Mid point while driving from yosemite to yellowstone NP
 

Hi everyone,
we are planning to drive from Yosemite to yellowstone which looks like a 12 hour drive. Hence we would like to take an overnight break somewhere after about 6~7 hours drive. Where is the best place to stay for a night, just to rest comfortably.
Many thanks

If I recall the map correctly from when we drove out of Yosemite, there just isn't anywhere. We were going to Salt Lake City and then the Tetons, and I think we just "sucked it up" and drove the 10 or 11 hours it took. You will find that you can drive VERY fast, with little traffic, and you just want to get it over with. If you get too tired, just find a place and stop.

Just looking at google Maps Elko, NV or Twin Falls, ID.

I think it will take you closer to 14 or 15 hours. I don't think you could do it in 10 hours. I guess Gretchen's VERY fast might mean 90 mph?

Google puts it at 810 to Jackson, WY and 879 to Yellowstone from Yosemite.

I would probably do like Gretchen --"sucked it up" start early and just make it a killer all day drive.

Elko, Nevada. Several choices such as Hilton, Holiday Inn etc. Stay and have some Basque food at the Star Hotel.

http://www.elkostarhotel.com/

What time of year? Makes a BIG difference re how you can get out of Yosemite.

We were leaving from Tolumne Meadows and not the floor so that will make a difference. AS I said, we were going to SLC NOT Yellowstone and whatever the length of the drive was, we decided to just do it. No not 90, but you can do a goodly speed, constantly. I still would go as far as possible and just crash for the night wherever without much thought of amenities, and start early again in the morning in order to maximize time at my destination. With a GPS or Iphone, you can find accommodations that way. Maybe it's just me, but Nevada is really not my destination--including LV!! LOL

Gretchen, it is the "wherever" that is sometimes problematic in that part of the country. For an englishlady like the OP, there is a lot of empty out there. :-)

I agree, and as I said, we faced that also--a LONG time ago when there were probably about the same number of motels en route. If they are leaving from the valley floor, then I think stopping will be necessary.
I don't know if this link will "hold"--I googled for "Nevada Interstate 80 motels" and there are jolly few. I think it will be Winnemucca or Elko--and there may be one more past Elko.
Good luck. A GPS will be handy for lots of things, and finding places to eat and stay may be among them.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q...ed=0CAUQ8gEwAA

Would suggest you consider your first "easily" achievable destination - say Elko - which is 7 to 8 hours from Tuoloumne Meadows, and then if you are feeling spry - maybe continue on two more hours to Wendover - at the Utah Border.

If you are still feeling chipper - continue on 2 hours to Salt Lake and maybe go to the northern side of SLC (so you avoid traffic the next morning) - even perhaps to Ogden.


From there to Yellowstone is what - six hours or so?

If we have two fairly long driving days ahead of us, I like to get up early and get as far as possible the first day - and then on the 2nd day - you are within fairly easy reach of your final destination - plus as you get closer - time flies. :)

There are 2 motels in Wells NV that are in the $50 range.
Each has a numeral in their name.
I did once take the route (233) from Oasis north of the Great Salt Lake. I did eventually get to Idaho Falls later than I wanted to arrive. You drive over a cattle guard on Rt. 233 soon after you turn off I-80 (open range).
I started the day in Cool, CA south of Auburn.

As Tom says, long first day and close to destination second. The "problem" I fear, as I've said, they are not leaving from Tuolumne, but from the floor and that may be another couple of hours inside the Park.
One memorable thing for us was when coming down toward Mono Lake there was this intense aroma everywhere. It turned out to be fields of sage. Just wonderful.
The road from SLC to Jackson we took was one of the most beautiful drives I have ever had in the US. It was not the main highway--went up a canyon that was spectacular.

Again - when? If after mid-October you can't count on driving east across Yosemite and the drive is longer.

Thank you everybody for your reply. Should have said that the trip will be in August.
I guess we will try to reach SaltLake City from Tolumne Meadows (or Lee Vining hotel)in one go.Is that feasible?
Stay overnight at SLC, then drive to Yellowstone next day.
We would need to stop for food and comfort breaks, how long will it take to reach Salt Lake city if we manage to leave by 8am?

It takes 7 hours from Reno to SLC. 5 hours from Reno to Wells and 2 from Wells to SLC.

If I may ask, where are you going after Yellowstone?
Are you returning your car where you rented it?
There are several factors on how long it takes to get from Yosemite to Reno.

Mapquest (which seem accurate to me) puts the Yosemite to SLC drive at 10.5 hours.

Then it is 6.25 hours from SLC to Yellowstone.

Suggest you take some food/snacks/sandwiches,fruit, etc - and drinks/ice with you - ideally in a styrofoam cooler you can put in the back seat - and if it squeaks, wrap some towels/clothes around it.

It's mostly long/straight/flat pretty easy/routine freeway driving - so you can make good time and there are public rest stops along the way. Again - get a good map that will show the rest stops.

Personally - I like to be on the road - with a full tank of gas in the car - by no later than 6 AM if I have a long drive (will have coffee arranged the night before along with some breakfast stuff) - and if I (or you) might get sleepy in the early afternoon (rare - but it happens) - I will pull over and take a short nap and then be good to finish out that day's drive. :)

Thanks for all the suggestions.
I need to re think plans.

I don't think Reno figures in the drive from Yosemite. I think we might have driven through Ely. Going all the way up to the interstate might not be the shortest or fastest way.

You are correct Gretchen. Not Reno. You can get from Lee Vining CA to Twin Falls Idaho in 8 hours without driving into Utah.
Remember to fill the tank in Winnemucca.

I did the drive to SLC and spent the night there. If you do that then it is 9 hours and 6 hours which is not that bad. If you want to go all the way just get a good book on tape and just put the pedal to the medal