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Needles to Lake Tahoe Towing - Take 395 or take 95 through Nevada?

bk2drvr

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I'm going to be towing our boat to Lake Tahoe in a few weeks and trying to decide whether to take 395 or the 95 north through Vegas. I did some searching and while I'd prefer to take 95 through Nevada it looks remote and like the surface of the moon most of the way. Possibly 2 lane hwy most of the way also? 395 is going to have some big grades to pull if I go that way. Anyone done the 95 all the way up to Tahoe towing? Opinions?
 
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HALLETT BOY

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Towing , I’d do Hwy 95 , just don’t break down . Though breaking down on 395 wouldn’t be any better . On Hwy 395 , there are more CHP
‘s then I’ve ever seen . You will need Waze and a radar detector . Good Luck !
 

DaveH

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ive done both many times.
95 is way more remote. but that means less traffic, and no CA towing speed limits.

395 is more scenic, more crowded and way more expensive fuel.
 

bk2drvr

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ive done both many times.
95 is way more remote. but that means less traffic, and no CA towing speed limits.

395 is more scenic, more crowded and way more expensive fuel.

great point on the fuel costs. Didn’t even think about that.
 

GRADS

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If you guys are worried about towing fuel costs, Tahoe probably isn't the place for you.😂🤣
 

PaPaG

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95 all the way, I used to do the trip every other month and the amount of traffic is 1/50th compared to the 395...plus towing speed, fuel costs much lower on the NV side, be careful through Beatty, Goldfield, Tonopah, strictly enforced but only a few minutes through each town, both Beatty and Tonopah easy access towing fuel stops, Hawthorne as well (by walker lake), also a speed trap, then coming out of Walker lake be careful of speed due to Tribal police, then once you hit past the res its open highway to 395. All in all you can easily drive 75 towing all the way without worry (except for the mentioned town speed warnings and traps). Cut at least 1 hour even more off trip vs 395.
 

bk2drvr

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95 all the way, I used to do the trip every other month and the amount of traffic is 1/50th compared to the 395...plus towing speed, fuel costs much lower on the NV side, be careful through Beatty, Goldfield, Tonopah, strictly enforced but only a few minutes through each town, both Beatty and Tonopah easy access towing fuel stops, Hawthorne as well (by walker lake), also a speed trap, then coming out of Walker lake be careful of speed due to Tribal police, then once you hit past the res its open highway to 395. All in all you can easily drive 75 towing all the way without worry (except for the mentioned town speed warnings and traps). Cut at least 1 hour even more off trip vs 395.

Perfect! Thanks!
 

CLdrinker

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What tow vehicle how heavy a boat?
I just did Sherwin grade pulling 13k with a gasser.

Not a problem.
 

renodaytona

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Maybe I missed it? Where are you staying in Tahoe? There are a couple different routes once you get up near silver springs.
 

f12517

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You're aware that many boat ramps on Tahoe are closed for the season? Just make sure you have a place to launch.
 
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GRADS

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I'm sure you know this but make sure to stop at the inspection station.
 

boatpi

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Hit the pumps at Gardnerville before you go up the hill it’s probably two dollars a gallon less
 

Tooms22

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You're aware that many boat ramps on Tahoe are closed for the season? Just make sure you have a place to launch.

Which ones are the longest that will stay open?
 

bk2drvr

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You're aware that many boat ramps on Tahoe are closed for the season? Just make sure you have a place to launch.

closed for the season? The season hasn’t started yet? Why?
 

bk2drvr

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Low water levels....

ya just read that. I thought the lake was nearly over flowing a couple years ago? There is a launch open not too far from there. Inconveniently though.
 

renodaytona

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Always at the north end of the lake. I’ll be right near Kings Beach.

Take 95 North when you hit Schurz go left towards Yerington. Then take Alt 95 to Silver Springs from there you can go over USA parkway (watch for NHP and the Storey County Sheriffs patrolling) to I-80 or you can take US 50 into Carson to 395.
 

boatpi

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I drove to Tahoe from Vegas last Summer, all on US 95. The first 2 hours are boring, the last 5 not as much.
 
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yeah, 95 easy but then take the 6 west then the 120 west and you get the funnest part of the drive, the whoop dee doo's south of mono lake. then hook up with 395 north.

this route come with a grain of salt...

..
 

C08H18

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If you guys are worried about towing fuel costs, Tahoe probably isn't the place for you.😂🤣
exactly. South Shore gas stations charging $5.29 this week. Haven't checked prices on the water yet but typically are $2 higher.
 

C08H18

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ya just read that. I thought the lake was nearly over flowing a couple years ago? There is a launch open not too far from there. Inconveniently though.
dropped another 1.5 ft since that article was published. Lake was full last year but no snow pack this year. The water is very clear this year.

@bk2drvr which side of the lake are you at?
 

liquid addiction

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Take 95 North when you hit Schurz go left towards Yerington. Then take Alt 95 to Silver Springs from there you can go over USA parkway (watch for NHP and the Storey County Sheriffs patrolling) to I-80 or you can take US 50 into Carson to 395.
I would do this one. Both 80 and 50 have their advantages.
 

GRADS

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oh I’ve already laid out several thousand dollars for this trip and I haven’t left town yet.
Oh so you're only coming up for a weekend?....I kid.😜
 

bk2drvr

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dropped another 1.5 ft since that article was published. Lake was full last year but no snow pack this year. The water is very clear this year.

@bk2drvr which side of the lake are you at?

I'll be up at the north end in the Brokaway neighborhood near Kings Beach.
 

Nikwho

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395 is going to never allow you to exceed 55 MPH legally. Nevada doesn't restrict speed for towing. I'd go 95... plus, cheaper fuel. No brainer!
 
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