While Yosemite’s towering cliffs and majestic waterfalls are the ultimate reward, the drive to the park offers its own set of unforgettable experiences.
From winding mountain roads to picturesque small towns, these 7 road trips to Yosemite let you explore the diverse landscapes of California at your own pace. Ready to hit the road?
Planning your trip to Yosemite? Save with the Annual National Parks Pass. We visited 4+ parks for only $80 last year, saving $53! Here are the best tours, hotels, and car rentals:
📸 Best Tours In Yosemite National Park:
- 6-Day Yosemite Backpacking (skip the lines, crowds and permits!)
- Jeep 4×4 Yosemite Park Tour (avoid parking and sold-out tickets)
- Experience Yosemite: Beginner or Advanced Photography Lesson
- Private Full Day Fly Fishing For Beginners and Experienced Anglers
- Small Group Yosemite & Glacier Point Tour (full day with hotel pickup)
😴 Best Hotels In Yosemite:
- Curry Village (💲) (around 1 mile from Vernal Falls Trail)
- Yosemite Valley Lodge (💲💲) (13-min walk to Lower Yosemite Falls)
- The Ahwahnee (💲💲💲) (20-min walk to Yosemite Village)
🚘 Best Car Rental: DiscoverCars (save up to 70%)
1. San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip
- Distance: 180-200 miles depending on the city
- Time: ~4 hours
- Directions:
Need a car to go to Yosemite? Find the best car rental deals here!
This is the shortest route from the Bay Area to Yosemite. It takes you through small historic towns including gold rush history, murals, museums, and other historical attractions.
Here are the stops you’ll see along the San Francisco to Yosemite road trip:
- San Francisco (or San Jose)
- Oakland
- Manteca
- Escalon
- Oakdale
- Knight’s Ferry
- Chinese Camp
- Lake Don Pedro
- Groveland
Check rates & availability at Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite and enjoy their 2 spa tubs, spa services and outdoor pool.
2. [Alternative Route] San Francisco to Yosemite Road Trip
- Distance: ~200 miles depending on the city
- Time: ~4 hours
- Directions:
This route is an alternative route from the Bay Area cities (San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose) to Yosemite. This route is safer with fewer steep curves compared to HWY 120. This route is also the best route if you plan to stay in Mariposa or El Portal during your Yosemite trip.
]Here are the stops you’ll see along this alternative San Francisco to Yosemite road trip:
- Modesto
- Turlock
- Merced
- Mariposa
- El Portal
Go Yosemite glamping at this retro resort in Midpines: AutoCamp Yosemite
3. Oregon to Yosemite Road Trip
- Distance: ~610 miles
- Time: ~11 hours
- Directions: Google Maps Link
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If you’re visiting from Oregon, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Carson City, you would need to take HWY 395, a highway that goes through 4 states California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. This road trip to Yosemite takes you through gambling cities, ghost towns, lakes, and more!
Here are the stops you’ll see along the Oregon to Yosemite road trip:
- Reno, NV
- Carson City, NV
- Topaz Lake
- Bridgeport
- Bodie
- Lee Vining
Stop for the night in Bridgeport and stay at Silver Maple Inn, the best accommodation in the area! We stayed here and it was a nice cozy place after driving through Tioga Pass.
4. Los Angeles to Yosemite Road Trip
- Distance: 310 miles
- Time: ~6 hours
- Directions: Google Maps Link
From you’re driving from Los Angeles or farther south, from the San Diego area, take this road trip to Yosemite. Or if you’re visiting Mariposa Grove and/or Wawona or staying at Oakhurst, you’ll take the HWY 41 to enter into Yosemite through its South Entrance.
Here are the stops you’ll see along the Los Angeles to Yosemite Road Trip:
- Los Angeles
- Santa Clarita
- Bakersfield
- Fresno
- Oakhurst
- Fish Camp
- Wawona
Escape from the crowds and stay at this luxury hotel: Hounds Tooth Inn
5. Death Valley National Park to Yosemite
- Distance: ~250 miles
- Time: ~5 hours
- Directions: Google Maps Link
Save by purchasing the Annual National Parks Pass! We saved $53 last year!
If you’re interested in a road trip with two national parks, take this route to start at Death Valley National Park and end at Yosemite National Park. Drive through contrasting environments; from sand dunes, and salt-flats to mountains, valleys, and canyons. This road trip to Yosemite also explores 4 well-known lake attractions in California.
Here are the stops you’ll see along the Death Valley to Yosemite Road Trip:
- Death Valley National Park
- Lone Pine
- Bishop
- Crowley Lake
- Convict Lake
- Mammoth Lakes
- June Lake
Looking for the perfect place to stay for skiing with gorgeous views of Lincoln Mountain? Check rates & availability at Sunstone Lodge Vacation Rentals.
6. Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip
- Distance: ~400 miles
- Time: ~7 hours
- Directions: Google Maps Link
If you’re driving from Las Vegas, this is the road trip to Yosemite to take on with many unique stops on the way including ghost towns and natural springs!
Need a car to go to Yosemite? Find the best car rental deals here!
Here are the stops you’ll see along the Las Vegas to Yosemite Road Trip:
- Las Vegas
- Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
- Death Valley Junction or Amargosa
- Beatty
- Rhyolite
Reserve an overnight stay at this family-friendly vacation home: Death Valley Gateway.
7. Seattle to Yosemite Road Trip
- Distance: 915 miles
- Time: ~16 hours
- Directions: Google Maps Link
If you’re driving from Seattle, starting from Portland or Sacramento, or also visiting Lassen Volcanic Park.
Here are the stops you’ll see along the Seattle to Yosemite Road Trip:
- Seattle
- Portland
- Redding
- Sacramento
- Lodi
- Stockton
- Lake Tulloch
Stay at Candlewood Suites for a budget-friendly room with a full size kitchen.
Where To Stay In Yosemite
Yosemite has a variety of accommodations: hotels, airbnbs, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options in the park:
Budget-Friendly Option: Curry Village
Mid-Priced Option: Yosemite Valley Lodge
Lux Option: The Ahwahnee
What To Pack For A Road Trip To Yosemite
Packing for road trips can be tiresome; from figuring out what clothes to pack to what food to bring along the way. If you’re looking all the road trip essentials, check out these 51 items to bring along the way. The top things to take:
- Car Windshield Sun Shade
- Emergency Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Jumpstart Kit
- Portable Air Compressor
- Snow Chains
- Travel Size Hand Sanitizers
- Video Camera
- National Parks Pass
California can have some hot sunny days and the more you drive inland towards the east, the more hotter it will get. Get a small cooler before your road trip to make sure you stay hydrated and cool throughout the whole trip.
Find the best car rental deals here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What city should I fly into for Yosemite?
You can fly into Oakland as it’s the closest major city near Yosemite and the nearest airport to Yosemite is Oakland International Airport. But San Francisco International Airport and San Jose International Airport have more connections and aren’t too far away.
How much is a road trip to Yosemite?
When it comes to the cost of a road trip to Yosemite, things to consider are the park’s entrance fees, gas, food, and possibly lodging if it’s a multi-day trip. On average, it would cost $100 per person daily.
Does it cost to enter Yosemite?
Yes, it does cost to enter Yosemite. Yosemite charges of $35 per vehicle that’s valid for 7 days. But if you’ve got the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass, then the entrance fee for Yosemite is waived. And if you plan to visit at least 3 parks annually that have an entrance fee, then the pass is well worth it!
How many days do you need in Yosemite?
That depends on how many things you want to see in Yosemite. You can spend a day to a week and still have things to see on your next trip.
Can you drive your car into Yosemite?
Yes, you can drive your car into Yosemite but make sure the roads you are planning to drive on are open. Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass Road are closed during winters but otherwise, you can drive through the whole park.
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Is the drive to Yosemite scary?
The drive to Yosemite can be scary and dangerous. I’ve felt my stomach do backflips while the road curves. The roads can be narrow, steep, and curvy making it dangerous to drive above the speed limit so make sure you’re driving within the limit while leaving ample space between vehicles.
Sometimes you’ll feel like you need to drive faster because the vehicle behind you is tailgating you and in that case, stop at a turnout and allow those faster vehicles to pass by.
Final Thoughts: Road Trip to Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is a natural wonder. You can get there from many directions, but we’ve outlined seven of the most epic routes to take you on your way. Choose the road trip to Yosemite that best suits your needs and make sure to pick your favorite stops along the way!
As always, we hope you found this article helpful. Happy driving!
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