Camping in Yosemite might be hard but will be easier in the eastern Sierra.

Thanks, Suzie. What places in the eastern Sierra do you recommend?

If you are camping, I would stay at Capitol Reef for a night or two. Goblin Valley would also be a great place to camp.
I enjoy Arches National Park much more than the Grand Canyon, so definately hit that one two. If you have time, you could camp at the Grand Canyon from North and South rims.

I think you will run into problems without reservations

First night out would be camping in the Mammoth Lakes area off US 395. Next day, head out early and drive through DV and end up in Las Vegas for the night. Check to see if you can get a camping spot in Zion, Bryce or the North Rim of the GC.
Yes 99 is boring. You don't want to go through Bakersfield or Barstow.
Take US 50 from SAC through S. Tahoe to get to Carson City NV to get on US 395 to get to Mammoth.

"Take US 50 from SAC through S. Tahoe to get to Carson City NV to get on US 395 to get to Mammoth."

Depends. I-80 > Reno > Carson City is farther but faster

Hwy 50 is less mileage, but takes just a bit longer, and is more prone to delays and getting stuck behind slow moving vehicles.

Darn - didn't mean to post.

But first you should see if you can book at least one night camping in Yosemite. If you can, no need to go either I-80 or Hwy 50

There are first come first served camping spots in the parks, but you'll need to be there early in the morning to get them, very rare for them to be left even by 2 or 3 in the afternoon. So unless your plans allow for early arrival then reservations would be needed for anything around the parks.


Hotels might be a bit easier, but you might find yourself far away from where you want to be or taking something less desirable.


For Zion you can camp at either South or Watchman campgrounds right inside the park. If you don't mind a drive Lava Point Campground is usually always available, but it is about half hour drive up and back down the mountain, kind of remote. For hotels Springdale would be the best, but Hurricane might have last minute rooms


There isn't too much in the Bryce area, though either of the park campgrounds are nice (North is better) and Ruby's has a reservable campground. For hotels Ruby's would be closest, but almost certainly would need a reservation. Otherwise you'd be looking at Tropic or even Panguitch.


For Lake Powell camping would be at Wahweap. There is some dispersed camping along the north side of the lake, but not facilities, you'd have to bring your own. Page has the hotels, don't know how it would be there to arrive without reservations, you might be okay.


Arches is a long drive from any of the others with wonderful things to see along the way. Whether you make it there depends on how much time you have. You'd stay in Moab for hotels and some camping or there are many BLM campgrounds along the river and in Sand Flats.

Back to janisj: The worst traffic jam I was in last year was on US 395 for about 6 miles south of I-80 in Reno.
Mapquest has US 50 33 miles shorter and 15 minutes less time.
I like to drive through S. Lake Tahoe instead of Reno.
When you see cheaper gas in CA, top off your tank. You don't want to try to buy much gas between Carson City and Las Vegas.

If you are up for wilderness camping (no amenities, maybe a fire ring) there are many free camping areas. But my stepson is kind of a local and he knows all of the spots and the rules. His job often took him into Zion Nat'l park.

We also camped near calf creek falls for $7.00 (actually $3.50 because stepson has a park pass). They had some amenities, and our site had a covered pavilion which came in very handy for us as it rained quite hard that evening.

Navajo Nat'l Monument has free camping with flush toilets and showers!! (we did donate though).

We stayed in a hotel in Moab, it was way too hot to camp.

tom --it simply isn't less time - almost ever. Sure, at midnight w/ no traffic it might be a couple of minutes faster. But in 'real' life Hwy 50 is a 40-50 mph rd while I-80 is a 60-70mph rd.

I live 1/2 way between hwy 50 and I-80 - been on both hundreds of times.

But again - if tippy can book a campsite in YNP, neither I-80 or Hwy 50 would matter.