San Jose to Phoenix Route Advice

[meticulist]

I'm planning to fly to San Jose next week to finalize the purchase and take delivery of an E90 M3 next week and wanted to throw in a little fun on the drive back. I'm hoping you guys can weigh in on my initial route thoughts and provide any heads ups or alternates I should consider. My thought is to:

Leave San Jose by Noon on Friday
Take the 5 south to the 210 East
Pickup CA2 / Angeles Crest Highway from La Canada
South on 39 towards Falling Springs
Hit one of the open campgrounds and just tent it for the night.

Continue on 39 South past San Gabriel Reservoir
Hit the 210 / 10 East and drive the remainder through the desert.

Being that it's just me and I can easily fit my tent, sleeping bag, pad, and some clothes in my backpack and pick up any food/water along the way, I figure this would give me some time on what appear to be some great roads without getting too far out of the way. I know Angeles Crest has quite the reputation, but does anyone have input on 39?

Or should I just continue on Angeles Crest to Big Pines and then take the 15 to the 215 to the 10?

Any thoughts or input would be helpful, I've never driven through the area, but am eager to let this V8 sing through the twisties.

[mmthskibum]

I would try and hit HWY 33 before you go to ACH. There's a couple ways to go, either 166 to 33 off the 5, or through Frazier Park (Lockwood Valley Rd is fun, too). The fun part is between Lockwood Valley Rd (via Frazier Park) and the 150. You then have the option to loop back to the 5 via 126, or head to 101/134 and continue to CA2.

[meticulist]

Originally Posted by mmthskibum

I would try and hit HWY 33 before you go to ACH. There's a couple ways to go, either 166 to 33 off the 5, or through Frazier Park (Lockwood Valley Rd is fun, too). The fun part is between Lockwood Valley Rd (via Frazier Park) and the 150. You then have the option to loop back to the 5 via 126, or head to 101/134 and continue to CA2.

Thanks for the tip. I think that route might be a little out of the way, but I have a buddy in Ojai, if he's around then it might be worthwhile to take that route. Thanks!

[msan]

2 and 39 have road closures . I don’t think you can do what you are planning once you get on 2

[meticulist]

Originally Posted by msan

2 and 39 have road closures . I don’t think you can do what you are planning once you get on 2

Do you know where or have any suggestions for alternates? I’ll look into this further, thanks for the heads up

[meticulist]

Originally Posted by msan

2 and 39 have road closures . I don’t think you can do what you are planning once you get on 2

Looks like I can still take Big Tujunga Canyon from Sunland to N3 to Upper Big Tujunga Rd back to CA2 right after the closure ends and just skip 39, any feedback on that route / roads?

[Frozen]

Why not go out I-80 west through Lake Tahoe and then down through Vegas to AZ? Lots of camping along that route.

[meticulist]

Originally Posted by Frozen

Why not go out I-80 west through Lake Tahoe and then down through Vegas to AZ? Lots of camping along that route.

That route sounds fun, but I fear it might be too far out of the way as to not add too much time to the trip. I was targeting the Angeles national forest area since it was in the general route of I-5 to I-10 anyways.