L1 · Tracked

Heavenly

CA · Epic Pass·November 1–1, 2026

No rain in this forecast

The recorded rain estimate is zero. This is a forecast, not a guarantee of all-snow conditions.

Snowfall

Score

Restoring your trip…

Road Conditions

US-50

US-50 East — chain controls at Echo Summit (7,382 ft)

Check the state DOT for current conditions before driving.

Check Caltrans

Route Options

Pre-researched routes from major origin cities. Drive times are airport → resort.

OAKOakland

3.5hdrive

190 mi

No flight needed

Backup airport. Similar to SFO with often cheaper flights on budget carriers.

Ground Transport

Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty~$90

Often cheaper rental rates than SFO. Same route and conditions. AWD/4WD recommended.

RNOReno

1hdrive

58 mi

No flight needed

Primary airport. Hwy 395/580 South to Carson City, Hwy 50 West over Spooner Summit to South Lake Tahoe. Avoids I-80 Donner Summit entirely. Spooner Summit (7,140 ft) is lower and less avalanche-prone — more reliable storm route. Storm conditions 2–4hrs.

Ground Transport

Shuttle — South Tahoe Airporter~$40

$35–45 one way, $60–70 round trip. ~10 departures daily. Pickup at RNO behind National Car Rental or Door D. Drops at South Lake casinos. Walk-ons accepted if seats available. Route via 395/50 is more reliable than I-80. Free Heavenly resort shuttle connects gondola and all base lodges once in town.

Visit provider · enter dates

Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Sixt~$140

Same RNO rental center. Spooner Summit R2 chain controls common but more reliable than I-80. Parking reservation-based at California Lodge. Free no-reservation parking at Stagecoach and Boulder bases on Nevada side. AWD/4WD recommended.

Rideshare — Uber, Lyft, Lake Link~$150

$100–$200 from RNO. Within South Lake: Lake Link free on-demand shuttle (7am–9pm weekdays, 7am–10pm weekends).

SMFSacramento

2hdrive

100 mi

No flight needed

Secondary airport. Hwy 50 East the entire way — Sacramento to Placerville to Echo Summit to South Lake Tahoe. Echo Summit (7,382 ft) has chain controls and occasional closures. Weekend traffic on Hwy 50 is notorious. Storm conditions 3–6+ hrs.

Ground Transport

Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty~$105

On-airport rental center. $60–$150/day for SUV. Echo Summit chain controls at Kyburz or Strawberry. AWD/4WD recommended. No direct shuttle from SMF.

SFOSan Francisco

3.5hdrive

190 mi

No flight needed

Alternate airport. Same Hwy 50/Echo Summit concerns as SMF route. Storm conditions 5–8+ hrs.

Ground Transport

Rental Car — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Sixt, Fox~$100

$60–$140/day for SUV. Huge inventory. AWD/4WD recommended for Sierra portion.

Cached one-way fares · 2026-11-04 · not a trip total. Check round-trip prices in the planner above.