Best way from Zion NP to Yosemite NP ?

[Bulevardi]

Hmm, yeah I see.
Last year, I went to Vienna (Autria, Europe) by car, and I used this site for the timeschedule. And they were quite right on top of it when we drove the route. So maybe I'm gonna take this one as guideline.
It's given 7h20. It gives a margin for breaks and sightseeing.

I read this thing about the passes around Yosemite National Park.

When Tioga Pass (Hwy 120), Sonora Pass (Hwy 108), Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), and Ebbets Pass (Hwy 4) are closed, the shortest way to Yosemite Valley from Lee Vining is over Carson Pass (Hwy 88) through Minden, NV, and Jackson, CA, which is about 300 miles and at least 6 hours of driving. Normally when the pass is open it is about 80 miles and two hours of driving.

For the rest of the route to Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, ... are there also passes that could be closed? Or obstructions?

[Bulevardi]

And what's the best part of the Grand Canyon?

The North Rim Entrance or the South Rim Entrance?
I'm not planning to do the skywalk...

[Midwest Michael]

Its pretty tough to say either side is best, they are just different.

The South Rim is the more popular side, getting far and away the most visitors. Its home to the views that most people think of when they think of the Grand Canyon. It is also open all year, is more easily accessable, and has far more services like hotels and restaurants available.

The North Rim is about 1000 feet higher in elevation, and the road to the park is closed and unplowed from Mid-October to Mid-May. Its a lot more quiet, and it does offer a different perspective than the south rim.

Of course the two sides are just miles apart as the crow flies, but its a solid 5 hour drive to get from one side to the other. And even though you aren't planning to go there, it is worth a reminder that the Skywalk is not part of the Grand Canyon National Park, and is located several hours away from the south rim of the park.

[Bulevardi]

We're changing the plans a little bit to go there in september...

Is it still good weather to go there that time of the year?
Or should we better go in may/june ?

[AZBuck]

It is, of course, impossible to predict the conditions on the day that you visit the canyon (weather), but you can look up the averages for those times of year (climate), and what you would get is a toss-up. At both times of year the day time highs average in the mid-70s and you'll get about an inch of rain a month (not much), with there being a slightly greater chance of rain in the spring - but not enough so that you should choose just on that basis.

AZBuck

[Midwest Michael]

Both of those options would be on the shoulders of the biggest tourist times, so they really would be similar in a lot of ways. I will say that the later into June you get, the more crowded places will be as the travel season starts to heat up.

Accessability would probably be the biggest difference. Traveling in May/June may limit your options when it comes to mountain passes that will not yet have opened for the year. You wouldn't have that issue in September.

[Southwest Dave]

hi,were from the u.k., we done a very similar trip to your one in a 30ft r.v. this october just gone and would have thought september would be fine for you.the later you leave it the less crowds there will be and at least you can be sure of getting over the tioga pass into yosemite[reason enough to go later in my opinion,it's glorious].
in our r.v. it took us about 71/2 hours travelling between tonopah and zion, but this was at a steady pace and included a few stops for photo oppurtunitys and aprox 1 hour at little allien inn and close to an hour at warm springs which is well worth exploring.there is a hot spring that comes from the mountain and has been routed into a pool down the bottom,although fenced there is a gap in which you can dip your toes.it is a deserted place with a few empty buildings and car wrecks,i enjoyed it!

so basically without to longer stops it is doable in 5-6hours and there is very little traffic.
there did'nt appear to be much at tonopah but unless you really pushed on to lee vining/mono lake[we witnessed a great sunset hear and the food at "woah nellies deli" is fantastic!] there is'nt much choice.
one last thing,a good choice giving yourself the time out at zion and yosemite they are great places to explore,my 2 favorites!!!!

have a great trip!!!!

[Mark Sedenquist]

...there did'nt appear to be much at Tonopah

If you enjoy western history -- Tonopah is a gem. It has what is probably the finest mining museum in the west and historic old hotels downtown. Goldfield (up the road) was home to the Virgil & Wyatt Earp and there are still some wild folks who live back in the hills

Plus Howard Hughes was married at small motel in town -- there is still much to see and do in Tonopah.

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

If you enjoy western history -- Tonopah is a gem. It has what is probably the finest mining museum in the west and historic old hotels downtown. Goldfield (up the road) was home to the Virgil & Wyatt Earp and there are still some wild folks who live back in the hills

Plus Howard Hughes was married at small motel in town -- there is still much to see and do in Tonopah.

Mark

wow! looks like we missed out there. we actually stopped overnight at "millers rest" just outside tonopah then drove through as we had a few miles ahead of us to get to zion.
i'm glad i said "there did'nt appear to be much there", lol!

[Bulevardi]

- but not enough so that you should choose just on that basis.

Well, my co-traveller has a lot of projects to do at work in may/june ... and she said it's probably not possible to get holiday at work, in that period. For her, it's more possible in september to arrange everything.
And now with the good advice here, I see that september is probably much better than may.

in our r.v. it took us about 71/2 hours travelling between tonopah and zion, but this was at a steady pace and included a few stops for photo oppurtunitys and aprox 1 hour at little allien inn and close to an hour at warm springs which is well worth exploring. so basically without to longer stops it is doable in 5-6hours and there is very little traffic.

@gommy: thanks for this one! it gives us a more better view in the route planners ;-)