rebbu

Hi,

Thanks a lot for the feedback from forum members on traffic during thanksgiving weekend. We are now travelling on Thu morning instead of Fri morning.
Will return either Fri evening or Sat morning depending on weather.

What is the best route to South Lake Tahoe from San Jose ?
1.680 , 80 to 50 or
2. 680 , 580 ,205 , I5 to 50

Thanks,
Rebbu

TravelTess

Which end of the lake? North end - take 80 to 50. Incline or South Shore, take 680 to 80.

janisj

TravelTess - Incline IS on the north shore. It is much handier/faster via 80 than by taking 50.

But I believe from rebbu's other posts she is going to Southshore - right? From San Jose I'd probably go 680-580-205-5-50. That misses the heavy traffic on 680/80. Not that you won't hit possible traffic on 580/205 -- but I-5 will be better than 80.

rebbu

We are going to South Lake Tahoe

Pis_Pistofferson

Tune in to the traffic radio station on AM and judge for yourself, as you drive. ~ Within the Bay Area, you can dial 511 and get traffic conditions and driving directions via automated voice response. ~ Give it a try sometime.

TravelTess

Since you're going to South Shore, take 80 to 50.

janisj

The problem w/ I-80 is even at normal times it is a virtual parking lot through Cordelia, Fairfield, Vacaville, and Sacramento. And that is just on a normal day. If there is heavy traffic tomorrow -- and all indications lean that way due to gas prices coming down so far - then the "parking lot" will probably include Davis too.

But I really agree w/ Pis_Pistofferson - I'd have both routes in mind and wait until Thurs morning's traffic reports to see if there are any major wrecks/tie ups. If so, you can easily take the other route.

Suzie

From someone who regularly drives from Sacto to east bay on Thanksgiving, get an early start! It's a parking lot in both directions by mid day. Leave by 8 am or late afternoon like 4:00.

sequoia370

Agree with most of the others about Fairfield to Davis where you'll hit the real jam, or the jam that you don't expect. It'll be jammed on 50 as well, all the way to Tahoe.

I would seriously consider taking 88 over the mountains. Might get you there a lot faster.