Yosemite to Yellowstone
 

Hi folks. I have a query that I'm hoping you can help with (we're Brits).
Next year we're touring the western USA and want to travel from Yosemite to Yellowstone. It's a long distance from Y to Y and, though we've been to both places a few times, next year we're going with friends and the prospect of two LONG days of driving between the two might not appeal to them so we're looking for advice on where to overnight stop - which towns are worth a stop-over (not to spend at day there but worthy of staying overnight and a quick look around).
So either one overnight or two - depends on what advice you can offer.
Any advice gratefully received.

Salt Lake City or Twin Falls, Idaho come to mind.

If Tioga Pass is open in Yosemite when you are traveling, consider going out of Yosemite over Highway 120 with a visit to Lee Vining/Mono Lake, then on to Ely, NV via Us Route 6 for an overnight or go north on 395 to Carson City, NV and pickup Highway 50 "The Loneliest Highway" to Ely.
Salt Lake City is going to be a long day from Yosemite anyway you go, but is an interesting area to visit nonetheless.

While I agree that US 50 is going to be a lot more interesting than Highway 80 (Reno to SLC), Ely isn't a very interesting place unless you like small-scale casinos. You would take US 50 if you were interested in stopping at the points of interests along the way (follows the old Pony Express route) and only treat Ely as a place to crash. Alternatively, you could push on to Great Basin National Park for a bit of camping - visit the caves the next morning before moving on to Yellowstone.

Otherwise, just bomb down Highway 80, crash in SLC, and then make your way to Yellowstone - it's the quickest way.

One other option is to drive back to Sacramento or Fresno, drop off the rental, and fly to Jackson Hole or someplace nearby. It'll cost more, but you'll gain a day.

I'll go with the boom_boom idea of going across Yos and driving thru the Silver State and seeing the Great Basin NP, the Great Salt Lake and City.. Stop in Wendover, if you get that far north on the NV/UT line and see where they trained the air crews that dropped the A-bomb to end WWII.

Thanks for the replies - I knew I could rely on you!

Here's another angle if you've got the inclination to see some territory. Instead of SLC, go north on 93 through Jackpot Nevada, a good stop over place. From there, an easy drive, crossing the dramatic Snake River, and then through Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls and the west Yellowstone entrance.
If you did the LeeVining, 395 to Reno, Reno/Sparks could be a 1st stop. If you did the Ely run, staying there for the 1st stop, 93 runs north from there to Wells where it crosses 80.
If you are interested in the geology of the Nevada basin, get a book by John Mcphee, "Basin and Range." It explains the ancient lake system and plate techtonics of the area. It is written so even I can understand it, and is fascinating.
Highway 93 is known as the "Lonliest Highway in America" and has some history to it. I runs from Canada to southern Arizona. If you google Highway 93 you will find some interesting lore and pictures.
For the flight alternative mentioned above, another alternative is driving over to Lee Vining, then north on 395 to Reno, catch a flight from there to Jackson.
Have a good trip.

Interesting response. Thanks. We just might follow your advice on this....