Driving from Sacramento to the mountains

The two main routes

I-80 leaves Sacramento to the northeast, passes Roseville and Auburn and climbs through the foothills to Donner Summit before dropping to Truckee and on to Reno. It is a major interstate and a key route for freight, so it carries heavy trucks year-round.

US 50 heads east through Rancho Cordova, Folsom and Placerville, then climbs along the American River canyon and over Echo Summit before descending to South Lake Tahoe. Parts of it in the mountains are narrower and more winding than I-80.

What winter changes

Snow can fall on the high passes from fall into spring. When it does, Caltrans may set chain controls, which require chains or traction devices on some or all vehicles, and storms can close the passes altogether, sometimes for hours. Conditions can change quickly as you climb, so a rainy day in Sacramento can mean heavy snow at the summits.

Chain controls in general terms

Chain control levels set which vehicles need chains, based on conditions. Some four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles with snow-rated tires may be allowed through at lower levels, and the rules for each level are posted at the checkpoints. Caltrans explains the current requirements on its website. In practice:

• Carry chains or traction devices that fit your tires in winter, even if you have four-wheel drive.
• Practice putting them on at home, in dry weather, before you need to do it in the snow.
• Use the pull-outs at chain-up areas. Never stop in a traffic lane to fit chains.
• Keep your speed down with chains on, as the posted signs direct.

What to pack for winter

• A full tank of fuel, or a full charge, before you leave the valley
• Warm clothes, gloves, a blanket and sturdy shoes
• Water and snacks, since a closure can hold you in traffic for a long time
• An ice scraper, a small shovel and a flashlight
• Windshield washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures
• Any medication you need

Plan around the crowds and the weather

Ski season weekends and holidays bring heavy traffic up the hill on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings and back down on Sunday afternoons. Starting early or traveling midweek can help. Before you leave, and again before you start the climb, check Caltrans QuickMap for chain controls and closures and the National Weather Service for winter storm warnings. If a big storm is due, the safest choice is often to change your plans.

Summer in the mountains

Summer driving is easier, but it has its own hazards: road work, slow trucks on long grades, and visitors stopping for views. Use the turnouts to let faster traffic pass, use lower gears on long downhill stretches to save your brakes, and watch for wildfire closures.

Mountain questions