How to get to Death Valley from SF?
 

Hi.. I'm planning a trip to Death Valley, departing from SF. This would be in early March. I'd appreciate suggestions on which roads to take, and aprox. driving time. Thanks..

You can drive down the eastern Sierra or the western Sierra side. Each have pros and cons. The western Sierra side would not have the potential for storms, and you could stop in and see Yosemite or Sequoia National Parks.
The eastern Sierra side is more spectacular, but you would hav to take Highway 395 from I-80 or Highway 50 and there is still the possibility of snow in March. The most scenic, which is the east entrance from Yosemite, over Highway 120 E will be closed in March.

You can use mapquest to get an idea of driving times. You will need an overnight somewhere on the route, either way you go.

Agree that the Eastern Sierra (Highway 395) would be most scenic. From SF, I-80 or I-50 to 395 takes about 4-5 hours depending on traffic. 395 South can take half a day or longer depending on how much sightseeing you do. You can hang a left at Lone Pine and take 136 to 190 into Death Valley.

If you have minimal stops and good weather/road conditions, then figure around 12 hours, depending on where you're stopping in Death Valley. It's a big park, and it can take 1-2 hours to get from one site to another.

I would take some time to check out the Eastern Sierras. At a minimum, Mono Lake and the Alabama Foothills are worth a stop. Also, be prepared for adverse weather and road conditions.

So, I agree that planning on an overnight somewhere along the way is worthwhile. Otherwise, why bother? Might as well fly to Vegas, and rent a car from there.

Note that almost certainly the Tioga Pass through Yosemite will be closed in March. It usually doesn't open until May or June.

The eastern side of the Sierras means that you have to take 80 to Reno to the 395 south. This is much further by several hours than taking the I-5 or I-99 to Bakersfield then the 178 to Ridgecrest and up through Trona.

As character said, you could drive the eastern side on 395 but you would definitely need to plan for snow. Last year my daughter went to Mammouth Mountain for Spring Break in March. It snowed so much, her car was completely covered and this was in the Village not on the mountain top. So of course she needed chains on a good portion of 395. They do keep the roads well plowed and the scenery is beautiful.

If the weather is cooperative, why not go there via one route and come back via the other?

We usually break up the drive by staying either in Ridgecrest or Bishop depending on the route we take. If you drive the whole way in one day, get a very early start - 4 or 5 am. Since you are not going Easter week, you can wing it. You should know the day before you leave if you can go the Eastern Sierra route from the weather forecast. If it's not predicted to snow, the route will be fine and the next day you will be in Bishop which is usually below the snow line.

By the way, don't take I-80 through Reno. Just take 50 up to Tahoe and either Hwy 89 to 88 and down to Gardnerville or take the Kingsbury Grade over from Stateline. The drive from Garderville/Minden down to DV is spectacular especially in winter or early Spring.

Then, on your return trip, you can come back via 178 over Walker Pass and by Lake Isabella and the Kern Canyon. There are often wild flowers blooming in the Canyon during March. If you decide to take this route to DV instead of via the Eastern Sierra, here are some driving directions lifted from the Lake Isabella website.

"From San Francisco (5 hours, 30 minutes): Take I-580 east to 1-5. Take 1-5 south to Highway 46. Take Highway 46 east to Highway 99. Take Highway 99 south to Highway 178 (in Bakersfield). Take Highway 178 east to the Kern Valley. Total miles: 340."

Have a great trip which ever way you go. And, are you leaving from SF or Healdsburg?

thanks everyone for the good information.

click on my name and find my trip report. we did DV a couple of weeks ago. Very unique wierd park. We really enjoyed it. We didn't drive from San Fran, so I can't help you there.