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skislader's avatar
skislader
Explorer
Feb 13, 2016

Las Vegas to Sacremento/Lake Tahoe

My wife and I will be traveling from Las Vegas north to Seattle in April and May. she has Family in Sacremento and we both want to go to Lake Tahoe. What is a good route to take? I was thinking about 395 up to Lake Tahoe then over to Sacremnto Then over to the West Coast Highway and up. Any thoughts or recommendations would be great. Thanks.
  • There are a couple of RV Parks in Carson City but a nice state park campground a few miles north at Washoe Lake State Park. North shore is the best shore (more natural and scenic on your route) but only has public campgrounds that will be closed still. The next RV Park is in Truckee. Donner Memorial State Park is cool but I think it has an under 30' limit. Have fun! Take 395, very scenic.
  • FYI, there is a tunnel on US 50 at cave rock just north of Lincoln Park. The southbound tunnel height has a 12' 4" clearance in the right lane and 13' 0" in the left with 18' 6" in the center. If I go that direction I need to center my rig for clearance.
  • Thanks, this will be our first long trip, more than two weeks and we are looking forward to it.
  • skislader wrote:
    My wife and I will be traveling from Las Vegas north to Seattle in April and May. she has Family in Sacremento and we both want to go to Lake Tahoe. What is a good route to take? I was thinking about 395 up to Lake Tahoe then over to Sacremnto Then over to the West Coast Highway and up. Any thoughts or recommendations would be great. Thanks.


    The turn off from 395 to South Tahoe is located at Carson City before you get to Reno. To get to Sacramento you can Hwy 50 to Sac. Its a little windy and you just have to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Make your reservations well in advance as South Lake Tahoe is very popular. We stay at "Campground by the Lake" about a mile past the calif/Nev. state line just past Harrah's casino. Do not drive around around Lake Tahoe itself in your rig. construction and lots of people on a 2 lane road. Drive in a car/jeep for a beautiful trip around the Lake.
  • The most direct route from Las Vegas to Reno (very close to Lake Tahoe) is 95. 395 is more scenic. 95 is very remote, and not much to see. And from 95 you can get over to Carson City easily.
    From Carson City, the best road into Lake Tahoe is Hwy 50. Once you get to the intersection of Hwy 28, go north on 28 for north shore Lake Tahoe, and stay on 50 to go to south shore Lake Tahoe.
    50 goes to Sacramento out of south shore. OK for an RV. I-80 is very close to north shore and goes to Sacramento.
    There are private RV parks in south shore. Not sure of any private RV parks in north shore. There are several forest service campgrounds around the lake.

    Have a good trip
  • While 80 is a better route 50 is a good 2 lane highway that we've taken w/o any issues. Your locations in Tahoe and in Sac could be a consideration for which route. 20 is good to cross over to 101 unless you want to pick up 1 south of Ft Bragg. In that case take 80 to 37 to Petaluma to Bodega Bay. If so don't miss Hog Island Oyster south of Bodega Bay

    Be aware that most of 1 is prohibited for MHs over 40' as is 20 west of 101.
  • With your MH and jeep I would not recommend the hwy 50 route from 395 to Sacto. The hwy 80 is an easier drive and not twisty like hwy 50. When you leave Sacto the I 5 north is the easier route than the I5 to 20 to 101 north.