Posted on 12/28/2018 12:49:58 PM PST by devane617
Freepers in central California and Nevada. I am moving my daughter from the South Tahoe area to central Florida. I'm picking up a 15' moving van in Gardnerville, NV and have looked at road conditions for the area and here's my two possible routes:
1. 395 from Gardnerville south to Lone Pine, Ca. East on 136 to 190 to 95.
2. 395 to north of Topaz lake to 208 east to 95.
Looking at Caltrans website and the NV DOT site both looks like they may require tire chains and snow tires. My daughter will be driving her small AWD SUV and I'll be driving the moving van. I have no clue as to how the moving van is equipped as far as snow tires and chains so I am assuming it will have neither.
If anyone in the area knows these roads I would really appreciate any local information as to the best route to Las Vegas. The first half day of driving is my only concern. We will make Phoenix on day-one and pick up I-10 the remainder of the 2,000 miles.
Much appreciated. And please forgive the vanity.
Since she has her car and is attached to lots of items I decided to no challenge the decision, but just help her get it done. If it was me alone I’d be on your page.
2. 395 to north of Topaz lake to 208 east to 95.
I live on Hwy 395 in California and have traveled both the routes you mention many time both Summer and Winter. I would not recommend 395 to Lone Pine and then 136 to 190 in a moving van in Winter. Lots of snow covered passes and even though usually snow free most of the year 190 is very steep and curvy. 208 just north of Toapz Lake is mostly two lane and very remote, may not be much snow removal in some areas.
If it was me, I'd head north to Carson City and take 50 east to Alt 95 then south to Yerington, then continue west on Alt 95 to Schurz then south down 95 to Vegas. This is the preferred Winter route for those of us that live in the area.
Not all that far out of the way. Getting to Vegas from the West is not a straight shot. Since you are coming out of South lake anyway it is just a jog to 50 East. Turn right on 95A (South)at Silver Springs and go to Schurz where it meets 95. That will take about 15 miles off of the trip. Fuel up in Hawthorne. Be safe and don’t rush it. Guns in vehicles in Nevada is perfectly legal. In Kalifornia all kinds of rules.
No, not staying in Vegas, it is on the quickest route to Phoenix and I-10.
Tampa Bay Area for her next assignment.
Have you compared the cost of getting one of those POD Containers and having it shipped to FL?
Ship her Car as well and fly to FL which would also save on wear and tear on her Car.
Between the cost of the Rental Truck, the Gas and Hotels along the way it would seem like a cheaper alternative.
In my best Rosannadanna, if you have already compared the costs and figured out your time is worth it, “nevermind” and just ignore my Post. Be safe on your travels.
Why do you want to go to Las Vegas?
Anyhow, you can do it, but believe me discard any if your initial thoughts on routes.
See my earlier post about going 80-5-10.
You can still go to Vegas that way.
Go 80 to Sacramento (this is the only area you may need chains)
South on 5. (CA-99 would also work)
Then go east on the 58 - highway 58 near Bakersfield.
58 goes to Las Vegas - it merges and becomes the 15 in Barstow.
This is a safe and easy route.
“No, not staying in Vegas, it is on the quickest route to Phoenix and I-10.”
Wrong.
That’s why I asked if you were from far away.
Quickest (and safest) is
80
5
10
Even when I did that (I took I-40 east), I still got caught in a snowstorm and put off the road overnight by the New Mexico highway patrol in Gallup. Safe travels!
This is the wrong time of year to be taking the mountain roads. Winter storms move in fast.
If it was me I would head towards Sacramento and catch I5 South. Then catch I10 East which will take you to Florida.
So you are recommending deliberately going West over Donner when he is already East of the summit? That’s crazy.
If it were me and I wanted to hit I-10 ASAP I would go So. Tahoe down the Kingsbury grade (curvy) back to Minden/Gardnerville (where you got the truck) and Hwy. 395 all the way down to Hwy. 58 to Barstow, I-40 East to AZ-93 to the Phoenix area then I-10 East. YMMV Only snow should be in the So. Tahoe/Stateline area on that route. Probably no chains needed for the next week.
Would her important stuff fit in her car? https://www.roadrunnerautotransport.com/?r=5e05nj&msclkid=e11a2e5f0eb31c9a5215727998003a28
If your last name is Donner I advise to wait until spring.
I would not go west of the sierras to 99 or 5; the safest route is likely 395, 50, 95; however, there is a very cold front passing through with little snow. I would be tempted to take 395 south to Lone Pine and ask locally about 190 conditions. Going those mountain roads (5k elevation top) down into Death Valley National Park is awesome. What I don’t know is whether the shutdown affected 190 road maintenance. I would not recommend 120 to 6 to 95 (near Lee Vining). I found the small winding lanes and passes unnerving in perfect summer weather. If you get to Lone Pine and the locals dissuade you, continue on 395 and head east to Barstow, taking 15 to Lost Wages.
“So you are recommending deliberately going West over Donner when he is already East of the summit? That’s crazy.”
It’s interstate.
It’s always open (unless a huge storm)!
It’s safe.
Compare it to his initial ideas.
Yes, he may need chains at one point.
Once down from the mountain, it is a completely fast safe wide clean smooth route all the way to Florida.
Also, I do not have the same trepidation as you in driving on I-80 to Sacramento. It’s totally safe.
Even in winter. It’s patrolled like crazy and no one would be allowed through in unsafe conditions.
It is awesome but he’s driving a rented truck.
Several others have suggested 80-5-10. I did consider that as another alternative myself, but I’m not familiar with the quality of I-80 between Tahoe and Sacto, so I was hesitant to recommend it. I think I’ve only driven Tahoe-Sacto once or twice and don’t remember it in detail. Other than that 5/99 and 10 are quite viable except for the miserable LA traffic. Plus, I’d just as soon not enter the People’s Republik of Kalifornia if I don’t have to (and I lived there for decades).
Yea. Going thru Carson City is worth the extra 30 minutes of travel time.
Moving vans can break down
Yes, I’d agree if it were a different time of year.
395 south would be direct.
But, it’s a mountainous road and it is the winter.
From Reno to Bishop has very high mountain road type areas.
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