13-16 Interstate 80 West: Welcome to California!

Follows I-80 west from the Nevada-California border through the Sierra Nevada Mountains past Donner Summit.

[@dabeez68]

Great video Jim, I just love Flying in a Blue Dream, one of my favorites from Satch!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, it's one of my faves too.

[@dabeez68]

@@Freewayjim have you ever played a Dream Theater song on your ride along?

[@Freewayjim]

@@dabeez68 No, they tend to not be safe to use (copyright policies)

[@Thunk00]

I'm just about to embark on a long drive from my hometown of Oakland, CA up to Tacoma, WA (35 miles south of Seattle on I-5) in the morning. It's great to see that there are others out there who see that kind of drive as a chance to enjoy sweeping mountain vistas and other natural and urban landscapes and appreciate some local history instead of a big yawn. Glad to hear you enjoyed your time on the West Coast!

[@rafico9352]

I love mountains. I drive from Jacksonville FL to Orlando, and back to Jax, at least once every six weeks and all I see is a whole lot of nothing. Please move some of those mountains to Florida. Thanks for sharing this amazing video.

[@mjt2231]

Ra fico And bring some to Houston too.

[@luvcarsgay]

What a wonderful way to introduce yourself to California!

[@jonnyboy2990]

Beautiful scenery

[@anthonybryant4944]

Wonderful state in mind!

[@rockersk08]

Very nice ride into the Golden State! Only the beginning of your gems from here! And for the first time with your videos, I can say "I've been there!" Stoked for your Bay Area coverage!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you! Wide expanse describes I-80 across Nevada pretty well.

[@jamesgillis6759]

Freewayjim, I've been to Sacramento California before, I actually got family on my dad's side of the family that live down there, my dad's sister in law his brother's wife lives in that area and I had a grandma that used to live down there too by the way but not anymore though now my grandma lives in Washington state now by the way anyway yeah

[@anthonybryant2676]

California's insanely beautiful

[@anthonybryant4944]

I want to go to California to experience life there!

[@inbredjesus9188]

The best is the scenery. Nothing else really

[@anthonybryant4944]

The California mountains are so pretty when driving in the state!

[@ramennoodle9264]

Welcome to California! California is awesome. I really wanted you to come here but eventually, I couldn't tell you to come here. In one of your videos, it said that you will come to California! Once again, welcome to California!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, I loved it! From this video through video 13-49 are all California videos, home to come back again someday.

[@creativeminecraftbuilds]

I live in Reno and I travel 80 into California all the time. I can honestly say that I always thoroughly enjoy the drive every time. Except for in the winter. ;)

[@cjs121675]

Nice ride- always did like California! Know the feeling about being sad about leaving! I hated to leave when I visited the state twenty-three years ago! Have always wanted to go back and visit it again! LOVE those mountain freeways! They are just IMPRESSIVE and an engineering marvel!

[@nevadasestamibi]

If you get through there again, stop in Truckee at Donner Lake State Park for the full story of the Donner Party, and then unwind at the Bar of America or Moody's.

[@Freewayjim]

I last went through there in 2019 with my wife (her first time west) and we did go up to the Rainbow Bridge at Donner Summit, just beautiful.

[@jmvfrva]

I watch this video on my mobile this morning it looks fantastic what a great drive take care bye

[@ScottWallace5]

So, I was going through some of your old California videos to see if you ever drove around the Lake Tahoe and the Sierra's (which I'm found and I'm glad you did) but unfortunately didn't see any other footage of content further than where you stopped here to go into the foothills (Colfax, Auburn, etc.) and into Sacramento, etc. But, hopefully sometime in the future :) Love your videos! Makes me want to go on another roadtrip again haha.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you for watching....I did not feel after where I stopped filming on this video was worth keeping the camera on for, nor would I likely film it in the future, I don't really film long drives unless it's special like I-15 in the Mojave Desert or I-70 West of Denver.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, The songs & musicians are listed on the 2nd page of the closing credits. I usually mention them throughout the video, I might have forgot on this one but they will always be in the closing credits along with album covers :) (Joe Satriani 1st song & Eric Johnson on the 2nd).

[@JeffreyB1983]

My brother is a truck driver. In the late 90s he dropped off a VHS tape his passenger shot of this section of road.

[@pizzasubs]

This Highway is ALWAYS a major mess when winter time comes around every year......Donner Pass is always the worst, sometimes totally unpassable when it snows really a lot

[@frankyu553]

True to the name, must be 1000x worst when you had to go in a caravan in the 1800s like the Donner Party!

[@ThatCodeBlue]

Congrats on a new state for you, and thanks again for you're great work! I can only imagine the wide expanse of NV on the 80's crossing.

[@kerleymoh3339]

Beautiful drive!

[@expresswayjess]

Awesome video.

[@ShonnMorris]

Those inspection stations also have x-ray so they can look right into your car and see what you have.

[@Ryan-on5on]

Having crossed the Sierra Nevadas on I-80 westbound twice I can confidently say that this stretch of interstate contains some very gorgeous scenic landscapes, especially in comparison to the barren Nevada wasteland travelers are subjected to for what feels like an eternity. It should go without saying that after 8 plus hours of beige desert country driving reaching the green foothills west of Reno is a refreshing experience (*in fair weather months that is; crossing this range during the winter and early spring always involves playing a game of chance that reduces ones' appreciation of the rugged scenery you are forced to surmount).

[@anthonybryant4944]

California's main goal is to have peace and harmony as well! The agriculture of this place is just unique standard has great features such as the freeways and highways there too.

[@Salersen]

Beautiful view the mountain! Great video, Jim!

[@panynja]

Nice video; hope you enjoyed your trip to California.

[@pizzasubs]

2:35 really like how the CHP parks their vehicles behind the construction that is going on to help in a way protect the construction workers, one parks for a while, like maybe an hour or so, all their lights going, to hopefully tell people to slow down, then when his time is up another comes and takes his place....I've seen that they also do this in New York to let's say patrol over that Famous Bull so hopefully nobody does any damage to it, but seeing them do that when its WAY early in the morning when there is absolutly Nobody around is kinda weird, but at least it shows that they are doing their best to watch over it, and the funny thing about that bull if I remember correctly, It's balls lets say I guess are supposed to be good luck to visitors cause via the Earthcam webcam it shows people walking behind it all of the time....LOL

[@IntuneGames]

Hey Jim This is an excellent video love the guitar in the beginning of the video

[@ThreeRiversRC]

Nice new Impala early in the video. Great Video, I have never been north of L.A. when in Cali.

[@Freewayjim]

It's an awesome place, will go back any chance I get.

[@Freewayjim]

Loved it, both urban and rural, thanks!

[@Ascend777]

Holy ****! I was in Big Bend in southern TX, and the view isnt even half way good as this.

[@anthonybryant4944]

Arriving in CA already!

[@RayMullins]

It's great to see a road that I can drive in my sleep given the Freewayjim treatment!

[@TheSolarcatcher]

Nice Jim! The second song was unexpected, but I see the tie-in. Clever!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, it was a nice ride!

[@Freewayjim]

I was in California in June, this stuff is recorded and produced in advance...yes I recorded those cities along with CA-1 and San Diego.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, got A LOT more in store from the Golden State.

[@Freewayjim]

It's in the scrolling closing credits. (It's not a song, it's an Apple Loop called Chelsea Loft)

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks!

[@marstillo8087]

I'm taking a Drive To Greeley Colorado. Need more good toons.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, we LOVED it!

[@coaster6777]

This is a really cool freeway :)

[@Freewayjim]

yes I recorded A LOT in SF, LA, SD and in between. State Capitol is Sacramento....you can google that you know.

[@Freewayjim]

Yes, I also got both end points of I-10 while I was in LA.

[@ATP2555ify]

Wow dude. You're on the west coast now. Awesome!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, No, they just passed us through without so much as a "hello".

[@dave11686]

Amazing video as always!

[@zealoustipp1538]

If you get a view like that when driving on the highway it's worth every minute.

[@anthonybryant4944]

Sacramento is 111 miles away, Auburn's distance is 81 and Truckee's only 12 miles ahead of the freeway!

[@Freewayjim]

Ha! Gotta love that, you'll be in familiar territory for a while :)

[@Freewayjim]

I did film some of Bus. 80 in sacramento but was not happy with the footage so no video from there.

[@Freewayjim]

Yes and yes and yes.....first SF Video will be Monday in fact.

[@Freewayjim]

There is a checkpoint at every interstate entry in to CA, it is what it is.

[@booklover651]

California is magnificent even with all its problems. I try to get out there as much as possible! It seems almost unfair that one state has soo much to see; while a lot of states mostly have just trees and tired old cities to travel thru.

[@Freewayjim]

I did record some of I-405 in LA, coming much later.

[@InterstateKyle]

Welcome to California Freewayjim!

[@alonsocarbajal2115]

nice video pretty wide freeway

[@Freewayjim]

Alot...the trip was 7,800 miles in itself.

[@libertycity10000]

Nice video :)

[@Freewayjim]

This one, by far!

[@scottklempner4559]

I love Lake Tahoe

[@Freewayjim]

I shot some freeways at nigh in LA but no streets.

[@Freewayjim]

LOL, Thanks Ray!

[@KTNUSA]

Since you're in California, will you be recording Los Angeles and San Francisco as well? I never been to the Golden state and it will be interesting in 3 of those cities.

[@justinhundley2456]

Congratulations Jim! You went to the Golden State! I hope you record the Downtown & The Golden Gate Bridge. Love the music. Which is the State Capitol of California?

[@mdavid1955]

Beautiful! This and I-70 through Glenwood canyon have to two of most beautiful drives on the interstate system. Did you catch the the exit sign with a regular exit# tab?...just like the rest of us!.

[@Freewayjim]

Maybe one or two, I did take a couple "Route 66" excursions. Not a lot worth filming on I-40 IMO.

[@Flyingfast79]

Did that drive many times, the elevation is si high that a turbo is recommended cause the air is so.thin

[@alicecady2452]

Hey FWJ, This is such a great idea! I love seeing the landscape change. Any chance you know where i could find footage like this from the 70s?

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, I have no idea specifically but I have seen older videos pop up in the road related groups in facebook now and then over the years, just do some youtube searches, they are probably on here somewhere.

[@tennoklark]

I tell you whats interesting I played Delta Spirit's Song California over this footage and it works. :)

[@Freewayjim]

razorvol It's not bad but I think it would work other places better than this stretch, it has more of a SoCal feel to it IMO.

[@Freewayjim]

I agree 100%

[@AspbergerMedia]

Looks like there were quite a few ChiP officers out.

[@necroslair]

Awesome video as always! Did the people at the Agricultural inspection Station say anything about the camera?

[@paulstibilj3349]

So which is your favourite journey to date, Jim?

[@Freewayjim]

Ah, thank you :)

[@scottklempner4559]

Freewayjim I love you 😘

[@kevinandre7064]

Won't the bugs just fly past the inspection station??

[@wecanthandletruths]

Always amazes me how they carve up the mountainous and hilly terrain to build roadways. To think when I was ten I thought by now we'd we flying and not driving. Enjoyed the rockin' guitar music! Can you name the musicians please?

[@helenjackman8984]

Where are all the Target trucks?????????????????

[@ThatsCoolMan1]

Jim did u go through San Francisco and Los Angeles? If so will u upload videos of it?

[@benlonghighway]

5:15 I wish they'd invent a system where you could drive right through the inspection station at 65MPH, and an electronic device would check the vehicles. There's a checkpoint on I-10 Westbound as well, which makes me feel like there's a gateway to the entire state of California.

[@ibnuskyline2690]

Hi did u have any video from nebraska and iowa?

[@Freewayjim]

Sorry I don't, got rained out in the Omaha area, which I had planned to get footage of on the 2013 trip.

[@Corello1249]

How many miles do you have racked up on your not-so-old Acura?

[@lakebay972]

the North and South side are completely different

[@RicksTravelogue]

So is it safe to assume that Interstate 80 will be the first transcontinental interstate you will have covered both endpoints? And 40 mile downgrade...

[@helenjackman8984]

Where is Highway Patrol after that stupid tail gaiter???

[@BrandonGabriel132792]

7:35 what is that?

[@Freewayjim]

What is what? not sure I follow you, there's nothing unusual there.

[@BrandonGabriel132792]

Freewayjim the little rain drops

[@Freewayjim]

Brandon Gabriel Yeah, we hit a few rain drops through there.

[@marstillo8087]

Music Please.

[@Freewayjim]

It's shown during the video and in the closing credits (10:47).

[@countenanceblog]

40 miles of downgrade If it averages 3%, that means you lose 1.2 miles (ca 6300 feet) of elevation. Considering you're going from the High Sierras to the flatter than the top of a table but not high above sea level central valley, that's plausible.

[@gerilynntarvin9402]

aren't you driving awfully fast? that looks dangerous

[@Freewayjim]

The video footage is sped up about 4x regular speed.

[@riolindasucks]

California is a beautiful state to visit but a horrible state to live in.

[@helenjackman8984]

That horrible noise is "not" music, yuk, double yuk.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you for the warm and kind comment.

[@Freewayjim]

You do realize there is not a single song I could use that would please everyone, the goal is to have the music interact well with the footage, which these songs do, it's OK that it is not of your musical tastes but telling me about it in such a manner isn't going to make a bit of difference.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks!