Another California/Nevada Road Trip!

[emmaclare]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for this website and forums, I have been using them extensively to plan our trip to California and Nevada in late February/early March and now have a rough itinerary which I would love people to comment on to ensure I am not making any obvious mistakes. This will be our first ever road trip and visit to the USA and we cannot wait!

Here is our itinerary as it stands:

Day 1: Flight to LA and stay night at hotel (prob near airport) to rest
Day 2: Pick up rental car and drive to Vegas
Day 3: Grand Canyon + overnight stay
Day 4: Back to Vegas
Day 5: Death Valley (+overnight stay close by)
Day 6 & 7: Yosemite
Day 8: Drive to San Francisco
Days 9 & 10: San Fran
Days 11 & 12: Drive to LA along Pacific Highway, stops enroute
Days 13 & 14: LA & flight back

We know that the drive from Death Valley to Yosemite will be a long one because of the Tioga pass closure so we are thinking of an overnight stay enroute, somewhere fairly close to Yosemite, leaving one night actually staying in Yosemite.

Are there any things that look like they need adjusting? I look forward to hearing any suggestions :)

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

There are two spots in your proposed itinerary that will need some work, reconsideration, or at least awareness. The first is the drive from Death Valley to Yosemite, In February, the direct route across Tioga Pass on CA-120 will be closed (and won't open again until around May) which means that this normally 280 mile drive (via Tioga Pass) becomes a 570 mile (via Lake Tahoe) or 625 mile (via Barstow) drive, meaning that it will take you an entire day or more just to get from Death Valley to Yosemite. Second is your plan to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles along the Pacific Coast Highway in a day. While that's 'only' 450 miles, it is along a two lane road with low speed limits, gawkers, RVs and limited passing opportunities. It is not a drive to be done in a day, particularly if you plan on "stops enroute".

AZBuck

[Southwest Dave]

While I agree with what Buck has said, your itinerary from SF to LA is over 2 day's anyway and will allow time to do a little sight seeing.
By leaving Vegas early [ish] it is quite possible to get in the Lake Isabella area overnight before continuing to Yosemite from the South, but it will depend on how much time you want to spend in DV.
Back to the start of your trip, it is possible to save some time and miles and go to the Grand canyon South rim direct from LA and then head for Vegas afterwards.

All in all your trip is in good shape and you will have a wonderful time exploring this diverse region.

[emmaclare]

Thank you to both of you for taking the time to reply. Yes, we will definately be spending at least two days doing the drive from San Fran to LA, as that is what first prompted us to organise this trip. Perhaps we will make two overnight stops along the way to allow us a bit more time to enjoy it.

I hadn't thought about going directly to the Grand Canyon as you suggest, we haven't booked any accomodation yet so that is definately a possibility.

We are planning to spend the night just west of Death Valley after exploring it and then doing a long drive, perhaps stopping the night at Merced before going to Yosemite. Does that sound feasible or will that be too long a journey for one day?

Once again thanks for your input, it is really helpful,

Emma

[Southwest Dave]

We are planning to spend the night just west of Death Valley after exploring it and then doing a long drive, perhaps stopping the night at Merced before going to Yosemite. Does that sound feasible or will that be too long a journey for one

You can get to Yosemite from the West of Death valley in a day, either in or outside of it. Stovepipe wells and Panamint springs are 2 options, and as you need to head South, Lake Isabella as mentioned previously is an option. [Or anywhere in between]

I would head towards the Oakhurst area on 41 which will set you up nicely for your trip into Yosemite the morning after. Stovepipe to Oakhurst [possible furthest points] could be done in a reasonable day's drive.

[emmaclare]

Oakhurst does seem like a good place to stay overnight, before heading into Yosemite. Well it seems the plan is slowly coming together, am really looking forward to it. The only slight concern we have is the possible driving conditions in Yosemite, being from the UK we have never driven in snow so not sure really what to expect.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply, it is much appreciated!

[Southwest Dave]

They are much better equipped to keep the roads clear than here in the UK, but you will need to keep up to date with current conditions as you travel. There are also times when snow chains might be required in the park, you can find more info on the Yosemite website.