Roadway safety

Question

Is it safe and will roads be open to drive through SF Bay Area to South Lake Tahoe next week?

We have been watching the LA Riots with cars on fire, roads blocked and people in cars are being pulled out? My wife and I are Senior citizens and try to avoid problems.

Answer

It is understandable to feel concerned when you see alarming news, especially as senior travelers planning a long drive. The good news is that driving from the San Francisco Bay Area to South Lake Tahoe is normally very safe, and major highways almost never close due to civil unrest. Any events happening in Los Angeles generally do not affect Northern California travel corridors.

The route to Tahoe (I-80 or US-50) is far from Southern California, and the Bay Area has not had widespread road blockages or similar incidents that would interrupt intercity travel. In almost all cases, even if protests occur in a specific neighborhood of a large city, the major freeways remain open and protected. Traffic authorities, CHP (California Highway Patrol), and local police monitor these routes constantly.

Your main concern this time of year is typically weather or roadwork, not civil disturbances. Early summer usually means clear mountain roads, no snow closures, and smooth travel except for normal weekend traffic.

I-80 through Sacramento to Truckee: This is the most heavily traveled mountain route and is extremely well maintained by Caltrans.
US-50 through Placerville to South Lake Tahoe: Also safe and commonly used; slightly more scenic and less busy.
CHP maintains very high visibility on both routes, which keeps them safe and monitored.

If you want additional reassurance, you can check road conditions before leaving. Caltrans updates these constantly and will list any closures due to accidents, construction, or rare events. This is purely for routine travel safety — not due to unrest.

It is also helpful to remember that news coverage often amplifies localized incidents that do not reflect what is happening across an entire region. The Bay Area and the Lake Tahoe corridor remain calm and functioning normally for travelers.

You may choose to travel during daylight hours for extra comfort and visibility.
Avoid driving into downtowns of large cities unless needed — your route typically bypasses them anyway.
Stop only at normal highway towns like Davis, Vacaville, or Placerville, which are quiet and safe.

In summary, yes — it is safe to drive from the Bay Area to South Lake Tahoe next week. The roads will be open, monitored, and operating normally. Any disturbances you have seen on TV from Los Angeles are hundreds of miles away and do not affect the Northern California corridor you will be using.

You should feel confident traveling as planned, and taking normal highway safety precautions is more than enough for a smooth trip.