Will be driving from Reno to SF mid-Aug. En route, we'd like to check out Napa Valley for the afternoon. Is this feasible? Can't really tell from maps online...

Any suggestions on where to stop in Napa?

Thanks in advance!

Sure its possible.

Reno to SF straight is about 4.5 hours (no traffic). Leave Reno about 8 in the morning and you will be in the Napa Valley for lunch. It is about 200 miles from Reno to Napa. Depending on where you want to go exactly (Calistoga, Yountville, Napa, etc) there could be a few different ways to get there.

You can exit 80 at Jameson Canyon (Hwy 12) and head over to Napa (Hwy29) or stay on 12 to 121 and visit Sonoma (less people). From Sonoma, stay on 121 to 37 west to 101 south and drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. Get an early start!

What day oof the week? Makes a HUGE difference.

If on a summer Sunday don't even try it. I-80 from Truckee to Fairfield can be nearly bumper to bumper all the way.

But on other days of the week - sure. Just don't leave too early in the a.m. on a weekday, or you end up is horrendous commute traffic in from Auburn all the way through. Leave Reno around 8:00-8:30 or a bit later and you'll be fine.

Hmmmm, TrvlMaven raises an interesting point. Better to head to Napa or Sonoma? We're just wine fans, so would like to visit a few places along the way - no special vineyards in mind. Will be heading out of Reno at about 10 a.m. Sat if that makes a difference.

That's good - A Sat morning is best for the trip down from Reno all the way until you get in/near the wine country (once you're there you will run into the local touring traffic)