My parents need to drive from Fresno CA to Mammoth Lakes for a wedding next weekend, June 23, 2012. Should they drive through Yosemite or is there a better route?

Thanks for the advice!

If they go over Tiaoga Pass on Highway 120, the drive is 186 miles; the alternative, through Bakersfield, is 384 miles.

HTTY

Thanks for the reply! They are concerned about the possible slow, windy road through Yosemite. Has anybody done that recently?

The 200 mile shorter route is bound to be quicker. If they are through the entrance of Yosemite before noon on Friday, they should have no problem with too much traffic. Don't try to drive the Tioga road after dark.
The other alternative is to fly Allegiant from Fresno to Las Vegas on Thursday or Friday and return on Sunday or Monday.
The Thursday/Monday flights are cheaper.

The drive over the Tioga Pass is beautiful and is not particularly windy, but there are some very steep dropsoffs at the side of the road.

The speed limit on Highway 120 in the park through Tuolumne Meadows is 35 mph. One should not exceed it because of slow-moving RV's animals, and people on the roads.

It's a beautiful drive, and I love the approach to Mono Lake when driving east.

HTTY

Try to have a meal at the Whoa Nelly Deli. It's on the south side of 120, just before you get to 395. Dgelicious ourmet food in a restaurant that's part of a gas station, overlooking Mono Lake.

Maybe Tioga Pass isn't that windy but 41 to Yosemite valley is pretty windy. I lived in Fresno and worked in Mono county so drove that route quite often. Always dreaded the possibility of having the pass be closed and having to drive all the way around via Bakersfield - totally would not want to do that drive.

They should definitely get an early start to avoid any backup at the south entrance and then again near the valley. The drive will be beautiful but it will be 4 hours. Are they planning to go the day before? I would do that. Better to be driving on a week day than the weekend.

Toomey the former chef at Whoa Nellie Deli left to open his own place in Mammoth. I wonder how that has affected the food there.

Suzie - Do you know the name of Toomey's place in Mammoth?

I know it's hard to believe but it's called Toomey's.

http://toomeyscatering.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ToomeysCatering

If that didn't come across as funny I apologize. I did not mean it sarcastic or mean. But not sure how that reads.

Here are the YELP reviews - all good:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/toomeys-mammoth-lakes-2

We go to Mammoth all of the time, but had missed hearing about Toomey's. We'll definitely try it the next time we're there. It sounds like it's mostly for takeout.

We love the food at Who Nellie Deli. We were there about a month ago, and it was still good.

Thanks very much for the info.!