I'm afraid of windy, high-up mountain roads (especially with ice on them in the winter).. I've never been to Tahoe or Truckee but want to go. What's the best roads to take to avoid scary mountain icy roads? Or is there a best way? Please answer if you have experience!
2007-10-20 17:55:00 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Sacramento
For your first time up "The Hill” I would suggest going to Truckee. You can get there on the 80, and they keep it fairly free of snow and Ice during the winter. Check the 7 day forecast before you head up, if there are storms coming don’t go!
Always be prepared! Buy some snow chains in the valley before you head up, if you get them from KRAGEN and don’t use them you can return them and get your money back. There are “CHAIN MONKEYS” that will put them on for you for $, Bring cash about $50 bucks. Bring water, food and blankets. Better to have the stuff and not need it, than to need it and not have it! Make sure you have Anti-freeze in your radiator. Don’t run your car engine if you get stopped.
The 50 can get bad during the winter. If you are inexperienced with winter driving only try it during the summer months.
Do you want to gamble or play in the snow?
Truckee is still in California so if you want to gamble you will have to go the rest of the way into Boom Town or Reno.
If you want to play in the snow Truckee is GREAT!
Have fun and good luck!
I lived in Nevada for 18years and visited my family in Sacramento 1000's of times!
2007-10-22 09:03:52 · answer #1 · answered by DrMichael 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
There's no way to really avoid the Mountainess roads and high winds depends on the weather for the time of travel. The fastest way is also the most scenic but also the highest and most narrow road - Hwy 50. Going from Sac to South Lake Tahoe you will have the mountain on your left and the cliff on your right (sucks if your riding shotgun) its a two lane road with some passing lanes here and there. Big Rigs also travel that road so it might be scary if your a novice driver. And sometimes if it is snowing you will need chains and they might even close it. The longest and also busiest is Hwy 80 that goes around to the North of the lake but there are 4 lane roads and also big rigs. But if it is snowing this road always needs chains and most often closes especially at Blue Canyon (summit) Just carry chains with you if you are traveling in the Winter time. Because some places there take advantage of people w/o them. And they do have people there who will put it on and take them off for you but they charge something like $20-$30 each time. But it is beautiful in Tahoe during the winter - why would you want to go to Sac? J/K Drive safe.
2016-05-23 23:23:04 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Highway 50 is best for South Lake Tahoe and Highway 80 takes you to Truckee and Tahoe's west shore. Highway 80 is probably the easier drive (a little less windy), but in the winter months both routes can be icy. Right now, there wouldn't be a problem with ice on either road. Based on your preferences, I'd avoid Highway 88 or 89 as they are both extremely windy.
2007-10-20 18:11:15 · answer #3 · answered by slogirl 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Take 80 from Sac, it is a beautiful drive. Tahoe and Truckee is a beautiful place to visit. If you can find Jason's to eat at I recommend it. If you want to avoid icy roads travel now and not in Nov or Dec. Good luck and have a fun trip!
2007-10-22 16:00:43 · answer #4 · answered by Lordes Skye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For Tahoe/Truckee you will use I-80, durign the winter you cannot avoid ice, snow and wind, its winter in the sierras. 80 use to have a 70 MPH speed limint so its a pretty good road, I think its 65 now all the way to SF, pretty much a wide, high speed freeway. Check your road conditions and weather before you travel. For road conditions http://www.dot.ca.gov/ and weather I use weather.com. Dont travel during storms to avoid a real mess.
2007-10-22 04:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by steven v 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when you get past 4000 ft elevation going east you cannot avoid the curvy mountain roads going to tahoe & truckee because they are located in the mountains.
even the good highways into tahoo & truckee (remember donner pass??) are curvy & of course get icy & snowy during winter....go during the warmer seasons or have someone else drive or take a bus if you don't want to drive....
2007-10-22 04:20:36 · answer #6 · answered by lauren s 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Take !-80 up from Sac. It'll be well plowed if there's snow, with still awesome sights from your car. If it's clear, take a ride around the lake.
2007-10-20 21:27:03 · answer #7 · answered by icemanmurph 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you do not want to deal with it, do not go. Winter is Winter..
2007-10-21 08:59:26 · answer #8 · answered by PARKERD 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋