I-15: Mojave Freeway

I-15_small

Avocado Highway / Ontario Freeway / Mojave Freeway

Runs from I-5 in San Diego (as SR-15 between I-5 and I-8) to the Nevada State Line in Ivanpah Valley near Primm eventually ending at the Canadian border near Sweetgrass, Montana.

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High Points:

  • Cajon Summit / Pass – 4190′ NB / 4257′ SB
  • Halloran Summit – 4130′
  • Mountain Pass – 4730′

Highway Videos by Forgotten Hwy:

I-15 runs through diverse country. Starting in San Diego, it heads inland passing through Escondido and Temecula. It then skirts the LA area through Corona, Norco, and Ontario passing through mostly farming lands. High winds are a major problem for this route in the Cajon Pass area, as well as outbound traffic on weekends. During extreme wind events, trucks can get blown over, especially from I-10 to I-215. Winter can bring heavy snow to Cajon Pass as well due to its higher elevation. Backups can extend from SR-210 north to I-215 on busy weekends. North of Barstow, the freeway can get quite congested during holidays and weekends due to traffic heading to and from Las Vegas.

As the road passes through some fairly remote areas of the Mojave Desert, alternate routes are rather sparse. Some roads, such as Kelbaker Road, Kelso-Cima Road, Cima Road, Morning Star Mine Road, and Ivanpah Road can offer a scenic alternate to the freeway. Between Nipton and Primm, there are no alternates, except to the east via Searchlight and US 95. Always use caution on any of these roads as they are remote and without services.

Unused ramp on State 15 north at the 5. This would have been the connector from State 252 westbound to 15 northbound.
Looking southerly toward the 5. Stub ramp would have had traffic from State 252 westbound to 15 northbound.
I-15 and I-8 in 1961. Courtesy – Caltrans
Express Lanes entrance just north of the 163.
Express Lanes entrance just north of the 163.
Mira Mesa area, northbound.
West Lilac Road OC - only a few of these arches exist in California.
West Lilac Road OC – only a few of these arches exist in California.
Metric signage remaining on the 15 just south of State 76.
Approaching State 76 near Pala in northern San Diego County.
Approaching State 76 near Pala in northern San Diego County.
At the southern 15 / 215 split. Sign on the left still has a space for Hwy 71 to the left of the 15 shield.
At the southern 15 / 215 split. Sign on the left still has a space for Hwy 71 to the left of the 15 shield.
Passing through the Lake Elsinore area
Passing through the Lake Elsinore area
Signage on NB 15 approaching the 91. This sign dates to when the 15 ended at Magnolia. The “missing” destination used to read “END FREEWAY” until 1989.

The segment from SR-91 to SR-60 wasn’t completed until 1989. Traffic had to detour onto either then SR-215 or TEMP I-15 – Hamner Avenue (former SR-31). I-15 now has four “express” toll lanes between State 60 and Cajalco Road. Direct connectors to the State 91 Express Lanes will be built later between 91 E and 15 N / 15 S and 91 W.

Northern 15 / 215 split. Control cities here have been moved. Before the 15 was completed, the 215 had the San Diego control city.
Northern 15 / 215 split. Control cities here have been moved. Before the 15 was completed, the 215 had the San Diego control city.
Just south of the 138 in Cajon Pass.
Just south of the 138 in Cajon Pass.
At the 58 in Barstow.
At the 58 in Barstow.
At I-40. The greenout covers US 66 (right) and US 91 (left) shields.
At I-40 in 2007. The greenout covers US 91 (left) and US 66 (right) shields. The signage for I-40 has since been replaced.
Meet the Cronese Cat, a geological formation north of the 15 near Basin Road.
Closeup of the Cronese Cat. The formation is formed by sand being blown up the mountain by winds coming from the south.
The famous Zzyzx Road exit just south of Baker.
Looking southerly toward Kelso Dunes and the central area of the Mojave National Preserve
1959 mileage sign along Baker Blvd (old US 91/466). Since replaced.
Looking south across Valley Wells toward Halloran Summit

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