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Driving from Yosemite to Las Vegas via Death Valley in December?

Driving from Yosemite to Las Vegas via Death Valley in December?

Old Nov 28th, 2015, 07:27 PM
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Driving from Yosemite to Las Vegas via Death Valley in December?

Is that Possible to drive from Yosemite to Las Vegas via Death Valley in end of December in one day drive?
What is the best possible route? Anybody can suggest the alternate route with scene view on the way to Las Vages?
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Old Nov 28th, 2015, 08:01 PM
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It is possible but it appears there will be snow this winter, meaning the smaller passes, including 120 east from Yosemite, through Tioga Pass to 395 and on to Death Valley & Las Vegas, will be closed.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/di...php?page=sr120

Since you don't mention where your trip will start, I-80 is almost always open, except during storms. Chains are required in bad weather. I-80, north of Yosemite, connects with 395 in Reno, or to the south of Yosemite, 58 through the Tehachapi Pass. South on 395 to Death Valley from Reno, north on 395 from 58. If there's weather it can be a long drive. 395 has high points also where going may be rough if there's weather.
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Old Nov 28th, 2015, 08:25 PM
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Tioga Pass has been closed for weeks and won't re-open until late Spring.

No -- it isn't possible. The only routes are the long/scenic way around through Lake Tahoe (at least a 15 hour drive in winter) or long/boring/ugly way through Bakersfield (about an 11 hour drive).
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 04:46 AM
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That time of year the drive from Yosemite to Las Vegas is a very unappealing 450 miles via Bakersfield--7h 30m of driving without stops.

According to Google.maps, the detour through Death Valley adds 100 miles and two hours of driving.

HTtY
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Old Nov 29th, 2015, 05:41 AM
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Allegiant Airline has one flight a day from Fresno to Las Vegas every day except Tuesdays in December. It leaves FAT about 1PM and arrives in LAS before 2:30PM.
Once you are in Las Vegas, you can make a very long day trip to Death Valley if you really want to see it in December.
Some roads in Death Valley were damaged recently by a flash flood.
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