best route from oregon to south lake tahoe? (Sacramento, Susanville: rental, home)

[bumb_bailey]

I am driving from Portland to South Lake Tahoe/ Stateline next week and am trying to decide between two different routes.

The first is to get off I-5 @ MT. Shasta and take CA HWY 89, CA HWY 44 through Susanville and then US 395 through Reno then South to Lake Tahoe.
-OR-
Taking I-5 all the way to Sacramento then taking US 50 east to Lake Tahoe.

According to Google Maps the first route is 54 miles shorter and 31 minutes faster. But Is the second route the better way to go because it is more time on the interstate and not on 2 lane state highways. Also which route has the least/easiest elevation changes. If somebody that has driven around this area especially CA 89 and CA 44 could give me some input I would appreciate it.

[Winston Smith]

Least elevation, most likely the Interstate route (designed more for trucks than the older State Routes). Donner Pass is around 7,000 feet on I-80.

Generally, the Interstates are safer than two lane roads. Plus, if there's summer construction on the two lane roads, you could be stuck in one-lane, one-way construction escorts, too. So much for Google Maps' projection of a 31-minute savings.

But it really depends on you. Do you need fast, no-nonsense travel? Use the Interstates, avoiding rush hour in Sacramento, of course. Want a scenic route by Mount Shasta and behind Lassen Peak? Take the two lane roads.

[tasmtairy]

Straight down and turn left

[greatbasinguide]

Take the scenic route. you pass Lassen and Shasta and Honey Lake. Life is too short for the interstate.

[Cali BassMan]

Bumb,
My folks live near Eugene, and have rental property at Tahoe.
They say that the 5 to 50 route is the fastest way. However if your not in a hurry the other way would be worth time...

[CADRMNDANES]

Depends on what you are driving. Of course going through the lassen area is beautiful, but you will be doing a lot of mountain climbing on a narrow road. It may show it a shorter route, but it may take you longer. If you do take the first route, make sure you pack some water jugs for your car in case it's starts to over heat.

[SandyCo]

I vote for the 89. I did that by accident when I was going from Reno to Salem, and I'm so glad I did! Mt. Lassen is beautiful, although that road does go up pretty high - 8,512 feet, in fact. There are a lot of curves, but the view is gorgeous and well worth the extra time. That area is too beautiful for mere words to describe it. Do it; you won't be sorry! Here is a link to some pictures:

Lassen Volcanic National Park - Photos & Multimedia (U.S. National Park Service)

The 5 is ugly once you get into the Central Valley. Miles and miles of nothing. It's seriously mind-numbingly boring! I went this route on my way home to So-Cal from Salem, and it was awful. I felt like I'd be stuck in it forever. Of course, you're only on it until the 50, but that's still a few hours.

Please let us know what you decide!

[cleosmom]

If you have to arrive in Tahoe by a certain time I would take the straight shot going and then when returning home take the scenic route. Unless of course you're not returning and you have plenty of patience then by all means take the scenic route

[RogueWolf]

I recommend Hwy. 89 to 395 through Burney, Susanville, and Reno. I travel to Tahoe annually from southern Oregon, and find this to be the shortest route in terms of both mileage and time. Last year, however, I drove I-5 to Sacramento and took the left, which is the more time-consuming route. Regarding Hwy. 89, be aware that there is ongoing summer road construction just north of Burney, and travel is by dirt and dust for about 4 miles or so. I actually came home last year via 44, passing by Lake Almanor and connecting to the Interstate at Red Bluff, in order to avoid the dirt. The construction is not that bad...I think it was more a matter of trying a new route! Good luck on your trip.