I live 20 minutes south of the 15/58 interchange. I've only driven 58 between 15 and 395, and only a few times. Earlier this year, I drove that chunk of 58 for the first time since its upgrade. It was weird, seeing a bunch of freeway exits that I only remembered being at-grade intersections.
Haha just did that trip twice. Santa Fe to Santa Rosa. I like how theyrecently bypassed Kramer Junction and less recently bypassed the town of Mojave, smoother sailing.. I always cross the mojave at night in summer. Great sounds (as always.)
In the late 90s I was stationed at Edwards and would take 58 east to Boron to eat at one of the best Mexican restaurants, Domingos. The food was worth the long drive.
I love these . I just started to have to commute 25 miles to a new job and back home each day. Can’t stand radio,I just think of Cats Vids sound tracks. It is IOWA and very beautiful. The Good Bad and Ugly sound like Clint Eastwoodyy.
I haven't driven on the 58 since they completed the bypass. I would imagine it's nice for drivers not to have that bottleneck and Kramer Junction anymore.
As someone who grew up on this road, I can say that Highway 58 between I-5 and I-15 is the most neglected, most unloved, and most overused highway in the United States. This four lane stretch from the county line into Barstow did not become four lanes all the way until recently. Right where the car carrier is pulled over is the four-lanes-comes-to-one-way-traffic loop taking travelers across the railroad tracks and to the most notorious choke point in the state, Kramer Junction. Hideous delays and noxious fumes from slow moving semis made this route a circle of hell. And yet it sat in two-lane miserable shape until it was FINALLY finished in 2020. For the life of me, I will never understand why it has never become Interstate 40, and why this route wasn't upgraded decades after everything else around it was "interstated".
It's a great question. I do think they will eventually extend the freeway segment of CA 58 westward along Stockdale Highway to I-5. But I'm not sure if/when they will remove the remaining at-grade crossings in the Tehachapi Pass and around California City, etc., which would be needed to bring it up to Interstate standards.
Indeed it has. I first drove it in 1998 before the the freeway sections were completed, and then several times before the Kramer Junction bypass was finally completed in 2020. I like it better now 😺
I live 20 minutes south of the 15/58 interchange. I've only driven 58 between 15 and 395, and only a few times. Earlier this year, I drove that chunk of 58 for the first time since its upgrade. It was weird, seeing a bunch of freeway exits that I only remembered being at-grade intersections.
Haha just did that trip twice. Santa Fe to Santa Rosa. I like how theyrecently bypassed Kramer Junction and less recently bypassed the town of Mojave, smoother sailing.. I always cross the mojave at night in summer. Great sounds (as always.)
Thank you, nice exotic countryside and music.
In the late 90s I was stationed at Edwards and would take 58 east to Boron to eat at one of the best Mexican restaurants, Domingos. The food was worth the long drive.
Very cool. And it looks like Domingo's in Boron still exists - will try it out if I'm out that way again.
I love these . I just started to have to commute 25 miles to a new job and back home each day. Can’t stand radio,I just think of Cats Vids sound tracks. It is IOWA and very beautiful. The Good Bad and Ugly sound like Clint Eastwoodyy.
Thanks! And yes, a definite Ennio Morricone spaghetti-western vibe.
I haven't driven on the 58 since they completed the bypass. I would imagine it's nice for drivers not to have that bottleneck and Kramer Junction anymore.
I have been on the bypass three times since it opened and it makes such a difference! I hated that long wait at Kramer Junction.
As someone who grew up on this road, I can say that Highway 58 between I-5 and I-15 is the most neglected, most unloved, and most overused highway in the United States. This four lane stretch from the county line into Barstow did not become four lanes all the way until recently. Right where the car carrier is pulled over is the four-lanes-comes-to-one-way-traffic loop taking travelers across the railroad tracks and to the most notorious choke point in the state, Kramer Junction. Hideous delays and noxious fumes from slow moving semis made this route a circle of hell. And yet it sat in two-lane miserable shape until it was FINALLY finished in 2020. For the life of me, I will never understand why it has never become Interstate 40, and why this route wasn't upgraded decades after everything else around it was "interstated".
It was really amazing the first time I got to drive the Kramer Junction bypass at 395 instead of getting stuck at that crazy intersection.
Do you think Cal trans will eventually extend I-40 to I-5 in the San Jouquine Valley??🤔🤔🤔
It's a great question. I do think they will eventually extend the freeway segment of CA 58 westward along Stockdale Highway to I-5. But I'm not sure if/when they will remove the remaining at-grade crossings in the Tehachapi Pass and around California City, etc., which would be needed to bring it up to Interstate standards.
Wow it sure has changed since the 90s
Indeed it has. I first drove it in 1998 before the the freeway sections were completed, and then several times before the Kramer Junction bypass was finally completed in 2020. I like it better now 😺