I hope you guys will respond to me given that we Europeans have just retained the Ryder cup....however I was wondering if anyone could advise how long it would take to drive from Napa to LA via Yosemite? We are planning to stay one night somewhere on the way but are not sure if this would be enought. Thanks from a happy Brit!

Are you asking how long it will take from Napa to Yosemite, then Yosemite to L.A.? With an overnight in Yosemite?

It's about 6 1/2 hours drive from Yosemite to L.A., so if you're going from Napa to L.A. via Yosemite, I'd spend the night in Yosemite, of course. If you leave Yosemite around 2 p.m., you should miss the evening traffic as you hit the grapevine, and won't have to (or want to) stop anywhere.

Planning to stay overnight in Yosemite. 6 hours drive is manageable.
Thanks for your help.

You will LOVE your trip. If you're going in the summer, make sure you have plenty of water on the trip down and a car that has a/c and will make it over the grapevine. If in winter, be aware of the possibility of snow closures as you hit that area. It's about an hour after you pass Bakersfield on Hwy 5. Can't miss it, you're looking at all the flat land around you and the big mountain range in front of you. Take it slow.

Cheers.

Thanks for your help Surfergirl. You must have been to England if you're using cheers!
All the best, Andrew.

Yes, lived there in the '80's. End of the Central Line; worked by St. Paul's. Back to visit buddies in Brentwood and Islington last summer (2003). Just remember, when there's a summer heat wave in England, it's because I'm there!

Not sure when you are going but if Tioga Pass is still open, consider heading down to LA via US 395 from Lee Vining. That way, you'll get to see some of the High Country and 395 is much more spectacular than I-5 and is not much longer once you're up in the Tuolumne Meadows area.