Suzie

Oh janisj my experience with forgiven reservations is not like yours. Most require advance payment and at lest forfeiture of some of the payment within a week and all if less than that.

Glad you didn't change plans. I've been driving up to Tahoe pretty much every weekend since the firs tsnowfall (snowboard crazed son) It's abeen a slow but steady snow year so far. Only had to engage 4 wd one time so far and it was not on the freeway it was in town. The freeway gets so much use that it takes quite a bit of snow to cover the ground. This is not to say it doesn't because it sure does but it has to be a good storm with the fluffy snow for it to stick to the road. You'll have a better idea of conditions as your date approaches. The section that usually requires chians or 4 wd is from Kyburz or Twin Bridge to Meyers. This is a really steep and curvy section of road.

Vaughn

Don't know why this alternative isn't posted but if for some reason US-50 was not passable, take I-80 to Truckee and enter via the north side. I imagine that's always passable. I too am looking at flying into Sacramento, renting a car, and driving to South Lake Tahoe in 3 weeks. I could fly to Reno but going via Sac and US-50 looks more fun and I've been to Tahoe via Reno several times so I want to try something new. If it ends up 50 is not passable in a front-wheel drive rental car with no chains, then I'll just go around the north end via 80. It would add an hour to the drive and wouldn't be as fun, but I'd get there. Is there a hole in my plan? I'm from Seattle so I don't know those roads like the locals. Let me know if I'm missing something.

Bisbee

"take I-80 to Truckee and enter via the north side. I imagine that's always passable".

No, it's not always passable. This road can be closed just as easily as US 50. Been over 80 may times and not matter how bad, I never had to put chains on my AWD Subaru, as long as the road was open.

janisj

Actually I-80 has chain requirements or is closed just as often as hwy 50 - and often 50 is open while 80 is closed or vice versa. Going that way -- if it is because of snow -- would add quite a bit more than an hour to your drive. Besides being farther (and w/ chains the speed limit is 25 mph) once you get to Tahoe you'd be taking 89 along the west side and it gets heavy snow too.

The problem w/ planning long range for a trip to Tahoe is you never know. Could be absolutely awesome terriffic weather, or a blizzard or anything in between.

Ag3046

March in Lake Tahoe is winter, not spring. It will be faster to drive Highway 50. The roads are kept in good shape. Just check the weather and road conditions before you leave. Poster rkkwan is just not correct. There is no reason to alter your plans. Just take a few precautions.

Ag3046

Also, the drive from Highway 80 to South Short will probably take an extra hour, and it is also on potentially snowy, high-altitude roads. There is no need to go 80 unless you have information that Highway 50 has been closed.

sequoia370

4WD alone does not substitute for chains, only 4WD with snow tires does.

BarbAnn

I live in the foothills outside Sacramento along Hwy 50. I have a AWD Toyota Highlander (had a 4WD Explorer before the Toyota). I have all season tires on it (most 4WD/AWD have them). Anyway, I have never had to put chains on the tires to travel I80 or Hwy 50. Even when I80 closed right behind us because of a blizzard. Just be careful and drive slow. Usually by mid March we do not get any bad snowstorms. When the roads close because of snow, it is usually at night.

Personally, I would not worry so much. Have a great time.

elnap29

Another alternative (if needed) is Hwy 88 over Carson Pass to Hwy 89 into Meyers. It's a good road, not as windy.

bgsnmky

If the weather is good, and we are going to want to go to Truckee sometime during our visit, I am trying to decide if we should go there on teh way to the South Shore from Sacramento...meaning would it save time driving back up there one day. We arrive at 11:00 on a Saaturday, have to get the car etc.

Or would it be better to go ahead and get right to South Lake Tahoe and just go another day.

How long does it take to get to Truckee from South Shore if we do go anoether day.

JayZee

If the roads have no restrictions, it takes about 45 minutes. A must stop along the way is Emerarld Bay. We were there yesterday and Tahoe was magnificent!