Route help from LA to Tahoe

Hi,

I%26#39;m driving from LA to Incline Village (North Lake Tahoe) on Friday. I%26#39;m doing all the driving, and I%26#39;ll have my two little boys with me. Yes, I%26#39;m a bit masochistic!!!

Should I follow Google Maps%26#39; advice and take the 5 north to 80 east? Or shall I take 395? Pros/cons?

Thanks!

Julia

Route help from LA to Tahoe

Don%26#39;t be tempted to drive 395 north of Mammoth during the winter.

The most frightening drive I have ever taken is the part of 395 north of Mammoth. It is very windy there and snow blows over the road making it icy and treacherous. There was a tractor trailer blown over in the south bound lane as we made our way north. Those people from LA might not know this since they stop at Mammoth thinking that the road will be fine but I am here to tell you it is frightening. Even if it’s not snowing – which it was not when we were driving- you might still need 4 wheel drive or chains due to the slippery icy road from blowing snow. Take I 5 and 80. Please.

Route help from LA to Tahoe

Oh Susie - THANK YOU! Much appreciated. That%26#39;s just the type of info not included in Google Maps directions ; )

Julia

Julia, Suzie is right! Going up 395 was one of the scariest drives I have ever made. Since you are traveling with two small children, the distance between services on 395 might be a problem.

Have a safe trip!

Hwy 395 is a beautiful scenic drive along the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountains. I would never consider it this time of the year. That road is full of black ice in the winter. Take this route in the summer another time.

Thanks again for confirming my 5-to-80 route; I would have been very sorry to have had to discover this on my own (um, I mean with two agitated kiddos in the back).

Julia

Hi Julia, I%26#39;m originally from the LA area and routinely drive up and down from here to there and back!

Just a note on I-5....it will save you about an hour%26#39;s time, but services are few and far between, and nothing, nothing, nothing to look at!! Many drivers are very pushy about speed, and 80 mph is the norm, for sure! Don%26#39;t know how your kiddos are, but if you anticipate having to stop for potty breaks, food, or to get the wiggles out, you might want to take CA-99. More towns along this route, more services, and it parallels I-5, so once you get into Sacramento, you can go on over to I-80.

Ditto what everyone else said about 395 in winter! Scary!!! It%26#39;s a gorgeous drive in summer though, but definitely the long way around (but great hot creeks along the way, Schaat%26#39;s Bakery in Bishop).

Have a great and safe trip, carry chains (although this weekend is expected to be clear, but you never know about ice, and the weather can change - it has snowed in June and in September, too!). It%26#39;s dang dang cold, too, be sure to have some blankets for the kids with you, and enjoy the snow, the past two weeks of storms have given a great base of snow!!

Just want to thank you all for your help. I had a trouble-free drive to and from (aside from some car sickness from one child boo hoo). I took the 5 up but the 99 back, which was indeed far preferable! Plus, I think the 99 avoided some of the Sacramento traffic I encountered on the way up there.

Thank you so much - you all were very reassuring!

Julia

I bet you had great weather. It was a really nice weekend weather wise!