I've driven the 5 through the San Joaquin Valley more times than I can remember. It's a drive that I really enjoy but I never pay attention to any of the other highways that intersect during the trip. They're just milestones to help me gauge progress.
This Sunday, while driving back from LA, I decided to write down all the state highways that I was passing over and figure out how many of them I've driven on. So, starting from where 99 splits off, here goes...
166 - Doesn't ring a bell.
119 - Never been.
223 - Nada, but wasn't this part of the name of a TV show?
119 - Again? Did I write that down right?
43 - Nope.
58 - Ah-ha! Finally. This one I've actually driven the entire stretch. Going east is fun but once you get over the hills it's basically a straight shot across the high desert. Going west is actually a very enjoyable trip over the hills to the 101. You come out on the 101 just north of San Luis Obispo. Not a trip for those in a hurry.
46 - One of the routes to the 101, probably the second best if you're trying to do it quickly. Takes you right into Paso Robles. And there's the James Dean death site.
41 - I'm sure it's a very nice road but I wouldn't know.
269 - Other than an adolescent giggle every time I see the last two digits, nothing.
198 - One of these is heading west. I think that's this one. A fun drive to 101. Not quick at all. Matter of fact, one of the slower ways to gap the distance. Quite windy and narrow. Brings you in a little south of King City.
198 - I think I've got them in the right order. If so, this heads east and out of my range of experience.
33 south/145 - I couldn't tell you a thing about the 145 but the 33 south is on my to-do list.
33 north - Surprisingly, the 33 north did not make the to-do list. That's probably because I tried to find a gas station along this road one dark night and ended up sweating all the way to the next state highway.
165 - I don't know why this road sounds familiar. My tires haven't graced it. Or, if they have, I wasn't in the car at the time.
152 - This is it. The premier speed route to transition from the 5 to the 101. Less than 45 minutes. I've also taken this east to the 99.
Depressing how few of these highways I've been on. Must. Correct.
