Winter driving
What R-1, R-2 and R-3 mean, what you must carry, and who to call.
Checked Oct 1, 2026. Confirm before you go.
In winter, chains can be required on the highways around the lake; State Parks notes they are frequently required on SR 89 at Emerald Bay. Here is what California's chain control signs mean and where to check before you leave.
Chain control levels
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R-1
Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required on the drive axle of all vehicles except four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles.
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R-2
Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-treaded tires on all four wheels.
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R-3
Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
What Caltrans asks of you
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Carry chains, even with four-wheel drive
Caltrans says to always carry chains that fit your tires. Even a four-wheel-drive vehicle must have a set of chains for one drive axle to enter a chain control area. Chains go on the drive wheels.
Source: Caltrans, Winter Driving Tips; Caltrans, Chain Requirements
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Slow down
When chains are required, the speed limit is 25 or 30 mph. Stop and put chains on when the signs say so.
Source: Caltrans, Winter Driving Tips
Where to check
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California highways
Caltrans QuickMap shows closures, chain controls and cameras. The highway information page and phone line give status by route.
Caltrans QuickMapquickmap.dot.ca.gov
Source: Caltrans QuickMap; Caltrans, California Highway Information
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Nevada highways
Traffic, incidents, construction, cameras and road conditions for Nevada highways, including the Stateline side of the lake.
Nevada 511nvroads.com
Source: Nevada 511
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US 50 work on the Nevada side
NDOT's repaving of US 50 between Spooner Summit and the state line runs through October 2026, with single-lane closures from Sunday night through Friday noon and 35 mph work zones. At least one lane stays open in each direction.
Source: NDOT, Final Year of Two-Year Repaving Project at U.S. 50 Lake Tahoe (April 21, 2026)
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Mormon Emigrant Trail
Kirkwood notes that the Mormon Emigrant Trail is closed in winter, so check your GPS route.
Source: Kirkwood, Getting Here
All sources for this guide
- Caltrans, Chain Control Status Chartcwwp2.dot.ca.gov
- Caltrans, Winter Driving Tipsdot.ca.gov
- Caltrans, Chain Requirementsdot.ca.gov
- Caltrans QuickMapquickmap.dot.ca.gov
- Caltrans, California Highway Informationroads.dot.ca.gov
- Nevada 511nvroads.com
- NDOT, Final Year of Two-Year Repaving Project at U.S. 50 Lake Tahoe (April 21, 2026)dot.nv.gov
- Kirkwood, Getting Herekirkwood.com
Checked Oct 1, 2026. Confirm before you go.