Before you head to Lake Tahoe, remember that no matter what route you take, you'll be going through the mountains and that the weather can change very fast. In order to make sure you're prepared, you should check the latest Tahoe road conditions before you get going. There are tourist locations in the area that can give you some information as well as maps, but this information could possibly be out of date by the time you get it.
The best resource here may be the California Highway Patrol's website, where you can search by highway to get the latest reports on driving conditions. However, the CHP website only allows researching a single highway at a time so you may be better off using a website that combines the reports for all the highways in the Tahoe area in real-time as well as providing detailed maps showing detours and road closures in the Lake Tahoe area.
What's the Best Route to Lake Tahoe?
Take I-80 to Truckee, then CA 89 South to get to Tahoe City or Squaw Valley if you're coming from Reno, Sacramento or the Bay area to get to the North Shore of Lake Tahoe.
You can take US 50 to get to the South Shore from Sacramento. From Reno, the best route is to take US 395 South and then US 50 West after you pass Carson City.
Because the weather can change from calm to stormy so quickly, the road conditions may vary and you should always know what the roads are going to be like before you head out to ensure a safe trip to Lake Tahoe.
Nine Winter Driving Tips for Lake Tahoe Roads
* If you are instructed by a police officer or a sign to put chains on your tires, do so ASAP.
* If there is fog or if the roads are wet or icy, drive carefully and reduce your speed. Wet roads and cold temperatures can mean black ice, which is very hazardous. Keep a larger distance between yourself and motorists ahead of you than you normally would; and if you have chains on your tires, keep your speed to a maximum of 30 mph.
* Fill your tank before you get to the Lake Tahoe area, since gas usually costs more and gas stations are harder to come by in the mountains.
* In winter, make sure to allow ample time for your trip, since winter weather can cause delays and necessitate lower speeds.
* Stock some essential emergency supplies in your car: a blanket or towels, ice scraper, shovel and de-icer as well as some food, water and warm clothes in case you're stranded.
* Have an extra set of car keys in your wallet or with a traveling companion in case you're locked out of your car as well as a cell phone, a list of emergency numbers and a map.
* Keep your tires properly inflated and bring snow chains and any tools needed to mount them. A flashlight is also a good thing to have in case you have to do this in the dark.
* Add antifreeze to your radiator and use a windshield wiper solution which will not freeze in subzero temperatures. * Check your heater, defroster and brakes before you leave for Lake Tahoe.
While some roads may occasionally be closed due to snowstorms, some highways are always kept open except immediately after storms. These include the Mount Rose (SR 431) highway to Reno, the US 50 and US 395 to Carson City and the I-80 as well as US 50 over Echo Summit, the CA 88 to Stockton and CA 207 over Kingsbury Grade.
