today, we went up to beautiful vallejo, ca. really, it was purdy up there. i took photos from my aunts back porch. her 2 bedroom apt up there costs the same as some stuff fresno. craziness.
anyhow, i wanted to mention the route we took there and back. in all actuality, i went this route a few weeks back when i went to the raiders game, but since i wasn't driving i didn't actually pay attention to how long it took. it seemed fast, but i didn't know how fast. it took under 3 hours. and really, it should because it's only 188 miles.
the route: 99n to 120w (manteca)
120w to 5s, although you're only on 5 for like a mile
5s to 205w
205w to 580w
580w to 680n to 780w
and you're there.
i liked this route because it avoids the slowness of los banos. and it was hecka fast. if you're going to, say, oakland, you just stay on 580w.