San Francisco to Lake Tahoe EV Road Trip
Prepare for an EV trip on San Francisco to Lake Tahoe — approximately 199 miles via I-80. This guide introduces seasonal conditions and range estimates. Continue to the planner to check weather for your date, compare departures and plan charging stops.
Quick answer
- Distance: 199 mi (320 km)
- Elevation gain: 6,234 ft
- Highways: I-80
- Chargers to know: Truckee Supercharger, Roseville Supercharger, Auburn Supercharger
- In winter: Donner Pass blizzards, chain control R2/R3, I-80 closures
- In summer: wildfire smoke, lightning storms in alpine zone
Estimated range & charging stops by EV
Compare estimates for the available vehicles in mild, cold and arctic scenarios. These examples illustrate the effect of cold; they are not today's forecast or a measurement of your battery's range.
| EV Model | Mild (70°F / 21°C) | Cold (20°F / -7°C) | Arctic (-10°F / -23°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y Long Range | 242 mi · no stops | 177 mi · 1 stop | 131 mi · 1 stop |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range | 260 mi · no stops | 189 mi · 1 stop | 140 mi · 1 stop |
| Ford F-150 Lightning ER | 250 mi · no stops | 187 mi · 1 stop | 141 mi · 1 stop |
| Rivian R1T Large Pack | 256 mi · no stops | 192 mi · 1 stop | 145 mi · 1 stop |
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 LR AWD | 207 mi · no stops | 153 mi · 1 stop | 114 mi · 2 stops |
| Chevy Bolt EUV | 193 mi · 1 stop | 134 mi · 1 stop | 97 mi · 2 stops |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E ER AWD | 226 mi · no stops | 168 mi · 1 stop | 125 mi · 1 stop |
| Kia EV6 Long Range | 242 mi · no stops | 177 mi · 1 stop | 132 mi · 1 stop |
Notable chargers on this route
Truckee Supercharger, Roseville Supercharger, Auburn Supercharger are charging locations to consider along I-80. Confirm vehicle compatibility, access hours and current availability with the operator before relying on a stop.
Winter hazards on San Francisco to Lake Tahoe
Winter on this corridor includes Donner Pass blizzards, chain control R2/R3, I-80 closures. Compare forecasts around your planned departure, then save the trip to follow changes in Live Mode. A higher score indicates lower forecast risk.
Summer conditions
In summer, plan for wildfire smoke, lightning storms in alpine zone. Heat and air conditioning also cut range, so keep a buffer between chargers.
Nearby EV routes
- San Francisco to Portland
- Los Angeles to San Francisco
- San Francisco to Yosemite
- Salt Lake City to Jackson
- Denver to Salt Lake City
Ready to drive San Francisco to Lake Tahoe?
Carry this route and EV setting into the planner to compare forecast conditions and estimate charging needs.
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