U.S. Highway 395 - California Travel Information

U.S. Highway 395 Northbound

U.S. Highway 395 north

The northbound beginning of U.S. 395 departs from Interstate 15 northbound at the city of Hesperia via a partial "Y" interchange. Interstate 15 southbound motorists destined for U.S. 395 northbound join the route via Joshua Street west. The two groups of traffic merge and see the first reassurance shield and mileage sign just north of the Joshua Street traffic light. An isolated rain shower yields a rainbow over the desert landscape in this mid-morning scene. Photos taken 02/20/05.

A typical landscape found along northbound U.S. 395 through the eastern Sierra Nevada. Photo taken in 2000 by Jeff Royston.
U.S. 395 enters Nevada at Topaz Lake. The federal highway proceeds northward from there 83 miles through Carson Valley, Carson City, and Reno, Nevada. See Nevada @ RockyMountainRoads.com - U.S. Highway 395 Northbound (Minden to Reno) for continuing coverage in the Silver State. Otherwise rejoin U.S. 395 in California at the next photobox below.

U.S. 395 returns to the Golden State from Bordertown, Nevada near White Lake. The federal highway transitions from a full freeway into a controlled-access expressway. A parallel railroad line follows U.S. 395 from the state line north to Bringman Road. Photo taken 09/09/05.

U.S. 395 is not a full freeway between Nevada and Hallelujah Junction despite the fact that many maps display it as such. The reason for the expressway status involves the at-grade intersections with Long Valley Road and Bringman Road on the stretch. Pictured here is the Long Valley Road turn-off from the northbound carriageway. Photo taken 09/09/05.

3.2 miles north of the U.S. 395 crossing into California is the crossing into Lassen County from Sierra County. The four-lane expressway continues northward another 4.4 miles to Hallelujah Junction. Photo taken 09/09/05.

Passing over the Evans Canyon Undercrossing on U.S. 395 northbound. Small white signs are placed by Caltrans to indicate overpasses, rivers, culverts, and other bridges along the California highway system. These signs give the formal name, mile post, and bridge identification number to such features. Photo taken 09/09/05.

Northbound mileage sign listing the distances to Hallelujah Junction (junction California 70), Doyle, and Susanville (junction California 36). Photo taken 09/09/05.

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	An agricultural and truck inspection station lies north of the Lassen County line on U.S. 395. These facilities used to require cars also to stop for inspection of any fruits and vegetables on board. However cuts in funding reduced the staff at these stations and thus cars no longer have to stop. Commercial vehicles carrying livestock and produce however must continue to stop for inspection. Photo taken 09/09/05.
	U.S. 395 northbound at the agricultural inspection station. Notice the whiteout on the sign for "trucks". This placard conceals "vehicles". Agricultural inspection stations exist at every Interstate and U.S. highway entrance into the state of California. Photo taken 09/09/05.
	U.S. 395 draws to within one mile of the Exit 8 diamond interchange with California 70 at Hallelujah Junction. While it is eight miles north from the Nevada state line at Bordertown, the total mileage of U.S. 395 up to this point in California is 363 (355 miles south of Topaz Lake and eight miles north of Reno). Therefore it would be more appropriate to sign the junction with California 70 as Exit 363 instead of Exit 8. Food for thought... Photo taken 09/09/05.
	A reflective guide sign directs motorists onto the Exit 8 off-ramp for California 70 westbound. Portola lies 23 miles to the west in southern Plumas County. California 70 continues west from Portola through Feather River Canyon and the Plumas National Forest to Quincy, a town 55 miles to the west. This segment of California 70 was a part of U.S. 40 Alternate between 1954 and 1964. Photo taken 09/09/05.
	Descending the Exit 8 off-ramp to California 70 west and Larder Way east. California 70 ascends from here across Beckwourth Pass to Chilcoot (junction California 284). Vinton (junction California 49) lies 7.8 miles west of U.S. 395 otherwise. Photo taken 09/09/05.
	Northbound U.S. 395 approaching Junction Eastbound California 168 just north of downtown Big Pine. The California 168 shield is omitted from this signage but is used at the intersection. Photo taken 01/20/02.
	Northbound U.S. 395 at Junction Eastbound California 168 in Big Pine. Westbound California 168 merges onto Northbound U.S. 395 between Big Pine and Bishop. At Bishop, California 168 continues west to serve points of interest in the Inyo National Forest before ending. At one time, there was a plan to link California 168 in Bishop with California 168 between Fresno and Lakeshore. Photo taken 01/20/02.

Page Updated October 11, 2005.