Reno Travel Forum

Hi Reno locals and Tahoe/Reno Travelers:
I was hoping someone could describe the driving situation during the winter for this route. I understand that during snow storms or heavy snow/ice on the roads, that there are stops where you are told you either have to put chains on your tires or turn around?

I'll be traveling to Reno from San Fran about once a month throughout the winter. I have an all-wheel drive car and am told if I'm going to use chains I have to have them on all 4 tires?
My main questions are: how prevalent is the need for chains during the winter? Should I purchase my own or can I buy some along the way if it does turn out they won't allow people to go through w/o chains? is it usually necessary to even have chains if you have good tires and all-wheel drive? and is it true that there are people/services along the way that will help you put the chains on?

I'd appreciate any information on this. Thanks much!

Caltrans makes the rules about what you do on roads in California, and when they are enforced.

To get the latest road conditions:
www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo

The rules for who must wear chains are as stated in "Chain Requirements"
www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wntrdriv.htm

In the above URL they state: "chain installers are independent business people, not Caltrans employees. ... Chain installers are NOT allowed to sell or rent chains."

Thus, if you drive along and find an "R3 Level Chain Control" sign, you must put on tire chains. There are people who you can pay to put them on (you'll have NO trouble finding them), but you'll either have the chains with you ahead of time or buy some at an auto supply store (good luck finding any for sale under those circumstances).

The likelihood that you'll need chains on the interstate on any specific day is impossible to predict, even a week in advance. Maybe you will, maybe you won't. Your best bet, if you have any flexibility on when you can make this drive, is to watch the weather and do the drive when the weather is clear.

If you have an AWD car, you won't need to put chains on. I drove that route multiple times in my Subaru and never had to put chains on. The road will be closed if you need to put chains on your AWD car.

go with nitnoy... we often go snowbording and we live in carson. THEY WILL make you put on chains if you dont have awd or 4wd. California has wierd laws about it. Once we went to kirkwood resort and there was just a dusting on the ground and as soon as we hit the state line they made people pull over. If you hit a spot where they require the chains, then they will usually have someone out there price gouging putting on chains. Or you can turn back and get chains at the closest place. It is not uncommon for them to shut the road down either. Highway 80 is the best bet for staying open while highway 50 is more of a two lane, curvy, slow going mountain road. You will have better bets to stay on 80. You should be fine.