U.S. Highway 50 - California Travel Information
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U.S. Highway 50

U.S. 50 begins its transcontinental journey in West Sacramento, starting together with Business Loop I-80 and Hidden Interstate 305 into the capital city of california, Sacramento. U.S. 50 splits away from the business loop freeway near downtown, and it continues as its own freeway from that point east to Placerville, serving the many eastern suburbs of Sacramento. U.S. 50 eventually becomes a two-lane mountain highway, passing through the American River Canyon and passing over Echo Summit before entering Tahoe Valley. The South Shore of Lake Tahoe is served by U.S. 50, and the highway enters Nevada in the shadow of massive casinos at the state line.

U.S. 50 east
U.S. 50 and Hidden Interstate 305 break free from Business Loop I-80 and the WX Freeway, with traffic for eastbound Business Loop I-80 and southbound California 99 exiting right. Through traffic on U.S. 50 and Interstate 305 continues straight ahead under the stack interchange. Photo taken 04/03/04.
View of the stack interchange with Business Loop I-80 and California 99. Photo taken 04/03/04.
View of the Business Loop I-80 (California 51) and California 99 interchange as seen from eastbound U.S. 50. The next exit is Exit 7, 34th Street, 500 feet. Photo taken 04/03/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 8A, 59th Street; it is followed by Exit 8B, the 65th Street Expressway and Exit 9, Junction California 16 East/Jackson Road East, Howe Avenue North, and Power Inn Road South. Photo taken 04/03/04.
This overhead mileage sign provides the distance to Rancho Cordova, Placerville, and South Lake Tahoe. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Westbound Interstate 305/U.S. 50 at Exit 8A, 59th Street. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Mileage sign along eastbound U.S. 50/Hidden Interstate 305 approaching the final exit of Interstate 305 (Exit 8B, 65th Street Expressway) followed by Exit 9, Junction California 16 east, Power Inn Road/Howe Avenue. Photo taken 04/03/04.

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Since the total mileage of unsigned Interstate 305 is 8.44 miles, that designation does not extend east of the 65th Street Expressway interchange. This picture shows eastbound U.S. 50 at the eastern terminus of Interstate 305: Exit 8B, 65th Street Expressway. Photo taken 04/03/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 9, Junction California 16 East/Power Inn Road South/Howe Avenue North. California 16 is currently a split route that has western and eastern sections. This exit serves the eastern section, which extends from this interchange southeast to California 49 north of Jackson. As for the western section, it begins at California 20 in Cache Creek Canyon just east of Clearlake and heads southeast to Interstate 5 at Woodland in Yolo County. Originally, California 16 connected these two segments by roughly following Interstate 5 (former California 99) and U.S. 40-50 through Sacramento. Maps showed California 16 cosigned with these original routes and with the freeways that were constructed in their place until the mid-1990s. Today, California 16 is seldom recognized as a through route in Sacramento, even though some maps still show it. Photo taken 04/03/04.
To reach California 16 southeast, follow Power Inn Road south to Jackson Road. Howe Avenue, meanwhile, heads north from this interchange toward Arden, meeting Auburn Avenue and Business Loop I-80 north of the Arden Fair Mall. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Mileage sign for the next two exits along eastbound: Exit 9, Junction California 16 East/Power Inn Road South/Howe Avenue North and Exit 11, Watt Avenue. Photo taken 04/03/04.
From Exit 9, California 16 resumes its southeasterly journey toward Plymouth/Drytown (Junction California 124 and California 49). California 49/Gold Country Highway continues south into Jackson, Angels Camp, and Sonora. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 at Exit 9, Junction California 16 East, Power Inn Road, and Howe Avenue. Photo taken 04/03/04.

The next exit along eastbound is Exit 11, Watt Avenue. Watt Avenue is a major north-south corridor that passes Arden Oaks and Town & Country Village en route to the Interstate 80/Business Loop I-80 interchange northeast of Sacramento. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 reaches Exit 11, Watt Avenue. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Mileage sign for the next three exits along eastbound: Exit 13, Bradshaw Road; Exit 15, Mather Field/Rancho Cordova; and Exit 17, Zinfandel Drive. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Bradshaw Road heads north to Folsom Boulevard and south to Walsh Station (Junction California 16) and Elk Grove (Junction Sacramento County Route E-2). Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 at Exit 13, Bradshaw Road. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Mileage sign for the next two exits: Exit 15, Mather Field/Rancho Cordova and Exit 17, Zinfandel Drive. Photo taken 04/03/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 15, Mather Field/Rancho Cordova, one mile. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 at Exit 15, which leads north to Folsom Boulevard (old U.S. 50)/Rancho Cordova and south to Mather Field. Photo taken 04/03/04.
The next two exits along eastbound are Exit 17, Zinfandel Drive, and Exit 18, Junction Sacramento County Route E-2/Sunrise Boulevard to Fair Oaks. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 17, Zinfandel Drive, one-half mile. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Zinfandel Drive heads north to meet old U.S. 50/Folsom Boulevard and south to International Drive. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 at Exit 17, Zinfandel Drive. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Mileage sign for the next two exits: Exit 18, Junction Sacramento County Route E-2/Sunrise Boulevard to Fair Oaks and Exit 21, Junction Sacramento County Route E-3/Hazel Avenue. Of course, neither county route shield appears on the approach guide signs. Photo taken 04/03/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 18, Junction Sacramento County Route E-2, Sunrise Boulevard. Heading south, Sacramento County Route E-2 turns southwest, angling toward California 99 via Grant Line Road, ending at Exit 284 on that freeway. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Sacramento County Route E-2 follows Sunrise Boulevard north into Gold River, Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, and Roseville before reaching Interstate 80 southwest of its junction with California 65. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 at Exit 18, Junction Sacramento County Route E-2/Sunrise Boulevard. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Mileage sign along eastbound for three of the next four exits: Exit 21, Junction Sacramento County Route E-3/Hazel Avenue north; Exit 22, Aerojet Road (not listed), Exit 23, Junction Historic U.S. 50/Folsom Boulevard; and Exit 25, Prairie City Road. Photo taken 04/03/04.
The next exit along eastbound is Exit 21, Junction Sacramento County Route E-3/Hazel Avenue, one mile. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Sacramento County Route E-3/Hazel Avenue heads north over the American River to Orangevale, then changes into Sierra College Boulevard as it continues north into the Placer County communities of Roseville, Rocklin, and Loomis. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 at Exit 21, Junction Sacramento County Route E-3 North/Hazel Avenue. Photo taken 04/03/04.
The next two exits are Exit 22, Aerojet Road (not signed here) and Exit 23, Folsom Boulevard/Historic U.S. 50. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 at Exit 22, Aerojet Road. Although not signed here, the next exit along eastbound is still Exit 23, Folsom Boulevard/Historic U.S. 50. Photo taken 04/03/04.
One of the largest recreational lakes in the immediate vicinity of Sacramento is Folsom Lake (dammed American River), which is located northeast of U.S. 50. The historic city of Folsom is located downriver from the dam. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Folsom Boulevard is the main route into the city of Folsom. Skirting Lake Natoma to the northwest, Folsom Boulevard provides access to old U.S. 50 through downtown Folsom, then splits north past Folsom Lake and changes into Auburn-Folsom Road en route to Auburn and Interstate 80. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 at Exit 23, Junction Historic U.S. 50/Folsom Boulevard East. Although there are no signs to indicate the historic route for U.S. 50 from the mainline freeway, green reassurance markers are placed sporadically along the route. Photo taken 04/03/04.
Eastbound U.S. 50 entering the city of South Lake Tahoe. Photo taken by Jeff Royston, 08/00.
Eastbound U.S. 50 along Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Photo taken by Jeff Royston, 08/00.
U.S. 50 west
Mileage sign along westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 18, Junction Sacramento County Route E-2/Sunrise Boulevard. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 18, Junction Sacramento County Route E-2/Sunrise Boulevard, one mile. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Since Sacramento County Route E-2/Sunrise Boulevard is one of a few north-south corridors that cross the American River, it is a major through route. It also connects to the American River Parkway, a continuous greenway along the river between Rancho Cordova and Folsom. This area features hiking, picnicking, and other recreational activities along the river. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 18, Junction Sacramento County Route E-2/Sunrise Boulevard, next right. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 at Exit 18, Junction Sacramento County Route E-2/Sunrise Boulevard. The northbound county route does not end until meeting Interstate 80 near the Douglas Boulevard exit near Citrus Heights and Roseville. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Mileage sign along westbound U.S. 50 for Exit 17, Zinfandel Drive; Exit 15, Mather Field; and Exit 13, Bradshaw Road. This was the last reflective sign in place for several miles (at the time this photo was taken, there was only one more sign for Exit 8, see below). Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 17, Zinfandel Drive, three-quarters of a mile. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 at Exit 17, Zinfandel Drive in Rancho Cordova. Photo taken 08/22/03.
This mileage sign along westbound U.S. 50 shows the distance to Exit 15, Mather Field; Exit 13, Bradshaw Road; and Exit 11, Watt Avenue. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 15, Mather Field, three-quarters of a mile. Mather Airport is located south of the freeway. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 13, Bradshaw Road, three-quarters of a mile. Bradshaw Road leads south to Rosemont and north to Folsom Boulevard (historic U.S. 50). Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 13, Bradshaw Road, next right. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Mileage sign along westbound for Exit 11, Watt Avenue and Exit 9, Junction California 16/Power Inn Road/Howe Avenue. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 11, Watt Avenue, one mile. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 11, Watt Avenue, next right. Watt Avenue is a major north-south thoroughfare that connects Florin, Arden, and North Highlands in Sacramento County. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 at Exit 11, Watt Avenue. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 9, Junction California 16 eastbound, Power Inn Road, and Howe Avenue, one and one-half miles. This sign is mounted on the overpass for Watt Avenue. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Mileage sign along westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 9, Junction California 16/Power Inn Road/Howe Avenue and Exit 8, 65th Street. Power Inn Road leads south to meet California 99 near Exit 289 via Calvine Road, and Howe Avenue leads north toward Arden Fair Mall and Junction Business Loop I-80 via Marconi Avenue and Arden Way. Photo taken 08/22/03.
No mention of California 16 is made along westbound U.S. 50 at Exit 9 perhaps because California 16 angles southeast toward Drytown and Jackson, and the assumption is that no one headed west on U.S. 50 would want to turn around 300 degrees to go back to the foothills. This is the western end of the eastern California 16; California 16 resumes its northwesterly trek in Woodland, northwest of Sacramento. There are no signs that connect the two discontinuous segments of California 16. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 approaching Exit 8, 65th Street, three-quarters of a mile. The sign says Exit 8B, but there does not appear to be an Exit 8A. Caltrans' Cal-Nexus site shows 65th Street at Exit 8. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Mileage sign along westbound for Exit 8, 65th Street; Exit 7, Stockton Boulevard; and Exit 6, Junction Business Loop I-80 and California 99. Interstate 305, the phantom Interstate highway that overlays U.S. 50 and Business Loop I-80 for a little more than eight miles per the federal highway log, probably starts its journey at 65th Street. It's hard to tell precisely, since there are no signs to indicate the route. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50 at Exit 8, 65th Street. The 65th Street Expressway leads south from here, connecting to California 99 near Parkway. Heading north, 65th Street bends into J Street near California State University at Sacramento (commonly abbreviated to "Sac State"). J Street continues west into downtown Sacramento, connecting with state governmental buildings, Interstate 5, the Sacramento River, and the Eye Street Bridge. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Signs such as this along westbound advise motorists to take northbound Interstate 5, not Business Loop I-80 to reach Sacramento International Airport. Too bad the sign does not utilize exit numbers. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50/Interstate 305 approaching Exit 7, Stockton Boulevard. The next two exits after Stockton Boulevard are Exit 6C for Eastbound Business Loop I-80 and Exit 6B for Southbound California 99. As noted earlier, right after this interchange, we are likely to be on hidden Interstate 305, even though there are no signs heralding this invisible route. Also note that Northbound California 99 and Westbound Business Loop I-80 both merge onto westbound U.S. 50 at this upcoming interchange. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound U.S. 50/Interstate 305 at Exit 7, Stockton Boulevard. Stockton Boulevard is historic U.S. 50-99 prior to the construction of the freeway network, and it was briefly commissioned as a business route for both highways. (Keep in mind that prior to 1964, U.S. 50 used to turn south along U.S. 99 to serve Stockton before crossing the Altamont Pass via Interstates 205 and 580). Today, no signage for either designation remains along Stockton Boulevard. Photo taken 08/22/03.
As the name implies, eastbound Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway meets eastbound Interstate 80, which in turn leads to Reno. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Mileage sign along westbound Interstate 305/U.S. 50 approaching the stack interchange with Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 50. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound Interstate 305/U.S. 50 approaching Exit 6C, Junction Eastbound Business Loop I-80 to Reno. Note how the through route overhead signage has changed: U.S. 50 is eliminated, and the sign instead points to northbound California 99, westbound Interstate 80, and both directions of Interstate 5, with a control city of San Francisco. Also, the Capital City Freeway designation, added in 1996, is not included on any of these signs approaching Business Loop I-80. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound Interstate 305/U.S. 50 at Exit 6B, Junction Southbound California 99. California 99 follows old U.S. 99 as a freeway corridor, serving Lodi, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, and Bakersfield before merging with Interstate 5 near Wheeler Ridge. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Westbound Interstate 305/U.S. 50 at Exit 6B, 26th Street. Check out the supports that hold this sign bridge in place, attached to the flyover ramp. Most numbered streets in Sacramento lead north-south; lettered streets lead east-west. This city street leads into the eastern edge of downtown Sacramento. Photo taken 08/22/03.
Historic U.S. 50 - Eastbound over Altamont Pass
Old U.S. 50/Lincoln Highway follows the shadow of massive Interstate 580 closely in some areas and far away from its replacement in other areas. For the most part, U.S. 50 retains the charm of a country road, with ranch access and connections to the wind farms and power plants common on Altamont Pass. Photo taken 08/21/03.
Several older railroad bridges cross over Altamont Pass, including these bridges on old U.S. 50/Lincoln Highway. Photos taken 08/21/03.
Scenes Pertaining to U.S. 50
Business Loop I-80, California 99, and U.S. 50 shields on northbound Stockton Boulevard at the U.S. 50 interchange in Sacramento. Photo taken by Dominic Ielati, 03/00.
U.S. 50 trailblazer shield on 59th Street in Sacramento. Photo taken by Dominic Ielati, 03/01.
Northbound Zinfandel Drive approaching the onramp to the westbound U.S. 50 freeway. Photo taken 08/22/03.
This shield assembly erroneous shows an Interstate 50 shield in lieu of a U.S. 50 shield. Photos taken by Joe Rouse, 03/01.
U.S. 50 freeway entrance shield assembly. Photo taken by Joe Rouse, 03/01.
U.S. 50 shield along the mainline freeway. Photo taken by Joe Rouse, 03/01.

Back to California 49 Return to the California Gateway Continue to California 51 (Business Loop I-80/Capital City Freeway)

Page Updated November 1, 2003.