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 17:55:29 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Francisco
Hi,
The best way to visit the Tahoe/Truckee area. is Highway 80. Cal-Trans is the major road crew and they take very good care of the Trans-Sierra Highway system. The only thing that will shut down this road is a major storm or accident.
Driving 80 is like the best four lane freeway anyplace on earth. You will not even know you are in the High Sierra's. The road is not windy or scary. You will have to carry chains and if chains are required you can have them installed for around $40.00 to $50.00. If you drive an SUV, you're all set the 4WD takes care of most driving conditions. However, there are times like I said when a big storm hits and everyone has to chain-up, rare but it does happen.
Once you get to Truckee you will have to take the turnoff to Tahoe City, Lake Tahoe. This will take you bye Squaw and Alpine ski areas on your way to Tahoe. You can check road conditions with Cal-Trans anytime.
Have fun
2007-10-22 12:49:01 · answer #1 · answered by Big Kat 3 · 1⤊ 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.
2007-10-21 05:08:09 · answer #2 · answered by racegrrli 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For a few years, my husband worked in Reno & we live in SF.
He noticed that in wintertime, if it starts raining in SF, the weather pattern tends to move Eastward toward the Sierra's where in a few hours that region will experience snow.
When he knew that conditions were cold and icy in the mountains, he always left SF around commute hour (8 am) so he could plan on hitting the mountains at high noon when the sun is out overhead and the road conditions would be least likely to be icy.
In snowy, or cold and wet weather in the Sierra's do not travel at night. That's to avoid Black Ice.
Hwy 80 is a wide super highway. It's not scary. Hwy 50 is not a super highway and I recall it as being narrower but OK if you drive carefully.
2007-10-22 14:12:53 · answer #3 · answered by Lynda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to truckee you only have one choice. Highway 80. Pretty good interstate highway. Please bring chains for your car. If you don't have them and it gets too snowy or icy, CHP will make you stop and turn around and go back down the mountain.
80 is really a fairly good road. It is the Truck route to all points east. So trucks are on it a lot. Best advise is to just take it slow. Keep your headlights on, bring chains and if you get too scared stop and pull over. I was really scared my first time going up there, but just take it slow. Don't slam your brakes or anything.
2007-10-22 14:15:12 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hwy 50 is the road of choice to south Tahoe. If you take your time its not to scary . Try to travel during daylight and cary chains, just in case. They keep Hwy 50 pretty clean in all types of weather. Don't go if they are calling for snow. It's a beautiful drive but there can be a lot of traffic. You might want to have someone who's been in snow drive the first time until you get some practice. Not that hard to do but you will need to learn a few basic rules.
2007-10-20 18:24:36 · answer #5 · answered by David S 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Truckee no Tahoe yes.. truckee is right off hwy 80...
Tahoe you have to go on 50 and it does get windy... good luck but its worth the view...
2007-10-20 18:17:37 · answer #6 · answered by ss 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I 80 from Sacramento to Truckee is about as modern a superhighway as they come.
2007-10-20 20:43:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋