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.
“395 -> 50 -> 95”
To me this also sounds ok. I didn’t mention it because I am not as familiar with it - I couldn’t say from experience “no problem”.
Remember also though it is not only getting to Vegas but then going on through Kingman to Phoenix. It’s a fine ride but it is winter and high elevation.
My caution is these are all still high elevations and in the middle of nowhere and chances of hitting storms and iced roads are much greater than getting down and going through the Central Valley on the 5 or 99.
My 80 to 5 to 10 may take a few hours more but is not subject to possible serious weather issues or other smaller highway issues in the middle if winter in the mountains.
R2 is chains or 4x4 with winter tires. I get a text every time R2 is implemented. My phone has been blowing up with them for the last 10 days.
My advice: Sell everything, put the money in your pocket, and fly to your destination and then buy new stuff.
Much less hassle that way.
Plus no storms predicted for the next week is a meaningless thing to say in the Sierra. I don’t how many times the weather service has called for clear skies only to wake up to a foot or more of snow the next morning.
+ that. I have left Reno with no snow in the forecast and been in it at Donner Lake more than once.
I believe that.
Chains there is common, yes. I’m sure the local stops make huge money selling chains.
Not a huge deal, though. They’re so easy to put on now.
Still, it’s a hassle.
Yesterday my nephew drove it and he said it was snowing.
He probably had to put on chains, I assume.
Going over the Sierras in winter is a real tough deal. If you don’t have chains there are legal bandits along the highway that will sell you chains put them on and then take them off on the other side.
“Plus no storms predicted for the next week is a meaningless thing to say in the Sierra. I dont how many times the weather service has called for clear skies only to wake up to a foot or more of snow the next morning.”
Exactly.
Inyo-Mono wrote: 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.
I live in Stagecoach (between Carson City and Silver Springs). I second this suggestion. It’s only a few miles north of Gardnerville to pick up 50East and then another approx. 40 miles to 95.
I made the trip in December back in ‘93 with a girlfriend, NC to Carson City in a 24ft moving truck pulling a car.
Bad weather in Flagstaff (icy roads) but other than that, okay.
Do try to avoid 395. Good luck, God bless.
If you have a CB, the truckers are very helpful.
Good luck.
In reading my own words, I realize that I should have said "continue east on Alt 95."
This is the only sensible route advice, IMHO. I've driven Tahoe to LV several times (winter & summer)... Getting to 50 by the route with the lowest elevation makes sense...
However, my advice to Still Thinking is, after you check the weather forecast east from LV, is to go east on I-40... It is shorter and you will get to I-10 near the FL line...
If there is possible snow along I-40, then you are stuck with I-10...
I should point out that one of the advantages to I-10 is that you can probably earn all your gas and food money by transporting some migrant invaders...
Hadn't though of an opportunity to make money! But, hmm. I drive I-10 yearly to Surprise, AZ for baseball so I'm very familiar with the roads and feel comfortable there. I-40 on the other hand, this time of year can be messy and cold with snow. I'll give up a couple hours for warmth.
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