So, decided to fly in to Sacramento, spend a few days then drive to Lake Tahoe. I would love to visit Yosemite Park. How long would the drive be from Sacramento to Yosemite, then continue from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe? Any ideas, hints, or tips are greatly appreciated!

do you mean on the same day?? It is about 3.5+ hours from Sacramento to YNP. And if Tioga Pass is open, it takes 4-5 hours from YNP to southshore Lake Tahoe. So not very doable as a one day trip.

If Tioga pass is closed the trip to Tahoe is even longer.

Hi Janisj:

Not really in the same day. I mean to drive from Sacramento to Yosemite, stay overnight or two, then drive from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe as will be there for about 4 days, then drive from there back to Sacramento to return home.

Do you think a one day/night stay is enough for Yosmite?

Depends. What do you want to do there?

When are you going? The Tioga pass is closed all winter and spring which makes a big difference as to the route between Tahoe and Yosemite.

Hi there:

I will be there from 12/1 to 12/9. So, if the Tioga pass is closed, is there another route to Tahoe? Or do I drive back to Sacramento, then from Sacramento to Tahoe on the I80?

Oh - now I remember your other threads about the trip being in Dec.

That is a terrific time to visit Yosemite. But Tioga Pass will definitely be closed. So a two day trip to Yosemite followed by a few days at Tahoe would involve driving west out of Yosemite, North to either Stockton or Sacramento and then hwy 88, hwy 50, or I-80 over to Tahoe. It is out of the way - but totally doable.

Another alternative for getting from Yosemite to Tahoe in winter is scenic Highway 49, from Hwy 120 up to 50. Lots of interesting Gold Rush towns en route, as well as Columbia State Historic Park.

hwy 49 crosses hwy 88, hwy 50 and I-80 so a bit slower/scenic way to do the same thing I suggested