NO shortcut through the Sierras via Sequoia or Kings Canyon.

From Vegas - you could go through Death Valley and up the 395 (nice view of the Sierras) and up and over the Tioga Pass through Tuoloumne Meadows into Yosemite - and then work your way over to Sequoia, or come via Bakersfield - which is also a long trek.

Don't think there is any other way over the Sierras to get to Sequoia. fyi: http://tinyurl.com/cu2g54y

There's no easy way to cut through because there is a huge range of mountains running north-south, the Sierra Nevadas, which contains the highest peak (Mount Whitney) in the contiguous US.

You have to circle around either to the north or to the south.

The southern route, through Barstow and Bakersfield is a bit complicated but mostly flat land with some rolling hills.

The northern route is, as Tomsd has described it, having to go north on 395 and then crossing over the mountain range (possibly best is through Yosemite) and continue westward,also a tortuous way, to the Monterey Peninsula.

Thanks to all, what about staying in Nevad up tp Beatty and then over anyone time line?

Beatty is 116 milrd from LV on US 95 north. From Beatty at least 2.5 hours to Lone Pine. Then north on 395 to Lee Vining and SR 120 over Tigoa Pass. About 2 houra Lonw Pine to Lee Vining and at least 2 hours from Lee Vining tp where 120 intersects with the road to Yosemite Valley. Then you have to decide to head out of the Park on 120 into Oakdale/Modesto or via 140 into Merced or 41 into Fresno. If you want Sequoia/Kings Canyon take 41. If yhou want the quickest out to Monterey to take 141 to Merced, south on CA 99 to CA 152 West Gilory take US 101 south CA 68 at Salinas and then into Monterey.
From the junction in Yosemite to Merced is about 2 hours and another 2 hours at least to Monterey.

im lost want to take scenic route from vegas to monteray/carmel help

I thought the request also included trying to get to Sequoia on the way to Carmel? Once you are back at Yosemite - for just a reference point - it's only about 4? hours to Carmel - going the "back way". http://tinyurl.com/89gcloc

What you really need to do is get a map of the Western US and study it. The more scenic of the two routes over to Carmel (other than slugging your way though the greater Los Angeles basin) is to go up the eastern side of the Sierras 395 (I would have to look at a Nevada? map and find Beatty -but I have driven that area - and it's mostly burned rock) - the very mountain chain you have to cross over to get to Central California and then over to the Coast/Carmel.

Uno mas - you get into Yosemite via the Tioga pass on 120 off the 395. (this map picks up the northerly journey at Mammothy Lakes and then on in to Yo. http://tinyurl.com/7jax9wp .

The other/easiest alternative is to go through Bakersfield and from there work your way across California to the Coast.

Just looked at the Nevada map. Just as I thought - if you wanted to get to the Tioga pass going into Yosemite - via Beatty - that's going up through Nevada - on 95 - and it's pretty barren/burnt rock looking.

Going up 395 - in eastern California - you have the normally snow capped Sierras to the west/left side of your drive and you also pass by some lakes (Crowley, June Lake area, etc).

I don't know if one way is that much quicker than the other. Think they would be about the same driving time. Going the other way - as I recall - we made it from the Valley floor of Yoesmite to Las Vegas in about 8? hours, http://tinyurl.com/78x28sh and that included stopping for breakfast at Tuoloumne Meadows and a half hour or so at the visitor center in Death Valley.

Check the map - and if you primarily want to see the big trees at Sequoia (there is a grove of big trees toward Big Oak flat on the way out of Yosemite toward the west) - it is probably shorter going via Bakersfield - but you need to do the final research on that.

And it's about 5 hours from Yosemite to Carmel,and from Yo to Sequoia - is what - 4 hours? Again, check the maps, and here is one guide: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/mileages9-2007.pdf

"I thought the request also included trying to get to Sequoia on the way to Carmel? "

Not the way I read it. The OP asked if there was a road through Sequoia to avoid going all the way south or all the way north and hopefully get in some scenery. The short answer is - no.


shoopie1: "im lost want to take scenic route from vegas to monteray/carmel help

boom_boom was just giving you the route/drive times. Basically the northern route via Beatty will take 12 -14 hours w/o any stops. Skipping Beatty takes about the same time, maybe a bit less. Both are VERY scenic.

The southern route through Bakersfield takes about 10 hours and isn't scenic

There is no easy way to do it --except flying.

Driving up 95 in Nevada is scenic? Wow - did we travel the same road?

And I repeat for all you timid drivers out there. Made it from Yosemite Village to Las Vegas in about 8 hours - going via Death Valley - with two stops that took about an hour and a half.

tom -- jeeze, get w/ the program will ya??! The route along the back side of the Sierra IS scenic. Who specifically said Beatty was scenic??? Guess I should have posted 'Both routes are very scenic' -- for those who can't understand context.

And the OP is not going to Yosemite -- s/he is asking how to get from Las Vegas to Carmel so the fact that s/he can get to YNP in in 8 hours is relevant how?

Now we can all sit back while you post about the trip you took back in '67.

shoopie1-

Highway 395 is the scenic route. Highway 95 is not scenic.

The route up Highway 395 and through Yosemite will require an overnight stay. You will also have slow driving through the park (speed limit 30 mph on Highway 120) and some traffic. It is a gorgeous drive, but only if you have enough time to get out of the car and breathe the mountain air and see those incredible mountains. There is no reasonably-priced accomodation in the park, so you would end up staying in a motel in Mammoth, June Lakes, or Lee Vining. It's about 8 hours drive from Las Vegas to the eastern entrance to Yosemite. It can take two hours to get through the park, then it's another 5 hours or so to Carmel. Although very scenic, it is a long driving committment.

The southern route through Bakersfield is less scenic, but faster.

It all depends on how much time you have to do this and how much you want to spend on park fees, motels, etc.

There are reasonably priced accommodations in Yosemite - if you can get a reservation at this late date. Curry Village - and they have beds inside the canvas walled cabins. see: http://www.yosemitepark.com/curry-village.aspx

And Placename - I guess everybody drives differently - but again, we made it in 8 hours (total) from the Valley Floor at Yosemite to Las Vegas. We left early - so didn't hit any real/slow moving traffic on the way over to Toulumne Meadows - where we stopped for say 45 minutes for breakfast, nor down the Tioga pass or further on down 395.

We then had a short stop at the visitor's center in Death Valley, and from there - it's an easy finish (couple hours) over to Las Vegas. Here is anotherhttp://usparks.about.com/od/travelitineraries/tp/Driving-Distance-And-Drive-Times-From-Las-Vegas-To-Selected-National-Parks.htm driving guide for the traveler's review;

As for getting to/from Sequioa - at the bottom is a page with some more ways to do it - and once in Sequoia - from there over to Carmel would probably be 5? hours. http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk/usa-distance-carmel-to-sequoia_national_park.htm

Again - you have to check the maps to be sure.

http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/driving-directions.htm

If you check the Yosemite park reservations site, there are NO lodging vacancies for the date of June 5, 2012.

OP- Don't arrive in the park without an overnight lodging reservation. This is a very busy time of year and you cannot be guaranteed of finding a bed if you don't have a reservation. There are other accomodations available farther outside the park, but this means additional driving to find a place when you are tired from the long drive from Las Vegas.

Same goes for Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Busy time of year and even more limited accomodations.

Plan ahead.

395 is one of the prettiest drives in the country. If you are not pressed for time, take it. You should add an extra day or two because this area is worth it. If not drive the Barstow route.
Here is the route I take.

Leave Vegas on 95 N to Tenopah.
Take 6 West to Benton.
If you have time and money, stay at the Benton Hot springs.
Leave Benton on Hwy 120. Lots of hiking to do between here and Lee Vining. One of the most spectacular places in Ca is called Black Canyon. Look for the sign on Hwy 120 to the trailhead. Worth doing even if you only have a couple hours. From there head into Lee Vining. Stop and gander at Mono Lake. Take a drive around June lake.
Stay in Lee Vining or head north to Topaz Lake for cheap hotels and gambling.
Cross the Sierras at 120 if the road is open or Hwy 80 if 120 is not open. Stop at the top of 120 and get out of your car. Find a lake and walk around it. Breathe. The air is fresh. Remember the air. There is no air like it anywhere in the world. I camp up here. If you have a tent, CAMP! Just pull over and walk away from the road until no one can see you. Keep your food in the car as there are bears up here.

So that is the way I go. I usually make it a two night three day trip but you can do it in two no problem. If you want to go in one day, your only choice is the Barstow route. Not fun at all but quick.

Chris_Brown has given you some very bad information about Yosemite:

1. You cannot "pull over and walk away from the road until no one can see you." You are required to have a permit and you must camp at least 4 miles off of the road, basically.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm

Chris doesn't seem to respect the conditions that keep Yosemite as a wilderness/ park area where it is a priviledge to visit. Thousands of people camping like that would leave human waste and tracks all over and trample plants.

2. Keeping food in your car is the BEST way to get your car torn apart by bears. Seriously foolish and prohibited advice, Chris. There are also rules about this and if the bears don't get your car, the park rangers can get it.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bears.htm

Please show respect for the park and follow the rules.

The hell you can't. I do it all the time.

Like I said, please show respect for the parks and the nature that we are trying to preserve and enjoy.

On Fodors, we don't advocate breaking the rules and regulations. People here like to be law-abiding good and congenial travelers.

This doesn't seem like the right posting board for you.