Drive from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe
 

Hi,

We are planning to drive from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe.

Any recommended route for the almost 4 hr drive? We are experienced drivers but we drive on the opposite side of the road compared to USA. We’re hoping we’ll get used the left hand drive quickly.

Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you.

Welcome to Fodors. What day of the week/time of day are you planning to drive? That can make a huge difference -- some times it is a 3.5 hour drive and some times it takes 6.5 hours and if there is a wreck on I-80 and especially on the Yolo Causeway it could take even longer. Are you actually starting from San Francisco or somewhere else in the Bay Area?

There is really only one practical route - I-80 to Sacramento then Hwy 50 to Tahoe.

(There is another route through Walnut Creek, Concord, the Delta and on to I-5 north to Sacramento and Hwy 50 from there. But that that route can have some issues on Hwys 4 and 160 )