North Lake Tahoe and Truckee: Local Tips for an EV Road Trip
Hi, I'm Solomon, the host behind Best EV Rentals in Reno. The north side of the lake is one of my favorite drives: Truckee's old downtown, Tahoe City where the river leaves the lake, and the sandy beach at Kings Beach. Here's how I'd plan it in an electric car.
Before You Go: Check Road Conditions
Sierra Nevada weather can change quickly, especially as you climb. Before you go, and especially before or during a storm, check NV 511 (https://www.nvroads.com) and Caltrans QuickMap (https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov). Follow official access recommendations and chain-control signs, stay off closed roads, and if a road is closed, wait for the plows. Use your best judgment.
Getting There From RNO
Pickup is at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), and the details come through Turo messages after you book. From there:
Truckee: about 35 miles, roughly 40 minutes west on I-80.
Tahoe City: about 50 miles, roughly an hour (I-80 to Hwy 89 south).
Kings Beach: about 45 miles, roughly 55 minutes (I-80 to Hwy 267 over Brockway Summit).
The climb out of Reno uses extra charge, and you'll get some back coming down.
Charging on the North Shore
Truckee is your charging hub for this side of the lake.
Rivian Adventure Network: 12047 Donner Pass Rd, just off I-80, open 24/7. There's a Coffeebar at the same address.
Tesla Superchargers open to non-Tesla cars: Deerfield Dr and Soaring Way.
Electrify America (CCS): Save Mart, 11399 Deerfield Dr.
Local heads-up: the Tahoe City Supercharger is Tesla only. In a Rivian, top up in Truckee or Reno before heading to the lake. The Model Y can use it.
For Level 2, Northstar Village has chargers in the village and resort lots, and the North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center in Tahoe City has public Level 2. Many hotels have chargers for guests.
Rivians plug and charge, so no card is needed, and any charging is billed after your trip. The car's navigation plans charging stops and only shows chargers your car can use. Keep your battery above 10%, with a bigger buffer in the cold.
Where to Eat
Local favorites. Some places close or cut back hours in the off-season, so check hours before you go.
Truckee: Jax at the Tracks, a classic diner on W River St, and Moody's Bistro Bar & Beats in the historic Truckee Hotel. Cottonwood Restaurant is great for dinner or weekend brunch.
Tahoe City: Fire Sign Cafe on West Lake Blvd for breakfast (no reservations, so expect a wait on busy mornings) and Rosie's Cafe for an all-day menu. Bridgetender Tavern & Grill has burgers on the river. For lakeside dinner on Grove St, try casual Za's Lakefront or Christy Hill for something nicer. Wolfdale's is a longtime local favorite, and reservations are recommended.
Kings Beach: Jason's Beachside Grille and Whitecaps Pizza are easy stops after the beach. Lanza's is old-school Italian and doesn't take reservations, so go early.
Easy Scenic Drives and Walks (All Paved)
Hwy 89 from Truckee to Tahoe City: it follows the Truckee River. Keep going on Hwy 28 along the lake through Tahoe Vista to Kings Beach.
Old Hwy 40 to Rainbow Bridge: Donner Pass Rd climbs above Donner Lake to a classic overlook. Best in summer and fall.
Downtown Truckee: walk Commercial Row for shops and coffee.
Tahoe City: the paved Truckee River Bike Trail, the lakeside trail through town, and Commons Beach.
Truckee Legacy Trail: a paved path along the river.
Please keep the car on paved roads. Turo doesn't allow off-roading, and the best views are right off the highway. Park in marked lots and paved pullouts.
Season by Season
Summer: Beach days at Kings Beach State Recreation Area, Commons Beach and Donner Lake. Rafting or floating the Truckee River out of Tahoe City depends on water levels. Northstar and Palisades Tahoe run summer lifts and village events. For the Rivians, ask about the Thule 2-bike hitch rack or the Yakima SUP/board rack.
Fall: Quieter beaches, fall color along the river and Hwy 89, and Donner Memorial State Park. This is when some summer spots shorten hours.
Winter: Skiing at Northstar, Palisades Tahoe, Sugar Bowl, Boreal and Tahoe Donner. Opening dates depend on snow, so check each resort. In winter our cars have 3-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) snow tires and AWD/4WD, plus a snow brush and shovel. Crossbars and a Yakima ski rack are available on request for every car. Cold can cut range by 20 to 30% or more, so precondition while plugged in and plan charging stops closer together.
Car seats are available year-round on request. Just message me in Turo before your trip.
Book on Turo
Ski weekend in Truckee or beach day in Kings Beach, I'd love to host you. Pick the Rivian R1S, R1T or Tesla Model Y that fits your trip, ask for any gear, and I'll have it ready.
Book your Reno–Tahoe EV with Best EV Rentals on Turo.
Rivian, Tesla, Yakima, Thule and other brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. Best EV Rentals is an independent Turo host and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of these companies.
