- Roadwork eastbound between Magra (Railroad) (Exit 140) and Gold Run Rd (Exit 143), traffic getting through — tree work; until 5:59 a.m.
- Roadwork westbound between Rock Spring Rd and King Rd (Exit 112), 1 mile east of Penryn, traffic getting through — fiber optic installation; until 5:01 a.m.
Cameras and chain-control points on I-80. Click a marker to open the camera.
The live feed above shows whether restrictions are active right now between Sacramento and Reno. When checkpoints appear, every vehicle must carry traction devices, even all-wheel drive models. Check I-80 road conditions and confirm details with Caltrans or NDOT before departure.
Tire chains and fitting supplies
California requires drivers to carry chains that fit their specific tire dimensions during winter storms. Fit the chains in your driveway before leaving home. Trying to read manufacturer sizing charts at roadside pullouts during active snowfall is difficult.
Pack a dedicated chain kit in the passenger compartment, not beneath buried trunk luggage. That kit needs durable waterproof gloves, a headlamp with extra batteries, and a plastic tarp or kneeling mat. Melting slush fills chain bays, so bare knees soak through within 2 minutes.
Also pack heavy-duty rubber tensioners to secure loose chain links. Carry a link repair kit and pliers to handle broken cross-members on pavement. You can read what the chain-control levels mean to see when officials turn vehicles around.
Vehicle recovery and cold-weather gear
A winter breakdown on Interstate 80 leaves vehicles idling in sub-freezing temperatures for hours. Pack an ice scraper with a brass blade, a compact snow shovel, and a bag of sand for traction. A 20-foot tow strap with rated hooks helps pull stuck cars out of unplowed shoulders.
Pack extra winter clothing for every passenger in the vehicle. That includes heavy wool blankets, insulated boots, water-resistant parkas, and knit caps. Keep an external battery bank and vehicle-charging cables accessible inside the cabin.
Store a minimum of 2 gallons of potable water per person inside the heated passenger compartment. Water bottles placed in unheated trunks freeze solid within 4 hours at high mountain elevations. Add high-calorie, non-perishable food such as nuts, jerky, and energy bars to sustain passengers during prolonged highway closures.
Elevation cameras and Sierra crossing points
Chain checkpoints often trigger near Kingvale eastbound at 6,095 ft or Kingvale westbound at 6,128 ft. Drivers continue climbing up to Donner Summit at 7,221 ft, an ascent of 1,126 ft above Kingvale eastbound at 6,095 ft.
Cameras track precipitation across these distinct elevation intervals:
- Hwy 80 at Kingvale Eastbound 2 webcam — 6,095 ft
- I-80 at Kingvale - Eastbound webcam — 6,095 ft
- I-80 at Kingvale - Westbound webcam — 6,128 ft
- I-80 at Donner Lake webcam — 6,394 ft
- I-80 at Soda Springs - Eastbound webcam — 6,692 ft
- Pequop Summit webcam — 6,964 ft
- I-80 at Castle Peak webcam — 7,165 ft
- I-80 at Donner Summit webcam — 7,221 ft
Soda Springs sits at 6,692 ft, which is 529 ft below Donner Summit at 7,221 ft. Castle Peak rises to 7,165 ft, placing it 1,070 ft above Kingvale eastbound at 6,095 ft. Check the I-80 webcams stream to inspect road surfaces before heading into these upper passes.
Storm alternates and prolonged closures
If Caltrans halts travel across Donner Summit at 7,221 ft, vehicles stack rapidly from Truckee back to the state line. Turn around early rather than waiting in idling queues that stretch for 15 miles. Review all road conditions to monitor alternate routes across the northern Sierra.
Never bypass Sierra checkpoints by diverting onto unmaintained mountain pass roads. Backroad routes lack cell service, fuel stations, and regular winter snowplow maintenance. Always verify current gate closures with official transportation agencies before modifying your route.