How long does it take to drive around Lake Tahoe?
Beautiful Lake Tahoe is a year-round tourist magnet because of its glittering blue lake and stunning views of the mountains. In winter, you can go swimming, cycling, kayaking, and even skiing, or just take in the breathtaking scenery. However, did you realize that a road drive around the lake can combine all of these things?
It takes two hours and thirty minutes to drive the 80 miles around Lake Tahoe. In addition to numerous beautiful views across the lake, the highlights include South Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay, Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoe City, Kings Beach, and Sand Harbor.
After you’ve finished taking in the breathtaking views from across the ocean, you could combine a road trip in either state with a drive around Lake Tahoe, which is located on the eastern border of California and the western side of Nevada. Nevada’s Carson City and Reno are relatively accessible, and Sacramento, California’s largest city, is the nearest.
It’s time to explore Lake Tahoe by road
It takes two hours and thirty minutes to drive from South Lake Tahoe to the lake’s 80-mile rim. You should allow an additional three or four hours if you plan to stop at some of the beaches and views along the route.
| Destination City | Distance/Driving time from Starting Point | Distance/Time from Previous Stop |
| South Lake Tahoe | 0 miles | Starting Point |
| Pope Beach | 5 miles / 12 minutes | 5 miles / 12 minutes |
| Inspiration Point | 10 miles / 20 minutes | 5 miles / 8 miles |
| Emerald Bay State Park | 12 miles / 30 minutes | 2 miles / 10 minutes |
| Sugar Pine Point State Park | 22 miles / 50 minutes | 10 miles / 20 minutes |
| Tahoe City | 31 miles / 1 hour | 9 miles / 10 minutes |
| Kings Beach | 41 miles / 1 hour 20 minutes | 10 miles / 20 minutes |
| Crystal Bay Scenic Overlook | 45 miles / 1 hour 30 minutes | 4 miles / 10 minutes |
| Lake Tahoe Scenic Overlook | 50 miles / 1 hour 50 minutes | 5 miles / 20 minutes |
| Memorial Point Scenic Overlook (Sand Harbor) | 57 miles / 2 hours | 7 miles / 10 minutes |
| Cave Rock | 71 miles / 2 hours 20 minutes | 14 miles / 20 minutes |
| El Dorado Beach | 80 miles / 2 hours 30 minutes | 9 miles / 10 minutes |
Driving times and distances from South Lake Tahoe to well-known cities and locations
Because of this, the journey around Lake Tahoe is a really pleasant day trip. But, since there are some amazing places to stay along the way, you might want to stay for a night or two and take your time seeing the villages, beaches, and trails surrounding the lake. You should also allow time for rest.
Due to the popularity of this stunning location, traffic is the primary factor that could affect how long it takes you to drive this route. There will likely be more people on the beaches in the summer, as well as during holidays like Labor Day and spring break.
Additionally, you should account for some traffic as you exit Lake Tahoe and approach the well-known view sites, including Lake Tahoe Scenic Overlook, Inspiration Point in Emerald Bay, Memorial Point Scenic Overlook, and Crystal Bay Scenic Overlook. When approaching these well-known locations, allow up to 15 minutes for delays.
The best route around Lake Tahoe to make a round-trip
The Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive is a fantastic short road trip that is easy to drive and full of beautiful rest stops, most of which are located directly along the route.
Our recommendation is to begin your journey in South Lake Tahoe, then go in a clockwise direction toward the breathtaking Emerald Bay scene. From there, you can continue north past more breathtaking views and beaches until you reach Tahoe City.
On the journey back to South Lake Tahoe, pass Kings Beach and continue south along the Nevada shore of this lake.
Roundtrip along Lake Tahoe from South Lake Tahoe
Head east on Route 50 from South Lake Tahoe, then take CA-89 and continue past Pope Beach and Tallac Historic Site.
Soon, you’ll arrive at the popular Emerald Bay State Park; stop by and take in the breathtaking views across the ocean.
Before arriving at Sugar Pine Point State Park, you will pass the Rubicon Point Lighthouse as you begin to climb the lake’s western shore. In the warmer months, you may hike and swim here, while in the winter, you can ski, snowshoe, or even camp.
You’ll soon reach Tahoe City if you continue north along the lakeshore past Backwood Canyon SNO-PARK, an excellent place to stop in the winter.
Once you’ve stopped in the city, head onto CA-28, which continues along the lakeshore toward Dollar Point before entering the entertaining town of Kings Beach, located on the northern coast of Lake Tahoe.
You’ll cross the state line into Nevada at Crystal Bay, and as you get closer to Incline Village, you’ll turn onto the Mt Rose Highway, which takes you all the way up to Lake Tahoe Scenic Lookout.
After returning to beach level via Country Club Drive and briefly exploring Incline Village, head along Tahoe Blvd to Sand Harbor, which is situated within the well-known Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. This area has some incredibly beautiful beaches.
After traveling inland for a few kilometers, the gorgeous drive turns onto Highway 50 shortly after the smaller Spooner Lake and turns back toward the coast at Glenbrook.
Travel through the town of Zephyr Cove after passing the striking Cave Rock between Glenbrook and Lakeridge.
Before you finish your lap around the lake in South Lake Tahoe, you just need to make one last journey to the shore at El Dorado Beach.
Best spots on a drive around Lake Tahoe
If you have a single day to complete this journey, make as many stops as your schedule allows. This is such a stunning site that you’ll want to take in the amazing views and enjoy the activities and facilities that are dotted around the lake.
Try to stop at as many parks, beaches, and overlooks as you can throughout this loop route, as there is something to discover every 10 to 12 miles. There won’t be any lengthy driving segments on this trip because you would need to stop every 30 to 45 minutes.
Our favorite places to visit if you have limited time or would rather only stop a few times are Sand Harbor, Tahoe City, and Emerald Bay State Park. Your travel may take up to 6 hours and 30 minutes if you stopped in each of these three locations, adding 3 or 4 hours to the plan.
The good news is that there are some excellent hotel options that would allow you to turn a lovely drive into a luxurious weekend break if you’d like to spend a little more time exploring the stunning lake coastline.
Relaxing in Tahoe City
If you want to extend your Lake Tahoe road trip from one day to a weekend, consider looking at the hotels that surround the lake. This will allow you to take advantage of the area’s beauty and activities without having to worry about rushing between them.
One of the lake’s most visited towns, Tahoe City, has stunning hotels that are well-known for its luxurious features, spas, dining options, and scenery. The amazing beaches and activities here are also available to visitors.
Sunnyside Resort and Lodge, a stunning hotel with breathtaking lake views and access to water sports and activities, is situated on the beaches of Lake Tahoe.
If you would rather choose a different cuisine, the resort is close to the town and offers two excellent on-site dining options. In addition to being close to Lake Tahoe, Sunnyside Resort and Lodge is also only a short drive from Squaw Valley Ski Resort, making it an excellent option throughout the year.
Your trip will take up to 1.5 days if you stop here for the night, which will give you plenty of time to go home.
Witness the sunset over the lake in South Lake Tahoe
To see the lake’s northern and southern shores, you should spend your final night at South Lake Tahoe if you have the time.
A relaxing and luxurious way to round off a beautiful weekend escape, South Lake Tahoe is well-known for its luxurious hotels and spa resorts.
Situated on Lake Tahoe’s southern coastline, beautiful The Landing Resort and Spa offers stunning views of the mountains and the lake from its accommodations.
For a truly remarkable way to finish out your vacation, the resort features a top-notch spa and a restaurant where you can dine outside and watch the sun set over the lake.
In addition, Sand Harbor State Park, casinos, and Heavenly Village Ski Resort are all within a short drive if you want to see one more thing before departing Lake Tahoe. Your Lake Tahoe road journey will take up to two and a half days to complete as a result.
Points to know that can impact your driving time
Despite its short length, Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive is a well-traveled route, and you may experience some traffic. Though the roads and parking near beaches and beautiful scenery can also grow crowded during peak hours, South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City are the most likely hotspots.
Your overall trip time will also depend on how many stops you intend to make. Because there is so much to see and do on this little journey—roughly one stop every 12 miles—we would advise making at least five or six stops.
Your ability to travel around Lake Tahoe rapidly is limited by the speed limitations on the route. You won’t drive faster on any of the routes that circle the lake because they don’t have interstates.
In the South Lake Tahoe Area, the speed restriction is reduced to 35 mph, even though the majority of the route follows a highway with a 50 mph speed limit. Additionally, the speed limit reduces to 25 mph in some places on small routes, particularly those that pass through cities.
These speed limitations are taken into account in our routes and time estimates, but because it’s such a busy journey, weather conditions and any closures, roadwork, or diversions may have an impact. Before you go, make sure to verify the local advisories.
Suggestions to drive around Lake Tahoe in the shortest possible time
Parking costs will apply when you visit the state parks and beaches along the route. Because various passes can be used depending on where you stop, you should check the websites of most beaches and state parks before you travel.
Annual state park passes for California and Nevada are valid. These definitely won’t save you money unless you already have a pass or are visiting other parks in the state during the year, as you will likely be visiting both California and Nevada state parks, which require passes.
In certain locations along the route, you can also use the America the Beautiful pass. Some, like Emerald Bay State Park, don’t take this pass, though.
Try to avoid vacation periods, particularly school vacations and public holidays, to avoid traffic on the roads and crowds on the beaches. If you can go during the week, you’ll find that the roads and views are less crowded than they are during the morning and evening rush hours. Weekends can also get crowded.
Reducing the number of stops you make along the way is the best course of action if you truly must cross the lake quickly, as each one increases the amount of time you spend traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is driving around Lake Tahoe worth it?
The Lake Tahoe area
The location of the 1960 Winter Olympics and a historic railroad town can be added to the itinerary with quick, scenic detours. Known as the “Most Beautiful Drive in America,” it is one of the National Scenic Byways established by the Federal Highway Administration.
Can you drive around Lake Tahoe in a day?
Self-driving is the most convenient way to get around the entire lake. Driving around the entire lake takes about three hours. The best spots to stop for shots during the entire trip were Sand Harbour and Emerald Bay (Inspiration Point Vista).
What is the prettiest spot in Lake Tahoe?
Emerald Bay, which provides numerous breathtaking views, is one of the most famous and frequently photographed Lake Tahoe sights. The turnaround in Emerald Bay State Park, off Highway 89, offers some views of Emerald Bay. You can enjoy expansive views of the lake, including Fannette Island, from this location.
How long is the ride around Lake Tahoe?
About the Ride: 72-mile
The 72-mile America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride around Lake Tahoe in both California and Nevada in a clockwise direction. It consists of a steep 800-foot ascent to a rest area with a view of Emerald Bay and a 1,000-foot ascent to Spooner Junction.
What is the most scenic drive around Lake Tahoe?
Drivers can enjoy breathtaking views of the deep blue alpine lake surrounded by high pines and snow-capped mountain peaks in the beautiful Sierra Nevada range along the 28-mile Lake Tahoe National Scenic Byway, which runs from Stateline to Crystal Bay.
What is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe?
Depending on your interests, the ideal seasons to visit Lake Tahoe are typically spring (March–May) and fall (September–November).
For more information kindly visit laketahoeinfo.org
