Driving SF to Tahoe in April, advice?

Hi,

I%26#39;m planning a trip to California part of which will include driving a hire car from the wine country (Sonoma) to South Lake Tahoe right at the beginning of April. Can anyone give me some advice on how well cleared the roads are at that time of year. Are there any routes that I can choose to minimise driving on snow and ice and what would people recommend for updates on the road conditions?

Thanks,

H

Driving SF to Tahoe in April, advice?

It can and does snow in early April, but the likelihood and intensity is not as great as earlier in the winter. Usually the roads are clear in April. Storms that produce snow typically come off the Pacific Ocean so you usually know a few days in advance the weather forecast. All the roads are fine when it isn%26#39;t snowing as they clear them fairly quickly

The most direct and really your only route to South Lake is Highway 50 from Sacramento. This is a great drive, but gets windy and only two lanes as it reaches higher elevation. It can be tricky with road clearance in heavy snow.

Highway 80 is an altenative, but a long way out of your way to get to South Lake. 80 is a major highway, but still can get affected by snow. Once off 80, you would still have to travel on 2 lane roads that don%26#39;t get cleared as well.

You will probably be fine with the roads. There is a phone number to check on road conditions in California. It is 1-800-427-7623 (ROAD). It is voice activated so you just say the highway number and it gives you a very updated status.

Driving SF to Tahoe in April, advice?

It will most likely be pretty cold certainly under 50 degrees. There is a decent chance of light snow. Both 50 and 80 are the main roads to Tahoe and are well tended during the snowy weather. It would have to be really snowy to close either of them which is not usual for April but it%26#39;s the mountains and really anything can happen. They always advise you carry chains.

Suzie I want to go thru the mountains in Feb. Do I need chains for 4x4%26#39;s is that required, or should I save rental money and just get a car assuming I will have to buy chains when I get there and then have chain monkeys put em on. Can I buy the chains in Truckee or am I already to far into mountains and will get a ticket without chains? Any help please respond to stegnerdaniel@yahoo.com. Thanks!

If you have a 4x4 you will not need chains. It would be seriously bad weather if Caltrans required any 4 wheel drive to put on chains. You would not want to drive in that weather.

Most rental companies have a ';no chains'; policy. If chains are required, you will need them before Truckee. A 4-wheel or all-wheel drive car is the best choice.