Why is interstate 5 called the grapevine

The grade is steep for the first 2 to 3 miles then it lessens significantly before reaching the very steep grade section called the Grapevine Hill at 6. The Grapevine Hill has two runaway truck ramps. The first ramp is on the right, 3. Southbound I-5 from the Tejon Summit consists of approximately 22 miles of rolling hills before starting a steep descent down the "5-mile grade". The 5-mile grade has a vertical descent of feet over a total of 7.

There is an uphill section just before reaching the 5-mile grade where there is a large brake check area for trucks. One on the right side 9.

It was a foot-wide roadway carved out of the mountains with horse-drawn dirt scrapers. This route was eventually designated as California 99, and was expanded to four lanes in the s. According to a story in The Times, businesses sprouted along the route to serve the traveling public. These included gas stations, diners, hotels and nightclubs that hosted Hollywood stars and gangsters. The interstate freeway came through in the late s, creating a major economic link between the northern and southern parts of California.

Although the entire route of Interstate 5 from Castaic north to the San Joaquin Valley is frequently called the Grapevine, some say only the few steep miles from Fort Tejon to the bottom of the grade constitutes the Grapevine. On that matter, popular usage seems to be winning out, and the whole mile stretch is usually thought of as the Grapevine.

It may not routinely take 12 hours to travel over the Tehachapis, but snow and ice can make the journey treacherous, resulting in closures such as the hour Christmas shutdown that ended Friday morning.

Paul Duginski is a graphics and data visualization journalist. The Freeway can be used as a detour around the Grapevine section of the 5 Freeway when it is closed by snow. Skip to content Why is part of I 5 called the Grapevine? Is it safe to drive through the grapevine? What highway is called the Grapevine? Will my car make it over the grapevine?

How long does it take to get through the grapevine? The pass links Central Valley and Southern California. The road to the summit is totally paved. The pass is the highway's highest point in the state. The pass has a gradual rise from its southern approach but a precipitous descent through Grapevine Canyon toward the San Joaquin Valley on the north.

The pass road is km The weather on this zone is harsh and highly unpredictable and it does not take much time for the bright sun shine to change over to moderate to heavy snow fall. The pass is sunny in the summer, spring, and fall, but is subject to severe weather and closure to traffic in the winter.