amarie1 Posted September 2, 2022 Report Share Posted September 2, 2022 Anyone familiar with Route 50, an alternate to I-80 to get from Reno/Carson City to Sacramento? Google Maps is suggesting this as how to get from Carson City to Oakland CA, hooking back up to I-80 at Sacramento, instead of driving back up to Reno from Carson City (30 minutes) and taking I-80 all the way. This other route sure looks like a more interesting drive through the Eldorado mountains, but I'm leery of too many switchbacks, scary dropoffs, and lack of gas/facilities. I just have a 25-foot Class C so length isn't that much of an issue. Thoughts? Quote 2018 Forest River Sunseeker 2290SC 25 feet, Chevy Express 4500 "Angie" (short for Angel) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted September 2, 2022 Report Share Posted September 2, 2022 (edited) You'll have no problems taking an RV along Highway 50 - tour buses drive it every day taking people from Sacramento and San Francisco to and from the South Lake Tahoe casinos. There are some dropoffs climbing up from the Lake Tahoe basin to Echo Summit but nothing to worry about and going westbound you'll be on the mountain side of the road. After a short descent on the other side of the summit you'll be riding alongside the American River with mountains rising up on both sides of the canyon. Just be prepared for heavy traffic if you're traveling over a weekend - especially since this upcoming one is the Labor Day holiday. Lots of people going up to Lake Tahoe at the start of the weekend and returning home to SF and Sacramento at the end. Same holds true for I-80 BTW. As far as fuel, etc. facilities will be sparse but not non-existant between South Lake Tahoe and Placerville but you should be able to easily go from Carson City to Sacramento on a single tank and you're never in true wilderness - there are homes and cabins along the road the whole way. Edited September 2, 2022 by Lou Schneider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amarie1 Posted September 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2022 Thank you! We’d be westbound on Saturday afternoon, 11-4 or so. Think the traffic might be going eastbound toward Tahoe? Quote 2018 Forest River Sunseeker 2290SC 25 feet, Chevy Express 4500 "Angie" (short for Angel) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Schneider Posted September 2, 2022 Report Share Posted September 2, 2022 2 minutes ago, amarie1 said: Thank you! We’d be westbound on Saturday afternoon, 11-4 or so. Think the traffic might be going eastbound toward Tahoe? Yes - eastbound towards Tahoe on Friday and maybe Saturday, westbound going back home at the end of the weekend (Sunday or in this case Monday). Enjoy the drive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted September 2, 2022 Report Share Posted September 2, 2022 It's a good route and you won't have the traffic westbound. Switchbacks? As I recall, curves. Dropoffs? Can't recall anything scary. Fuel? It's all downhill so if you run out you can just coast! ☺️ Keep in mind... don't ride your brakes the whole route. Get into a lower gear. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennisvr Posted September 2, 2022 Report Share Posted September 2, 2022 Fill up with fuel in Carson City, it will be at least a $1.00 a gallon more in California. Quote "It is better to have more truck than you need than to need more truck than you have" 2001 Volvo 660, Cummins 400 ISX, Eaton 3 Peddle Auto Shift 2014 Fuzion 40' Toyhauler 2015 Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartmouth01 Posted September 2, 2022 Report Share Posted September 2, 2022 If you're a gasser and have a Costco card, the gas at the one in Carson City is the cheapest. You should fit fine @ 25 ft. The only pucker factor points on the trip are the steeper downhills after echo summit, and going up to Echo Summit from South Lake Tahoe/Meyers. But you'll be in the inside lane of the drop offs so it won't be as scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tahoe Shark Posted September 3, 2022 Report Share Posted September 3, 2022 You will not have any issues. I routinely tow my 42’ Mobile Suites over hwy 50 from Nevada to the Sacramento area. Quote Tim & Cheryl 2015 Mobile Suites 39 TKSB3 2009 Volvo 670 D13 I-Shift “Walter” Happily Living Somewhere In Nevada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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