Advice on Driving from SF to LV
 

I was wondering what be more worthwhile, taking a bus tour from sf to lv and making scheduled stops to yosemite, grand canyon or holding onto our car rental and do the drive ourselves? Would going to Death Valley be a must see on our way to las vegas? I guess we're wondering if its too much driving? any help would be great!

Thanks again

How long do you have for this trip and what time of the year will you be taking this trip?

I ask about the time of year because the best route from Yosemite to Las Vegas would be driving Hwy 120 (Tioga Pass) which is closed in the winter because of snow. Dates for opening vary from year to year. Usually the end of May or sometime in June is when it opens.

SF to Yosemite to Las Vegas to Grand Canyon via Tioga Pass is about 880 miles and add just 30 more to include Furnace Creek in Death Valley.

If Tioga Pass is closed then SF to Yosemite to Las Vegas to Grand Canyon is 950 miles and add 100 more miles for Death Valley.

Death Valley is <font color="red"><b>HOT</b> </font>in the summer!

Grand Canyon back to SF the fastest way is 800 miles.

Utahtea

We are doing the reverse, LV to SF.

We are breaking the journey by staying for 2 nights in Lake Tahoe.

A car is a must IMO

Jettison Death Valley. It will pale in comparison to other sights you will see, plus services are minimal and it is HOT! Keep the car.

w/o knowing when the trip is, no one can give you any useful advice.

In Summer you'd definitely want to avoid Death Valley. In winter/early spring you'd definitely want to include Death Valley.

And as for whether the drive is even at all advisable depends on if Tioga Pass is open. Since there was a massive snow storm this weekend (and possibly more on the way) it is quite likely Tioga will not be opened until well into July.

So tell us <b>WHEN</b> you plan this trip . . . .

It's is impossible to predict when Tioga pass will open. In 2004 they had above-normal Sierra snowpack in the winter, but a very warm spring opened Tioga Pass on May 14th that year. Yes, we have the now pack, now it depends on how warm we can get between now and May.

Utahtea

We were in Yosemite last year in Mid June and the Tioga Pass was still closed.

Opening and closing dates of Tioga Pass: http://www.nps.gov/yose/trip/tioga.htm

Utahtea

Utahtea: I agree w/ you about not being able to predict. Heavy snow now doesn't necessarily mean a late opening. But my point is still valid. If the trip is in May the drive will be impossible, or nearly so (and flying to LV would be much better). If the trip is in June daisyrose won't know until probably the last minute if the road is open. And if the trip is in August the drive would be OK - but Death Valley should be eliminated.

So daisyrose133 - tell us when you are taking this trip . . . . .

Hi again... I'm so sorry completely forgot to mention the time.. we will be in SF heading to LV in mid May..

and thanks again for all your help

You better plan on Tioga Pass being closed.

How long do you have for this trip?

Utahtea

we will have about 5 in SF and 6 days in las vegas and surrounding areas... and back to LA

Driving from SF to Yosemite to LV when Tioga Pass is closed is a REAL trek. From Yosemite you would have to go back down into the San Joaquin Valley through Fresno and Bakersfield and then through Barstow and across the Mojave Desert. (or you could go north from Mohave/Ridgecrest to DV and across to LV - but that would be a deadly long drive)

Even dropping Yosemite - it is a dreadfully long and booooooring drive.

Another option is to drive from SF to Reno and south to LV from there - but that is another REALLY long drive and gets you nowhere near Yosemite.

Are you renting a car for this trek? If so, You don't need a car in SF and it would be better to fly to Las vegas. Then you could rent a car to drive to LA - or fly into LAX.

But if this is a road trip in your own car - then SF to LV is not possible over the Sierra. So just plan on a long (and decidedly un-scenic) drive through B'field and on to LV. If you want to see the Grand Canyon you can take a tour or drive from LV.

If you drove, it would look something like this:

Day 1: SF to Yosemite is 185 miles and a good 4 to 4 1/2 hour drive depending on the traffic in the Bay Area. I heard on the news tonight that the Sierra's got 170+% of snow fall this winter! I doubt that Tioga Pass will be open. You will want to spend your time in Yosemite Valley.

Day 2: Exit the park at Wawona see the Mariposa Grove of giant Sequioa's before you exit the park. Las Vegas is almost 500 miles from Yosemite Valley. Plan on about 9 hours in the car.

Day 3: Las Vegas

Day 4: Drive 280 miles and about 5 hours to S. Rim of the Grand Canyon. I doubt if you can get lodging at the Grand Canyon at this late date, but I'd give it a try too.

Day 5: Grand Canyon

Day 6: Drive to LA 490 miles and about 7 hours driving time.

You're going to be doing enough driving, I'd skip Death Valley this time.

Utahtea

Tioga Pass is closed and will be closed, probably until mid-June.