If you are coming from the Bay area, from Sac it is fastest to come up 50. Zephyr Code is about 8 minutes past the Casinos and South Lake Tahoe.
Beautiful drive, especially in the fall, if you like to press the drive, do it late night with good lights and tires - it will take your breath away. Right as you crest Echo Summit, you should back off, the edge barrier is low, and the drop is a few thousand feet.
