I took that route a few years ago (395) and it was a lovely drive. We stayed in a small but adequate RV park in Alturas and enjoyed walking around town and looking at the old buildings. There is also a State Park on the Calif border but we came to early in the year. Goose Lake I think its called. I dont recall mountains at all until after or south of Reno.
We've done the Winnemucca route too and there is again a small RV park right on the Oregon-Nev border. All I remember was it was gravel and the women smoked, a lot. But it was a place to stop if Winnemucca is to far to drive. I actually think the Winemucca route is a little shorter drive.