Las Vegas to Yosemite

[johnrwilliams90]

I'll be traveling from Las Vegas to Yosemite come June. I'm wanting to experience a scenic route within a days drive. Any suggestions?

[dan]

That's a tough one. It's a good days drive from Las Vegas to Yosemite Valley. It's hot and dry in Death Valley and Owen's Valley, which is between the two points.

The drive in Yosemite National Park on Highway 120 (Tioga Road) is very scenic and I would spend some time lingering along the route.

[Grzldvt]

Not really, there are several of choices, just depends on how long you actually want to drive and where you want to stay.
The obvious choice out of Vegas is 160 to Pahrump, then go left on 372/178. You can stay on 178 which takes you into Death Valley the more scenic, longer route, or stay on 190 to Stovepipe Wells, the more direct route.
You then stay on 190 to Lone Pine and take Hwy 395 to Lee Vining/Yosemite for the more direct route.
If you are looking for a very cool back roads drive, at Bishop on 395, take Hwy 6 over to Old 120 and Old 120 into very south Lee Vining.
Just depends on how long you want to drive.

[lawrence]

If I want to do this trip in 2 days, not 1, where is a good place to stay? We made a mistake when booking our hotel in las vegas and our room is not available for the next night, so we think of just take it slow and spend a night somewhere between Las Vegas and Yosemite. At least we can enjoy the landscape this way and dont have to drive all day. Any suggestions?

[dan]

I would stop over at Mammoth Lakes, California. In winter however, it's a long way around because the Tioga Road is closed.