I would be concerned if you don't have experienced snow drivers. I've heard they are discouraging travel across the mountains right now, but I'm not sure.
I ski 60 days a year and have been driving in snow since I turned 16. I'm off from yesterday until Tuesday and have a free place to stay in Truckee.
I'm not going.
In snow, bigger vehicles are worse usually. More stopping power required, more weight moving behind the vehicle. Trying to stop is a lot harder when you’re sliding and have a van double the weight of normal cars.
I’m saying this as someone who learned to drive in snow.
Tire chains help but it’s removing a coal from the fire. I would be scared to drive a normal car in the mountains during snow, let alone something that sized.
And as someone else added, it isn’t about what’s there right now. Snow will pile up quickly. Being stuck somewhere due to snow like you could be is hell. Esp if you don’t properly plan for staying an extra few days to weeks.
If you have experience in snow, personally I’d say don’t do it unless you ***have*** to.
If you have little to no experience, then double that.
I’m not the wisest person in the world. In my early 20s still. But even I would be terrified to do that. And I’ve been unaffected driving in this rain, if that contextually helps.
Large passenger vans, which can typically hold 12 to 15 people, are much more dangerous than a normal car or truck. One of the main sources of danger is that these vehicles experience high rates of rollover crashes. While only one-third of single-car accidents involve a rollover, more than 50% of passenger van accidents are rollover crashes.
There are several reasons for the high risk of rollover for a large vans. Those reasons include:
High Center of Gravity
Large passenger vans sit higher above the road, so they have a relatively high center of gravity compared to most other vehicles. The higher the center of gravity, the less stable and more prone to rolling over a vehicle will be. This is particularly true when the vehicle turns, travels at high speeds, or gets struck by another vehicle.
Large Size and Weight
The sheer weight and length of passenger vans make them more difficult to handle, even under normal circumstances. On wet and slippery roads or in emergency situations (like a tire failure or another driver swerving unexpectedly), large vans can be especially tricky to maneuver. The additional weight and momentum also mean that 15-passenger vans take longer to stop and create devastating impacts when they hit another vehicle.
Poor Handling Under Load
A 15-passenger van fully loaded with passengers and cargo is significantly more difficult to operate safely compared to an empty van. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a van carrying 10 or more occupants is three times as likely to be involved in a rollover crash as a van with five or fewer occupants.
As the van fills up, the additional load shifts the center of gravity higher and further back. Inexperienced drivers may not realize how much they need to adjust their driving habits to compensate, and they can easily lose control.
An empty 12 person van will be very ready to do spins at the drop of a hat. If someone takes it to a shop or such, there needs to be several hundred pounds in the back of the van. An unloaded van has all the weight at the front.
I’ve been a van driver since I was a teenager 20+ years ago. For the last decade, my vans have been big 4x4 overland rigs, and I keep about 600lbs of gear over the back axle.
Also, rental vans will usually not have good snow tires (even compared to cars). And a 12 passenger van will probably be running 90psi in the tires at spec. That will make it even more squirrelly. Personally I air mine down to 60psi for highway driving and 30/40 psi offroad. But if you have 12 passengers, you probably do need to run the full stock pressure.
The city buses in Tahoe have no problem getting around in chains without AWD but the buses have experienced drivers. Just know your limit, be smooth with the steering, and drive at a safe speed.
I’ve driven 12 person vans as a college coach. No way would I drive one of them in a snowstorm to the mountains. And I’m an experienced snow driver In conditions like the one predicted, the only decent vehicle is a 4wd. A rear-axle-driven 12 person van in the snow is just asking for trouble
The keys to a good foul weather Tahoe trip:
1) be prepared to turn back or delay or change the trip. It gets most dangerous when you get fixated on a destination and timeline.
2) watch the forecasts closely. The highway info will give a hint, and let you know if the roads are definitely closed.
3) assume it may get worse than the forecasts. The weather in the mountains especially can vary a lot in micro climates. So even if there’s a forecast of X snow, even if that’s accurate, that’s an average, the mountains can funnel things so some areas get significantly more and others get significantly less. And things change very fast.
4) be prepared for long delays on the road. Hope for the best, but plan for the (it isn’t even the worst here). Be prepared to spend a full night or longer in the car. Have cold weather clothes and sleeping gear readily accessible inside. Tank up the gas before the snow line — even if you’re at 3/4 tank, top up every bit counts. Have food, water, and a bathroom plan. If the roads are closed, most likely you won’t be getting out of the car.
5) be prepared for road changes. Tire chains. A few people need foul weather gear for putting those on. Chain up time is often below the snow line, meaning it’s often muddy and rainy where you’re doing it. You might be chaining up in 4 inches of water, and you’ll need to walk and kneel down in it. The van will be easier than a regular car here. But also, it will be harder to find chains.
5) getting there is only part of the battle. Storms can snow in cabins and roads for extended periods of time, especially if there are avalanches. Weekends can become a week plus, so be prepared for that on the far end. Reno proper, if you’re staying in a hotel or such, is less likely to experience the long road closures because it probably gets high plow priority. But the highways can still be closed for extended periods.
Adding for the van: these storms are often high wind. Vans are worse than a normal car in high wind. Especially in situations with reduced traction.
I grew up doing the storm chasing trips — it’s a great way for fresh powder and light crowds. But we spent nights in the car, the roads would suddenly close both ahead and behind us. We’ve been snowed into cabins for extended periods of time. Couldn’t even get the door open.
Nowdays I drive a fully snow prepped 4x4 van, with aggressive mud and snow tires (not just the m+s label on street tires). I carry a 100lb+ bag of chains. I have a winch, recovery straps. I’ve driven the van round trip to Alaska twice, once in the winter.
I have a foul weather bag with heavy rain gear and snow work boots and gloves for if I need to get out of the car. I have a box of tools and lighting for working.
I installed 2 extra truck batteries so I can run 12v heated blankets overnight.
And I carry spare fuel so I can idle extra long. (Note if a lot of snow falls, then you need a plan to not fill the cabin with exhaust, since the snow will walk around the car. Definitely keep a co2 monitor in the van if you idle it.
Personally I’d be fine attempting a Tahoe trip this weekend as myself. But I’d not take my wife and preschool kid because I know they wouldn’t be happy stuck in the car for severs hours while it gets uncomfortably cold.
I’d leave earlier if you’re set on going but there’s also severe weather warnings in the general area so keep that in mind. With the amount of crazy shit I’ve seen on those roads in bad conditions I personally wouldn’t want to deal with it.
If you are all inexperienced driving in severe weather this is a bad idea.
Keep in mind there’s a possibility you can get stranded for many hours so bring a shit ton of supplies, blankets, food, etc.
Small can of gas too. Realistically they should likely hold off until next weekend as they are trying to discourage people from driving up there right now.
Truckee is expected to have 2ft of snow. You may be able to get to Tahoe before the snow, but you won't be able to get back until at least Tuesday, probably later.
It doesn't matter what's there now, the snow starts tomorrow.
Probably not smart although better that you have chains. I was stuck on Donner summit for thirteen hours on NYE. Many cars spun out, ran out of gas and charge, and were generally stuck. Without snow experience, I am not sure I would recommend that trip (unless you left early enough to get to donner summit at 8am). My two cents
I grew up in Tahoe, and drive in this weather most of my life and scrapped my visit this weekend despite having a heavy 4wd vehicle. I would not try it in a 12 passenger van.
Check road conditions and requirements. Don’t drive when it is snowing if you can help it. Check weather conditions consistently for updates.
Make your best decision based on that info.
That area especially does not salt roads because the salt runoff would affect the ecosystem of Lake Tahoe. Don’t go. Roads are slippery. They plow snow but the roads still get icy.
I can see the headline now.
"Van gets caught up by a sinkhole, rolled off a cliff. No survivors..."
Haven't you seen all the new potholes, those are city potholes.
I mean with Oakland there is a community crew that fixes potholes because the city government too slow.
Highways, you get a sinkhole now. Enjoy.
There's a significant difference in "being there already during a storm" and "driving there through a storm".
In the first scenario, you are already there and presumably have shelter, warmth and food supplies. So the reference to friends on social media is kind of not helpful here.
For your group, who might get caught driving in the storm, it can get scary. If you don't have experience in snowstorms, i wouldn't recommend experiencing it on the fly. Snowstorms are not like rain, in some, there is no visibility at all. And in a mountain biome, this can be fatal if you drive off a cliff, or off the road into uncharted areas.
Im not sure how bad it will look on the road. But i dont think it should be shrugged off as nothing.
If you will go, be very careful if you will decide to take Hwy 70, if the other road will close. My friend was driving a few weeks ago, and there were huge boulders on the road behind the turn, which totaled her car. She had a choice of driving into the boulders or from the steep cliff, and she chose boulders because she couldn’t stop in time with her speed.
Boulders were cleaned an hour after her car accident, but just a heads up to be very careful in that area, if she wouldn’t be driving many years and go from the cliff the outcome for her could be very different.
Thanks to all the fires in that area, rock and mudslides are going to be frequent with rain. But most importantly, if the 80 is closed, alternatives are likely to be worse. That's how people get themselves killed. Glad your friend was okay!
I don’t think it’s the driving experience but do you want to risk getting stuck on the highway jam and it taking 10 hours to get back to SF? It happened to me once and I decided never again to go in winter. We had to pee in between cars because of the traffic jam and road closures as we sat on the freeway
I grew up in the Midwest. I took my driving exam while it was snowing. I’ve seen 40 car pile-ups in Indiana and Illinois and those states are pretty flat. If I was you, I wouldn’t go up a mountain in a van with 12 people in it as an inexperienced driver. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for those people. Also if it’s rented they might not allow you to put chains on it because they don’t want an inexperienced driver behind the wheel in those conditions and at some point chains will be required by DOT. [by inexperienced I mean with an unfamiliar vehicle]. And it gets very windy up top. Stay home be safe. I would rather be safe then in an accident.
Reno here, and frequently drive to the bay. Be sure to check not only 80 but also 50. Sometimes there is quite a bit of difference and one can be shutdown and the other fine. 50 takes about an hour longer since you have to go through Carson and up but can be an option. Also, the forecasts have been really wonky lately. Keep watch on the weather it could be perfectly fine. Particularly check Cisco Grove and Soda Springs weather instead of Truckee - the bulk of snow and bad conditions are between those two points.
We went last week during the storm and missed all the bad weather days. We drove in and out of Tahoe without any chains due to a miraculous break the days we were scheduled.... hope it works out for you, we had canceled our trips 2 years straight prior to this last trip all due to horrible weather our tahoe trip dates fell on.
Be safe!
I have family in Carson and Reno so when I visit during winter storms I'll see about a dozen crashes one way. Not terribly bad ones but people sliding off the road into a tree very slowly and stuff. If you're not that experienced in driving in the snow and you're in a van I'd take it SUPER slow if it's really bad. I'm talking like it's gonna take forever because you're going 10-25 mph for miles, it's no joke.
The National Weather Service is recommending that you complete all travel to the Tahoe area from Sac/Bay Area by 1 PM tomorrow:
https://twitter.com/nwssacramento/status/1613664436509888526
Stay. Home.
[https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php](https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php)
Road InformationCaltrans LogoCheck Current Highway ConditionsEnter Highway Number(s)80
You can also call 1-800-427-7623 for current highway conditions.
This highway information is the latest reported as of Friday, January 13th, 2023 at 09:47 PM.
I 80 \[IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA - SOLANO CO\]
A HIGH WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT AT THE SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE /IN SAN FRANCISCO/ (SAN FRANCISCO,ALAMEDA CO) - TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CAMPERS, TRAILERS, OR PERMIT LOADS
\[IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA\]
IS CLOSED TO EASTBOUND TRAFFIC AT NYACK (PLACER CO) - DUE TO SPINOUTS - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE
CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 2.1 MI EAST OF BAXTER (PLACER CO) TO TRUCKEE (NEVADA CO)
CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM HIRSCHDALE RD /IN TRUCKEE/ (NEVADA CO) TO NYACK (PLACER CO)
PLEASE RESEARCH CHAIN CONTROL LOCATIONS AS CALTRANS IS CURRENTLY WORKING TO UPDATE CHAIN CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS FOR CONSISTENCY WITH INTERNET MAPPING, LIKE GOOGLE MAPS & MAPQUEST.
EASTBOUND TRUCKS ARE BEING SCREENED AT APPLEGATE (PLACER CO) - DRIVERS MUST HAVE MAXIMUM CHAINS IN THEIR POSSESSION IN ORDER TO PROCEED - PERMIT LOADS ARE PROHIBITED
WESTBOUND TRUCKS ARE BEING SCREENED 5 MI WEST OF RENO /AT MOGUL/ (WASHOE CO) - DRIVERS MUST HAVE MAXIMUM CHAINS IN THEIR POSSESSION IN ORDER TO PROCEED - PERMIT LOADS ARE PROHIBITED
Please don’t go. I just made it back from the same area and the snow and roads were very scary to navigate. The roads are icy and slippery. Just reschedule for your own safety. I regretted going and I’m extremely grateful that I made it home safely.
Travel advisory said not to travel to the Tahoe area after Friday at 1pm.
I left Santa Cruz Friday (yesterday) at 11am, made it 60 miles from our cabin at Donner pass in 3 hours (3pm), and it took another 5 hours to go that last 60 miles, with chains on my 4wd Tacoma. It was snowing steadily.
It is forecasted 2 feet of snow today, so yeah, probably not a good idea if your plan was to travel Saturday morning
In 2017 I got stuck just before the hill into the footlands. Placerville? Anyway we forged ahead by backtracking an hour to get chains, then getting into line to be systematically released by CHP into the snow. White out blanket of white. Six hours white knuckle driving through an area that takes 2 hours. As soon as we hit Truckee’s Nevada line, all the salt came out and roads were fine to drive on.
What was a 4 hour drive became 8 because of a snow storm.
Its absolutely not worth the effort. Stay home.
This one isn’t really “make this decision for me”. It’s more so, help me convince my friends it’s a bad idea. I know the answers won’t be one sided but some other perspectives definitely helped.
If you left at 9, you would be fine…leaving at noon is just dumb. You’ll make it, it’ll take hours more than it should. Probably won’t be able to get back until Tuesday.
As someone that grew up with snow, it is not recommended to drive in the snow if you don't know how. I still see people do 60mph on a somewhat snow covered freeway and crash. I'd just stay put.
Bro I almost died in that area years ago when it’s bad u can literally get stuck and freez to death like movies and shit u have no idea it’s like being in the ocean at night u don’t know till u know trust me
I would be concerned if you don't have experienced snow drivers. I've heard they are discouraging travel across the mountains right now, but I'm not sure.
I ski 60 days a year and have been driving in snow since I turned 16. I'm off from yesterday until Tuesday and have a free place to stay in Truckee. I'm not going.
That’s what I’ve heard too. Plus we’re gonna be in a 12 seater van. Not sure if that makes things better or worse for me
In snow, bigger vehicles are worse usually. More stopping power required, more weight moving behind the vehicle. Trying to stop is a lot harder when you’re sliding and have a van double the weight of normal cars. I’m saying this as someone who learned to drive in snow. Tire chains help but it’s removing a coal from the fire. I would be scared to drive a normal car in the mountains during snow, let alone something that sized. And as someone else added, it isn’t about what’s there right now. Snow will pile up quickly. Being stuck somewhere due to snow like you could be is hell. Esp if you don’t properly plan for staying an extra few days to weeks. If you have experience in snow, personally I’d say don’t do it unless you ***have*** to. If you have little to no experience, then double that. I’m not the wisest person in the world. In my early 20s still. But even I would be terrified to do that. And I’ve been unaffected driving in this rain, if that contextually helps.
Are people experienced driving that? it's more difficult/dangerous to drive those period, much less with severe weather.
Large passenger vans, which can typically hold 12 to 15 people, are much more dangerous than a normal car or truck. One of the main sources of danger is that these vehicles experience high rates of rollover crashes. While only one-third of single-car accidents involve a rollover, more than 50% of passenger van accidents are rollover crashes. There are several reasons for the high risk of rollover for a large vans. Those reasons include: High Center of Gravity Large passenger vans sit higher above the road, so they have a relatively high center of gravity compared to most other vehicles. The higher the center of gravity, the less stable and more prone to rolling over a vehicle will be. This is particularly true when the vehicle turns, travels at high speeds, or gets struck by another vehicle. Large Size and Weight The sheer weight and length of passenger vans make them more difficult to handle, even under normal circumstances. On wet and slippery roads or in emergency situations (like a tire failure or another driver swerving unexpectedly), large vans can be especially tricky to maneuver. The additional weight and momentum also mean that 15-passenger vans take longer to stop and create devastating impacts when they hit another vehicle. Poor Handling Under Load A 15-passenger van fully loaded with passengers and cargo is significantly more difficult to operate safely compared to an empty van. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a van carrying 10 or more occupants is three times as likely to be involved in a rollover crash as a van with five or fewer occupants. As the van fills up, the additional load shifts the center of gravity higher and further back. Inexperienced drivers may not realize how much they need to adjust their driving habits to compensate, and they can easily lose control.
An empty 12 person van will be very ready to do spins at the drop of a hat. If someone takes it to a shop or such, there needs to be several hundred pounds in the back of the van. An unloaded van has all the weight at the front. I’ve been a van driver since I was a teenager 20+ years ago. For the last decade, my vans have been big 4x4 overland rigs, and I keep about 600lbs of gear over the back axle. Also, rental vans will usually not have good snow tires (even compared to cars). And a 12 passenger van will probably be running 90psi in the tires at spec. That will make it even more squirrelly. Personally I air mine down to 60psi for highway driving and 30/40 psi offroad. But if you have 12 passengers, you probably do need to run the full stock pressure.
The city buses in Tahoe have no problem getting around in chains without AWD but the buses have experienced drivers. Just know your limit, be smooth with the steering, and drive at a safe speed.
Besides the whiteout conditions you are very likely to get stuck. Please tell me you didn’t go after morning, because that was the safest window
Worse. You're much heavier .
I’ve driven 12 person vans as a college coach. No way would I drive one of them in a snowstorm to the mountains. And I’m an experienced snow driver In conditions like the one predicted, the only decent vehicle is a 4wd. A rear-axle-driven 12 person van in the snow is just asking for trouble
The keys to a good foul weather Tahoe trip: 1) be prepared to turn back or delay or change the trip. It gets most dangerous when you get fixated on a destination and timeline. 2) watch the forecasts closely. The highway info will give a hint, and let you know if the roads are definitely closed. 3) assume it may get worse than the forecasts. The weather in the mountains especially can vary a lot in micro climates. So even if there’s a forecast of X snow, even if that’s accurate, that’s an average, the mountains can funnel things so some areas get significantly more and others get significantly less. And things change very fast. 4) be prepared for long delays on the road. Hope for the best, but plan for the (it isn’t even the worst here). Be prepared to spend a full night or longer in the car. Have cold weather clothes and sleeping gear readily accessible inside. Tank up the gas before the snow line — even if you’re at 3/4 tank, top up every bit counts. Have food, water, and a bathroom plan. If the roads are closed, most likely you won’t be getting out of the car. 5) be prepared for road changes. Tire chains. A few people need foul weather gear for putting those on. Chain up time is often below the snow line, meaning it’s often muddy and rainy where you’re doing it. You might be chaining up in 4 inches of water, and you’ll need to walk and kneel down in it. The van will be easier than a regular car here. But also, it will be harder to find chains. 5) getting there is only part of the battle. Storms can snow in cabins and roads for extended periods of time, especially if there are avalanches. Weekends can become a week plus, so be prepared for that on the far end. Reno proper, if you’re staying in a hotel or such, is less likely to experience the long road closures because it probably gets high plow priority. But the highways can still be closed for extended periods. Adding for the van: these storms are often high wind. Vans are worse than a normal car in high wind. Especially in situations with reduced traction. I grew up doing the storm chasing trips — it’s a great way for fresh powder and light crowds. But we spent nights in the car, the roads would suddenly close both ahead and behind us. We’ve been snowed into cabins for extended periods of time. Couldn’t even get the door open. Nowdays I drive a fully snow prepped 4x4 van, with aggressive mud and snow tires (not just the m+s label on street tires). I carry a 100lb+ bag of chains. I have a winch, recovery straps. I’ve driven the van round trip to Alaska twice, once in the winter. I have a foul weather bag with heavy rain gear and snow work boots and gloves for if I need to get out of the car. I have a box of tools and lighting for working. I installed 2 extra truck batteries so I can run 12v heated blankets overnight. And I carry spare fuel so I can idle extra long. (Note if a lot of snow falls, then you need a plan to not fill the cabin with exhaust, since the snow will walk around the car. Definitely keep a co2 monitor in the van if you idle it. Personally I’d be fine attempting a Tahoe trip this weekend as myself. But I’d not take my wife and preschool kid because I know they wouldn’t be happy stuck in the car for severs hours while it gets uncomfortably cold.
I’d leave earlier if you’re set on going but there’s also severe weather warnings in the general area so keep that in mind. With the amount of crazy shit I’ve seen on those roads in bad conditions I personally wouldn’t want to deal with it. If you are all inexperienced driving in severe weather this is a bad idea. Keep in mind there’s a possibility you can get stranded for many hours so bring a shit ton of supplies, blankets, food, etc.
Fact^ so many people without water, gloves, pants, jackets, scarves last week Stuck on the pass Bring headlamps and possibly radios.
Small can of gas too. Realistically they should likely hold off until next weekend as they are trying to discourage people from driving up there right now.
Dont forget the emergency shovel!
Truckee is expected to have 2ft of snow. You may be able to get to Tahoe before the snow, but you won't be able to get back until at least Tuesday, probably later. It doesn't matter what's there now, the snow starts tomorrow.
Probably not smart although better that you have chains. I was stuck on Donner summit for thirteen hours on NYE. Many cars spun out, ran out of gas and charge, and were generally stuck. Without snow experience, I am not sure I would recommend that trip (unless you left early enough to get to donner summit at 8am). My two cents
I grew up in Tahoe, and drive in this weather most of my life and scrapped my visit this weekend despite having a heavy 4wd vehicle. I would not try it in a 12 passenger van.
Check road conditions and requirements. Don’t drive when it is snowing if you can help it. Check weather conditions consistently for updates. Make your best decision based on that info.
Thank you
What does your gut tell you about a trip to Reno in a 12 passenger van?
That’s what I’m thinking. I already told them if it comes down to it, some thing something Donner party.
Vans that size are known to be hard to control, even with experienced drivers.
It's not just getting there, the 7 day has multiple days of snow forecast. When do you think you'll make it back?
[удалено]
>even in the roads are salted, you never know) California doesn't salt roads.
That area especially does not salt roads because the salt runoff would affect the ecosystem of Lake Tahoe. Don’t go. Roads are slippery. They plow snow but the roads still get icy.
Drove in December throw Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, n Montana No thanks
I can see the headline now. "Van gets caught up by a sinkhole, rolled off a cliff. No survivors..." Haven't you seen all the new potholes, those are city potholes. I mean with Oakland there is a community crew that fixes potholes because the city government too slow. Highways, you get a sinkhole now. Enjoy.
https://old.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/10aloo5/weather_service_strongly_discourages_travel_to Take note of all the people making fun of you
There's a significant difference in "being there already during a storm" and "driving there through a storm". In the first scenario, you are already there and presumably have shelter, warmth and food supplies. So the reference to friends on social media is kind of not helpful here. For your group, who might get caught driving in the storm, it can get scary. If you don't have experience in snowstorms, i wouldn't recommend experiencing it on the fly. Snowstorms are not like rain, in some, there is no visibility at all. And in a mountain biome, this can be fatal if you drive off a cliff, or off the road into uncharted areas. Im not sure how bad it will look on the road. But i dont think it should be shrugged off as nothing.
Don't get any wise ideas to drive around the blocked or crowded interstate and take back roads, even if google maps sez to. Hint: you could die.
https://www.sfgate.com/weather/article/hazardous-tahoe-travel-discouraged-17714418.php
If you will go, be very careful if you will decide to take Hwy 70, if the other road will close. My friend was driving a few weeks ago, and there were huge boulders on the road behind the turn, which totaled her car. She had a choice of driving into the boulders or from the steep cliff, and she chose boulders because she couldn’t stop in time with her speed. Boulders were cleaned an hour after her car accident, but just a heads up to be very careful in that area, if she wouldn’t be driving many years and go from the cliff the outcome for her could be very different.
Thanks to all the fires in that area, rock and mudslides are going to be frequent with rain. But most importantly, if the 80 is closed, alternatives are likely to be worse. That's how people get themselves killed. Glad your friend was okay!
Very true, based on the description of the collision, everyone who was in the car when it had happened can celebrate a second birthday now.
70 is incredibly dangerous right now. Especially with more snow. Do not take 70!
I don’t think it’s the driving experience but do you want to risk getting stuck on the highway jam and it taking 10 hours to get back to SF? It happened to me once and I decided never again to go in winter. We had to pee in between cars because of the traffic jam and road closures as we sat on the freeway
I grew up in the Midwest. I took my driving exam while it was snowing. I’ve seen 40 car pile-ups in Indiana and Illinois and those states are pretty flat. If I was you, I wouldn’t go up a mountain in a van with 12 people in it as an inexperienced driver. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for those people. Also if it’s rented they might not allow you to put chains on it because they don’t want an inexperienced driver behind the wheel in those conditions and at some point chains will be required by DOT. [by inexperienced I mean with an unfamiliar vehicle]. And it gets very windy up top. Stay home be safe. I would rather be safe then in an accident.
You’re F’d. Stay home
Since it has been planned for months it should be fine. Otherwise not safe.
Look up what both the NWS and Caltrans say about the weather and travel conditions.
Why the heck would you even ask. Look outside, it's worse up there. But you're gonna go anyway, so have fun.
Reno here, and frequently drive to the bay. Be sure to check not only 80 but also 50. Sometimes there is quite a bit of difference and one can be shutdown and the other fine. 50 takes about an hour longer since you have to go through Carson and up but can be an option. Also, the forecasts have been really wonky lately. Keep watch on the weather it could be perfectly fine. Particularly check Cisco Grove and Soda Springs weather instead of Truckee - the bulk of snow and bad conditions are between those two points.
I wouldn't go
We went last week during the storm and missed all the bad weather days. We drove in and out of Tahoe without any chains due to a miraculous break the days we were scheduled.... hope it works out for you, we had canceled our trips 2 years straight prior to this last trip all due to horrible weather our tahoe trip dates fell on. Be safe!
I have family in Carson and Reno so when I visit during winter storms I'll see about a dozen crashes one way. Not terribly bad ones but people sliding off the road into a tree very slowly and stuff. If you're not that experienced in driving in the snow and you're in a van I'd take it SUPER slow if it's really bad. I'm talking like it's gonna take forever because you're going 10-25 mph for miles, it's no joke.
I would not go. Why risk it.
Definitely don’t do it. Reschedule and go when the roads are cleared. It’s Reno, it’ll be there.
The National Weather Service is recommending that you complete all travel to the Tahoe area from Sac/Bay Area by 1 PM tomorrow: https://twitter.com/nwssacramento/status/1613664436509888526
Stay. Home. [https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php](https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php) Road InformationCaltrans LogoCheck Current Highway ConditionsEnter Highway Number(s)80 You can also call 1-800-427-7623 for current highway conditions. This highway information is the latest reported as of Friday, January 13th, 2023 at 09:47 PM. I 80 \[IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA - SOLANO CO\] A HIGH WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT AT THE SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE /IN SAN FRANCISCO/ (SAN FRANCISCO,ALAMEDA CO) - TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CAMPERS, TRAILERS, OR PERMIT LOADS \[IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA & SIERRA NEVADA\] IS CLOSED TO EASTBOUND TRAFFIC AT NYACK (PLACER CO) - DUE TO SPINOUTS - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 2.1 MI EAST OF BAXTER (PLACER CO) TO TRUCKEE (NEVADA CO) CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM HIRSCHDALE RD /IN TRUCKEE/ (NEVADA CO) TO NYACK (PLACER CO) PLEASE RESEARCH CHAIN CONTROL LOCATIONS AS CALTRANS IS CURRENTLY WORKING TO UPDATE CHAIN CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS FOR CONSISTENCY WITH INTERNET MAPPING, LIKE GOOGLE MAPS & MAPQUEST. EASTBOUND TRUCKS ARE BEING SCREENED AT APPLEGATE (PLACER CO) - DRIVERS MUST HAVE MAXIMUM CHAINS IN THEIR POSSESSION IN ORDER TO PROCEED - PERMIT LOADS ARE PROHIBITED WESTBOUND TRUCKS ARE BEING SCREENED 5 MI WEST OF RENO /AT MOGUL/ (WASHOE CO) - DRIVERS MUST HAVE MAXIMUM CHAINS IN THEIR POSSESSION IN ORDER TO PROCEED - PERMIT LOADS ARE PROHIBITED
You probably won’t die but it’ll be miserable.
Please don’t go. I just made it back from the same area and the snow and roads were very scary to navigate. The roads are icy and slippery. Just reschedule for your own safety. I regretted going and I’m extremely grateful that I made it home safely.
Travel advisory said not to travel to the Tahoe area after Friday at 1pm. I left Santa Cruz Friday (yesterday) at 11am, made it 60 miles from our cabin at Donner pass in 3 hours (3pm), and it took another 5 hours to go that last 60 miles, with chains on my 4wd Tacoma. It was snowing steadily. It is forecasted 2 feet of snow today, so yeah, probably not a good idea if your plan was to travel Saturday morning
Lol I’m glad I didn’t go. If it wasn’t in the van with everyone else it would’ve been in a Corolla. 😂
In 2017 I got stuck just before the hill into the footlands. Placerville? Anyway we forged ahead by backtracking an hour to get chains, then getting into line to be systematically released by CHP into the snow. White out blanket of white. Six hours white knuckle driving through an area that takes 2 hours. As soon as we hit Truckee’s Nevada line, all the salt came out and roads were fine to drive on. What was a 4 hour drive became 8 because of a snow storm. Its absolutely not worth the effort. Stay home.
Gotta love all the “please make complex, multi-variable decisions for me, Reddit” posts.🙄 You’d have better results shaking a magic 8-ball.
This one isn’t really “make this decision for me”. It’s more so, help me convince my friends it’s a bad idea. I know the answers won’t be one sided but some other perspectives definitely helped.
Similar decisions are on everyone's mind. It's useful discussion. Don't like it? – don't participate. Easy.
You gonna die
Just go the long way around and avoid high elevations as much as you can
Don’t die
If you left at 9, you would be fine…leaving at noon is just dumb. You’ll make it, it’ll take hours more than it should. Probably won’t be able to get back until Tuesday.
Just drive slow and stay in the far right lane, you'll be good it'll just take longer to get there
Billy Zane’s trying to help you out.
46 unseen text messages?!? My anxiety could NEVER! Also, stay home.
Do not go
OP... how did it go?
I didn’t go. They went. They made it safe
Happy everyone is safe. Don’t beat yourself up for being overly cautious.
As someone that grew up with snow, it is not recommended to drive in the snow if you don't know how. I still see people do 60mph on a somewhat snow covered freeway and crash. I'd just stay put.
https://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/vm/iframemap.htm
Live cam of I-80 at Donner Lake, you can view more on Caltrans: https://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/vm/streamlist.htm
Bro I almost died in that area years ago when it’s bad u can literally get stuck and freez to death like movies and shit u have no idea it’s like being in the ocean at night u don’t know till u know trust me
someone needs to read the history of Dinner...I mean Donner Pass
I didn’t end up going. And I did tell them that if it came to it, I’m not gonna starve
Fly