Directions to Tahoe
Table of contents
Be sure to check out live cameras for Tahoe area.
If you don't want the hassels of driving for long hours and dealing with bad weather, you can join a bus trip.
Driving Tips
Via HW 80 to North Lake Tahoe and Reno
When you are coming from the San Francisco Bay Area, you go all the way on HW 80. But there are a couple of HW intersections near Sacramento. It's pretty confusing there as there are two HW 80s. Make sure you stay on the right to get on Interstate HW 80.
This is the easiest route to get to Tahoe in winter as the road has two lanes/way and the lanes are not that narrow.
Once you enter Norht Lake Tahoe region and get on 267/89/28, the road becomes one lane/way.
Chain Control Check Point
Depending on the snow level, the chain control check point can be as earlier as on Applegate Rd exit, Auburn, CA
Check out I-80 Sierra Guide for for tips.
Via HW 50 to South Lake Tahoe
When snowing, it's a tough road as the road is narrow(one lane/way), and it's near cliff, especially the latter part of the road before you get to South Lake Tahoe
Via HW 88 to Kirkwood and South Lake Tahoe
When snowing, it's a tough road as the road is narrow(one lane/way)
Driving In Snowy Winter
During chain control, your cars must be all-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive in order to pass through the check point.
Otherwise, you'd need to have chains installed(pay someone to do it, or you do it yourself).
Whatever car you drive, you should check
- your tire thread to make sure that they have good traction
- good tire presure
- your coolant, winshield fluids can substan below 32 degree temperature.
- no car breakdown on the road
Sometimes, road can get shutdown completely if it snows really heavy. Fill up your gas tank before you enter Sierra.
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