From Gold Country to Lake Tahoe

[swages01]

Hello, We are planning an RV trip with our 32 foot Class C and tow vehicle up Highway 49 through Gold Country. From Grass Valley we would like to head east to Lake Tahoe. Are there any suggested routes or highways we should avoid? We hope to camp somewhere on the lake. Any recommendations for a place that offers full hookups would also be appreciated. Thank you!

[swages01]

Thank you all - very helpful

[murphysranch]

Hi from some one who lives 1 mile from 49!

[paulj]

The hogback at Emerald Bay is south of Meeks Bay.

[freewayrandy]

nevadanick wrote:
Take msmith1199 advice.

x2!

[nevadanick]

Take msmith1199 advice.

[msmith1199]

The OP is in a 32 Class C with a toad. None of those highways are not doable, even 89 and even counter-clockwise. And since the OP's destination is Meeks Bay and that is on 89 it will be hard to get there without driving on 89!

To the OP, just go 80 to 89 and take it to Meeks Bay. If you were in a 45 foot rig and you were a rooky driver I may tell you to take another route, but you'll be fine in a 32 foot class C.

[MarkTwain]

swages01 wrote:
Specifically, we are headed to Meeks Bay.

IMHO, don't drive south out of Tahoe City or counter clock wise!!! It may be shorter in miles looking at the map but traffic congestion, 2 lane windy road at the hill near Emerald Bay makes this a no go for me if I am towing. On a coulple of the curves you can actually see the tail of your trailer going around curves.!!!

[MarkTwain]

msmith1199 wrote:

lanerd wrote:
From Grass Valley, Id just jump over to I80 to Reno, south from there on 395, and then 50 out of Carson City.

Or you could backtrack on the 49 and then take the 50 east.

Either way is fine.

Ron

Huh????? Taking 20 out of Grass Valley to 80 and then at Truckee taking 89 all the way around to South Shore is 98 miles. Your suggest route of going all the way to Reno and around is over 150 miles.

To the OP, are you heading to North Shore or South Shore?

Taking 89 at Truckee to Lake Tahoe is a nightmare if you go counter clock wise around the lake to get to South Lake Tahoe. Road construction, backed up traffic and there is a hill with a climb around Emerald Bay and it is a 2 lane narrow road. Personally I would never tow a trailer on the route. Hwy. 89 would be fine if you plan on staying on North Shore. Hwy. 50 out of Sacramento is ok for towing an RV but it is climb to about 7K ft. but the road is good, just plan on taking a nice slow but easy trip.
From Grass Valley with the destination of South Shore, I recommend 20 to 80 to 395 at Reno then South to Carson city, the south on Hwy.28 to Glenn Brook at the Lake. It is about 40 miles to South Shore. The mountain climb out of Carson to the Lake is about 25 miles and is good climb but the road is good and easy to tow an RV on. Look in your Good Sam Directory to check out the RV parks in the area.

[swages01]

Specifically, we are headed to Meeks Bay.

[msmith1199]

lanerd wrote:
From Grass Valley, Id just jump over to I80 to Reno, south from there on 395, and then 50 out of Carson City.

Or you could backtrack on the 49 and then take the 50 east.

Either way is fine.

Ron

Huh????? Taking 20 out of Grass Valley to 80 and then at Truckee taking 89 all the way around to South Shore is 98 miles. Your suggest route of going all the way to Reno and around is over 150 miles.

To the OP, are you heading to North Shore or South Shore?

[korbe]

Or take 80 up to Truckee and head south on 89.

[lanerd]

From Grass Valley, Id just jump over to I80 to Reno, south from there on 395, and then 50 out of Carson City.

Or you could backtrack on the 49 and then take the 50 east.

Either way is fine.

Ron