Commute Challenge: Here's the fastest way from Bay Area to Lake Tahoe

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- If you've driven up to Lake Tahoe, you know that there can be some pretty big traffic tie-ups. We wanted to get a better idea of how driving there compares to flying. So we sent two people to find out!

TAHOE TRAFFIC: ABC7's Melanie Woodrow reports traveling 13 miles in 7 hours from Lake Tahoe to Bay Area

Reporter Melanie Woodrow traveled by plane and Video Journalist Juan Carlos and Production Assistant Melissa traveled by car.

Melanie says her trip cost roughly $243. That breaks down to a $147.77 flight (which would have been $70ish if she had booked earlier), $65.60 for her ride to the Oakland Airport, and $29.75 for the shuttle to Lake Tahoe.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY BELOW TO SEE WHO WON:

Juan Carlos and Melissa spent $30 on gas, $26 on food, $6 for bridge toll, which totals $62.

All three left ABC7 in San Francisco at 6 a.m. Melanie headed to the airport in a taxi and Juan Carlos and Melissa hopped into a car.

So how did it go?

Juan Carlos and Melisa had an easy drive right off the bat.

6:45am - Made our first pit stop in Cordelia for gas. Had to feed our car and our driver, ABC7 Production Assistant @Melissa_Pixcar, who needed coffee. pic.twitter.com/9TZkzfXEXr
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) January 11, 2019

As they stopped for gas, Melanie was making her way through security in Oakland and arrived at her gate.

No pressure @SouthwestAir but the Tahoe travel challenge sort of rests in your 🤚 https://t.co/oTdelX4bos @abc7newsbayarea pic.twitter.com/cLTxACe3GI
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) January 11, 2019

In what seemed like no time at all, Juan Carlos and Melissa were on Highway 50.

7:41am - Just got to Highway 50 in Sacramento. Rain drops are gone. 49 miles to Placerville. 107 miles to South Lake Tahoe. pic.twitter.com/YxDvKSkKbg
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) January 11, 2019

Not long after, Melanie's flight took off at 8:26 a.m.

This was my earlier ✈️takeoff at 8:26am https://t.co/oTdelX4bos pic.twitter.com/hJejxUFSdw
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) January 11, 2019

Things seemed to be going smoothly for both teams.

Melanie arrived at the Reno-Tahoe Airport at 8:59 a.m. But then came the long wait for her 10:30 a.m. shuttle to Lake Tahoe.

So while Juan Carlos and Melissa cruised along with no problems, Melanie waited. And waited. And waited.

My full Reno airport update. Having some trouble tweeting. Juan Carlos tell me they have an hour 🚗 left.... https://t.co/oTdelX4bos pic.twitter.com/gxfiBu3rgI
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) January 11, 2019

8:50am - Stopping off for food in Placerville at Cuppa Coffee & More. Excited to try the sweet potato muffin and the veggie frittata. Follow our commute challenge to Tahoe at https://t.co/pbg2dlhxN3 pic.twitter.com/SDT1UWy6QC
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) January 11, 2019

Juan Carlos and Melissa were so confident, they even stopped for a selfie in Silver Fork, getting some incredible views.

10:01am - Heard @MelanieWoodrow is waiting for her bus in Reno. This is when we get confident about winning the commute challenge and stop off for a picture in Silver Fork. pic.twitter.com/22YtCxfCQu
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) January 11, 2019

10:16am - Can’t stop taking pictures! Beautiful.
So far no chains required.
Looking good to beat @MelanieWoodrow to Tahoe. https://t.co/pbg2dlhxN3 pic.twitter.com/REg0P4roUr
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) January 11, 2019

Finally, Melanie's shuttle arrived to take her from Reno-Tahoe Airport to South Lake Tahoe.

The 🚎 is here! Brrr it’s cold ❄️ pic.twitter.com/trw810g887
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) January 11, 2019

She got some pretty sights and listened to some classic rock, hoping she would arrive first.

The 🚎 driver is blasting classic rock 🎶 and this is my view. I’m kind of having fun 😃 https://t.co/oTdelX4bos pic.twitter.com/xod4wDedSH
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) January 11, 2019

But Juan Carlos and Melissa were tasting sweet victory, enjoying the ride down to South Shore, minutes away from arriving.

10:28 - At the summit 7,200 feet. Now comes a sweet ride down to south shore.
Minutes away from victory over @MelanieWoodrow on our Tahoe commute challenge. https://t.co/pbg2dlhxN3 pic.twitter.com/zWBok7IAT8
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) January 11, 2019

And they were the winners!

10:50am - Where are you @MelanieWoodrow? We have arrived in South Lake Tahoe.
Trip time 4:53. Follow our journey on https://t.co/pbg2dlhxN3 pic.twitter.com/gTtWdCKIGH
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) January 11, 2019

But where was Melanie?

A downed tree put a pause on her trip.

What’s this? Road block and not a tire checkpoint https://t.co/oTdelX4bos pic.twitter.com/8J1ml4DDGI
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) January 11, 2019

And the victors couldn't help but rub it in.

Melanie, jump on one of these! pic.twitter.com/ubgSueWr04
— Juan Carlos Guerrero (@JuanCarlosABC7) January 11, 2019

11:15am - Enjoying a nice warm fire while we watch @MelanieWoodrow on the ABC7 News app talking about her defeat on the Tahoe commute challenge. Missed it? Check it out on https://t.co/pbg2dlhxN3 pic.twitter.com/3Sl4Pj7IDi
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) January 11, 2019

And finally, Melanie arrived!

Reunited and it feels so good! https://t.co/oTdelX4bos pic.twitter.com/GuRtTRVQca
— Melanie Woodrow (@MelanieWoodrow) January 11, 2019

Driving won this time, but Melanie pointed out that many factors could have made a difference in her commute -- like leaving at a different time, the weather conditions and if they had chosen to meet in North Lake Tahoe instead.

WATCH EVERYONE'S JOURNEY HERE: