Some specifics on SF -> Vegas via Yosemite/Death Valley

[JPDyno]

Hi Guys,
I've been trawlling through threads here for the last couple of days, some great knowlege and info!!
I know this trip gets brought up quite often, I've read a lot of threads on it already, Hope I'm not out of line making a new post but i wanted to ask some specifics.

I'm coming from Australia next month and plan to pick up a rental car (convertable, hopefully) and drive from San Francisco to Vegas, via Yosemite and Death Valley. I understand the time of year is not ideal for Death valley, but I'd still like to go. Though DV it's likely going to be more brutal, being Australian i understand want 100F+ dry-heat temperatures are like and I'm sure we'll survive with water and modern AC (as long as the rental company looks after their cars!).

Anyway, we're only planning a 3 day/2 night roadtrip, So I'm curious on where you folks would suggest would be the best places to lay our heads for the nights? As some places like Furnace inn will be closed, I thought it may be ideal if we could find a place just outside of death valley to stay on the second night, and shoot through DV quite early for vegas on the last day of the trip? Originally I was thinking it would've been good to check out DV then head south and check out Barstow and the usual route north to vegas... But I'm not sure it would be worth the extra time?? (and it looks like the last travel day will be a friday, so we may get traffic issues heading into vegas??)

Also I've read here that if I'm unlucky Tiogas pass may be closed in mid-june? Does anyone know what the weather is like currently and if this is likely the case?

Here is the current route i have planned out:
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Sa...&via=2&t=m&z=8