Harris Ranch Coalinga, CA

[sheridany]

For those of you traveling in CA and have spent the night at Harris Ranch in the gravel parking lot. Be aware they have decided to turn that gravel lot into a football field of Tesla superchargers. No more parking there. You might get lucky if you show up early and park in the lot by the hotel. Otherwise you have to look elsewhere.

 

[Voyageurs]

For those of you traveling in CA and have spent the night at Harris Ranch in the gravel parking lot. Be aware they have decided to turn that gravel lot into a football field of Tesla superchargers. No more parking there. You might get lucky if you show up early and park in the lot by the hotel. Otherwise you have to look elsewhere.

Yah, it’s one of the bigger Tesla Superchargers on the west coast now. Even has pull thrus for those of us towing. It caters mostly to the LA to San Francisco and Sacramento crowd. It was definitely needed. Especially on fridays, sundays and long weekends.

 

[J&JD]

As far as I’m concerned traveling 5 in central California is to be avoided period. I’ll use 101 no matter if it costs me substantial travel time.

 

[Rich W.]

Ive driven 5 south of Sacramento a few times in the last couple years and found it wasnt that bad - no worse than many other interstates, although I do prefer smaller highways. Also stopped at Harris Ranch a coulple times and never had trouble finding room over by the hotel/restaurant. But I could see it being an issue for late arrivals.

 

[J&JD]

Ive driven 5 south of Sacramento a few times in the last couple years and found it wasnt that bad - no worse than many other interstates, although I do prefer smaller highways. Also stopped at Harris Ranch a coulple times and never had trouble finding room over by the hotel/restaurant. But I could see it being an issue for late arrivals.

It’s certainly not worse than many, many other state’s freeways. The road surface itself is mostly in good shape. It’s just that there are alternatives that are much more conducive to an enjoyable Rv experience.

 

[Voyageurs]

As far as I’m concerned traveling 5 in central California is to be avoided period. I’ll use 101 no matter if it costs me substantial travel time.

101 is a nice route and a little less hectic when towing. And the also have good DC fast charging and Supercharger infrastructure although not as much as I5.

 

[udidwht]

101 is better route than 5. The 5 is boring and if an issue pops up help can be further away than on the 101.

 

[Rich W.]

I just took I5 south from Sacramento again and overall it was perfectly acceptable. The road surface between Sac and Stockton was a little rough in areas but not bad compared to most interstates, and south of 580 it was actially quite good for the most part. Traffic was typical, not heavy or light (on a Thursday afternoon) and I ran at 65 most of the time. I prefer to keep my speed around 60 but I also don’t want to be the one impeding traffic. 65 worked well considering the towing speed limit of 55.

We rolled into Harris Ranch around 6pm, easily found a good spot, and headed out in the morning. We took 46 over to 99 because as I recall 58 between 5 and 99 isnt that great but maybe it has improved. The only issue was fog on Friday morning keeping speeds in the 50’s which was fine with me. Traffic was very light on 46. Never even considered 101 but if I ever have destinations along that route I’ll give it a try.

Since it was dark when we got to Harris Ranch and foggy when we left I didnt see the extent of the new charging area, but I did see that it occupies the area on the south side of the road east of the Harris Ranch complex. I also found myself parked next to the sign advertising a future Rv park there, so once thats in place my guess is that free parking in the hotel/restaurant parking lot will end.

Google maps still doesnt have an updated view showing how much of the overflow parking area has been consumed by the charging station, which was completely vacant both times I drove by. Maybe it will be a busy spot five years from now - for now it looked to me like a big tax write off- large expensive installation with nobody using it. Looks cool though.

 

[sheridany]

@Rich W. consider yourself lucky you were able to pull in there and stay. The last two times I was there it was packed and could not stay at Harris. You can go across the freeway and park on the street behind the McDonald’s if Harris has no room. Easy in and out. You are right once that park opens no more free parking. I’ll still stop there as it’s the perfect overnight stopping point on I5 for me.

 

[Rich W.]

I thought it would be busy and was a little concerned because we got a late start as usual - rolled out at 1:30pm but it was a nice stress free easy drive down there and yes, I felt lucky to find so much available space. Several came in after us and it never did completely fill up.