RBMM

I am travelling to America next week and plan to drive from Yosemite to Las Vegas in one day. I would love to go through death valley on the way but i'm quite concerned that I don't have time to do all that. I don't want to end up driving after dark.

Can anyone offer me some advice?

Michael

You would have the time if you decided to shorten your time in Yosemite and spend the night in Lee Vining on the other side of the Sierra.

janisj

By next week it is possible that Tioga Pass will not be open. If there is much snow between now and then (and there have already been a couple of minor storms) they will shut the road until next Spring.

If Tioga pass is closed just plan on driving from Yosemite down through Bakersfield and directly on to LV. You'd have to skip Death Valley.

If the pass is open - go over Tioga Pass and down 395 into DV. Cross DV on hwy 190 and then into Vegas. This would be the MUCH better route - but youu have to wait to see if the Pass is open or not.

I don't see why you'd need/want to stay in Lee Vining. It is just outside the east entrance to Yosemite. I would drive much farther - You can stay in DV or make it all the way to LV

RBMM

thanks for the reponses

Interested to know how long roughly does it take to get from Yosemite valley to hit the 395 and how long does it take to get to vegas from lone pine highway 120 ?

many thanks

Michael

Count on two hours from the valley to Lee Vining (US 395). Google maps or Mapquest will provide itineraries with estimated times.

happytrailstoyou

I suggest to spend one night in Death Valley and that on your way you make a detour to Bodie, California--an especially interesting ghost town.

In Death Valley stay at the Furnance Creek Resort.

This makes a long first day of driving, but staying IN Death Valley National Park is loads more fun than other options.

RBMM

Thanks. All of the information you have given is great.

I was just wondering whether anyone who has driven from Lone Pine to Vegas could provide any information on the road conditions and speed that you can expect to travel at. Are there any particular things that shouldn't be missed on the way, espeicially as time is limited and we can't see it all.

Also can you get the HWY 190 onto the 160 and then straight to vegas or do you have to go via the 127?

Thanks.

happytrailstoyou

Check out maps.yahoo.com Plan your trip using intermediate destinations.