Martin Way was built) the old Highway 99 follows Pacific Ave SE from Lacey into downtown Olympia. Once in downtown Olympia the old Hwy 99 goes along State Ave (WB) / 4th Ave (EB) to Capitol Way S. It goes south through town as Capitol Way S and become Capital Blvd in Tumwater.. Going east from here, Pacific Ave SE goes through Lacey and around St Claire as Old Pacific Hwy SE & Nisqually Rd SE to Exit 116 of I-5 in the Nisqually tideflats. After E Martin Way was built in 1936 the old Hwy 99 was re-routed to E Martin Way from between its intersection with Pacific Ave and 4th Ave /State Ave, across town, to the Nisqually tide flats (Exit 116 at I-5).
- Sleater Kinney Rd/College St (Exit 108). access to St Martins College.
- 87
- 88 Lacey (Exits 109-116). Suburban city northeast of Olympia. I-5 goes east-west through Lacey, from Olympia to the Nisqually River at the Pierce/Thurston County line.
- 89 Dupont (Exits 116 & 119).
Due to long term construction activities along the freeway, through Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), from Center Dr (Exit #118) to Gravelly Lake #134 the speed limit is reduced to 50 mph. Exits into local side streets may of changed so follow signs closely and prepare for heavy traffic of less than 50 mph going through this area. There are limited or no access through JBLM to reach other surface roads in adjacent civilian areas.
- 90 Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) (Ft Lewis & McChord AFB, Exits 120-125). a U.S. military installation home to I Corps and 62d Airlift Wing 9.1 miles (14.6 km) south-southwest of Tacoma under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Headquarters, Joint Base Lewis–McChord. Joint Base Lewis–McChord is a training and mobilization center for all services and is the only Army power projection base west of the Rocky Mountains in the Continental United States. Its geographic location provides rapid access to the deep water ports of Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle for deploying equipment. There is a visitors center off Exit #120, and another one at Exit #125. A valid DoD ID card or visitor pass is required to enter the installation and is checked for by military police on the roads going into the military base. ID is also checked for those going into the military base by public transportation. There is a gas station and a series of restaurants lined up along Berkeley Ave in Tilicum, outside the military base, and are accessible from Exit #122
- 91 Lakewood (Exits 122-127). Suburban city southwest of Tacoma with a high number of US military personnel and their families living there due to its proximity to JBLM. I-5 goes east-west between Olympia and SR-512.
- Berkely St Madigan (Exit 122A). Exit 122A & B are connected to each other by Union Ave SW (local street) along the west of I-5. This access the local Lakewood neighborhood north/east of I-5 by American Lake and the front gate of Camp Murray National Guard Base. .
- Thorne Lake JBLM Logistics (Exit 122B).
- Gravelly Lake Dr Sw (Exit #124). The old Hwy 99 follows Pacific Hwy Sw from its intersection with Gravelly Lake Dr (Exit 124) into Tacoma. After crossing the SR-512 intersection the same road becomes S Tacoma Way the rest of the way north. After passing S 38th St, S Tacoma Way curves to the right (east) and becomes E 26th after crossing Pacific Ave. E 26th goes by the Tacoma Dome and ends at its intersection with E Puyallup Ave. The old Hwy 99 follows Puyallup Ave as Pacific Hwy into Fife where it becomes SR-99 the rest of the way to Seattle. .
- Bridgeport Way (Exit 125). Bridgeport is the most direct route into Lakewood Town Center (closest thing to a 'downtown Lakewood'). Bridgeport continues north through University Place, from Lakewood, and becomes S Jackson St in Tacoma where one can access Hwy 16 going into Gig Harbor without going into the I-5/SR-16 in Tacoma if coming from the south. .
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South Tacoma Way (Exit 127). SR 512 goes east towards Puyallup home of the Western Washington State Fair. It goes around Puyallup and continues northwards as SR-167 towards Renton. Second exit from I-5 going east is SR 7 which is the road leading towards Pacific Lutheran University and Mount Rainier. Going west, SR-512 ends at Pacific Hwy/South Tacoma Way (Old Hwy 99). .
- Berkely St Madigan (Exit 122A). Exit 122A & B are connected to each other by Union Ave SW (local street) along the west of I-5. This access the local Lakewood neighborhood north/east of I-5 by American Lake and the front gate of Camp Murray National Guard Base.
- 92 Tacoma (Exits 127-135). Washington's second largest city and formerly all industrial. The city center has been beautified, and the city now offers attractions such as the famous America's Car Museum, Museum of Glass, Point Defiance Park, and the Washington State History Museum. There are seven exits to Tacoma from I-5.
- S 84th St (Exit 128). The exit is only accessible from the northbound lanes which goes into S Hosmer/S Steele St (a north-south road). Go left (north) on Hosmer to get to S 84th or right (south) on Steele to get to SR-512. There are a series of hotels/motels (of 'South Tacoma') along this road from the 7200-9000 block which are also accessible from S 72nd/74th (next north) via S Hosmer. Entry into the freeway is only onto the southbound lanes from here. (see 'South Tacoma' under 'Sleep' in the Tacoma article for a list of hotels). .
- S 72nd St / S 74th St (Exit 129). A local east/west street in South Tacoma where there are multiple places for Lodging (in 'South Tacoma'), single Valero Gas Station for fuel and Tacoma Place for food (Apple Bee's, Dairy Queen, Famous Dave's BBQ, Olive Garden, Pho Ever, Popeye's, Shari's, Starbucks, Subway, WinCo, etc). .
- S 56th St University Place (Exit 130). .
- S 84th St (Exit 128). The exit is only accessible from the northbound lanes which goes into S Hosmer/S Steele St (a north-south road). Go left (north) on Hosmer to get to S 84th or right (south) on Steele to get to SR-512. There are a series of hotels/motels (of 'South Tacoma') along this road from the 7200-9000 block which are also accessible from S 72nd/74th (next north) via S Hosmer. Entry into the freeway is only onto the southbound lanes from here. (see 'South Tacoma' under 'Sleep' in the Tacoma article for a list of hotels).
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Due to long term construction activities along the freeway from S 38th through Fife the I-5/SR-16 interchange, the adjacent exit configurations and the freeway lane alignments between Exits 137A-B through 132 are subject to change. Speed limit through this segment is 50 mph. Follow signs closely and prepare for heavy traffic of less than 50 mph through this area.
- 93
West Gig Harbor Bremerton; S 38th St west Tacoma Mall (Exit 132). SR 16 provides additional access to Tacoma before crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor in the Kitsap Peninsula and continues north to Bremerton. There is a toll to cross the Narrows Bridge coming to Tacoma from Gig Harbor (south-east direction) but NOT for going into the Kitsap Peninsula. Access to S 38th St, the location of Tacoma Mall and the surrounding retail venues, is also the same as SR-16 from both directions. Follow signs closely. - 94
North to City Center & E 26th to Tacoma Dome, 
South (to East Tacoma via Pacific Hwy) (Exit 133) (Signed as "City Center"). I-705 connects I-5 at Exit 132/133 to downtown Tacoma and the Tacoma Dome (first exit to E 26th). Going north of downtown Tacoma the road becomes Schuster Pkwy (40 mph) which goes into Old Town Tacoma (N 30th St & Schuster Pkwy) where it becomes N Ruston Way along the waterfront at much slower speeds (20 mph), towards Point Defiance Park and Point Defiance Ferry Terminal to Vashon Island. Going south SR-7 ends at S 38th St to access the south and east neighborhoods. SR-7 continues south along Pacific Hwy towards Mt Rainier. Old Hwy 99 crosses under I-705 as E 26th St and becomes S Tacoma Way west of its intersection with Pacific Hwy. The Old Hwy 99 follows S Tacoma Way/Pacific SW to its intersection with Gravelly Lake at Exit 124 of I-5. Going the other way (east) E 26th goes by the Tacoma Dome and end its intersection with E Puyallup Ave. Old Hwy 99 follows E Puyallup Ave (Pacific Hwy after crossing Puyallup River) into Fife where it becomes SR-99 (Pacific Hwy). ( in downtown Tacoma, around the Tacoma Dome and along Ruston Way, The , are along E Puyallup Ave, are accessed from E 26th St from I-705 or Portland Ave at Exit 134 of I-5).
- 93
- 95 Fife (Exits 136 (Port of Tacoma Rd) & 137 (54th St E)). Suburban and industrial city northeast of Tacoma. I-5 goes east-west from SR 16 in Tacoma, through Fife, to the Pierce/King County line at the "Fife Curves". There are two exits to Fife.
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North 54th Ave E Fife (Exit #137). SR-99 officially begins from 54th Ave E & Pacific Hwy which runs parallel north/west of I-5 from Fife through Federal Way, Des Moines, SeaTac (and airport) and breaks at its junction with SR-518 in Tukwila/SeaTac. The road continues north through Tukwila as International Blvd to its junction with SR-599 where become Hwy 99 once again. There are numerous stores, strip malls, restaurants and hotels/motels along the SR-99 corridor which can be accessed from multiple exits along the I-5 corridor. Going towards Tacoma the Old Hwy 99 continues west on Pacific Hwy which becomes Puyallup Ave after crossing the Puyallup River in Tacoma. ( . - Port of Tacoma Rd/20th Ave E (Exit 136). Access from the southbound lanes only
- 20th Ave E (Exit 136A). Access from northbound lanes only.
- Port of Taomca E (Exit 136B). Access from northbound lanes only.
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- 29 SeaTac Rest Stop I-5 NB (Mile 140). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station
- 96 Federal Way (Exits 142B-147). Federal Way is a suburban city of 90,000 inhabitants and is home to World Vision and Weyerhaeuser. There are three exits to Federal Way. The marker for Federal Way is at S 320th which is the location of the Federal Way commons and the surrounding retail venues, restaurants and hotels (core area of Federal Way and the closest thing to a 'downtown') .
- 97
East Auburn; West S 348th St (Exit 142A & 142B). Connects I-5 to Auburn, Maple Valley and Covington in the southeast part of King County. SR 18 ends at Exit #25 of I-90 in Snoqualmie. If coming from Federal Way or anywhere south and going east towards Spokane on I-90 this would be the route take without going through Seattle and Bellevue. SR-18 continues west to Pacific Hwy (SR 99) in Federal Way (accessed from 142B from both directions towards S 348th St). The same road continues west of Pacific Hwy as S 348th St at slower speeds. If merging in from SR-18 to I-5 southbound the road spits between I-5 southbound and Enchanted Pkwy (SR-161). - S 320th St (Exit 143). Serves as the major east-west arterial route through Federal Way.
- S 317th St. Accessible only to carpools (of 2 or more); buses and mopeds. Exit and merging ramps are on left side in both directions. Yes they do check for violators of the carpool only rule.
- S 272nd St (Exit 147).
- 97
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Kent-Des Moines Hwy (Exits 149 (SB side); 149A & 149B (NB side)). Local east-west highway, crossing under I-5, connecting Des Moines in the west to Kent in the east. - Tukwila and Sea-Tac (Exits 151-156).
- S 200th St, Military Rd (Exit 151).
- S 188th St - Orilla Rd S (Exit 152). Another way to access the airport in SeaTac. There's a gas station to fill up the tank before returning a rental car and a Motel 6 S 188th St. Going the other direction the road winds down into Kent Valley as Orilla Rd S. Additional hotels are further in along International Blvd. .
- Southcenter (Exit 153). Access into Southcenter Mall from the northbound lanes.
- 98 North Bellevue;
West SeaTac (Exit 154). Interstate 405 serves a local auxillary/by-pass highway that continues 32 mi (51 km) around Lake Washington through the eastside cities of Renton, Newcastle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell, Woodinville and Redmond (via SR-520 at Exit 14 in Bellevue). It rejoins I-5 at Exit 182 in Lynnwood. Additional connections to Seattle from I-405, across Lake Washington, can be made through I-90 and SR-520 and around the north shores of Lake Washington, on Lake City Way (SR 522) through Bothell, Lake City and Northgate. Going west, I-405 becomes SR-518 towards Burien and 30 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The airport can also be accessed from S 188th St from Exit #152. This off-ramp from the northbound lanes of I-5 splits between I-405 north and SR-518 west. Access from the northbound lanes only. After exiting the off-ramp splits again with one lane going west into SR-518 and the other lane going east onto I-405.
- Renton (Exit 154A). Access to I-405 from the southbound lanes only. Access from the left side.
- SeaTac Airport Southcenter (Exit 154B). Access from the southbound lanes only on the right side. After exiting I-5 the offramp splits again with one lane going towards Southcenter Blvd and the other lane getting on SR-518 towards the airport and Burien.
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- 99
Tukwila (NB); Interurban Ave (SB) (Exit 156). Access to SR-599 is only accessible from the northbound (NB) lanes. From the southbound (SB) lanes Exit 156 only goes into Interurban Ave, a local street through Tukwila. SR-599 becomes at its junction with Tukwila International Blvd. It continues north through Sodo/Georgetown along the Duwamish River and under downtown Seattle through the Viaduct Tunnel. From north of downtown Seattle, WA-Hwy 99 goes up through Ballard and North Seattle as N Aurora Ave. It's also another way to reach West Seattle and Whitecenter from the south at the SR 99/509 junction via Highland Park Way SW.
- Seattle (Exits 157-175). By far the largest city in the region and in the state. It is the heart of a vibrant metropolitan area and a major tourist destination. There are 18 exits to Seattle proper from the I-5 corridor.
- 99 Airport Way / E Marginal Way (Exit 158). Access to Boeing Field/King County Airport and The Museum of Flight and to Rainier Valley in South Seattle on Ryan Ave.
- 99 West Seattle Bridge & Beacon Hill (Exits 163 & 163A) (Just south of downtown Seattle). West Seattle Bridge closed for repairs. Go on SR-599 from Exit 156 to get to West Seattle.
- 99
East; James St & Deerborne St in Downtown Seattle (Exits 164 & 164A) (Just south of downtown Seattle). Interstate 90 is the longest interstate in the country, traveling approximately 3,020 mi (4,860 km) from Seattle in the west to Boston in the east. It is the most convenient route for travelers going to Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho and another way to cross Lake Washington (without toll) from Seattle to Bellevue and Mercer Island locally. The off ramp from the northbound lanes is at Exit #164A. From the southbound lanes the freeway splits with the two left lanes (Exit #164) going towards "Bellevue & Spokane" via I-90 while the two right lanes continue south towards "Tacoma & Portland". - E Martinez Dr (164B). Goes onto I-90 West towards its west end at T-Mobile Field. The road forks to the right towards 4th Ave at Century Link Field at Royal Brougham and to S third, south of T-Mobile Field (
). - Downtown Seattle & Capitol Hill (Exits 165 - 168A) (Just south of downtown Seattle). The Seneca St exit is at the left (#165) while the Olive St exit is to the right (#166). Exit 168A also goes into the Capital Neighborhood via Lakeview Blvd E.
- 99
Toll Bridge to Bellevue Kirkland (Exit 168B). SR-520 crosses Lake Washington into Kirkland & Redmond (Home of Microsoft). There's a toll to go across the bridge in both directions. Rather than setting up toll booths to collect toll cameras are installed to read the "Good to Go" tags on the windshields and the license plates of passing vehicles and deduct the toll from the pre-paid account behind the "Good to Go" tag. If there's no money on deposit or no tags installed a bill (for the toll) is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. Toll varies from $0 (Midnight to 5AM) to $5.55 (peak weekday travel times).
- 99 Airport Way / E Marginal Way (Exit 158). Access to Boeing Field/King County Airport and The Museum of Flight and to Rainier Valley in South Seattle on Ryan Ave.
- 99 NE 45th St (Exit 169). Access to University District (to the east) the home of University of Washington and Fremont-Wallingford (to the west).
- 99 Edmonds/SR-104 (Exit 177). SR-104 goes west into the Edmonds Ferry Terminal with ferries going to Kingston
- 99 Lynnwood (Exits 178-181). There are three exits through Lynnwood
- 99 I-405/SR-525 (Exit 182). Jct I-405 from Exit 182 to get to Woodinville, Bothell, Kirkland, Bellevue and Renton east of Lake Washington. Rejoins I-5, 30 mi south at Exit #154. I-405 becomes SR-525 west of I-5 going towards the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal via Paine Field .
- 31 Silver Lake Rest Stop I-5 SB (Mile 188). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station .
- 99 Everett (Exits 186-198). Everett is home to the largest public marina on the west coast of the United States and the assembly plant for the large Boeing 747, 767, 777 and the Dreamliner (787) jumbo jets which is open for public tours. Everett is accessed from exits #186 (128th St SW) through #198 (WA-529 West Broadway) along I-5, there are 6 exits to Everett.
- 99
West Mukilteo-Whidbey Island Ferry / 
to Everett Mall Way (Exit 189). SR-526 goes west towards Mukilteo and the Paine Field Airport. SR-99 begins from its intersection with SR-526 and Broadway, going southwest through Everett Mall, south Everett, Lynnwood, Aurora Village, Shoreline and into North Seattle as SE Everett Mall Way, Evergreen Way, Pacific Hwy and Aurora. There are numerous stores, strip malls, restaurants and hotels/motels along the SR-99 corridor which can be accessed from multiple exits along the I-5 corridor. Going north from the SR-526 interchange, SE Everett Mall Way becomes Broadway (old Hwy 99) which is a major north south corridor through Everett. - Broadway & 41st Ave (Exit 192). Local access to south of Everett via 41st Ave which crosses over the freeway. Go west to get to Broadway. Accessible from both directions and goes by Evergreen Cemetery.
- To
Pacific Ave City Center (Exit 193). Direct and closest access into downtown Everett and the downtown Everett Station . -
Snohomish & Wenatchee (Exit 194). US-2 goes east to Leavenworth and Wenatchee in the North Central Cascades or go west into downtown Everett on Pacific Ave.
- 99
- South Broadway & Port of Everett (Exit 198). The 'Old Hwy 99' continues from State St in Marysville into Everett where it continues south as Broadway which is the main north-south corridor through Everett. It continues south towards Seattle as SR-99 from its intersection with SR-526 (Exit 189) at Everett Mall as SE Everett Mall Way and Evergreen Way. This exit is only accessible from the southbound lanes. SR-529 goes around town as W Marine View Dr and east towards Jct US Hwy 2 as Everett Ave (Exit 194).
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Marysville Tulalip (Exit 199). SR 528 goes east-west connecting the Tulalip Indian Reservation to Marysville. It goes west from I-5 as Marine Dr and east into downtown Marysville as 4th Ave. 'Old Hwy 99' goes north-south through downtown Marysville as State St and becomes Smokey Point Blvd north of town along I-5 to SR-530 at Exit 212 where it rejoins I-5. .
- 88th St NE, Quil Ceda Way (Exit 200).
- 116th St NE (Exit 201).
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172nd St NE (Exit 206).
- 32 Smokey Point Rest Stop I-5 NB (Mile 207). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station
- 33 Smokey Point Rest Stop I-5 SB (Mile 207). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitors info, vending machines and RV sanitation station
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Arlington Darrington (Exit 208). Old Hwy 99 follows along Smokey Point Blvd, parallel along the east side of I-5, into Marysville where it becomes State St. The old Hwy 99 crosses over I-5 into Everett from Marysville as SR-529 at Exit 198 (southbound access only).
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- 99
West Stanwood Camano Island (Exit 212). - 99 Mt Vernon (Exits 224-227). County seat and primary city of Skagit County, Washington that was voted "#1 Best Small City in America" in 1998 by the New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities. It is known for its annual Tulip Festival in April.
- Old Hwy 99 South Rd (Exit 224). The Old Hwy 99 follows along "Old Hwy 99 South Rd", parallel along the west side of I-5, enters into downtown Mount Vernon where it splits into S 2nd St (northbound)/3rd St (southbound). The old Hwy 99 crosses over I-5 north of downtown Mt Vernon and become N 4th St & Riverside along the east side of I-5. It crosses over the Skagit River and goes through Burlington as Burlington Blvd to the SR 11 junction with I-5 at Exit 231. But the road continues another 11 mi (18 km) north to Null Rd at Exit #242 as "Old Hwy 99 North Rd". This exit is only accessible from the northbound lanes only.
- Anderson Rd (Exit 225).
- Broad Rd (Exit 226). Direct access into downtown Mount Vernon and the Mt Vernon Transportation Center for Amtrak, Greyhound and Skagit Transit 105 E Kincaid. .
- Burlington (Exits 229-231). There are three exits in Burlington.
- George Hopper Rd (Exit 229). Local & "big box" shopping outlets such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart Supercenter, etc are located off this exit. Old Hwy 99 is Burlington Blvd, a local throughfare through Burlington and is accessible from this exit. .
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Burlington Anacortes (Exit 230). SR-20 goes west to Anacortes, the San Juan Ferry Terminal and Whidbey Island through Deception Pass and east to Okanogan through the North Cascades National Park (also be sure to see more on The North Cascade Loop itinerary article as to what else is there to do and see there). . -
Chuckanut Dr & Bow-Edison (Exit 231). Going north the Old Hwy 99 follows Chuckanut Dr (SR-11) along the shores of Bellingham Bay into Bellingham. Going South the Old Hwy 99 goes back into Burlington as Burlington Blvd, crosses the Skagit River and becomes N Riverside Dr to go into Mt Vernon.
- George Hopper Rd (Exit 229). Local & "big box" shopping outlets such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Walmart Supercenter, etc are located off this exit. Old Hwy 99 is Burlington Blvd, a local throughfare through Burlington and is accessible from this exit.
- 99 Bellingham (Exits 250-258). The home of Western Washington University, the departure point for the Alaska Ferry going up to SE Alaska, and the largest city in this part of the state. It was an industrial town based on coal mining and timber and is now more environmentally conscious culture with environmentally friendly practices, such as recycling and the gateway to outdoor activities. Activities range from skiing on nearby Mt. Baker to whale watching near the San Juan Islands. Downtown exits are at 'Lakeway Dr' (exit 253) and 'State Iowa Streets' (exit 254).
- Old Fairhaven Pkwy, Chuckanut Dr (Exit 250). Go west from here into the Fairhaven neighborhood where the 34 Bellingham Cruise and Ferry Terminals are at. The terminal serves as a ferry terminal for the Alaska Ferries, and as Amtrak and Greyhound stations. Chuckanut Dr (old Hwy 99) (begins south of S 12th & Old Fairhaven Pkwy) and wind its way into Burlington (Exit 231) through Larrabbee State Park. Going north the old Hwy 99 follows S State St (along water front), becomes 'Boulevard' and goes through downtown as N Forest St (N/E bound) and N State St (S/W bound) to Iowa St.
- Samish Way, Western Washington University (Exit 252). Access from northbound lanes only. Return to freeway to southbound only.
- Lakeway Dr (Exit 253).
- State St Iowa St (Exit 254). State and Iowa Streets streets are like main street through downtown Bellingham. Going south the old Hwy 99 follows S State St (along water front), becomes 'Boulevard' and goes into Fairhaven as S 11th & 12th St
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Meridian St, Bellis Fair - Mall Pkwy (Exit 256). Connects directly to the Lynden-Aldergrove border crossing, where it becomes BC-13 in Canada. Also provides access to SR-546 near Lynden, which gives access to the Sumas-Huntingdon border crossing. See Northwest Washington#By car for more Canada-United States border crossing information. - Northwest Ave (Exit 257).
- 35 Bakerview Road Bellingham International Airport (Exit 258). Location of Bellingham International Airport, 4.5 mi (7.2 km) north/northwest of downtown, west of the freeway via Airport Rd and Airport Way from this exit.
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- Ferndale (Exits 262 & 263). Two exits to access Ferndale from both directions.
- 36 Custer Rest Area I-5 NB (Mile 267). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, visitor info, and vending machines. No RV sanitation station.
- 37 Custer Rest Area I-5 SB (Mile 269). Restrooms, water, picnic tables, vending machines and electrical vehicle charging station. No RV sanitation station.
- 99 Blaine (Exits 270-276). Located beside the international border with Canada, entering at Surrey. I-5 becomes BC-99 at Peace Arch border crossing. Trucks and buses cannot use the Peace Arch border crossing and instead must exit at SR-543 (second to the last at Exit #275) and cross through a separate checkpoint, 5 mi (8 km) east of the Peace Arch border crossing. SR-543 becomes BC-15 at the border.
Stay safe
[edit]When on the road, most of the journey is straightforward freeway driving. If it is winter, it is wise to check the weather conditions at the Siskiyou pass, between Redding and Grants Pass, before crossing the border from California into Oregon. Snowy conditions are not uncommon, and officials usually close the road if things become too dangerous. A closure can be waited out in the Shasta or Redding area on the California side, or Ashland and Medford on the Oregon side. It is also possible to detour along the coast via US Hwy 199 from Grants Pass to Crescent City or from further north.
Alternative routes
[edit]Alternatives for traveling north/south through California include US-Hwy 101, El Camino Real and the Pacific Coast Highway in the west, or US-Hwy 395 along the Eastern Sierra and east of the Cascades in Oregon and Washington. All of these are more scenic and interesting routes but are much longer and slower and are more of a journey to experience than just for getting from A to B. SR-99, US-395, US-Hwy 101 and Old Hwy 99/Pacific Hwy are also local streets/roads at slower speeds through some of the cities and towns they pass through. In some places the de-commissioned "Old Hwy 99" can have a different local street name rather than "Pacific Hwy" or "Old Highway 99". They are all connected to I-5 and each other via various east-west roads in all three states:
- US 97 begins/ends from I-5 in Weed at the south end of US Hwy 97 on the Volcanic Legacy Byway. US Hwy 97 runs parallel with the I-5 corridor to the Canadian border in Oroville WA through Klamath Falls, Crater Lake National Park, Bend, Redmond, The Dalles in Central Oregon; and Yakima, Ellensburg, Wenatchee and North Cascades National Park in Eastern Washington.
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US 101 serves as a coastal route along the west coast from I-5 in Olympia, Washington back to I-5 in downtown Los Angeles, California. It goes north around the Olympic Peninsula & Olympic National Park (via Port Townsend & Port Angeles), along SW Washington Coast, through the Oregon Coast, to Eureka, CA (via Redwood National Park) before going inland (parallel with I-5) while CA-Hwy 1 serves as the coastal highway in California between Eureka and Los Angeles via San Francisco, San Jose, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, etc. US Hwy 101 is a freeway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and in certain sections between Arcata and San Francisco. North of Arcata, through Oregon and Washington, US 101 is primarily a 2 lane road except in more busier and populated cities it is a 4 lane road but at slower speeds and without the median barriers. 
US 395 begins/ends from I-15 in Hesperia, north of San Bernardino. US Hwy 395 runs parallel with the I-5 corridor, through the remote Majave Deserts and the Sierra Nevada, between Sequoia National Forest and Death Valley National Park towards Carson City and Reno in Nevada. It re-enters California north of Reno and passes through Alturas, Susanville and Modoc National Forest, alongside Lassen Volcanic National Park before crossing into Oregon. It enters Oregon through Lakeview, OR and goes up towards Hermiston through John Day and Pendleton. It crosses the Columbia River along I-82 into Washington (state) to Pasco where it splits from I-82 as a separate road towards Ritzville and along I-90 to Spokane. From Spokane it continues north through Colville, WA and Kettle Falls in Northeast Washington to the Canadian border at Laurier, WA.- Interstate 405 serves as an auxiliary highway to go around the three major cities of the three states. In California it goes 72 mi (116 km) from the San Fernando Valley (north of Los Angeles) through or by Van Nuys, Culver City, West Los Angeles, LAX, Westminster, Torrance, Long Beach, John Wayne Airport, Costa Mesa and Irvine where it rejoins to/splits from I-5. In Washington I-405 spans 30 mi (48 km) around Lake Washington, from Tukwila (10 mi (16 km) south of Seattle at Exit 154), through Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell, Woodinville and Lynnwood where it re-joins to / split from I-5 north of Seattle. In Oregon I-405 splits from I-5, south of downtown Portland, with I-5 going east on the Willamette River on the Marquam Bridge while I-405 goes 4.2 mi (6.8 km) around downtown to provide local access into downtown and northwest Portland as well as onward connections to/from US Hwy 26 and 30 west. I-405 crosses the Willamette River via the Fremont Bridge and re-joins into I-5 east of the Willamette River, northeast of downtown Portland.
The old National Park to Park Highway was a pre-1926 circular auto route comprising of various US, interstate and state highways to access several national parks in the western United States. On the west coast the old National Park to Park Auto Trail connected Mt Rainier, Crater Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite, General Grant National Park, Sequoia National Park and the surrounding national forests from along the present I-5/CA-Hwy 99 in California, Oregon and Washington. Various east-west US, state and local highways connect travelers from the I-5/CA-Hwy 99 corridor into the national parks. The Auto Trail then winds around through Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and back into Washington (from the east) to access Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park with a branch (roughly I-15 & UT-Hwy 9) of this highway reaching into southern Utah to access Zion National Park. The remainder of the National Park to Park Highway travels on different US, state and intestate highways.
The Pacific Crest Trail is a continuous 2,650 mi (4,260 km) hiking/trekking trail from Campo, California, near the Mexican border to Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia via marker #78 at the US/Canadian border through the three states. It intersects I-5 at mile marker 1501.2 of the trail in Castella - Castle Crag in Northern California and again at mile 1718.9 in Callahan's - Ashland in Southern Oregon.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Interstate 5 |
Whistler ← Vancouver ← becomes  ←  (Peace Arch Park) ←
|
N  S
|
→ Ferndale → Bellingham → Seattle |
| Los Angeles ← San Diego ← Chula Vista ← | N S
|
→ (San Ysidro) → Becomes  → Tijuana → Ensenada
|
Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) is a network of ferry lines connecting destinations along the southeastern coast of Alaska and going all the way down to Bellingham, Washington. It provides a connection to many island and island-like communities, separated by fjords, including the Alaskan state capital Juneau which is accessible only by boat or plane despite being located on the mainland. The AMHS is also an alternative to the long drive through Canada for surface travel between the lower 48 states and Alaska, and can be a more affordable (if decidedly less luxurious) way to witness some of the same rugged coastal scenery that Alaskan cruises take in.- Interstate 10 serves as a continuation of the old Hwy 99 from downtown Los Angeles towards Indio through San Gabriel Valley, San Bernardino, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs and Palm Desert. From Indio the old Hwy 99 continues south on CA-Hwy 86, along the western shores of the Salton Sea, to its southern terminus in Calexico via CA-Hwy 111 from Brawley through El Centro. I-10 can also be part of the Pan American journey from the I-5 corridor in Los Angeles to I-35 in San Antonio where travelers can continue south into Mexico.
Route 66 (aka Old US 66) was a highway that extended from Chicago to Los Angeles. It crossed much of the American Midwest, Great Plains, and Southwest. Although Highway 66 is no longer commissioned as a US Highway, it represents a multitude of ideas: freedom, migration West, and the loneliness of the American heartland. More than four-fifths of it remain drivable (though not always well-marked) as a collection of state highways and local roads. Radiator Springs is a fictional village on Route 66, depicted in the 2006 Pixar animated film, Cars with real places along the US Route 66 as the backdrop. It intersects Interstate 5/old Hwy 99 at SR-110 (towards "Pasadena") in Los Angeles.- Pan American (PanAm) Highway In the U.S. all interstate highways make up the 'Pan-American' highway which spans from the northern coast of Alaska to the Darien Gap in Panama. In the Lower 48 Interstate 5 is closest to the southern terminus of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, BC. Travelers, traveling from the Alaska Highway can travel on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, through British Columbia, to reach the Lower 48 in Blaine, WA.
Vancouver, BC The freeway continues north of the border as BC-Hwy 99 for the next 25 mi (40 km) into Vancouver BC. From north of Vancouver, BC Hwy 99 winds its way along the shores of Howe Sound, through Garibaldi Provincial Park, Whistler, to its northern terminus at BC Hwy 97 in Cache Creek (337 km north of Vancouver):
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- The Sea to Sky region (north of Vancouver) stretches from the North Shore up the east side of Howe Sound to Squamish, the gateway to British Columbia's magnificent alpine country of forests, lakes, and year round world class outdoor activities. The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99), which gives the region its name, clings to the mountainsides, letting you drive from Vancouver to Whistler, one of North America's top ski resorts, in two hours.
Tijuana, BCN. Once south of the Mexican inspection station the road continues west along the (Mexican side of) the border to Las Playas barrio and then along the coast as Mex Hwy 1D as a toll "freeway" while Hwy 1 straddles alongside as a 2 lane road to Ensenada(via Rosarito). Mex Hwy 1 serves as the main north-south road along the Baja California peninsula to its southern terminus in ]] San Jose del Cabo (1654 km south of Tijuana).
Mexicali (also known informally as "Chicali") is the capital of the state of Baja California in Mexico, directly across the border from Calexico, California where the old US Hwy 99 (CA Hwy 111) ends/begins at. Its proximity to the United States has made it a very popular tourist destination, especially for day-trippers. Growing violence has curtailed that traffic, although Mexicali remains safer than other large border cities like Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez.
