Barstow to Needles, CA
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 642
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
RE: Barstow to Needles, CA
That's a great run over some nice open desert. I think it is around 150 miles across. I would definitely take Route 66/National Trails Hwy anywhere you can as the road is not going to get any better and it has a lot of history to it. I would not, however, take Route 66 between Barstow and Ludlow. That section has some of the worst asphalt known to man on it.
So, I would gas up in Barstow and get on Interstate 40 Eastbound. About 50 miles later is Ludlow. Get gas there and get on Route 66 just south of the freeway. You can take Route 66 all the way to Needles from that point. If anyone in your group has a Peanut tank, then maybe get gas again at Goffs. These names are all 3 people towns along the way.
Check on the internet for Route 66 and you can see what to expect as far as siteseeing. There is a small volcano half way across with lava on both sides of the road. There is tree with a bunch of shoes in it, etc.
We just traveled this road again last week for the Laughlin Run.
Have fun,
Dave
So, I would gas up in Barstow and get on Interstate 40 Eastbound. About 50 miles later is Ludlow. Get gas there and get on Route 66 just south of the freeway. You can take Route 66 all the way to Needles from that point. If anyone in your group has a Peanut tank, then maybe get gas again at Goffs. These names are all 3 people towns along the way.
Check on the internet for Route 66 and you can see what to expect as far as siteseeing. There is a small volcano half way across with lava on both sides of the road. There is tree with a bunch of shoes in it, etc.
We just traveled this road again last week for the Laughlin Run.
Have fun,
Dave
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 113
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From:
RE: Barstow to Needles, CA
I would do what Taildraggerdave mentions....but, don't always count on gas in Amboy at Roy's (almost never open). There is gas in Goff's like he said just as you pass under INterstate 40. Have a great ride! Done it a few times myself.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Barstow to Needles, CA
Go to www.rftw.org and look at the route....I've ridden wioth RFTW for years and this schedule will give you mileage and the gas stops they use (they accomodate the peanut tank riders)
Stage III
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City
Just did the run yesterday 6/23/2013 its 139 miles acrossed and with a full dresser with 5 gal tang and average of 200 miles per tank its no problem, grooved asphalt, rest area outside of Barstow. Yes there is gas in a couple places like ludlow then another i think was 55 miles after that. have good tires and bring drinkng water. try to do this run early in the day but the sun will be in your face, high winds before Needles and almost 5 buck per gallon for gas in Needles
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,492
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
Unless you're acclimated to riding in desert heat, I'd think about doing this at another time of year, or EARLY in the AM. Especially if you're going to backtrack (280-300 miles, total).
Alan
Alan
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you called that. They're both less-than-desirable locations.
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