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  5. Road trippin': The Delta on tiny SR-220

Road trippin': A tiny trek in the Delta on SR-220

California contains its share of high-profile roadways, including the interstates and highways that cobweb their way through cities and streak across rural areas, and the scenic gems such as State Route 1 that hugs the coast and State Route 49 that meanders through Gold Country. Then there are the lesser-knowns, the unassuming if not purely pragmatic roads that primarily serve the motoring needs of local residents. State Route 220, all of six miles long, is one such route. 

Gallery

sr220-01 (Screen shot courtesy of Google Maps)
sr220-02 State Route 220 is among the shortest roadways in California's highway system, stretching out for only six miles.
sr220-03 The modestly sized highway begins its westward journey in the small community of Ryde, in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
sr220-04 On the cool December day that CT News embarked on SR-220, waterfowl were in evidence along the north side.
sr220-05 The scenery along State Route 220 is of a decidedly agricultural nature -- at least here, east of the river.
sr220-06 This is perhaps the most striking structure along State Route 220, although it gives off a vibe of abandonment.
sr220-07 A power station resides on the south side of Highway 220 shortly before the road reaches Steamboat Slough.
sr220-08 Power lines venture northward from their origin in the PG&E Grand Island Substation beside SR-220.
sr220-09 Westbound State Route 220 motorists must make a right turn on Grand Island Road to proceed.
sr220-10 Normally, State Route 220's eastern and western portions are connected by this ferry, but in December 2022 ...
sr220-11 ... the ferry was not operating, and CT News was forced to drive up and around to get back to State Route 220.
sr220-12 To reach the portion of SR-220 that's west of Steamboat Slough, CT News had to make a 30-mile detour.
sr220-13 There's not much room for bicyclists to maneuver on SR-220, but then again there's generally not a lot of traffic to contend with.
sr220-14 Irrigation ditches run parallel to State Route 220 for much of its short existence, including just past Steamboat Slough.
sr220-15 Time and the elements have taken a toll on this guardrail on the northern side of State Route 220.
sr220-16 With a minimum of fanfare, State Route 220 concludes its westward journey at this junction with State Route 84.
sr220-17 Looking back from its western terminus, State Route 220 points toward its eastern origin, six miles away in Ryde.
sr220-18 Miner Slough and, beyond that, the Sacramento River are just beyond the western end of State Route 220.