Route between Sacramento and Bridgeport CA

89/88 is just as good of a road as the two-lane section of 50. In fact I don't even recall any steep grades on the 89/88 section from Tahoe over to 395. You can save even more miles by taking 89 when it separates from 88 and go through Markleeville, but that is a mountain pass road with steep grades and switch backs. If you don't turn there 88 continues on down into the Carson Valley and you can pick up one of the cross roads and hop over to 395.

Maybe I'm different than most people. I have a 35 foot DP with toad and the only roads I avoid in the mountains are 4 and 108 over their summits. Other than those there are no other State numbered highways that I would not take, or have not taken. I'm further south in the central valley than you and if I were going to Bridgeport I'd take Tioga and go through Yosemite unless I was traveling on a weekend. Then I'd go pick up 88 at Stockton and take it all the way over and that's just to avoid Yosemite traffic.

The difference between staying on 88 on to 395, versus taking 89 where it splits over to 395, is only 8 miles. Myself, I'd do the shorter route only for the scenery, but that section of 89 is steep and windy. Probably not worth the 8 mile saving for you. Based on the miles you posted, Google was giving the miles for going through Markleeville.

msmith1199 wrote:
89/88 is just as good of a road as the two-lane section of 50. In fact I don't even recall any steep grades on the 89/88 section from Tahoe over to 395. You can save even more miles by taking 89 when it separates from 88 and go through Markleeville, but that is a mountain pass road with steep grades and switch backs. If you don't turn there 88 continues on down into the Carson Valley and you can pick up one of the cross roads and hop over to 395.

Thanks msmith1199. I like your suggestion to stay on 88 and cut over to 395 just south of Gardnerville. This avoids the steep and twisty route through Markleeville.

Ed