Route 1: The Traditional Route

Eugene, Klamath Falls, Alturas, Cedarville, Gerlach

Note: Updated versions of these directions can be found on gwally.com/directions/. This page is no longer updated.

Estimated route time & distance:
Seattle to Gerlach, NV
  Distance: 700 mi.
  Driving time: 18 hours

Each section is broken down into sections such as Seattle to Eugene. We give the distance and the approximate driving time. Each section bullet gives the landmark and the distance and the time to that point. We have tried to give the accurate mileage from one point to the next at the end of each point in the directions. They may not be exact, but they can give you a general idea of the distance.

Seattle to Eugene, Oregon
  Distance: 288 mi.
  Driving time: 5 hours

From Seattle to Eugene, you will be on I-5 and most services you expect to find along an interstate corridor. Our directions detour around Portland using I-205 at exit #7. It can be a huge time savings during peak commute hours which can easily add one or two hours to your trip between Vancouver, WA and Eugene, OR

• Follow I-5 southbound.
• You will pass through Tacoma (34 mi).
• You will pass through Olympia (61 mi).
• You will pass through Centralia/Chehalis (85 mi).
• You will pass through Kelso (126 mi).
• You will reach Exit #7 just north of Vancouver, WA (157 mi).
• Take I-205 to detour heavy traffic in Portland
  Note: I-205 is 37 miles long and rejoins I-5 again around Wilsonville.
  The exit is #288 when heading north.
• Merge from I-205 to I-5 heading south.
• You will pass through Salem (220 mi).
• You will pass through Albany (244 mi).
• You will arrive in Eugene (288 mi). Continue south on I-5.

Eugene to Klamath Falls, Oregon
  Distance: 168 mi.
  Driving time: 4 hours

From Eugene you will pass through the Willamette National Forest with breathtaking views and wonderful Douglas Firs. This is the last time on the journey you will see trees like this. From here on out the land becomes more arid as you go.

• Heading south on I-5, take exit #188A to OR-58 (Willamette HWY) towards Oakridge/Klamath Falls.
  Keep going left at the fork in the ramp.
• Take OR-58/WIllamette Highway to US-97 (86 mi total).
• You pass through Oakridge (36 mi).
  Note: This is the largest town you will pass until Klamath Falls
  Kitson Hot Springs is 4.6 mi away down Kitson Springs Rd.
• You pass through McCredie Springs (44 mi.)
• You cross the Willamette Pass (5,128 ft) (64 mi.)
  Note: To the south you see Crescent Lake.
• You will reach US-97. Turn slightly right and head south for Klamath Falls (16.7 mi).
  Note: If you need gas or food, La Pine is 28 mi north on US-97.
• Take US-97 to Klamath Falls (78 mi total).
• You will pass through Chemult (101 mi).
• You will pass by Beaver Marsh (106 mi).
• You will pass by Modoc Point (150 mi).
  Note: From here you will follow the shores of Upper Klamath Lake into Klamath Falls.
• You will pass through Algoma (163 mi).
• Welcome to Klamath Falls (168 mi).

Klamath Falls to Alturas, CA
  Distance: 100 mi.
  Driving time: 2.5 hours

Klamath Falls is the last big town you will pass through on the journey. In fact, it is the only town for the rest of the journey that has a population bigger than the altitude. You have to weave through Klamath Falls before you head off to Merrill, then on to California. It is approximately 24 mi to the border.

Gas prices are on average 17 cents higher per gallon in California than Oregon. We highly recommend that you completely top off before leaving the state. A great place to stop is Pixie's Gas at 27600 Highway 97 N; Chiloquin, OR 97624;(541) 783-3933

• Stay straight to go onto KIT CARSON WAY. (2 mi).
• Stay straight to go onto OR-39 (7 mi).
• Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto KLAMATH FALLS LAKEVIEW HWY (7.2 mi).
• KLAMATH FALLS LAKEVIEW HWY becomes OR-39.
• You will pass through Merrill, OR (19 mi).
• In California, OR-39 becomes CA-139. Continue south to CA-299 for the next 56 miles.
• You will pass by Tulelake (28 mi).
• You will pass through Newell (35 mi).
• You pass through a California Agricultural Station (47 mi).
  Note: You will be stopped at the station and asked if you are carrying certain types of fruits and vegetables.
• You will pass by Perez (50 mi).
• You will pass through Ambrose (70 mi).
• At the fork inn the highway, take a left onto CA-299 and head East to Alturas, CA (19 mi total) (79 mi).
• Just past the interchange, you will pass through Canby (82 mi).
• Welcome to Alturas, CA (100 mi).

Alturas, CA to Cedarville, CA
  Distance: 23 mi.
  Driving time: 32 minutes

After leaving Alturas, there is nothing in the way of services until Cedarville. The Cedarville Pass is 6,305 ft and from the top of the pass to Cedarville is very steep and windy road. If you ride your brakes, they can easily overheat and catch fire. Also, beware of cows that congregate on the roadway halfway down. No, I am not kidding.

• Continue East on CA-299. It becomes CA-299/US-395 outside of Alturas. Continue past the California Agricultural Station to the turn off for CA-299 to Cedarville (6 mi).
• Take CA-299 to Cedarville. Along the way you cross the Cedar Pass (6,305 ft) (17 mi total).
• Welcome to Cedarville, CA (23 mi).

Cedarville, CA to Gerlach, NV
  Distance: 83 mi.
  Driving time: 2.5 hours

This is the most desolate stretch of the journey. The only business along the way between Cedarville and Gerlach is Planet X Potter a few miles outside of Gerlach. There is almost no houses and I do not know if the ones along the route are occupied or not.

• Turn right at the gas station (after gassing up) and continue south to Gerlach on CA-447/Surprise Valley Road.
• You will pass through Eagleville (15 mi).
• In the distance to the left, you will see Middle Alkali and Lower Alkali Lake.
• The color of the road completely changes. Welcome to Nevada (23 mi).
• You will notice the lack of anything except hills and scrub bushes.
• You pass Planet X Pottery (73 mi).
• You arrive in Gerlach (83 mi).

Gerlach, to Burningman
  Distance: 11 mi.
  Driving time: 20 minutes

We can't emphasize this enough, when in Gerlach and the surrounding suburbs, drive below the speed limit. You will see more police officers in Gerlach than you saw during your entire journey. They have no problem writing tickets for any offense. However, it has been our experience that the officers will treat you with the same amount of respect that you show them. So our advice is to be courteous to the locals and participants alike. Remember, anything you do reflects on the festival as a whole.

• Head north from Gerlach to the fork in the road (1 mi).
• Veer right and continue on NV-34 (11 mi).
• On the right side of the road you should see the entrance of the festival. Follow the signs posted by Burningman staff to conclude the journey.

There will be directions on how to get to the festival from here. Follow the posted signs, drive below the speed limit and if you for some reason cannot find your way, stop at a bar and ask for directions. I highly recommend that you top off your tank before heading out to the festival.

Leaving Black Rock City
Sunday is a bad day to try and get out of Black Rock City. In the past, there has been lines of people waiting up to 3 hours or more to leave the event. In addition to taking forever to get off the Playa, you have heavy traffic to fight all the way home. If you wait until Monday or Tuesday, the journey becomes much easier. In 2000, it was far easier to leave than in 1999, but the peak day for attendance was actually Thursday. Droves of people left because of the storm we had. Good riddance. So traffic could be a nightmare in 2001 if you have all the people that left on Friday and Saturday trying to get out on Sunday once again.

Why the problems? Well, when you have 20,000 people will try to leave and the roadway simply cannot accommodate this kind of traffic. The majority of those 20,000 people will be heading down 447 to Reno and the roadway will be a traffic jam most of that route. My best suggestion is to relax and leave on Monday or Tuesday. You will find less traffic and meet some very wonderful people. The gas station is on the south end of town.

Some final thoughts
If you are like me, you will find a way to lose your tickets and your directions. These directions at least can be printed out so you can take them with you. My advice is to tape them to the inside of the glove box in an envelope and leave them there.

When entering the festival, remember that all of the people you see working are volunteers. It might seem like they enjoy hassling you, but the truth is they are doing a miserable thankless task. If you were a really nice person (and we know you are) you would hand them a nice cold frosty beverage, a barter item or something to help break up the monotony of their job. It doesn't matter what time of day you come in the gates, think of the Greeters and the Gate people when you arrive and treat them the way you like to be treated. It is a good way to kick off the event.

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