South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County → Sacramento International Airport
South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento Airport Shuttle
Sacramento International is about 105 miles from South Lake Tahoe, straight down US-50 over Echo Summit. It is the California airport for South Lake; we drive the whole way.
10% off for cash or military ID — one discount per ride.
Live at SMF
—California time
Sacramento International Airport
- Terminal ACheck-in on the ground level
- Terminal BCheck-in on level 2
- Between A and BFree shuttle about every 10 min
South Lake TahoeSacramento (SMF)
- Distance
- about 105 mi
- Usual drive
- 2 hr–2 hr 30 min
- Passengers
- 1–8
- Pickups
- 24/7
CPUC licensed carrier
TCP 34179
Flights tracked
Pickup moves with your flight
Free child car seats
Fitted by your driver
Free cancellation
Up to 4 hours before pickup
Choose your vehicle
Vehicles for South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento (SMF)
SUV for couples with skis; Ford Transit for groups.
Midsize Sedan
Best for one or two travelers with standard luggage.
- 3 Ppl
- 4 Bags
Full-Size SUV
Six seats and six bags, or fewer people and more luggage.
- 6 Ppl
- 6 Bags
Ford Transit Van
The group vehicle: eight passengers and eighteen bags in one van. Wine tours, wedding parties, unit moves, the golf trip.
- 8 Ppl
- 18 Bags
Vehicle spotlight
Ford Transit passenger van
SMF to the south shore on US-50.
- 1
Placerville
Halfway point.
- 2
Echo Summit
7,300 ft.
- 3
Heavenly
Ski drop.
- 4
Cabins and condos
At the door.
The route
The drive from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento (SMF)
SMF is about 105 miles from South Lake Tahoe — two hours in good conditions, longer in winter storms or Sunday traffic.
I-5 and I-80 into Sacramento, US-50 east past Folsom, Placerville and Pollock Pines, over Echo Summit and down to Meyers and South Lake.
SMF
Terminal A or B
US-50 east
Folsom and Placerville
Pollock Pines
Into the Sierra
Echo Summit
Down to Meyers
South Lake Tahoe
Your door
Pickup time planner
| Flight from SMF | Type | Pickup in South Lake Tahoe |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00am | Domestic | 2:00am |
| 9:30am | Domestic | 5:30am |
| 2:15pm | Domestic | 10:15am |
| 12:30pm | International | 7:30am |
We collect South Lake Tahoe passengers roughly four hours ahead of a domestic departure and five ahead of an international one. Give us your flight number and we confirm the exact time.
Local know-how
Up US-50
From Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe is a single highway: US-50 through Folsom and Placerville and over Echo Summit.
Echo Summit is often under chain controls in storms, and the road can close briefly; we watch Caltrans conditions closely.
Sunday afternoons in ski season, westbound US-50 can crawl — leave plenty of time for flights home.
How it works
Booked in three simple steps
No phone call needed, and no surprises on the day: the price, the pickup time and the driver are all settled before you travel.
- 01
Met at SMF
Terminal A or B.
- 02
US-50 over Echo Summit
About two hours.
- 03
At your door
Gear unloaded.
Compare your options
Ways to get from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento (SMF)
Private shuttle
SMF to Heavenly, Stateline or your cabin.
Price
One flat rate per vehicle, shown before you book
Best for
Ski weeks, weddings
Amtrak California Zephyr
Sacramento to Truckee by train, then a short ride.
Price
Rail plus ride
Best for
Light luggage
Shared shuttle buses
Fixed schedules, shared seats.
Price
Per-seat fares
Best for
Solo travellers
Hire car
Echo Summit in winter needs care.
Price
Rental, fuel, chains
Best for
Experienced winter drivers
Uber publishes no average for this trip.
Both ends of the trip
Pickup in South Lake Tahoe, drop-off at Sacramento (SMF)
South Lake pickups
Stateline, Heavenly Village, Tahoe Keys and Meyers.
- Stateline and the casinos
- Heavenly Village
- Tahoe Keys
- Meyers and Christmas Valley
Drop-off and pickup at SMF
- Terminal ACheck-in on the ground level
- Terminal BCheck-in on level 2
- Between A and BFree shuttle about every 10 min
Coming home, your driver meets you at the ground transportation area outside baggage claim, or inside baggage claim with a sign if you ask.
Good to know
What is included in the price
$0
surge, seat or cancellation fees
Heavenly and Stateline
Door drop-off.
Ski bags
Room.
Set fare
Per vehicle.
Landing tracked
No delay fees.
Free hour
At SMF.
Cancel free
4+ hours ahead.
Who rides with us
Who books this ride from South Lake Tahoe
Check us out
A licensed company you can verify
State of California · Public Utilities Commission
Licensed charter-party carrier
TCP 34179
Anyone can check our authority and insurance status: search “TCP 34179” on the CPUC carrier search.
Business address5488 Waterville Way, Sacramento, CA 95835
Other airports
Other airports from South Lake Tahoe
Questions
South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento (SMF): common questions
How far is Sacramento Airport from South Lake Tahoe?+
About 105 miles, around two hours in good conditions.
Which road do you take?+
US-50 over Echo Summit.
How much is SMF to South Lake Tahoe?+
One flat rate for the whole vehicle, shown before you pay.
Book your South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento (SMF) ride
One flat rate per vehicle, confirmed before you book. Flights tracked. Car seats free.