one more question for Suzie re: CA120 through Yosemite
 

Hi Suzie, Thanks for the reply. I may seem dumb about this but the last time ( years ago ) I visited Yosemite was when i lived in SoCal and came up through Lee Vining. I now live in the Sierra foothills so will be coming the other way. As mentioned in prior message I have used Sonora pass for previous trips but would prefer to use Tioga pass. The $10 senior fee is no problem but what about traffic? Sonora pass is slow due to road I I assume ( ?? ) that 120 is faster and better road but I am concerned about heavy and slow traffic as I am passing through in late June.. Any info would be appreciated!

I have never experienced heavy traffic on 120 but maybe others have. I have driven it regularly in July and at the beginning of June The slow part has to do with how often we stop to take in the beauty.

Since this isn't synced up with your original question I can't recall if you were driving on a weekend or weekday or even what time of day.

There is a speed limit of 35 mph on 120 inside the park, and it is enforced at times of heavy travel. It is for safety sake, so please don't think you can beat it. It is for the safety of the wildlife as much as for humans.

People stopping and sightseeing, tour buses, bicycles will make it slow.

All in all, I don't think it's an efficent way to cross the Sierras if that is all you want to do.

But it is faster than the Sonora Pass - or at least more comfortable to drive. I think the Sonora Pass is much windier and slower.

Both Sonora and Tioga Passes are relatively slow going but Tioga should be the quicker of the two if driving over to the Eastern Sierra south of Mono Lake. If you are going to Bridgeport, Sonora would be quicker. If you live up by Placerville, Hwy 50 would be even quicker but not as scenic.

I always like to go one way and come back another. I like Ebbets Pass too but that is the slowest of all.

By the way folks, no need to ever put an (s) on sierra. Sierra means saw-toothed mountain range in Spanish. So, while you may cross the Rockies in Colorado, in California, you just cross the Sierra.