Driving from the northeast to San Francisco (Sacramento, Truckee: hotels, casinos)

[aswedc]

I will be driving from the east coast to San Francisco in late December. It looks like the quickest route is on I-80. However, this is a northern route, and I am a bit concerned about snow. Does anyone have any experience with whether this highway stays clear and safe during the winter?

Also, it is reasonable to not plan stops ahead of time and just look for nightly vacancies in hotels on the way?

[sonarrat]

I-80 does get closed from time to time during the winter, usually around the Truckee area. This year is shaping up to be a mild one, but the possibility is there because it goes right through the Rockies and Sierras. If there is a closure, you could consider 50 as an alternate to get past Lake Tahoe and rejoin 80 in Sacramento.

[Milliano]

If you pick hotels on the spot you might want to at least be very aware how far you are from the nearest possible hotel. Or from anything. It's very desolate in some parts.

[worktolive]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

I-80 does get closed from time to time during the winter, usually around the Truckee area. This year is shaping up to be a mild one, but the possibility is there because it goes right through the Rockies and Sierras. If there is a closure, you could consider 50 as an alternate to get past Lake Tahoe and rejoin 80 in Sacramento.

Take a good look at the weather map before you set out. Your biggest problem is actually most likely to be out in the Plains. I-80 rarely closes (or at least, not for long) in CA, they just put on the mandatory chains requirement. However, if they get a severe storm in the Plains, the blowing snow and whiteouts will cause them to shut down the highway and strand you out there, literally in the middle of nowhere, potentially for a day or two. Seems like this happens at least once or twice each year. Unfortunately, I-70 has the same problem so it doesn't necessarily help to go south. If it looks like a storm is brewing, your best bet is to wait for a few days to let it blow over.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by worktolive

Take a good look at the weather map before you set out. Your biggest problem is actually most likely to be out in the Plains. I-80 rarely closes (or at least, not for long) in CA, they just put on the mandatory chains requirement. However, if they get a severe storm in the Plains, the blowing snow and whiteouts will cause them to shut down the highway and strand you out there, literally in the middle of nowhere, potentially for a day or two. Seems like this happens at least once or twice each year. Unfortunately, I-70 has the same problem so it doesn't necessarily help to go south. If it looks like a storm is brewing, your best bet is to wait for a few days to let it blow over.

Brent (hubby) drove out in November 1984... he hit problems near Colorado, and the State Police (after they laughed at him for attempting to drive a Pinto over the Rockies) gave him the advice of going AROUND the Rockies.

He took their advice. Got sunstroked from his sun roof in the desert around Needles and SWORE he saw Cher....

[aswedc]

Thanks everyone.

What is the longest stretch of road without a town which would have hotels?

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by aswedc

Thanks everyone.

What is the longest stretch of road without a town which would have hotels?

I dont know but btwn Salt Lake and Reno is 5 hundred miles of Mars.

[DMenscha]

There's plenty of hotels/casinos along I-80 in NV. I'd think that KS/NE has the longest stretch of inhospitable freeway.

If you end up having to drive over the Sierra's in a snowstorm, stop in Reno and wait it out. I -80 gets closed for hours at a time during a really good storm and most idiots on he road at that time think they can still drive 55 because they have 4WD.

My personal longest trip 12 hours from SAC to Reno.

[tigerclaws]

While everyone is at is, I might add that this would be a good time to invest in a GPS system (assuming you don't have one).

[jscore]

Originally Posted by tigerclaws

While everyone is at is, I might add that this would be a good time to invest in a GPS system (assuming you don't have one).

Ditto! Just get a Garmin Nuvi (my 660 was invaluable in Miami)