Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe
 

We are flying into Sacramento on April 27. We plan to drive to South Lake Tahoe on April 28 for 4-5 days. We have been told the drive is about 1.5 to 2 hours. Should the road to South Lake Tahoe be OK at that time of year? Also, any driving directions/tips appreciated. Thanks!

The road should be fine. It is unlikely to get any new snow at that time of the year. Since you are going to south lake tahoe, just head straight up Hwy 50.

I drove that route it Nov and its a beautiful drive- I think it took over 2 hours though due to long traffic waits going through Placerville- there is a traffic light on the highway there and it took forever to get through - didnt seem to be anything special going on - just long line getting through the light

There is absolutely no way to know now if the road will be clear then or not. You need to ask a few days before the trip. For instance last the snow was very low and chains were required for a loooong way on hwy 50. Today it is still stormy but a warmer storm so the snow level is much higher and chains are only required for a short distance over the summit.

By the end of April it could be clear sailing all the way -- OR -- we could just as easily have a spring storm w/ heavy snow.

But one thing for SURE - it will take you longer that and hour and a half. 4-28 is a Friday and traffic is always heavier on Fridays. The earlier you can leave the better. After noon the traffic just builds all day until by 3:30 yopu will have bumper to bumper for long stretches.

That should read &quot; . . . last <u>week</u> the snow was very low . . . &quot;

Since you are arriving on the 27th it looks like you will be spending the night. Plan to head out around 10 for a nice drive to South Lake Tahoe. You'll arrive just in time for a nice lunch at the lake. Riva Grill is at the Marina and you could get a view of the lake. By the end of April it would have to be a super cold storm to dump enough snow to make driving a problem.

If it looks cloudy check the road conditions here:
http://www.caltrans.ca.gov/
and put &quot;50&quot; in the Highway number box to see what the conditions are.

In Placerville there are like 2 or three traffic lights on 50 and they can back up the traffic. After you pass that though the road is 4 lane for awhile and then goes to 2 lane with some turnouts for slower traffic. Mid morning it should be fine.

At the end of April there is a good chance that there will be lots of snow at Tahoe though probably not on the roads or piled up in town.