Some more help on California please. Again we are going to visit Yosemite in early June, we are thinking of staying in Bridgeport CA on 395 and driving down to Yosemite each day. Our thinking is that we are going to go from there to Crescent City and it would be easier to go back north on 395 and across. But has anyone driven a 40 plus diesel motorhome across Rt 120 thru the heart of Yosemite. Is is a tough drive, or can it be done at all? If we could do that it would open up the western side of Yosemite and then allow us to go up to Crescent City from the western side. Or should we just stick to Bridgeport as it looks like a good drive north on 395 and across to catch 101 up the coast???Any help would be appreciated.Thanks

It can be done if you are 40'. You'd have to check the Caltrans website as many of those mountain passes are restricted to 40' max. I'm not sure if 120 is or not. The only potential problem is it is a loooong drive from Bridgeport into Yosemite Valley if that's where you're going each day.

The Caltrans site for large motorhomes: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/engineering/bus-motorhome/index.htmIf you want to go into Yosemite each day with your toad and want to stay outside the park, stay in Lee Vining to access the Tuolumne Meadows area and perhaps in El Portal to access the Valley.

Actually, I just read your post a little closer. If I were you I would stay at Lee Vining for part of your stay and see the East side of Yosemite and the Kennedy Meadows area. Then go ahead and take the motorhome over 120 and stay at Yosemite Pines RV park in Groveland or there is a park closer to the park on 120 too. Then go into the valley in the toad from there. Then when you're done you can take 120 on down to I-5 and work your way up to Crescent City. Per the Caltrans website and the Yosemite website you can drive up to a 45 footer over Tioga Pass. I've done it several time in my 35 footer and it's slow going, but very doable. Just use the turnouts and take your time.

We certainly wouldn't stay in Bridgeport and drive all the way to Yosemite every day. It's a long, slow drive. If you want to do that at least stay in Lee Vining.As far as getting over to 101 from 395, we always take Hwy 50 into Sacramento. You could then take I-5 north to Hwy 20 at Williams and over to 101. It's a gorgeous RV-friendly drive all the way up into Oregon/Washington. If you wanted to 'do' San Francisco, take 50 to I-80 to Vallejo area and pick up Hwy 37 into Novato and head north on 101. Places to stay: Vlllejo, Napa Valley Expo, Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa. Drive to the Larkspur ferry at San Rafael and take the ferry to Fisherman's Wharf and pre-arrange for a small van tour of the city. Then you don't have to drive in the city. It's a great tour:San Francisco Small Van Tour

msmith1199 wrote:Actually, I just read your post a little closer. If I were you I would stay at Lee Vining for part of your stay and see the East side of Yosemite and the Kennedy Meadows area. Then go ahead and take the motorhome over 120 and stay at Yosemite Pines RV park in Groveland or there is a park closer to the park on 120 too. Then go into the valley in the toad from there. Then when you're done you can take 120 on down to I-5 and work your way up to Crescent City. Per the Caltrans website and the Yosemite website you can drive up to a 45 footer over Tioga Pass. I've done it several time in my 35 footer and it's slow going, but very doable. Just use the turnouts and take your time.I agree with the above. I have done Tioga Pass (120) in a 32' motorhome with a toad. No issues at all. It is not a difficult drive. No crazy narrow roads. It is just steep. But nothing you cannot handle. Drive all the way just as mentioned above, to the 5 then head up to Crescent City. No need to back track.On a side note...There is a Gas station (Mobil) just a you turn onto 120 off of 395. . Inside there is a deli called the Whoa Nellie Delie. Not your ordinary deli. 5 star all the way. Lobster taquitos, Elk, fine steaks etc. Yeah, I know...A GAS STATION??? Yep. Not to be missed.

Route 120 thur Yosemite | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

msmith1199
Explorer II
May 13, 2014
Gonzo42 wrote:
Back in '76, I drove a rented Open Road Class A (very large) from 395 to Yosemite Valley over Tioga Pass. 454 ci gasser, fully loaded with 10 people. I was very worried, but it turned out to have no problems whatever. I have been over Tioga since, and still no problems. Just be careful not to speed, and enjoy the views. Some of the curves can be unexpectedly tight.

Good point on speed. The speed limit in the park is 45 max and many places are marked lower. Bears are not the fastest of critters and lots of them get killed by speeding vehicles. Because of that the park rangers are heavy into speed enforcement with radar.
Gonzo42
Explorer
May 13, 2014
Back in '76, I drove a rented Open Road Class A (very large) from 395 to Yosemite Valley over Tioga Pass. 454 ci gasser, fully loaded with 10 people. I was very worried, but it turned out to have no problems whatever. I have been over Tioga since, and still no problems. Just be careful not to speed, and enjoy the views. Some of the curves can be unexpectedly tight.
msmith1199
Explorer II
May 13, 2014
Correction to my above: I mentioned Kennedy Meadows, but I meant Tuolumne Meadows. Kennedy Meadows is on 108, Tuolumne Meadows is in Yosemite.
Grant_Lasson
Explorer
May 13, 2014
We exited via Tuolomne Meadows to 395 a couple of years ago in a 41 ft MH + toad. Post Yosemite the road is fine though steep. I definitely used and enjoyed the Jake brake.

The road in Yosemite is very narrow and has almost no shoulder in many places. I asked a ranger about it and he said that "mirrors slap all the time" between large vehicles traveling in opposite directions.

The trip was so convenient and unbelievably beautiful that I would do it again; however, I would try to travel that stretch when there was very little traffic. It was very busy when we traveled and it was nerve wracking.
knshook
Explorer
May 13, 2014
I was trying to x2 another response and messed up....so Ill try again. Tioga is a great road and although steep in places it's very easy driving if you just take it easy,which you will want to do just to enjoy the views! My x2 was re: Whoa Nellie Deli. It's an absolute must; the chef is a master,the menu amazing and your taste buds will go crazy. You can't be in Lee Vining and not do Nellie! You just can't!!
knshook
Explorer
May 13, 2014
2bzy2c wrote:
msmith1199 wrote:
Actually, I just read your post a little closer. If I were you I would stay at Lee Vining for part of your stay and see the East side of Yosemite and the Kennedy Meadows area. Then go ahead and take the motorhome over 120 and stay at Yosemite Pines RV park in Groveland or there is a park closer to the park on 120 too. Then go into the valley in the toad from there. Then when you're done you can take 120 on down to I-5 and work your way up to Crescent City. Per the Caltrans website and the Yosemite website you can drive up to a 45 footer over Tioga Pass. I've done it several time in my 35 footer and it's slow going, but very doable. Just use the turnouts and take your time.

I agree with the above. I have done Tioga Pass (120) in a 32' motorhome with a toad. No issues at all. It is not a difficult drive. No crazy narrow roads. It is just steep. But nothing you cannot handle. Drive all the way just as mentioned above, to the 5 then head up to Crescent City. No need to back track.

On a side note...There is a Gas station (Mobil) just a you turn onto 120 off of 395. . Inside there is a deli called the Whoa Nellie Delie. Not your ordinary deli. 5 star all the way. Lobster taquitos, Elk, fine steaks etc. Yeah, I know...A GAS STATION??? Yep. Not to be missed.
.
dennyR
Explorer
May 12, 2014
We did the 120 thru Yosemite a few years ago. It was on a motorcycle. It was about June 20, it was the first day it was open for traffic. Just be sure!
2bzy2c
Explorer II
May 12, 2014
msmith1199 wrote:
Actually, I just read your post a little closer. If I were you I would stay at Lee Vining for part of your stay and see the East side of Yosemite and the Kennedy Meadows area. Then go ahead and take the motorhome over 120 and stay at Yosemite Pines RV park in Groveland or there is a park closer to the park on 120 too. Then go into the valley in the toad from there. Then when you're done you can take 120 on down to I-5 and work your way up to Crescent City. Per the Caltrans website and the Yosemite website you can drive up to a 45 footer over Tioga Pass. I've done it several time in my 35 footer and it's slow going, but very doable. Just use the turnouts and take your time.

I agree with the above. I have done Tioga Pass (120) in a 32' motorhome with a toad. No issues at all. It is not a difficult drive. No crazy narrow roads. It is just steep. But nothing you cannot handle. Drive all the way just as mentioned above, to the 5 then head up to Crescent City. No need to back track.

On a side note...There is a Gas station (Mobil) just a you turn onto 120 off of 395. . Inside there is a deli called the Whoa Nellie Delie. Not your ordinary deli. 5 star all the way. Lobster taquitos, Elk, fine steaks etc. Yeah, I know...A GAS STATION??? Yep. Not to be missed.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 12, 2014
We certainly wouldn't stay in Bridgeport and drive all the way to Yosemite every day. It's a long, slow drive. If you want to do that at least stay in Lee Vining.

As far as getting over to 101 from 395, we always take Hwy 50 into Sacramento. You could then take I-5 north to Hwy 20 at Williams and over to 101. It's a gorgeous RV-friendly drive all the way up into Oregon/Washington. If you wanted to 'do' San Francisco, take 50 to I-80 to Vallejo area and pick up Hwy 37 into Novato and head north on 101. Places to stay: Vlllejo, Napa Valley Expo, Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa. Drive to the Larkspur ferry at San Rafael and take the ferry to Fisherman's Wharf and pre-arrange for a small van tour of the city. Then you don't have to drive in the city. It's a great tour:

San Francisco Small Van Tour
msmith1199
Explorer II
May 12, 2014
Actually, I just read your post a little closer. If I were you I would stay at Lee Vining for part of your stay and see the East side of Yosemite and the Kennedy Meadows area. Then go ahead and take the motorhome over 120 and stay at Yosemite Pines RV park in Groveland or there is a park closer to the park on 120 too. Then go into the valley in the toad from there. Then when you're done you can take 120 on down to I-5 and work your way up to Crescent City. Per the Caltrans website and the Yosemite website you can drive up to a 45 footer over Tioga Pass. I've done it several time in my 35 footer and it's slow going, but very doable. Just use the turnouts and take your time.