West Coast CorvAIRCRAFT Jr. College, Driving Directions

From the west Los Angeles area, as well as west San Diego, Camarillo, Ventura, Santa Paula, Ojai, and Simi Valley.

Head north on Interstate 5, over the Grapevine.
Between the bottom of the Grapevine and Bakersfield, I-5 becomes State Highway 99 if you do nothing about it. You actually have to take the "exit" to stay on I-5. BUT!!! Don't stay on I-5
Continue north on 99 to Bakersfield.
From Bakersfield, it's about 80 miles to the Highway 198 exit at Visalia.
Take the Hanford exit, highway 198 west toward Hanford. The 12 miles of highway between Visalia and Hanford, is 2 lanes with cross traffic. Once the highway becomes divided again, you've arrived in Hanford.
Exit at 10th Avenue. At 10th, turn LEFT (south) and go about another mile to Hanford/Armona road.
At the intersection of Hanford/Armona Road, turn LEFT.
Head east on Hanford/Armona Road less than 1/2 mile. The fairgrounds will be on your left, then the Hanford NOAA weather station, then the road that leads to the airport gate.

From the low desert, (Palm Springs and points east, including Phoenix). Parts of this may be applicable to the Inland Empire, as well as east Los Angeles areas, and east San Diego, where I-15 is easier to go north than I-5 or 805.

WARNING!!! If you use a program such as MapQuest, and it suggests that you go through the Los Angeles area because it's shorter, don't fall for it! It's shorter yes, but due to traffic, it may cost you an hour or more in trip time. There should be little or no traffic following the directions below.

Take I-10 west, looking for I-215 north, to the 15 north, which takes you through the Cajon Pass.
From other locations, do what it takes to get to the I-15 north, be that the 91, the 10, the 210 the 66, etc.
From I-15 head toward Victorville, looking for the Highway 395 cutoff.
Once on 395, it's about 10 miles or so to Adelanto. Be careful through Adelanto, it's one big speed trap. Once outside Adelanto, it's nothing but desert for another 30 miles, until you reach Kramer Junction, a 4 way stop with gas, food and most importantly, Highway 58, which you'll want to turn LEFT (west) on.
Highway 58 use to go through the city (town?) of Mojave. Now it skirts it to the north. Mojave is roughly 30-40 miles past Kramer Junction, and is at the bottom of the Tehachapi mountains, which you'll be going through.
Continue west on 58, up and over Tehachapi, down in to Bakersfield. Total from Kramer Junction to Bakersfield is about 90 miles.
At Bakersfield, take 99 north toward Sacramento.
From Bakersfield, it's about 80 miles to the Highway 198 exit at Visalia.
Take the Hanford exit, highway 198 west toward Hanford. The 12 miles of highway between Visalia and Hanford, is 2 lanes with cross traffic. Once the highway becomes divided again, you've arrived in Hanford.
Exit at 10th Avenue. At 10th, turn LEFT (south) and go about another mile to Hanford/Armona road.
At the intersection of Hanford/Armona Road, turn LEFT.
Head east on Hanford/Armona Road less than 1/2 mile. The fairgrounds will be on your left, then the Hanford NOAA weather station, then the road that leads to the airport gate.

From the High Desert, Victorville, Barstow, Las Vegas, Laughlin, Big Bear, etc.

Use the directions above, and modify as necessary to arrive at Kramer Junction. From Las Vegas and Laughlin, head to Barstow, take the 58 to Kramer Junction.

From the San Francisco area, including Stockton, Sacramento, and points north such as Redding, Oregon, and Washington.

I really don't know the best way (traffic-wise) to leave SF, but do the best you can to get over to I-5 south. From Stockton and Sacramento, it might be tempting to head south on Highway 99, through Fresno. But don't!!! It may be shorter, but it'll cost you in time. 99 is very slow, farmers and trucks doing 55 in both lanes. I-5 is the autobahn, there seems to be no speed limit. It's totally common to be passed while doing 80 plus.

Once on I-5, it's a bit over 100 miles to the Avenal exit, Highway 198, Hanford/Lemoore. This intersection is Harris Ranch. A great place to eat, and a very nice resort. It's on the Hotel/Motel list as a good place to stay for this trip. It's expensive, but worth it.
Head east on Highway 198 about 30 miles or so. You'll pass by the Lemoore Naval Air Station, pass through the city of Lemoore as well as the town of Armona before you get to your exit.
Exit at 11th ave, and make a RIGHT (south).
About a mile down the road, you'll come to a controlled intersection. This will be Hanford/Armona Road. Turn LEFT (east)
Another mile down the road, you'll come to 10th ave. Proceed through the intersection.
Head east on Hanford/Armona Road less than 1/2 mile. The fairgrounds will be on your left, then the Hanford NOAA weather station, then the road that leads to the airport gate.

From the Central Coast, Monterey, Pismo Beach, Santa Maria, Cambria, and as far south as Santa Barbara.

Take Highway 101 to Paso Robles.
Exit Highway 46 east.
About 25 miles later, take the Lemoore exit, Highway 41 north.
25 or so miles later, you'll cross under I-5 at Kettleman city.
Continue north on 41 toward Lemoore.
25 or so miles later, you'll come to Highway 198 at Lemoore.
Head east on Highway 198 about 12 miles or so. You'll pass through the town of Armona before you get to your exit.
Exit at 11th ave, and make a RIGHT (south).
About a mile down the road, you'll come to a controlled intersection. This will be Hanford/Armona Road. Turn LEFT (east)
Another mile down the road, you'll come to 10th ave. Proceed through the intersection.
Head east on Hanford/Armona Road less than 1/2 mile. The fairgrounds will be on your left, then the Hanford NOAA weather station, then the road that leads to the airport gate.

From the north, via State Highway 99

There are detailed instructions on how to drive from Fresno Air terminal to HJO on this page: http://www.experimental-aviation.com/Corvair/CommercialAir.html Following the instructions on that page should get you from Highway 99 south (at the Selma, Highway 43 exit) to HJO.