Hwy 50 from Tahoe to Sacramento

[MPond]

I'm curious about your experiences on Hwy 50 between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. I'm in a 38' DP towing a Jeep, and I'm wondering if its worth going the long way around to I-80 instead of Hwy 50.

Please keep in mind that I'm not shy about mountain roads - Hwy 550 in Colorado is one of my favorites.

I'm asking something different here: I'm guessing that Hwy-50 is going to be slow-going, but is it slow enough to justify going the long way around on I-80?

Thanks.

[keepingthelight]

Hey Matt, If you are coming from Mammoth up the 395, then take the 88/89/50 into SLT. Not that bad of a grade (5% I think) and less traffic. We have done it for years. As far as Hwy 50 to SAC., It is narrow at times, but should not be a problem for an experienced driver like yourself. Have a nice trip! Greg;)

[MPond]

Thanks everyone. We're coming up 395, through Mammoth and Lee Vining, then probably staying in South Lake Tahoe, though we haven't booked a campground yet.

We have some friends who've decided to rent a smaller Class-A and come with us, but they won't be towing. And that means 8 people instead of 4, so I'll have my Suburban on the trailer, rather than my Jeep. It's quite a bit heavier, but the trailer has good brakes (electric on both axles, rated for 10K) so I'm not terribly concerned.

Based on your comments, I'm thinking that we can take Hwy 50 from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento, as whatever speed I'm doing in the DP & trailer he can do in the rental.

I'll give him some guidance on using the transmission to slow on the downgrades, rather than the brakes.

[2gypsies1]

Our daughter lives in San Fran and we always take 395 from the south to avoid all the western side traffic. We exit at Gardnerville and pick up 88 to 89 to 50. It's a beautiful easy drive with our 40' MH. This puts you on the southern end of Tahoe. We've never traveled on 89 on the western side of Tahoe. We do avoid Hwy 50 on weekends though - lots of RVs and general traffic at that time.

We love 550 in Colorado, too, and Hwy 50 in Calif doesn't even come close!

[MarkTwain]

Do you want to go to North Shore Lake Tahoe or South Shore Lake Tahoe?? For South Shore from Sacramento, Hwy. 50 is fine for RV's if you are willing to take your time and enjoy the views. Try to avoid the weekend if possible to travel. Traveling around the Lake itself to get from South or North Lake Tahoe is not advised when towing or in your RV. It is windy, slow, lots of traffice and a few hills with some switch backs to watch.

[exgman]

Try to avoid eastbound Friday and westbound Sunday on 50. Other than that, you'll be fine. 80 has lots of truck traffic and they don't mind pushing you down the hill.

[kalynzoo]

You really like the 550, towing, a true masochist. The 50 is less of a freeway than the 80, less lanes, more curves. However, every time I have taken the 80 I promise I will not do it again. The highway is extremely rough and bumpy, traffic jams are the norm, and crawling around sandwiched between big rigs doing 20mph on hills is not my idea of fun. I'd choose the 50.
JMHO

[gswcgi]

I just drove I-80 to & from Reno to Sacramento (actually further) and there is no construction on I - 80 in that section.

[rocmoc]

After living in South Lake Tahoe & Placerville for YEARS, I grew to really dislike the drive. Easily doable with your rig but slow going because of a couple grades, traffic, curves and small towns/offs along the route. In the past there were a few areas of rough road surface, depends on the winter. If you are on the South end of the late, better to take 50 than to drive North for 80. If midway, head North and take 80. Just give yourself plenty of time.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[sky_free]

Depends on where in Tahoe you are starting from. Assuming you are in or going through South Lake Tahoe, it would never make sense to divert to I-80 to save time. The roads to get there from South Lake are much worse than just taking highway 50. It's only really slow during the winter when it's snowing, and during those events I-80 is no better. If you are on the north end of the lake already, you will want to take I-80.

[Rollnhome]

Been driving it for years. I enjoy the drive. Try to avoid weekends. 80 is a PIA.

[samsontdog]

We travel 50 at least three times a summer going camping at Lake Tahoe. No problem towing a 34 ft TT but we travel during the week going and coming back to Sac. You might have road construction on 50 but same for I 80