Guide to Driving the 5

Josh and I would boast we are experts on driving the 5 freeway. Our ridiculous jaunts to Los Angeles have given us that privilege and so I thought I'd share with you the secrets to the best bathrooms, best food, and ....well, come to think of it, there aint' much more! So, please don't hold your breath in anticipation any longer. Here you are lovelies, a guide to driving the 5. 

First things first - the rules of the road change as soon as you leave Santa Clarita (heading North) and enter the Grapevine. People way older than I used to tell hideous stories of the Grapevine - of their cars breaking down and overheating and other ways the treacherous route bested their beloved Lucy. It doesn't seem so bad now but the Grapevine does narrow to two lanes and pretty much stays that way all the way up the five so we come to the first (and only) rule of the road. The left lane is for passing and driving faster, the right is for everyone else. This may seem like common sense to you, but you'd be surprised how many people drive in the left left at cruising speed. They can't be blamed really. In the city, the left lane is the fast lane. Meaning, anyone going the speed limit (or a little above) is a-ok to be in there. But on the 5, when there are only two lanes, going the speed limit does not entitle you to be there. That's why you'll often find yourself being tailgated even though you're going 65. People - don't be disgruntled at that car, you need to move over.

Ok, on to the good stuff.

Tejon Ranch is the first large place you come across after the Grapevine and it is all sorts of wonderful - just ask every-single-car-who-drives-the-five knows. No kidding. It is the biggest but also the most crowded, and for good reason. It is the only place you'll have food options that consist of In-N-Out, Panda Express, Chipotle and Starbucks. Be careful though, getting in, getting through, and getting out could easily add 40 minutes to your travel. It is that crowded. 

Josh and I do stop at Tejon. If you skip the peer pressure and turn left instead of right, you'll find the best bathrooms and gas station at the large Chevron in the corner. The bathrooms are clean, the station large, and the trinkets more varied than any other place. So good that I've labeled it, THE BEST BATHROOMS ON THE 5. (P.S. now's a good time to circulate the air in your car. And if you're a speeder, watch for cops to and from Buttonwillow.)

Buttonwillow is up next. It's like the reject Kettleman. It smells and it's hot. But it is not as crowded as Kettleman. They do have a Starbucks but it's always filled with flies. If you have to go, stop at the Travel Center - it's not the best but the bathrooms are usually stocked and clean. 

Kettleman City, the place everyone stops when traveling - including all the buses. But that's exactly why Josh and I do not stop there. It is very crowded and the layout is not conducive to the amount of traffic that goes through. 

Paso Robles, the place no one stops because they just got gas at Kettleman. Even though it smells a bit like Buttonwillow, it's a great place to stop. It has plenty of gas and food options (including Wendy's!) and the streets are laid out to handle the traffic. Trucks come through here, but buses don't so there aren't as many people. 

Harris Ranch is the big dawg in town (they have their own air strip so I think that means they win). Great place to grab a tri-tip sandwich from their restaurant if you're not in a hurry. Eat it before you get on the road though because you'll soon see where that meat came from and it's not a pretty sight. :) 

* Keep that air circulating and don't give in until the Harris cows are a few miles behind ya.

**Also, watch out for cops near Harris Ranch!

At this point we usually take the 152 West so this brings us to a close. Good luck. Be safe. And if you're driving at dusk, enjoy that beautiful horizon!

taken somewhere along the 5 with my little camera phone