Sacramento To Reno
 

I have to use a voucher from an airline that only flies to certain cities. Would like to get to Reno, NV, but the airline doesn't have a direct flight so am thinking about flying in to Sacramento. How far is the drive from Sacramento to Reno or would it be less expensive vs time wise to just fly from Sacramento to Reno? TIA

It's about a 2 hours+ drive.

Thanks for a quick response.

Any recommended routes I should take or is there just one highway to follow? Any interesting sites along the way?

Just one route and it's a cinch - Interstate 80 all the way from Sacramento to Reno. You will pass by Auburn, CA (which has a "historical" portion) and Truckee, a cute historical town that is now all shops and restaurants and caters to people who come to the area on vacation - both summer and winter (ski areas nearby). They're both essentially on Interstate 80, so if you wanted to, you could make a little swing off the highway and through the town.

Mahalo dmlove for your quick response. I was in the Tahoe area last Jan, but didn't get to spend much time exploring. Heard about Truckee, but didn't have the time to check it out, maybe this time, I will.

Excuse my questions, but I'm from Hawaii so we don't just drive to the next state...this way of traveling is all new to me;) Again, thanks for all the info!

If this is in the winter...this is a mountain pass and subject to closures and chains but it is a major interstate and used heavily so the roads open pretty quick.

I'm looking at traveling the first two weeks of Dec...whats the weather usually like at that time? Heavy snow fall?

Not usually heavy but it certainly can be. There is always a chance of closures in the winter and even in late fall.

you will have no idea what the weather will be like until a day or two before your trip. It could be clear and open, or it could be blizzard conditions - or anything in between. I-80 does not close very often. But it is liable to chain requirements any time from Oct through April/May. Most rental agencies will not allow chains on their cars. So you should rent a 4WD -

Sacramento is your closest airport (other than Reno itself). But what other airports can you use? There are flights into Reno from lots of other gateway airports.

janisj:

The other airport options are San Jose, LAX, San Fran, San Diego, Portland, Phoenix, and Seattle. I was just thinking to save some money, driving would be another option and Sacramento to Tahoe/Reno is the closest distance wise? Correct?

yes - Sacramento is the only one that makes sense if you are going to drive.

But you can fly into RNO from LAX, Phoenix, etc. etc.

Now, the weather could be absolutely fine in early Dec and you'd have no issues at all w/ driving up to Reno. But if we get a winter storm - then you'll be waiting it out in Sacramento.

How important is it for you to get to Reno that day? If the trip is time sensitive, I might consider flying in from LA or Phoenix or Seattle or somewhere else.

Hi janisj:

Time is not that important, although we are only on vacation for 7 days from Hawaii, so two days are traveling time. Other options did include flying into Portland or Phoenix and spend a few days there, however, thats another $400-450 on airfare that can be saved if we drove the same amount of time from Sacramento...thats why I'm looking at all options. However, by staying in Sacramento a few days before driving out, I'm not sure how we'll be occupying our time as I note that Sacramento is more of a historical city? We are more adventurous and like to check out outdoor views, beaches, etc, so do you have any suggestions on what to do in the Sacramento area? Or even driving to other cities from Sacramento to do things? Any suggestions? TIA

Its a short drive to Napa from Sacramento - you could do some wine tasting
Or you could take a train into SFO
You could drive to some of the towns in Gold Country - Sutter Creek is very cute
- also some good wine tasting to be done there.

Honestly? Sacramento sucks for tourism. There just isnt much to see.

The problem is by going east, youre really chancing the weather. Chances are, it will be fine. But what if you get stuck in Tahoe? Not good...

I'd probably go west....to Napa or even SF....

If flying into Sacramento is your best option, how about this:

Rent a car and stop in Sacramento to tour the train museum (awesome) and Old Sacramento, Sutter's Mill (if you are interested in California history), then southeast into the Gold Country. There are lots of little towns with historic Main streets, antique shops, etc., such as Sonora and Angels Camp. Columbia State Historic Park is a fun stop with people dreesed in historic costumes. Yosemite isn't far awy if you go this route. Or alternatively, go to San Francisco (about 3 hours away). If you don't have a particular reason to go to Reno, there are other places you will find to be more interesting and scenic.

It's rare to have a lot of snow in Tahoe before Christmas, but I think it did snow last weekend. It's definitely wise to check the weather reports.

Napa is a good idea, too, but not in combination with my suggestions above. Maybe a loop from Sacramento to Napa to Sausalito to San Francisco and back to Sacramento. That would be really fun and beautiful.

I live just outside Sacramento and drive to Reno all the time. During the winter, it is true that I-80 is closed occasionally when there is heavy snow or an accident. However, most closures are later in the day. Also, if you have 4X4 or AWD no need for chains (if you need both CalTrans/CHP closes the freeway). If it is snowing, it is a slower drive. Most of the time the snow comes later in December, January and February.

Nevada City is a very cute town to visit along with Auburn. There are many options along the I-80 corridor.

Personally (I know I will get flamed), I think Napa is so overrated. My parents live near there and I have been going through Napa for over 35 years. Way to busy. I now visit the small wineries in El Dorado and Amador Counties. Beautiful country, wonderful wineries (sans crowds and most have no tasting fees). Kind of what Napa/Sonoma/Medocino was 30 years ago.

Lots of options from Sacramento. That said, I love Portland.

Hi BarbAnn, you sure won't get flamed by me. I am so glad, growing up here and living in the SF/Bay Area all of my life that I was able to enjoy Napa Valley before it became so crowded and touristy. Sure, when I have been there the last years I have fun, but it was wonderful "way back when".

HDV, you say would like to get to Reno, NV..I-80 is a straight shot so to speak. Do keep in mind Friday's I-80 gets very very busy however with people going up that way. And Sundays can be very busy also with people coming back home.

Just drove Sac-Reno in June. It's very easy. If no snow, it's an easy two hours. If snow, rent a 4WD or AWD vehicle and off you go. There's only one stretch where the snow will cause any problems.

BarbAnn: You are soooooooo right about the foothill wineries. Reading all the threads on here about everyone who traces the exact same itinerary SF > Napa (or Sonoma if we can talk them out of Napa)> Monterey > SFO and I just want to scream.

Napa Valley especially, but just all over the Napa/Sonoma region is just too "too". Very expensive, very crowded, pay for tasting and so on.

Amador/El Dorado wine country (especially around Plymouth) is just like I remember Napa/Sonoma in the "old days". And w/ all the Gold Rush towns along hwy 49 it is a fabulous area for a vacation.

BarbAnn~

Thanks for the tips! So, are there stops along the way on the I80 that I may find interesting or should stop and check out? Being we are from Hawaii, the main reason we are headed in that direction is to play in the snow, so we will be spending a few days in Tahoe. Reno was just for the casino play, but I note there are some nice casinos in Tahoe also so might not even make it all the way in to Reno;) I'm thinking the only reason I may have to drive in to Reno is to hit the shopping malls. Any takes on that? TIA!

Aloha HDV - There is lots of shopping, including malls in the Sacramento area. No need to go to Reno for shopping. Also, there are casinos in Tahoe - so again no need to go to Reno if you don't want to. If you decide to skip Reno and just go to Tahoe, then Highway 50 from Sacramento is the quickest route if there is no winter storm and it is open. It is a smaller highway than Interstate 80 and sometimes it is closed when highway 80 is open during a storm. Where in Hawaii are you? I am currently in Roseville (near sacto), but my husband has been working on the Big Island for almost a year now - lucky guy! One thing about the Sacramento area you may enjoy is the rivers (Sacramento and American Rivers), which are quite different from Hawaii's rivers. In old Sacramento you could take a Riverboat ride and eat at some nice restaurants along the river, visit the train museaum and then shop at some of the malls in the area. Best wishes for a great trip to the mainland for you!

Aloha GloriaE~

I live on the Big Island also. Is your husband in construction, as there's a lot of that going on here for some time now.

Thanks for the tips on the shopping. Not sure if you know or not, but our island, well, the Hilo side, has only one mall, really sad and cannot even compare to the huge shopping malls in the mainland so I always make an effort to hit them when I'm on a trip up there. So, Sacramento has big malls? How about outlet malls?

I didn't realize there is another highway I could take directly to Tahoe as I think with all the research I've been doing, maybe we'll hang a few days in Sacramento then drive straight to Tahoe and hang around there...no need to make another long drive into Reno, perhaps?

OK - no need for Reno at all. That helps.

Yes - fly into SMF for sure. If you take I-80 to the north end of Lake Tahoe you can stop on the east side of Roseville at the Galleria. It is an upscale mall w/ Nordstrom, Macy's and all sorts of shops, restaurants. Across the street is another shopping center w/ a Nordstrom Rack (Nordstrom clearance store), Marshall's, Ann Taylor Loft and tons of other shops. If you are shopping-deprived you could spend a full day visiting both sides of Galleria Blvd. You take the hwy 65 exit off of I-80 and it is very close to the interstate. East to get back on I-80 to continue up to Tahoe.

OR - If you take hwy 50 to the south end of Lake Tahoe - just off the Folsom Blvd exit is the Folsom outlet mall. Not a huge mall - maybe 60 stores or so but there is an Off 5th (Saks 5th Ave clearance outlet), Bose, etc etc.

Be aware that Highway 50 is NOT an interstate, which 80 is. It's a narrower, often cliff-hugging road. I hate the ride up to South Lake Tahoe on 50 because I (in the passenger seat) am way too close to the edge!

If you really want to shop, and want to do outlet mall shopping, you should probably head south of Sacramento one day to Vacaville, where you will find one of the biggest outlet malls anywhere in the US.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=50

the only real "edge" is over the Meyers Grade - but that one is a doozy :)

Ohmigosh....I didn't realize how HUGE these malls are! Wow! I'm getting excited just thinking about them and looking at the directly online! Thanks dmlove for the link!

Really appreciate all your tips and hints..if you think of more, send them my way!

Mahalo!

janisj, it just SEEMS like it goes on forever. I hate it, more at night than during the day.

Aloha HDV - nice to hear from another Big Islander. My husband and youngest son (31)live south of Hilo in the Hawaiian Shores subdivision. I know the Hilo mall well! My son owns the Indelible Ink tattoo shop upstairs next to the Tsunami museaum and my husband is a salesman for Alert Alarm. I hope to be moving over in the next year. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like with any questions about the Sacramento or Tahoe areas that I can help you with. The Galleria Mall in Roseville that is fairly new and upscale with lots of shopping nearby. If you've driven the Hamakua coast, you won't be afraid of Highway 50 as long as the weather is okay. Hope you have a great trip!

Aloha again - here are a few more shopping links in the Sacramento area:

http://www.ardenfair.com/

http://www.westfield.com/galleriaatroseville/index.html

So, do you live in Hilo??

I will be away from my computer until Monday, but if you have any more questions, just let me know.

Yes, Gloria, I live in Hilo.

Thanks for the links to the mall sites....they look awesome and can't wait to shop!

Aloha KDV, I live in Vacaville, very close to the outlets.

If you come here and would like to meet up either for a meal or a glass of wine please let me know here on this thread.

Mahalo to you all for the great info. I have another question.

So, decided to fly in to Sacramento, spend a few days then drive to Lake Tahoe. I would love to visit Yosemite Park. How long would the drive be from Sacramento to Yosemite, then continue from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe? Any ideas, hints, or tips are greatly appreciated!

I was just in Sac last weekend and I my daughter and I visited some great wineries about 20 min drive from Sac in the Clarksburg area
We visited Bogle winery and then stopped at the Sugar Mill where there are 5 different wine tasting rooms in one building - we loved the French Hill wines

Have fun

Aloha HDV - I am going to guesstimate that the time to drive from Sacramento to Yosemite is approximately three hours. Again, once near Yosemite you may experience winter weather problems, so that would effect your travel time. Again I am guesstimating from Yosemite to Tahoe would be four to five hours drive. I know you have seven days, but a Sacramento, Yosemite, Tahoe schedule could make for a pretty busy week in California, even if the weather cooperates. Kind of like trying to see the Big Island and Maui all in one week. Doable, but busy.