99 vs. 395 to Yosemite

We have done the Tioga pass (hwy 120) several times in our previous 36' DP with toad and never had a problem. As mentioned, Hwy 395 going up Owen's Valley and the eastern side of the Sierras is absolutely spectacular. The mountains are unmatched in North America with the exception of the Canadian Rockies. Lone Pine was home to hundreds of movies, mostly old westerns and has a great museums to visit. Lone Pine also is home to the Japanese WWII internment camp Manzanar, and is worth while to visit. Not to mention viewing the highest mountain in the lower 48...Mt. Whitney. Nice rv park there in Lone Pine also.

Further north the view of the Sierras continue clear to Lee Vining where you will turn off on Hwy 120. Right at that junction is a gas station than inside has some of the best food you'll ever taste at the Whoa Nellie Deli.

The road over Tioga Pass is a good one, albeit with some curves and down grades, but completely doable if you take it slow and easy. Pullouts are available for stops to sight see and/or let others pass you.

Getting to Bakersfield (where you connect to 99) is uneventful. Hwy 58 is a main trucking route to the San Joaquin Valley...very busy. Hwy 99 is also a very high volumn highway and not in the best of shape. Last time I was on Hwy 99 I said I'd never go that way again.

Take 395...you won't regret it.

Ron

If I recall correctly, no part of Tioga is more than an 8 percent grade -- not impossible. I have towed it many times. Take your time, use the pullouts, not a problem. On the downgrades, of course use the transmission to slow yourself down.

I would go 395 unless you like a lot more traffic by going the 99, the climb up Tioga is around 5 mi. of 6-7% just make sure your cooling system is in order and take your time; coming out of Bishop is 10 mi. of 6% grade. What part of Yosemite will you be staying will help make up your mind on which route or do you plan on towing thru out the park.

paulj wrote:
So one person thinks Tioga Pass is just fine, and another considers it RV-unfriendly. What's the point in asking about best routes, if posters can't agree? :)

The route from 99 takes you through the Sierra foothills and valleys to Yosemite Valley, which is what most visitors come to see.

The route from 395 climbs to the park entrance station at Tioga Pass, the crest of the Sierra Mtns. It then crosses Yosemite high country before winding down to the Valley.

You could, of course go in one way, and out the other. Or go in from the west, and take the toad/tow up to the high country.

I haven't towed over Tioga Pass but I expect it is doable. But, if you choose 99, don't go up to 140, take 41 at Fresno as Gonzo42 said. That is shorter and will take you through Tunnel View as you enter.

So one person thinks Tioga Pass is just fine, and another considers it RV-unfriendly. What's the point in asking about best routes, if posters can't agree? :)

The route from 99 takes you through the Sierra foothills and valleys to Yosemite Valley, which is what most visitors come to see.

The route from 395 climbs to the park entrance station at Tioga Pass, the crest of the Sierra Mtns. It then crosses Yosemite high country before winding down to the Valley.

You could, of course go in one way, and out the other. Or go in from the west, and take the toad/tow up to the high country.

sigbowman wrote:
We plan to drive to Yosemite from Oklahoma in late June in our 30-foot Class A with tow car. After Barstow, looks like we can go north on either 395 or 99/140. What are the pros and cons of these two options? We would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

From Barstow stay on Hwy. 58 to Hwy.99. Turn north up 99 to 44 to Yosemite. There are no RV friendly roads to Yosemite from Hwy. 395 until just before you get to Hwy. 88 near Reno. Quite a ways out of your destination of Yosemite. Make your reservations for Yosemite right away and check with the RV parks to see how long of a RV they can accommodate.

If you go 99 to Fresno and up the 41, you have a nice drive, not too difficult to the valley. However, if you do the 395 and go in on Tioga Pass, the scenery is spectacular and it is a little steeper. I don't think you will have any problems going either way.

My very first experience with a motor home, ever, was with a rented 1976 Open Road Class A. I was nervous but had no problems. We went up the 41 and out Tioga Pass, which is just shy of 10K feet. After that we went to Lake Tahoe.

Oh, and I had 10 people in the MH, too. It was powered by a gas Chevrolet 454 ci V8 and ran great. 3 gas tanks.

You might want to visit the film museum in Lone Pine (on the 395). Worth your time, especially if you like old movies. As a confirmed old fart and afficianado of Film Noir, well, I had a great time. They have the actual 1935 Chevrolet coupe that Humphrey Bogart drove in "High Sierra".