Tips for Driving to Lake Tahoe

• There's only two main highways into or out of Tahoe. Interstate 80 is the primary route for those visiting North Tahoe, while Highway 50 is the road to get into South Lake Tahoe. I-80 is two lanes each direction the whole way, which means it can accommodate a bit more traffic flow, but it is also a major trucking route, so you will have to deal with passing trucks slowly making the climb. US-50 is one lane each way once you get past the foothills, with occasional passing lanes.


• Plan around traffic - especially during this '16/17 season with the epic snow conditions we're seeing, weekend traffic to Tahoe can be as bad as Los Angeles during rush hour. To minimze your time spent in a car and maximize your time outside, we recommend leaving the Bay Area before 2pm on Fridays or after 7pm (leaving the office 'early' at 330pm doesn't actually help.) Likewise, on the drive back on Sunday, it's best to either hit the road before 3pm, or to just take your time, have an early dinner, and then leave Tahoe after 530pm.


• Both major highways are subject to chain control almost anytime that it snows, and do occasionally close down completely due to unsafe visibility or avalanche risk.


• For those new to winter driving, chains are like metal crampons that wrap around your tires to help with traction on snow and ice. When chain control is in effect, there will be a check point operated by CalTrans where you will be forced to put on chains (and buy them if you don't have any) in order to proceed, unless you have a vehicle with 4-wheel drive and snow tires.
  
  
• It's always best to check road conditions before your trip. You can also follow us on Twitter to get crucial updates about road conditions.


• While the drive from the Bay Area to Tahoe is typically around 3.5 hours, be aware that traffic and weather can sometimes combine to double or even triple your driving time. As such, always be sure to start with a full tank of gas, and have some extra snacks or water in the car, especially when traveling with children.


• Popular pit stops - 3+ hours is a long-time to be in a car, whether you're 4 years old or 40, so here are a few good places to stop and refuel.
  • Ikeda's Burgers & Pies - in Auburn (exit 122 on I-80) - this would be a great stop even if they only sold burgers. But their pies... so good you'll want to order at least one extra for the road. Plus the market next store is like a mini-Trade Joe's with great produce & basic essentials for the weekend.
  
  
  • Chic-fil-A - while we will probably never find one within the city limits of San Francisco, I-80 is dotted with five Chic-Fil-A locations along the way, from Vallejo (exit 33) to Roseville (exit 106).
  
  
  • Z-Pie - in Placerville (exit 46 on US-50) also has great pies, of a different variety. Their gourmet pot pies are made fresh daily, and make for a hearty snack or quick dinner after a fun day on the mountain.
  
  
  • Coconut on T - in downtown Sacramento just off of I-80 Business before it turns into US-50, terrific curry's and pad thai. Their old location was constantly overcrowded, so with the bigger new location, you likely won't even have to wait more than a few minutes to be seated.


• Don't want to drive yourself? There's two carpool-friendly for those without cars:
  • The Bay Area Ski Bus is exactly what it sounds like. With 10+ pickup locations in San Francisco, the south bay, and the east bay, they'll take you to and from Tahoe on a day trip to various resorts for just $165, which includes your lift ticket and a continental breakfast. Bay Area Ski Bus has been around since 1996 and is the biggest operator we know of, but there's also a few others now offering similar routes, such as Tahoe Snow and Sun Tours and the soon-to-launch Tahoe Tech Bus from downtown SF, as well as MegaBus.com if you are coming from Sacramento.
  
  
  • SnowPals.org is one of the oldest online communities of Tahoe skiers & snowboarders living in the Bay Area, and they offer a free rideshare mailing list to coordinate carpools with over 7,800 members. People can post ride offers or request, and passengers are typically expected to chip in for the cost of gas and tolls.

Tips for Flying to Lake Tahoe

• A brand new service launched in 2017 called BlackBird, which offers direct flights from Palo Alto to Truckee for just $125! Offering a "private flight experience at a budget airline price", they'll get you to Tahoe in 45minutes vs. a 3-5 hour drive.


• If you're flying in from afar, the Reno International airport is the closest major airport and is about an hour from North Tahoe and 1hr 15min to South Lake. Reno is often considered the "the Biggest Little City" destination for gambling, so if that's your thing, worth spending your first night in town. Once there, you'll have plenty of options for eithering renting a car or taking one of many ski shuttles that run from Reno to the ski resorts.


• If you want to maximize your days on the mountain within a budget, keep in mind that most resorts will offer you a free or discounted lift ticket on the same day you fly, so hold on to that boarding pass.