Route between Sacramento and Bridgeport CA

[ejmorgan]

I plan to drive from the Sacramento area over the Sierra Nevada mountains to Bridgeport CA on Highway 395 (and return). I will be towing a 9,000 lb. (loaded) toy-hauler travel trailer.

Can anyone recommend the most "trailer-friendly" route over the mountains? I'd appreciate any helpful advice.

Ed

[ejmorgan]

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

[msmith1199]

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]

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.

[ejmorgan]

I am the OP. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I live in Dixon CA, west of Sacramento. I have driven the Interstate 80/395 route through Reno to Bridgeport. The one-way distance to the campground near Bridgeport is 282 miles and close to 6 driving hours (for me).

I was hoping there was a faster/shorter route available -- but not if the road hazards and stress level are significantly higher than the Interstate 80 route. I have driven Highway 50 to Tahoe, but not the 88/89 route over to 395. What is this section of the route like? The distance with this route is about 213 miles and 4.5 hours. Is it safe?

Ed

[msmith1199]

I have no problem with your preference of I-80. And I bet you use it all the time when going to Reno or beyond to the East. But I doubt very many people use it if they want to go South on 395 unless they are driving a semi-truck pulling doubles. Otherwise any legal RV out there can do 50 to 89 to 88 to 395 and save the 60 miles.

[Us_out_West]

msmith1199 wrote:

Us out West wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
Taking I-80 all the way to 395 and then down to Bridgeport is 246 miles.
If you take 50 to 89 to 88 t0 395 it's 189 miles. I don't see how adding 120 miles to your round trip is a no brainer. 50, 88, and 89 are all very good two lane state highways. 50 is even freeway and four lane much of the way.

Sorry...should have said 'no-brainer' for me pulling a 40' 5ver.

We've pulled 88 to Jackson, both ways and is OK. Been on 50 also but the traffic going to and coming out of Tahoe can be sometimes heavy.

Again for coming out of Sac I prefer I-80 going over the hill to Reno then heading South on 580/395. I'm never in any rush to get to my destination so a little more time and miles doesn't bother me.

You don't go through Jackson on the route I suggested. You pick up 88 just outside of South Lake Tahoe. It isn't as easy as I-80, but I-80 is a lot of extra miles.

Thanks and familiar with all the routes and have pulled them.

I'm sure the OP will pick the route he thinks good for him.

[msmith1199]

WackAway wrote:
Someone needs some maths...
Haha, the Internet is a funy place!
Hey, I need spelling help 🙂

I don't get it. Since I'm the only one that did math I assume you are talking to me? 246 miles versus 189 miles is a difference of 57 miles. For a round trip, which is what the OP said he is doing, that is 114 miles. I rounded up to 120.

[msmith1199]

Us out West wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
Taking I-80 all the way to 395 and then down to Bridgeport is 246 miles.
If you take 50 to 89 to 88 t0 395 it's 189 miles. I don't see how adding 120 miles to your round trip is a no brainer. 50, 88, and 89 are all very good two lane state highways. 50 is even freeway and four lane much of the way.

Sorry...should have said 'no-brainer' for me pulling a 40' 5ver.

We've pulled 88 to Jackson, both ways and is OK. Been on 50 also but the traffic going to and coming out of Tahoe can be sometimes heavy.

Again for coming out of Sac I prefer I-80 going over the hill to Reno then heading South on 580/395. I'm never in any rush to get to my destination so a little more time and miles doesn't bother me.

You don't go through Jackson on the route I suggested. You pick up 88 just outside of South Lake Tahoe. It isn't as easy as I-80, but I-80 is a lot of extra miles.

[WackAway]

Someone needs some maths...
Haha, the Internet is a funy place!
Hey, I need spelling help 🙂

[Us_out_West]

msmith1199 wrote:
Taking I-80 all the way to 395 and then down to Bridgeport is 246 miles.
If you take 50 to 89 to 88 t0 395 it's 189 miles. I don't see how adding 120 miles to your round trip is a no brainer. 50, 88, and 89 are all very good two lane state highways. 50 is even freeway and four lane much of the way.

Sorry...should have said 'no-brainer' for me pulling a 40' 5ver.

We've pulled 88 to Jackson, both ways and is OK. Been on 50 also but the traffic going to and coming out of Tahoe can be sometimes heavy.

Again for coming out of Sac I prefer I-80 going over the hill to Reno then heading South on 580/395. I'm never in any rush to get to my destination so a little more time and miles doesn't bother me.

[msmith1199]

Taking I-80 all the way to 395 and then down to Bridgeport is 246 miles.
If you take 50 to 89 to 88 t0 395 it's 189 miles. I don't see how adding 120 miles to your round trip is a no brainer. 50, 88, and 89 are all very good two lane state highways. 50 is even freeway and four lane much of the way.

[Us_out_West]

Interstate 80 to 580/395 South in Reno is a no brainer from Sac.

[korbe]

I would say the most trailer friendly route from SAC to Hwy 395 would be I-80.