Cameras and chain-control points on I-80 and US-50. Click a marker to open the camera.
The live feed above shows active restrictions posted by highway dispatchers. An R-0 code means the highway runs clear without traction restrictions. Any active stage from R-1 upward requires specific equipment to pass highway checkpoints.
Always confirm posted signs with Caltrans or NDOT before departure. This site parses agency feeds faster, but Caltrans and NDOT remain the authoritative sources. Check overall status on all road conditions alongside the live checkpoints.
Chain control levels defined
Caltrans and NDOT enforce three active traction tiers during winter storms:
- R-1: Chains or snow tires required on all vehicles. Passenger cars with designated snow tires can proceed without chains mounted.
- R-2: Chains required on all vehicles except four-wheel or all-wheel drive with snow tires on all four wheels. All-wheel-drive vehicles must carry tire traction devices in the vehicle.
- R-3: Chains required on every vehicle, no exceptions. Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles must mount chains.
R-2 is the most common winter operational level on Sierra mountain highways. R-3 is rare on interstate routes. Highway departments usually close the pass entirely before enforcing an R-3 checkpoint.
Where controls appear on I-80
Controls on Interstate 80 follow storm elevation lines across the Sierra crest. Eastbound traffic encounters controls climbing toward Kingvale, where highway cameras sit at 6,095 ft and 6,128 ft. Restrictions often hold through Soda Springs at 6,692 ft up to Donner Summit at 7,221 ft.
Inspect the crest directly on the I-80 at Donner Summit webcam or the I-80 at Castle Peak webcam at 7,165 ft. On the descent into Truckee, conditions clear past Donner Lake at 6,394 ft. Farther east across Nevada, high-elevation checkpoints can return near Pequop Summit at 6,964 ft. Track every segment on I-80 road conditions and review highway views on I-80 webcams.
Where controls appear on US-50
Highway 50 climbs south of Lake Tahoe over distinct granite passes. Westbound and eastbound screening frequently anchors around Myers at 6,345 ft and Pioneer Trail at 6,351 ft. Restrictions tighten on the western ascent near Echo Lake at 6,909 ft.
Check summit pavement on the US-50 at Echo Summit webcam, which sits at 7,427 ft. East of the Tahoe basin, controls regularly cover Spooner Summit at 7,156 ft down toward Zephyr Cove at 6,323 ft and Cave Rock at 6,321 ft. Monitor mountain cameras on US-50 webcams before entering the corridor.
Alternates and pass closures
When Caltrans closes I-80 over the 7,221 ft crest at Donner Summit, US-50 often remains the primary detour route. However, Echo Summit reaches 7,427 ft, which is 206 ft higher than Donner Summit. If severe weather shuts both major corridors, no direct low-elevation passes connect Sacramento and Reno. Drivers must delay travel or reroute far around the central Sierra range. Check full corridor updates on US-50 road conditions before diverting.