99 vs. 395 to Yosemite

[sigbowman]

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.

[Gonzo42]

When we got snowbound and had to leave by the 140 to Merced it was a fairly easy drive, but extended our homeward bound trip time quite a bit.

140 max altitude I seem to remember to be less than 6000 ft. Hills and curves not bad at all. I would use it again if I were then going north.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Great photo!

[PatrickA51]

profdant139 wrote:
Hey, y'all -- a special request -- go easy on Paulj -- I owe him big time. He's the guy who (several years ago) tipped me off to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Canada, which was not on our radar screen at all. As a direct result of his advice, we were there on a cold clear September morning, in a deserted campground on the edge of a lake, after a snowy night:



Perhaps the most spectacular moment of a six week trip to the Canadian Rockies, and that is saying a lot, as you can imagine. So I tend to take what he says very seriously! 😉

I have to agree profdant139
I have driven in over Tioga Pass 395/120 and went out on 120 on the west side. They are both good. If it's your first time pulling a TT I wouldn't use it.
We were on the 41 out of Fresno into Coarse Gold, south of Yosemite Great Road. Into and out of. INHO 99/41 is a lot better in or out.

[profdant139]

Hey, y'all -- a special request -- go easy on Paulj -- I owe him big time. He's the guy who (several years ago) tipped me off to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Canada, which was not on our radar screen at all. As a direct result of his advice, we were there on a cold clear September morning, in a deserted campground on the edge of a lake, after a snowy night:



Perhaps the most spectacular moment of a six week trip to the Canadian Rockies, and that is saying a lot, as you can imagine. So I tend to take what he says very seriously! 😉

[Gonzo42]

1. Almost always personal preference (prejudice): I'm a Ford guy from way back. YMMV
2. I care for neither, but my experience with Chrysler's infamous lack of Quality makes the choice easy for me.
3. No personal opinion.
4. Again, history of quality issues dooms Firestone for my consideration. YMMV
5. All of the above. I like frshly caught trout with eggs for breakfast, also.
6. Any Stout of Porter would be my first choice. I abhor the giant brewery companies' beers. YMMV

[time2roll]

Easy... arrive via 395, pull out using 99 :B

(and yes I have traveled both)

[Litch]

djgarcia wrote:

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? :)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.

Paulj------
With response to your question "Why posters can't agree"?:)
1. Which is a better truck, the Ford or the Dodge?
2. which truck is better between the Chevy and the Dodge?
3. Which trailer is best? the TT trailer or the 5th. wheel??
4. Which tires are better? Good Year or Firestone??? etc etc
5. Which is better? bacon or ham for breakfast?
6. Which beer is better? Coors or Corona or Budwiser or Tecate????
Give us your choices of which is better in the questions above:):):)::):)

1.Neither
2.Chevy
3.5th wheel
4.Neither
5.Bacon, no wait Ham, darn....Both!
6.Coors
🙂

[MarkTwain]

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? :)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.

Paulj------
With response to your question "Why posters can't agree"?:)
1. Which is a better truck, the Ford or the Dodge?
2. which truck is better between the Chevy and the Dodge?
3. Which trailer is best? the TT trailer or the 5th. wheel??
4. Which tires are better? Good Year or Firestone??? etc etc
5. Which is better? bacon or ham for breakfast?
6. Which beer is better? Coors or Corona or Budwiser or Tecate????
Give us your choices of which is better in the questions above:):):)::):)

[Litch]

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.

Because some people are just nervous and stick with interstates and some of us are adventurous and take the road less traveled. There is absolutely nothing wrong with 120 from 395 into Yosemite if you are not a nervous driver. The road is plenty wide and the curves are no worse than any well traveled road in the Sierra.

[knshook]

lanerd wrote:
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

x2!!! At the turn off from 395 to Tioga make sure to stop at the Whoa Nellie Deli! It is inside building connected with Mobil gas station (On your left as you start up Tioga) Anyone who has ever eaten there will tell you it's an absolute must! The food is INCREDIBLE and clothing casual.....it's a deli but unlike any deli we've ever frequented. No matter what you order-make sure to get an order of their fries.

[lanerd]

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

[profdant139]

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.

[Garry_Gayle]

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.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

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.