Hwy 50 frm California thru Nev, Utah, Colorado this December

Just take the trip. If you were in a big hurry you would go south. There are always windows of opportunity. GO

Most of Highway 50 across Nevada {"the Loneliest road in America" which we drove and thoroughly enjoyed last September}, is well above 6,000' and there are lots of passes from 7,000 to 7,800'. Add the lack of facilities for very long stretches and much of the road has little if any shoulder I would NOT drive it in the winter. The weather there can change in minutes and often not in a good way.

I agree 5 to 40 is boring but keep in mind that I-40 gets shut down often for a couple of days at a time just about every winter due to blowing snow {typically between Flagstaff and Albuquerque.

As always.... opinions and YMMV.

:C

I'd take 80 to Tahoe then change over to Hwy 50 thru Nevada and Utah, keeping an eye on the weather. Then back to the interstate for Colorado. I've driven that section NV and UT, in summer and it's a great drive. May be better in winter.

You could drop down to Salida once you are passed the Front Range and pick up 50 there, it goes thru Kansas but after that it may be too far north for your destination.

I've seen Monarch pass closed on the 1st of May due to a late spring snow. Lived in southern Colorado for a while... if you were completely flexible with your time and could afford to lay over for 3 - 6 days for things to clear, you could do it. Personally, I wouldnt' do it in an RV during the winter.

Rob

Clear days and no storms = no problems other than cold cold nights.

As far as the Nevada portion of US 50 just watch the weather and go when you have a good window. Other than that drive on the top half of your tank and watch for livestock on the road at night. Dark night, dark cow, dark road, kind of thing. I would go for it and have driven US 50 across Nevada many many times.

The fear factor among some here of US 50 getting into South Lake Tahoe is overstated. Again, just look for a window when there is no storm. Or, if you are really concerned take IR 80 and when you get to Fernley take Alt US 50 to Fallon and then on to US 50 to the east.

Thanks for the input folks. Pretty much what I was expecting to hear :( The actual endpoint of the trip is Memphis, but I'm so tired of the 5 south to LA then east on 40 route. Been there, done that and most of it isn't too scenic, but I would like to arrive without the 'Donner Party' experience, if you know what I mean.

Disappointed, since I'm not planning on getting back to the states named above for some years; fuel is expensive, and I was really looking forward to the vistas.

This is also my 1st trip in this RV, just got it a in June, and I have no plans on driving it with chains.

paulooch1958 wrote:
I've been planning a trip thru California, Nev,Utah, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri this December. I had originally planned to leave last August, but there have been delays. I want to take Hwy 50 most of the way for the scenic beauty, but I'm getting anxious about snow and ice at this point.

I have a 40' Class A towing a Camry on a dolly.

Do I have anything to worry about? This is my first time on this route.

Thanks
Paul

How comfortable are you driving in snow with chains more miles????? At the top of Hwy. 50 before you drop into South Lake Tahoe is a steep 2 lane road as you drive some sheer drops on one side. I get a little "white Knuckles" driving down in the summer time. My exhaust brake is working full time!!!

I wouldn't advise taking this trip during winter.

Been a long time since I drove US 50 over the Sierra Nevada mountains, and that was in a car, but from what I can recall, and from what I've read others comment on, it is not a pleasant drive near the top of the pass for large vehicles. Ad to that Winter conditions likely in December and I'd suggest you take an alternate route.... I-80 would be a better choice for going over the Sierra Nevada mountain pass. Perhaps others here with recent experience driving a ~40ft Motorhome with tow car over US50 will chime in . . . .