Pyramid Lake, the Comstock and Lake Tahoe’s east shore
From Reno to a desert lake, up to the silver-mining town of Virginia City, through Nevada’s capital and oldest settlement to Tahoe’s granite coves.
- Distance
- 251 km (156 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 47 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 7
- States
- NV, CA
- Updated
- May 24, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 251 km (156 mi) with 7 stops, from Reno to Truckee. About 2 h 47 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Nevada, California
Route description
From Reno, SR-445 leads north through Sparks to Pyramid Lake, about 45 minutes. The lake lies on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, and a tribal permit is needed for visiting, camping and fishing; buy it online or in Sutcliffe. The tufa pyramid that gave the lake its name is on the east shore. Return to Reno the same way.
From Reno, take US-395 south and climb the Geiger Grade (SR-341) to Virginia City, about 40 minutes. The silver mines of the Comstock Lode made the town rich after 1859, and its wooden boardwalks, saloons and churches remain. The Geiger Grade is steep and winding but paved; with a long motorhome, drive it slowly and use low gears on the descent.
Leave Virginia City south on SR-341 and SR-342 through Gold Hill and Silver City to US-50 and Carson City, the state capital, where the Nevada State Museum occupies the old federal mint. Continue south on US-395 and SR-206 to Genoa, Nevada’s first settlement, with the small Mormon Station State Historic Park.
From Genoa, climb to Lake Tahoe by Kingsbury Grade (SR-207), a steep road with sharp curves, or return to US-50 by Spooner Summit, which is easier for motorhomes. Follow SR-28 north along the east shore to Sand Harbor, whose coves and granite boulders are best in the morning, before the lot fills. Continue through Incline Village and SR-267 to Truckee.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Reno
NV - 260 km
Pyramid Lake
NatureSutcliffe, NVA large desert lake on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, named for its tufa pyramid. A tribal day-use permit is required for visiting, camping and fishing; buy it online or in Sutcliffe before you go.
- 386 km
Virginia City
NV - 423 km
Carson City
NV - 523 km
Mormon Station State Historic Park
HistoryGenoa, NVA replica of the 1851 trading post that marked the first permanent settlement in Nevada, in the village of Genoa below the Carson Range. It is small, with a museum in the stockade.
- 627 km
Sand Harbor
NatureIncline Village, NVCoves of clear water and smooth granite boulders on Lake Tahoe’s east shore. The lot often fills by mid-morning in summer; there is an entrance fee and roadside parking on SR-28 is restricted.
- 731 km
Truckee
CA
FAQs
How long is Pyramid Lake, the Comstock and Lake Tahoe’s east shore?
3-day road trip of about 251 km (156 mi) with 7 stops, from Reno to Truckee. About 2 h 47 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Pyramid Lake, the Comstock and Lake Tahoe’s east shore?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 47 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Pyramid Lake, the Comstock and Lake Tahoe’s east shore start and end?
It starts in Reno and ends in Truckee.
Which states does Pyramid Lake, the Comstock and Lake Tahoe’s east shore pass through?
Nevada and California.
