Vegas - Death Valley - Yosemity lodge...possible ijn one day?

[Teejay]

Hey, I'm planning a road trip for the 1st of october.
My wife and me want to make the trip in one day, from Las Vegas, trough Death Valley to Yosemite (lodge).
We are renting a caddilac DTS.

Is it possible?
Anyone have some tips & trics for us?
Thanks!

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

Yes, it is possible to do this, but it will be a very full day on the road and you'll have very little time to enjoy all the scenic views of Death Valley, Tioga Pass, and all the rest of the great things to see on this trip.

What's the rest of your trip look like? It would be much better if you could spend a night somewhere east of the Sierras like Bishop or Lee Vining.

[Teejay]

Thanks!

Well, I allready booked the hotel at El portal the same day, so we have to get there.
I just wanted to drive thru the dessert (death Valley).
Any suggestion on what route to take (I was thinking on leaving vegas north on the 95, than thru death valley on the 190 and head to Yosemity via the 395) and some idea of driving time? We pick up the car at 9AM.

The following day we visit Yosemity NP, and head for lake Tahoe (maybe stopping over at Bodie ghost town)
The thirth day we rzlax at lake tahoe (south side) and head to San Francisco where we stay for 6 days.
And then, we go back to Belgium...

[Southwest Dave]

From Vegas take the 160 to Pahrump and then Ash meadows/State line Rd to Death valley junction and 190/136 to 395 and then120 [Tioga pass]. Expect it to be at least a 10 hour day and longer if you hang around any one place too long. You really won't have any quality time in Yosemite if you plan on heading back over Tioga to Bodie and get to Tahoe next day. To be honest, it's too much to be enjoyable and I would just have an extra day in Yosemite

If there is a way to juggle your bookings, you could get far more out of the trip by taking an extra day or 2 from your time in SF, and tweak this part of the road trip.

[Mark Sedenquist]

(I was thinking on leaving vegas north on the 95, than thru death valley on the 190 and head to Yosemity via the 395) and some idea of driving time? We pick up the car at 9AM.

Southwest Dave has already provided you with the local's shortcut to Death Valley -- just wanted to point out a couple more items...

US-95 never connects with CA-190 -- there a mountain range in the way. There are some highways that do reach CA-190, but the route through Mountain Pass is pretty scenic.

The following day we visit Yosemity NP, and head for lake Tahoe (maybe stopping over at Bodie ghost town)

Bodie Ghost town is north and west of Yosemite and unless you have a helicopter or skip Yosemite NP, you won't be able to fit that in and still make Tahoe. Plus, your rental agreement will not allow you to drive to Bodie -- it's a rough, rough road. You'll beat the Caddy to death on the washboard.



You can scroll in and out on the map above to see where Bodie is relative to Yosemite Valley and Lake Tahoe.

mark

[Teejay]

Oh, well I guess I was a little to optimistic about my roadtrip...Seems like the drive times provided on google maps are not accurate at all... do you guys know a better online planner with more realistic driving times?

Thanks for your tips Dave and Mark

[Southwest Dave]

The problem with mapping programs is they don't allow for any rest breaks, traffic congestion, road construction and other "real world" interference's.

By adding 20% to estimated times you are getting closer to the "real world", but you also have to remember that any time stopped for sight seeing and getting to enjoy your destinations will be added to those numbers.