The Best Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe Road Trip
If you find yourself in Los Angeles, fun in the warm sun surrounds you. But sometimes, you want a change of pace. Looking to travel to a temperate climate enclosed by mountains and lots of hidden gems for activities, hikes, and shopping? Try a drive to Lake Tahoe.
The 440-mile road trip from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe can be done in day's driving with no stops, taking either The Death Valley Route at 7 hours and 40 minutes or the Scenic Sequoia Route at 14 hours and 30 minutes. You can see Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, Sequoia National Park and Death Valley en route.
Some of the most famous natural wonders can be checked off your bucket list on this trip, so read on for a detailed outline of the best routes, plus where to stay, things to do and the best time to do the journey from LA to Lake Tahoe.
How far is Lake Tahoe from Los Angeles?
The most direct route possible between Los Angeles and Lake Tahoe is 440 miles, clocking in at 7 hours and 40 minutes, but the more interesting routes is 640 miles long and should take around 14 hours and 30 minutes time to drive, not including stops.
Lake Tahoe rests mainly in what is considered Northern California, or “NorCal” as said by the locals. It bridges the state lines of California and Nevada - in fact, Reno is a common airport for out-of-state travelers to land in. With beautiful mountains in view on all sides and several quaint towns resting on its shores, Lake Tahoe serves as an inspiring respite for travelers everywhere.
Los Angeles is firmly in Southern California (or “SoCal”), southeast from Lake Tahoe. Given you'll be traveling from one climate to a completely different one, you'll want to make time to see the varying natural wonders along the way – so take our routes' drive times with a grain of salt; the sights are well worth slowing down your journey.
How long is the road trip from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe, and how many days will it take?
| Route | Distance | Driving Time | Recommended Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Death Valley Route | 440 miles | 7 hours 40 minutes | 2-3 Days |
| The Scenic Sequoias Route | 640 miles | 14 hours 30 minutes | 4-5 Days |
What is the best road trip route from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe?
There is no best route from LA to Palm Springs, just the best route for you. This is how our two routes stack up against each other.
| The Death Valley Route | The Scenic Sequoias Route | |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Driving | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Scenery | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Facilities | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Things to do | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Traffic Flow | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Driving from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe via Mammoth Lakes: The Death Valley Route
This route awards you the opportunity to see Death Valley. As mentioned, it's also the shorter of the two routes (although you could just take the Interstate if you're in a hurry).
Minus a couple twists and turns when you get to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite, most of the journey will be on Highway 395, so it isn't complicated when it comes to navigation.
Just keep in mind there are less gas stations on this route, so get onto Highway 395 with your tank full. Mammoth Lakes is a popular resort, though, so you'll find plenty of amenities if you stop over here.
As far as scenery along the way, there's plenty of variety: from the arid desert and rugged terrain of Death Valley to lush pines, mountains, and lakes of Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite. Naturally, there's plenty of hiking and sightseeing when it comes to nature, but this isn't the route to take if you're looking for museums and indoor attractions.
Traffic leaving LA is always terrible, so be prepared! There may be congestion entering Yosemite during peak season, and in the event of road closures during winter. Check before you travel.
One more downside to consider in your decision: you will miss out on Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Forests, and as alluded to earlier, there are less amenities due to lack of cities en route.
Driving from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe via Yosemite: The Scenic Sequoias Route
This route boasts the most variety with a mix of amazing national parks, forests, and city attractions and amenities in Bakersfield and Fresno.
The reason for the lower rating on ease of driving is if you follow this route exactly – including the detour into the forests – you'll encounter plenty of winding roads with single lanes in either direction. You will also be doing quite a bit of mountain driving at increasing altitude.
Thankfully, Bakersfield and Fresno are along this route for practical amenities. Just be sure to get gas before entering Yosemite Valley. And don't worry – there's good cell coverage in Yosemite Village and the urban areas of this route. So you can sit back with peace of mind and enjoy the amazing scenery, with 6 national forests and 3 national parks on this route.
As you'd expect, there's plenty of hiking and outdoor activities in the national forests and parks. Bakersfield is great for music and live entertainment, and there's plenty of history in Fresno with Meux Home and Kearney Mansion Museums (so maybe a better option in bad weather seasons).
As with the Death Valley Route, expect congestion leaving LA, plus around Bakersfield and Fresno during peak times. There will be queues entering Yosemite during summer and approaching South Lake Tahoe around summer and during holidays.
Really, the main downside (if you consider it a downside) is that this route is twice as long as the Death Valley Route, but whether that's a downside all depends on the time allotted for your trip and what you want it to look like!
Driving Route from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe
Whichever route you decide to take between LA and Lake Tahoe, make sure you check weather and traffic conditions on the day of travel. Ahead of that, though, we've set out our high level guide to the directions for both routes below.
Taking the Death Valley Route
For the Death Valley Route, which highlights some amazing natural wonders of the southwest United States, start by getting onto US-101 N. You'll then exit onto CA-14 and stay on this highway for about 115 miles, which will bring you northwest – the direction to your first big stop, Angeles National Forest.
After a quick change onto US-395 N, you'll eventually take several turns to get onto CA-190 E. This will lead you to Death Valley National Park.
After your visit, head west on CA-190 W and continue onto 136 W. Before long, you'll turn right onto US-395 N, where you'll cruise for about 212 miles. This is the longest leg of your journey and includes several amazing sights! Be sure to look below for some of the highlights. After this, it's a few turns and about 40 minutes to reach Lake Tahoe.
Taking the Scenic Sequoias Route
For a mix of cities and sights, this is the route for you. Start by heading north on I-5 and California Route 99 towards Bakersfield, which has fun activities and is also known as “Nashville West” for its country artists that hailed from the city.
After you pass through, you'll hop onto Highway 65 to Exeter and then change direction slightly onto CA-198. This will take you into Sequoia National Park where you'll feel dwarfed by the stunning sequoias and mountains surrounding you. Having driven through myself, it's awe-inspiring and mystical!
Turn right on Highway 180. You'll stay on this highway for a bit, and take your time – there are countless sights and hiking routes along the way to enjoy as the highway leads you into Kings Canyon National Park. Continue on just past Zumwalt Meadows.
Highway 180 then loops back. Take this same road, which will take you almost straight west, out of Kings Canyon National Park for quite a while until you get to Fresno, then change onto CA-41 North. Stay on this highway for a while and you'll find yourself climbing into higher altitudes, all the way to Yosemite Valley.
Spend some time there taking in the sights and scenery. Then, hop onto Tioga Pass at Tuolumne Grove to travel east across Yosemite National Park. Then, turn onto US-395 at Mono Lake. You'll follow this all the way to Lake Tahoe.
Where to stop overnight on a road trip between Los Angeles and Lake Tahoe
There's almost too much to take in on either of these routes, so make sure you cut out the time to take it slow! We suggest overnight stops on both routes to allow you to maximize the memories on your journey.
Here are two that we recommend.
Get out and get active at Mammoth Lakes
About two thirds of the way through this route, you'll find the beautiful Westin Monache Resort at Mammoth. You can't lose with this stop. With gorgeous views, outdoor activities, and cozy facilities, make the most of the area while having all the amenities you need to rest up before your next stretch on the road!
Definitely take some time to take advantage of the location. You're just 150 yards from the nearest ski lift to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. Also nearby is a “geological wonder” known as Devil's Postpile National Monument (this is only open specific times of year, so be sure to check before you plan to go).
Devil's Postpile is a strange phenomenon of stone columns that look like an art installation. Give the on-site rock climbing a try back at the hotel. But most of all, you'll want to carve out time for Yosemite, only an hour's drive away.
After you've worn yourself out in the best of ways, warm your muscles in the heated outdoor pool, and then curl up next to your in-room fireplace. This is definitely a worthwhile stay!
Get in touch with nature near Yosemite
About a third of the way into your drive to Tahoe, you can find Sierra Sky Ranch in Oakhurst, known for its cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. With a wooden lodge style of decor and mountain views, get ready to relax and maybe try some new things!
How about fishing, boating, or hiking? Just about 10 minutes away is Bass Lake recreation Area which offers all this and more. Or maybe you want to try hunting or horseback riding - either of these are also within driving distance of your stay. And don't forget the historic Yosemite Village, just about 20 minutes from the Ranch!
But before you go out, feel free to start the morning slow in the hotel's lobby which offers free warm beverages and cozy atmosphere.
Where to stay once you reach Lake Tahoe
Once you arrive at Lake Tahoe, we recommend staying at the Marriott Grand Residence Club. After your long drive, relax your cramped legs and sore back in their highly-rated spa facilities. Stretch out in your spacious room.
Once you're ready to explore, you're steps away from your first adventure: Heavenly Resort's ski gondola! Work up a good appetite and then simply walk to a huge range of restaurants. And make sure to spend some time at Emerald Bay State Park, which has an easy hiking trail down to the shore of Lake Tahoe itself.
Make sure to wear layers you can remove and put back on easily – the temperature changes with the altitude and exposure to any wind there might be! But don't let that deter you. Emerald Bay lives up to its name – don't forget your camera.
Best time to go from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe on a road trip
So when to visit Lake Tahoe? Each season offers different incentives for travelers: from snow and skiing in winter to drinks by the beach in summer. The choice is yours!
Traveling to Lake Tahoe from LA in summer
If you're looking for a classic vacation experience, summer may be the time for you. There's a reason it's the busiest time of year! With that in mind, make sure to book your stay and activities well in advance.
Temperatures range from 70s to 80s, which makes it a great time for a dip in the lake. Festivals and events abound: from the City Solstice in June to the Beerfest & Bluegrass Festival in July. Free events also scatter throughout the week in North Tahoe, including a fantastic Fourth of July fireworks show.
Just keep in mind, if you intend to be very active during your stay, it might not be the best time due to the heat and sun exposure. Stay hydrated and stay safe!
Traveling to Lake Tahoe from LA in winter
Winter time is clearly the best time if you intend to ski, snowboard, or do any winter activities, but keep in mind many sights will be closed and you'll likely encounter road closures due to heavy snow.
Traveling to Lake Tahoe from LA in the shoulder seasons
With fewer people, cooler temperatures, and lower prices, spring and fall are well worth considering for a visit. The “off season” allows for a more exclusive feel and wider availability in your itinerary.
The weather in that time frame can be somewhat unpredictable for range (during one of our visits, we began the week with light snow and ended in high 70s), but it's never uncomfortable. Hiking is a breeze. If you get there before the end of November, just about every sight will still be open!
The best things to see and do on a road trip from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe
There's an almost overwhelming range of things to do as you drive from Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe, depending on your preferences and on which route you take. We've done our best to make easy work of choosing the highlights with our lists below.
On the Death Valley Route
Death Valley National Park: Unbelievable number of sights, landscapes, salt flats, sand dunes and even a 14-mile trek up Telescope peak.
Mammoth Lakes: Located within Inyo National Forest, this town is a famous ski destination in the winter and a summer mountain activity paradise.
Devils Postpile National Monument: A unique rock formation close to Mammoth Mountain.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest: Located near Bishop, this forest features the oldest trees in the world. (They may look dry and weird – but so would you if you were almost 5000 years old!)
Mono Lake: One of America's oldest lakes, known for its salty water and limestone “tufa towers”.
White Mountain Peak, California: Offers some incredible panoramic views from its 14,246-foot summit.
Topaz Lake: A real desert gem, Lake Topaz is a reservoir located on the California-Nevada border. Framed by the Eastern Sierra it lies near the Toiyabe and Eldorado national forests.
On the Scenic Sequoias Route
Sequoia National Forest & National Park: Featuring hundreds of thousands of acres' worth of forest and giant sequoia tree groves.
Kings Canyon National Park: Just north of Sequoia National Park, it also boasts sequoia behemoths and endless hiking trails.
Stanislaus, Eldorado and Tahoe National Forests: Endless mountains, lakes, streams and raw nature.
Sacramento: California's quirky capital city is en route if you follow the interstate or Sierra Nevada routes.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo: Fantastic family day out, with a recently opened African Savannah section.
Fox Theater, Bakersfield: Live events hub for the local community and a beautiful example of art deco architecture in the heart of Bakersfield.
Kearney Mansion Museum, Fresno: Interesting glimpse into the early agricultural years of the San Joaquin Valley and its inhabitants. This is the former home of Theo Kearney, who would become known as “The Raisin King”.
On both routes
Angeles National Forest: Chances are you're well-acquainted with this area if you're an LA local, but if not, the forest landscapes and the Sierra Pelona Ridge are beautiful.
Yosemite National Park: Virtually every corner of this park is worth exploring, with Yosemite Valley being the highlight.
