Lake Tahoe: By Car

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By Car

Lake Tahoe is 198 mi northeast of San Francisco, a drive of less than four hours in good weather. Avoid the heavy traffic leaving the San Francisco area for Tahoe on Friday afternoon and returning on Sunday afternoon. The major route is Interstate 80, which cuts through the Sierra Nevada about 14 mi north of the lake. From there Highway 89 and Highway 267 reach the west and north shores, respectively. U.S. 50 is the more direct route to the south shore, taking about two hours from Sacramento. From Reno you can get to the north shore by heading south on U.S. 395 for 10 mi, then west on Highway 431 for 25 mi. For the south shore, head south on U.S. 395 through Carson City, and then turn west on U.S. 50 (50 mi total).

The scenic 72-mi highway around the lake is marked Highway 89 on the southwest and west shores, Highway 28 on the north and northeast shores, and U.S. 50 on the east and southeast. Sections of Highway 89 sometimes close during snowy periods in winter, usually at Emerald Bay because of avalanche danger, which makes it impossible to complete the circular drive. Interstate 80, U.S. 50, and U.S. 395 are all-weather highways, but there may be delays as snow is cleared during major storms. (Note that Interstate 80 is a four-lane freeway; U.S. 50 is only two lanes with no center divider.) Carry tire chains from October through May, or rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle (most rental agencies do not allow tire chains to be used on their vehicles; ask when you book).

Contacts

California Highway Patrol (530/577-1001 South Lake Tahoe. www.chp.ca.gov). Cal-Trans Highway Information Line (800/427-7623. www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo). Nevada Department of Transportation Road Information (877/687-6237. www.nevadadot.com/traveler/roads). Nevada Highway Patrol (775/687-5300. nhp.nv.gov).

Car Rental

The major car-rental agencies -- Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Thrifty, Enterprise, and Dollar -- all have counters at Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Enterprise has an outlet at the Lake Tahoe Airport (in South Lake Tahoe); Avis has one at Embassy Suites in South Lake Tahoe; Hertz has locations at Harveys and Harrah's in Stateline; and Dollar has counters at the Reno Hilton and Circus Circus.