Carson, utah?
The easiest route off of Lake Tahoe is US50 east to Carson and freeway to Reno.
There is a decent state highway from the NW corner (I forget the number) past Sun Valley to I80 and Truckee. It follows the outlet river so does not have climb.
From Truckee it is a short climb to the I80 summit, and a longer drop to Sacramento and I5 (which will take you all the way north).
Generally following CA89 NW to Shasta is a fine drive. Mostly it stays in the 4-5000 ft level. Some ups/downs and curves, but nothing major.
US395 all the way to Oregon is also a good option.
The mountains of NE California don't have the well defined passes of the Sierras to the south or the Oregon Cascades. Shasta and Lassen are the 2 big peaks, and the roads go around them (except the Lassen park road).
