The drive from Truckee to the resorts is not bad in the morning, unless it's snowing hard, in which case driving anywhere in Tahoe is problematic. In the evening, 89 can sometimes be very slow between Squaw and Truckee. But it's not that far, so it's only an extra 15-20 minutes at most.

If you intend on going to Squaw or a nearby resort, you should look into staying in Tahoe City. It's on the lake, and just a few minutes from Squaw. Truckee is a nice town, but it's nicer to be by the lake. If you're considering Northstar, then maybe Kings Beach should be considered. It's not as nice as Tahoe City, but there are many reasonably-priced hotels and it's also on the lake.

If you intend to stay for more than a couple of days and have more than a couple of people, you should consider a cabin or condo rental. It can be considerably more comfortable and less expensive than a hotel room.