LakesideChick

Hi everyone

We are driving from Yosemite (Groveland, actually) to Las Vegas in late August. We are after some advice on things to see along the way, best route to take, if we should do an overnight stop... and any other tips that may be out there!

Thanks

Cathy

michele_d

Hi LakesideChick,
California 395 hwy is a lovely stretch that goes through the Sierra mountains. Lakes and forests and small towns are all along the 395. It is a lovely, and cooler, alternative than driving the 95 in Nevada down to Vegas.

I wouldn't stay any farther south than Lone Pine on the 395 though because after that it pretty much turns into desert. It will be very hot that time of year, think 110 or better in Vegas.

Michele

LakesideChick

Hi Michele

Thank you.... I will check out the 395! Wuld you do this trip in a day?

janisj

Groveland is a bit of a drive west of Yosemite and all the way to LV is between 425 and 450 miles whichever route you use.

Over Tioga and then whether you take 395 to Lone Pine and across, or to Big Pine and then 168/266/95 to LV, it will take about 9 hours w/o stops. You definitely want to stop over somewhere IMO

michele_d

Yes, I agree with janisj,
You definitely want to stop over somewhere along the way, probably north of Lone Pine is best though. I would not consider doing it in one day, but then I start whining when I'm in the car for more than 6 hours.
Michele

LakesideChick

Hi Janisj and Michele
I also get cranky after that long in a car so will definitely investigate places to stay on the way!! I will check out the Lone Pine area Thanks for your help.

boom_boom

If you go down 305 it's going to be hot from Bishop south. It will be hotter if you leave 395 in Lone Pine and head east for LV since that route takes you through Death Valley. It is, however, the shortest route, and you aviod the horrible traffic in I-15 between Barstow and LV. Lived in the Eastern Sierra for 30 years and avoid I-15 whenever possible.
There is a Best Western on the south edge of Lone Pine that is only about 5 years old. Nice views from the rooms. In the heart of town, the Dow Villa motel is the best of the bunch. If you are passing through Independence at meal time, check out the Still Life Cafe for some great food. In Lone Pine, Seasons would be my top pick. Also, to the north, Schats Bakery in Bishop is a good place to visit if you like pastries, and other baked goods.

LakesideChick

Hey Boom Boom, thanks for the advice.... its always great to hear from people who really know the area well. Like the sound of the bakery

Is Death Valle safe to drive through? (OK, I just read that and I realise it sounds ridiculous... but if someone could humour me...)

janisj

Depends - do you fancy 115-120°F?

If you have a VERY reliable car, and lots of water . . . . .

LakesideChick

OK, lets say we dont drive through Death Valley... which route would you take to Vegas?

Otis_B_Driftwood

If you want to just drive through to Vegas, I'd take 120 to its end at Hwy 6 and then drive over to Tonopah and then down US 95 to Vegas. Or you can take a shortcut through Fish Lake Valley on NV 264. Google says that route will take you 7.5 hours. Going through Tonopah might add fifteen or twenty minutes but you will be on a more traveled highway. I would drive this in one day and not stopover anywhere. 7.5 hours is not that bad.

If, however, you spend most of the day checking out the Yosemite High Country and/or Mono Lake, then I would spend the night in Mammoth Lakes or Bishop and then take the route janisj recommended above - 168/266/95 from Big Pine.