Old US Route 99 - Bakersfield, CA to Calexico, CA - High Speed Driving Video

Hi Folks! Here is Old US Route 99 from just north of Bakersfield, CA down to the border at Calexico, CA, including the 1915 Ridge Route between Castaic and Wheeler Ridge. If you know my videos already, you are aware that I have this strange love and fascination for Old US Route 99, as well as other old routes (and the Salton Sea). This is a composite of my two earlier videos (Calexico to LA, and LA to Bakersfield). If you’d like to watch each of them independently, rather than the whole route from Calexico to Bakersfield, then just click below.

Bakersfield to LA
   • Brand New! 4K! The Old Ridge Route & U.S. ...  

LA to Calexico
   • Old US Route 99 - Los Angeles, CA to Calex...  

US 99 was a route that stretched from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. For its length through California, it was called, “California’s Main Street” because of its vital importance to both travel and commerce. US 99 traveled through every type of climate and topography that California offers.

Fewer of you may be familiar with the stretch that I have covered in the second half of this video than say, the US 99 through central and northern California. The LA to Calexico section, to me, is just as amazing as the northern sections because these areas of California are so vastly different that, well, you’ll just have to see for yourself. You’ll pass little towns and then really wide open spaces that Old US Route 99 made its way through, carrying millions of travelers of old to their destinations. Your parents and grandparents surely took US 99 if they were anywhere in California back then.

Sadly, the Whitewater Bridge shown in this video was permanently damaged by the water runoff from Tropical Storm Hilary in August of 2023. I am very thankful to have shot the footage of this historical bridge while making this video on July 27, 2023, just twenty days before it was damaged beyond repair.

Here is the U.S. Route 99/Ridge Route playlist:
   • U.S. Route 99/Ridge Route  

I hope that you enjoy watching this video. It was my great pleasure finding the route and recording it for all of our collective posterity. The reverse direction of this video is already done. Just search my channel for it if you’d like to watch it. And I want to thank you sincerely for viewing these videos. I really enjoy making them, and it’s a kick to know that there are some other people out there who love this stuff too. -Fred Herrman - “Rapid Topography“

US 99 Alternate Northbound From Temple Hwy to Smokey Bear Rd
   • Old U.S. 99 - Templin Hwy to Smokey Bear R...  

High Speed Aspect
*The high speed aspect of this video is simply a post-production effect and is only meant to give the viewer a sense of the topography through which the drive is made. This video is not meant to encourage speeding or racing on public roads and highways. Rapid Topography is extremely opposed to speeding, street racing, and to driving under any the influence of any substance. Please always drive in a safe and prudent manner.

Music:
“You Don’t Get It” by The Polarity
“Grey” by On Wave
“Free Spirit” by Yotam Ben Horin
“Sunlight” by The Secret Sea
“Erikone” by Dan Zeitune
“I Can Learn To Fly” by Ge Filter Fish
“Righteous Ones” by Gumo
“Much” by Con Davison
“Where I’m Going” by Sunriver
“Higher Than The Rain” by Roni Bar Hadas
“Funny Hunny” by The Polarity
“Renewed Time” by Stephen Keech
“M.A.C.H 3” by Mintz
“Through Their Mind” by Stevie Ross
“Remember” by VESHZA

All Music is licensed through ArtList:
https://artlist.io