How Arduous is the Trip from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe?

With the understanding that driving from the Strip, for example, to Lake Tahoe is, at best, a long day trip, just how easy or inconvenient would such a journey actually be?

[Editor's Note: We handed this one off to Deke Castleman, who's made the drive between southern and northern Nevada more times, he tells us, than he cares to remember.]

Although it's approximately the same distance from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe as it is from Las Vegas to Reno, the last part of the trip up to the lake is what I'd certainly call "inconvenient," based on the wording in the question.

To Tahoe or Reno, it's the same route through southern and central Nevada -- past Beatty, Goldfield, Tonopah, and Hawthorne on US 95. Just past Hawthorne is Walker Lake, at the northern part of which you enter the Walker River Paiute Reservation. Right before the reservation town of Schurz, 350 miles and around five hours driving time from Vegas, you veer off to the west on Alt US 95 through Yerington.

If you're going to Reno, it's easy to continue north on Alt US 95 to Fernley, then a fast 40 miles west to Reno on I-80.

For Tahoe, however, at Yerington, you turn onto NV 208 through Smith Valley and drive around 63 miles to US 395.

This is a looooong stretch through the heart of Nevada agricultural country. It's certainly bucolic, but you'll average, if you're lucky, 50 mph on the two-lane state road that twists and turns around farms and little settlements and forks off to even smaller county roads. By the time you get to US 395 just north of Topaz Lake, I don't care how old you are, you're feeling the six to seven hours on your butt.

From there, it's another 20 miles and 30 or so minutes to Gardnerville/Minden.

Are you going to South Lake? If so, at Gardnerville, you turn west onto NV 88, then north onto NV 207, a steep and twisting two-laner up and over Kingsbury Grade at 7,350 feet, then down to the bright lights of the California-side sprawl and Nevada-side high-rise casinos -- 21 miles and 40 minutes or so. In, I'd say, eight to nine hours from Las Vegas, you're checking into your room at Harvey's or the Black Bear Lodge.

Are you going to North Lake? If so, from Gardnerville you continue north on US 395 into Carson City, another 20 or so miles, then turn onto US 50 and start climbing up to Lake Tahoe. Though this is four lanes up, it's a 12-mile perpetually S-curving climb to the intersection with NV 28 at lake level, 6,200 feet; you fork to the right and travel along another long (12-mile) and winding road into Incline Village or three miles past that to Crystal Bay and its casinos and motels. That's nine to ten hours from Vegas, depending on the bladder (and/or prostate) situation.

Are you continuing into California? Depending on day of the week and time of the day (traffic gets ferocious on this stretch on weekends and at rush hour weekdays), it's another 30-60 minutes to Tahoe City. To Tahoe City, count on 10 to 11 hours from the Spaghetti Bowl in Las Vegas where you pick up US 95.

I guarantee it: Whether you're driving from Las Vegas to South Lake, North Lake, or West Lake Tahoe, you'll be mighty happy to have that trip over with, especially if you do it in one day.

How arduous is the drive from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe?

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Comments

Kevin Lewis Oct-12-2019

A better route

You want to avoid Tonopah at all costs. It's a notorious speed trap. For that matter, so is Hawthorne. They give out tickets for doing 26 in a 25 zone. The speed limit/city limit signs are waaaaaay out beyond the edge of town and there's always a county mountie waiting for you.

There's only one real way to avoid all that, and it's longer, but it's infinitely more interesting than a trip through rural snoozeville Nevada--and it's very, very scenic. Turn east on NV 266 (Lida Junction) at the ruins of the Cottontail Ranch, about 166 miles north of Vegas. Take NV 266--which becomes CA 266--88 miles to US 395 at Big Pine, going over Westgard Pass. If you have time, go see the bristlecone pines.

You head north on 395, an incredibly beautiful drive along the eastern scarp of the Sierras, through Bishop, Lee Vining, Bridgeport, Topaz, and back into Nevada. From Gardnerville you can cut over to CA 88 and take 89 into Tahoe, or go up Kingsbury Grade to Stateline.

Kevin Lewis Oct-12-2019

Oops

At Lida Junction, turn WEST on 266.

Also forgot to mention, get snacks (all sorts of candy and beef jerky) and gas at Eddie World--it'll be the cheapest you'll see until Reno. If you take the route I suggest, you'll have about a 120-mile stretch with no gas stations at all, so fill up on general principles. I also hasten to add, don't drive this route in bad weather.

jeepbeer Oct-12-2019

wow

well, it looks like the laws of random chance finally kicked in, and I agree on something with Kevin!  I'll drive just about any road once, but this route is sublime, just be ready for snow.

Jackie Oct-12-2019

The question was "How Arduous"

Put simply.
Way less arduous when snow is absent!

Del Miller Oct-12-2019

NO MENTION

No one mentioned that there are zillions of jackrabbits on that road that they have a death wish.Many years ago we drove it at night in a sports car (MGA) and I can't begin to describe the grill the next morning. Between that and the thumps going on under the car I was truly SICK when we got there. They sit by the side of the road and just as you get even with them they jump out in front of you and that's it! Truly gross!

Adumb Oct-12-2019

Hawthorne sucks

Do not speed in Hawthorne!  I got a ticket for doing 26 in a 25. 
I’ve done the trip many times. I’ve even taken the long way through Rachel and Warm Springs. 
I enjoy the drive personally.

Deke Castleman Oct-12-2019

This in via email from Dick and Jeannine

We thought the drive to S. Lake Tahoe was long, but interesting, and enjoyed the ride. The last part through the mountains was the best.

Of course we drove 1900 miles to get to LV and enjoyed that, too. Maybe it's all in your expectations.

Good column. Thanks.

steve crouse Oct-12-2019

Nice ride

It's a nice ride to Tahoe, but make sure you know whee you're staying.
We chose a major motel chain with one number higher than 5.
What a fiasco!
I should have turned around and left when I heard the lady? at the desk tell one of the customers that the internet service was so poor because Tahoe was in a bowl, and the signal was weak.
That was the BEST part of our experience at Motel 5 plus one.

Paul Polsky Oct-12-2019

Tonopah

Was in Las Vegas the morning of 9/11 ... needed to get back to SF and ended up with four others for the drive, with all flights grounded.  Suggested we avoid major metropolitan areas, where possible, until reaching destination.  We went thru Tonopah ... and what everyone relates is Gospel.  Think the "officer", who officiously exited his patrol vehicle while donning his troopers hat, marched up to the driver's side window and read me the riot act for improper lane change. It was further pointed out the ticket should be paid as shown or the trouble would just be starting.  Was very tempted to remark about how the entire country (save Tonopah) had come to a stop while everyone else was focused on NYC, save lives and figuring out what happened.  As the trip continued, the rest of the group commented on how rude and insensitive the "officer" was.   

Really enjoy the posts here ... thanks to all who do!

Question of the Day - 12 October 2019

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