Best Road for 40 ft. coach from Jackson Wyoming to Yosemite

jdocter7 wrote:
Thanks--we do have a two night reservation for one of the very few sites that can fit us. We've stayed outside the park and really want to experience staying right there. We would have stayed longer if we could have--that's a tough reservation to get!

And Tioga isn't that bad. No way in heck would I drive 110 miles to avoid it. I wouldn't drive 5 miles to avoid it!

Thanks--we do have a two night reservation for one of the very few sites that can fit us. We've stayed outside the park and really want to experience staying right there. We would have stayed longer if we could have--that's a tough reservation to get!

I would not recommend Tioga Pass, steep, narrow and winding. Take 120 to the park. Please note that Yosemite has very few camp sites that accomodate a 40' motorhome (12 as noted in their website). You will probably need to stay outside the park and drive in via your toad. There are several nice campgrounds in the aera.

Tunnels are measured on the side, not the highest point.... our experience, anyway.

jdocter7 wrote:
Help me, please! We're coming from Carson City, NV to Lower Pines Campground in the Yosemite Valley in a 40' rig, towing a car. We are 13 foot high. From what I've read if we take Tioga Rad, we would then take Big Oak Flat Road which has tunnels, one of which is 10' 2" going into the valley.

Is this correct? Looks like we are taking the long way around. Specific route suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!

You'll be fine. I don't know where the 10 foot number came from, but I don't think it's even that low at the edge, but it may be. But like has already been said, it's wide and curved at the top. 45 foot tour busses go through it all the time.

Thanks!!

I saw that when we drove the car on it last week but there is more to the 10' 2"... It goes on to say. "At the curb" or edge of the road. The tunnel has a curved top that is probably 16' high in the middle and it's not a narrow road. If you hug the center line you will have plenty of clearance. I saw several semi delivery trucks on it.

Help me, please! We're coming from Carson City, NV to Lower Pines Campground in the Yosemite Valley in a 40' rig, towing a car. We are 13 foot high. From what I've read if we take Tioga Rad, we would then take Big Oak Flat Road which has tunnels, one of which is 10' 2" going into the valley.

Is this correct? Looks like we are taking the long way around. Specific route suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!

Okay, you're getting some not accurate info here. I live a few hours drive from the park and have been through all of the entrances. The easiest entrance is 140 through Merced, but even it has hills and curves. But it's the best road as it follows the Merced River and stays at the lowest elevation. So if you were coming from San Jose, I'd tell you to take 140. But just because it's the easiest, doesn't make it the best since you are coming from the East.

You can get over Tioga Pass in your motorhome. Motorhomes do it all the time. I've done it numerous times in my 35 foot DP with a toad. So why Take Tioga? Well from Reno to the Yosemite Valley coming down 395 and going over Tioga Pass is 216 miles. From Reno taking I-80 to Sacramento and then down 99 to 140 and to the Yosemite Valley is 323 miles. So the question, do you want to drive 110 extra miles just to avoid climbing one steep grade? No way in heck would I drive an extra 110 miles just to avoid Tioga Pass. That is assuming you are leaving soon as the snow weather may come early this year.

And I should mention that extra 110 mile drive will take you through Sacramento, Stockton, and Modesto. Basically an ugly drive with lots of traffic. The Tioga Route keeps you in nice scenery all the way.

140 is much is much easier than 120.
Outdoor P. I've already been there and it was not a problem in my 42' DP.