Donner Summit

Highways

The Lincoln Highway, the first road across America, crosses Donner Pass; this was also a part of the Victory Highway. Interstate 80 was built through this area in the early 1960s. I-80 generally parallels the route of US 40 through the Sierra Nevada, but it crosses the Sierra crest at the Euer Saddle, about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Donner Pass. Euer Saddle, along with a nearby park on the south side of the freeway, are commonly called "Donner Summit" by the state of California. At 7,240 feet (2,210 m) (39°20′24″N120°20′38″W / 39.339872°N 120.343958°W / 39.339872; -120.343958 (Donner Summit)) Donner Summit is about 150 feet (46 m) higher than Donner Pass, but is wider and has a gentler approach that aided construction to Interstate Highway standards, which do not allow the sharp curves used by the Donner Pass Road. The grade is 3–6% for 30 miles (48 km). The 1920s highway has been preserved as a scenic alternative to I-80.