SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The New Year vacationers and others who are trying to leave the Lake Tahoe Basin on Sunday continue to attempt to make their way home. Paralyzed traffic has been the name of the game all day, and it is no different as the sun sets.
Travel between Kyburz and Meyers has been slow-moving or stopped along US50 due to numerous spinouts and stranded vehicles. Other highway passes are no better and I80 looks the same, and SR89 over Luther Pass just closed after a vehicle ran into a CHP car.
As of 5:30 p.m., upper left to bottom right clockwise – US50 at Wright’s Lake, US50 in Meyers, I80 at Donner Summit, and I80 at Castle Peak.
Road situations from Caltrans:
SR88
Is closed to eastbound traffic 3 mi west of Silver Lake (Amador Co) – Due to multiple spinouts – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route
Is closed to eastbound traffic at Dew Drop (Amador Co) at 1356 hrs on 1/4/26 – Due to a traffic collision – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route
Is closed to eastbound traffic at Kirkwood (Amador Co) at 1416 hrs on 1/4/26 – Due to a traffic collision – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from Cooks Station (Amador Co) to 1 mi west of Woodfords (Alpine Co)
US50
Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from 1.6 mi west of Kyburz to Meyers (El Dorado Co)
SR89
Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from Bliss State Park (El Dorado Co) to the Jct of I 80 (Nevada Co). Watch for the temporary closure at Luther Pass due to a collision.
I80
Is closed from 2.1 mi east of Baxter (Placer Co) to the Nevada State Line – Due to multiple spinouts – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route
Is closed eastbound to all tractor-semitrailer combinations at Applegate (Placer Co) – Due to multiple spinouts – All tractor-semitrailer combinations are advised to use an alternate route
Eastbound trucks are being screened at Applegate (Placer Co) – Drivers must have maximum chains in their possession in order to proceed – Permit loads are prohibited
For current road conditions and photos in California, visit https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and for Nevada roads, https://www.nvroads.com/