Forum Discussion

xctraveler's avatar
xctraveler
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015

US 50 East from Sacramento

We are heading East from San Francisco in a couple of days and we plan to follow an alignment of the old Lincoln Highway that takes US 50 over the mountains. I would like to hear from anyone who has driven this route.

We are happy on twisty steep roads in our 36 foot DP having just driven PCH from Malibu to San Francisco. If US 50 is no worse than that, we can do it.
  • Just to get us back on topic before closing out my attention to this thread I started. We made it through to Camp Ground by the Lake. Very nice and relatively not to pricey. The drive was great and if I hadn't had trouble with the windshield fogging up it would have been delightful. That road is really fun when you are half blinded and no place to stop to try to clear it:)
  • Went on gas buddy & could not find a price for diesel fuel at Costco, maybe someone can respond with if they have diesel. Current prices as of today, Fallon has lowest.

    Some RV Park info for South Shore Area
    Campground By The Lake Hwy 50 & Rufus Allen Blvd. South Lake Tahoe (530) 542-6096
    City of South Lake Tahoe Operated No. of sites: 157 trailers & motor homes up to 60' disposal, water, restrooms, showers, boat ramp, swimming, fishing

    Camp Richardson Resort & Marina 1900 Jameson Beach Rd. South Lake Tahoe
    (530) 541-1801
    (800) 544-1801 U.S. Forest Service Owned, operated through Special Use Permit No. of sites: 332 trailers & motor homes up to 35' full hook-ups, disposal, water, showers, restrooms, swimming, boat ramp No Pets
    Dick
  • Watch out for the 40 - 45' tour busses, they will want to pass you!

    The road is pretty good, and my cousin had a difficult time keeping up with a 45' Prevost going up to one of the Lake Tahoe casino's. There is only one large public campground in South Lake Tahoe, I did not find any others. I stayed at my uncle's place down the street from the South Lake Tahoe campground. Across the street is Lupe's Burgers, they have great hambugers, the Lupe burger has a green chili on it (not to spicy).

    Have fun!

    There is a Costco with low cost gas as you leave lake Tahoe to Carson City. AS you go down that 4 lane grade, and get to the red light at the bottom, Costco is to your right, at the next signal. Several casino's offer great prices on dinners all over town.

    Lake Tahoe is at aroun 6,500' elevation. As you aproach Lake Tahoe, make sure it is daytime. The views as you enter town are breathtaking, especially from the passenger seat of a class A, where you are well over the guardrail, and can see for a mile or so down into the valley below! My wife was driving, and we went back to take pictures in our car the next day!

    Fred.
  • Thanks all. We will definitely take US 50 and plan on stopping in Lake Tahoe for then night, probably at the recommended campground.
  • Good highway with plenty of pull outs if needed on the 2 lane portion. I also enjoy the drive East out of Fallon on 50. Suggest you fuel up prior to leaving Fallon, Fox Peak at the east end of Fallon on hwy 50, is easy to get in and out of and price is usually 3rd lowest in Fallon. Unleaded today is running around $2.40 with diesel 15 to 20 cents more. Dick
    Dick
  • Hwy 50 is a fine road for big rigs and from your stated experience you won't have any problems. It will be all uphill though. If you can, avoid it on the weekend. A lot of traffic from the city. We've driven it often with our 40' motorhome.
  • djgarcia wrote:
    xctraveler wrote:
    We are heading East from San Francisco in a couple of days and we plan to follow an alignment of the old Lincoln Highway that takes US 50 over the mountains. I would like to hear from anyone who has driven this route.

    We are happy on twisty steep roads in our 36 foot DP having just driven PCH from Malibu to San Francisco. If US 50 is no worse than that, we can do it.


    Hwy. 50 out of Sacramento is freeway up to Pollock Pines then it turns into a 2 way hwy. The road is good as lone as you just slow down and watch for other vehicles as you drive around curves. It is a very scenic route. When you get to the top be prepared to shift to a lower gear and make sure your Exhaust brake is on:).
    Your can turn off of hwy 50 to Hwy 89 before you get to the turn off to South Lake Tahoe which will take you Hwy 395 which basically parallels I-5. South Lake Tahoe is beautiful and well worth the trip if you have the time. We always stay at the RV Park "Camp Ground by the Lake on the right hand side of Hwy. 50 as you head toward town. Its a county park and is small but has about 10 sites with full hook ups, the other sites have elec. + water. The have a honey run truck that will dump you for $10.

    I have never driven across Hwy 50 from Nevada east so can't help you. I always take Hwy. 80 which is probably not s scenic as Hwy 50.
  • xctraveler wrote:
    We are heading East from San Francisco in a couple of days and we plan to follow an alignment of the old Lincoln Highway that takes US 50 over the mountains. I would like to hear from anyone who has driven this route.

    We are happy on twisty steep roads in our 36 foot DP having just driven PCH from Malibu to San Francisco. If US 50 is no worse than that, we can do it.


    Hwy. 50 out of Sacramento is freeway up to Pollock Pines then it turns into a 2 way hwy. The road is good as lone as you just slow down and watch for other vehicles as you drive around curves. It is a very scenic route. When you get to the top be prepared to shift to a lower gear and make sure your Exhaust brake is on:).
    Your can turn off of hwy 50 to Hwy 89 before you get to the turn off to South Lake Tahoe which will take you Hwy 395 which basically parallels I-5. South Lake Tahoe is beautiful and well worth the trip if you have the time. We always stay at the RV Park "Camp Ground by the Lake on the right hand side of Hwy. 50 as you head toward town. Its a county park and is small but has about 10 sites with full hook ups, the other sites have elec. + water. The have a honey run truck that will dump you for $10.