Les-
We stop in DV every year on our way to our current location (Borrego Springs) and have used most all the routes.
395-190: Consider staying at Red Rocks State park for 1 nite on Ca state 14 just north of Mojave. If it's a week nite you may have the place entirely to yourself, very quiet, very dark, great place for morning coffee sitting on a rock watching the sun come up. We've had our 40' Monterey in with no problem, probably would not take our current coach in. Drive the campground road with your tow first to check it out. Makes next day into DV much shorter. 190 into Panamint Spr is steep, as always just start slow, use your engine brake and don,t sweat anybody behind you; the goal is for everybody to go down safely, time is not a factor.
We have switched to Ca state 178 thru Ridgecrest. You can fill up with diesel in China lake or Ridgcrest for a dollar a gallon less than in DV, stop for lunch at Trona and be in Furnace Creek by mid afternoon. 178 hits 190 just of Panamint Spr, has just one steep ( 8 percent ) grade with curves for 2 miles ( I start at 15 mph in 2nd with engine brake and don't have to touch the service brakes much at all. Almost no other traffic, it's lonsome country out there.
Either way you have to go over Towne Pass (5000') on 190, a steep 8-10 mile climb then a hopefully unexciting 17 mile continuos decent into the bowels of DV. I use second gear all the way and simply don,t let the speed build up. The bottom strait stretch can fool you after the curvey upper part, the bottom is equally steep and long, we've watched some real white knucklers go by the store in Stovepipe Wells.
127 out of Baker to 190 and then down the Furnace Creek wash is straightforward.
Furnace Creek campground is closed for installation of water and electric. Sunset CG is huge, select a spot on the upper level of the overflow area for panoramic views of the entire valley out your windshield.
Pay attention to your fuel gauge, the miles are long and the gas stations few.
