By Wayne Brew | September 25, 2017

Route 50 is another of the early interstates that was designated in 1926. The original western terminus was in San Francisco where the Bay Bridge enters the city. In 1972 the official western terminus became Sacramento when most of Route 50 was replaced by I-580. I was able to find portions of old route between Oakland and Sacramento from on-line historic maps so I set off on day 17 weaving my way on and off 580 and local streets to Sacramento. East of Sacramento Route 50 is an eight lane highway that eventually becomes 2 lanes as it enters the rugged terrain of the Sierra Nevada. At the border with Nevada Route 50 travels along the coast of the spectacular Lake Tahoe. After Lake Tahoe the climate changes to desert being in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada. Route 50 becomes (with several signs to remind you) the ‘Loneliest Road in America’. The road runs straight for many miles broken up by intense curves as one climbs over a series of fault block mountain ranges. In Minnesota the signs at the edge of town said the name of the town and the population. In Nevada the town name was paired with the elevation of the town usually providing a much more impressive number than the population would.

Route 50 continues into Utah where it gets gobbled up by I-70 for long stretches. If careful the driver could see pieces of old 50 that parallel I-70 that are used by ranchers. The main street of Green River is old Route 50 and there is a very rough 12-mile stretch of old 50 that is accessible up until the next exit on I-70. It was a thrill to drive this section at 30 mph and see some bridges and a railroad underpass that are neglected, but still functional. I will have to wait until later to continue on my Route 50 journey, it is time to visit some national parks ...