Forum Discussion

RayChez's avatar
RayChez
Explorer
Apr 05, 2016

Best route to Groveland, Ca

Going to Yosemite in July. I have driven before from Manteca to Groveland I believe it was highway 120, but it had so many switch backs that it was not a pleasant drive.

I will be coming from the south on I-99, was wondering if there is a better route that is not so curvy getting off at Merced and taking hwy 140 to Mariposa, then hwy 49 into Groveland.

I know that I drove down from Groveland about ten years ago and I believe it was 49 but I am not sure. I just remember that it was not a bad two lane road.

Have any of you guys taken that route and is it RV friendly?
Roads and Routes
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    Apr 06, 2016
    The 'new' Priest grade is supposed to be somewhat better than the old one. The old one is NOT even CAR friendly let alone RV friendly. Depending on the size of your rig, the new road may or may not be accessible to you. I do know the grades are about the same so it'll be a struggle either way, up or down. We took the toad into Yosemite and to look at the cgs in the area. My coach would not fit so I simply nixed the route and didn't make too many notes of it. Have you tried google roads to take the video tour of the Priest Grade from Moccasin to Big Oak flats? If not, perhaps that will give you a good 'feel' for the curves. I can tell you though, the grades are pretty substantial....Dennis
  • RayChez's avatar
    RayChez
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2016
    Executive wrote:
    The 'new' Priest grade is supposed to be somewhat better than the old one. The old one is NOT even CAR friendly let alone RV friendly. Depending on the size of your rig, the new road may or may not be accessible to you. I do know the grades are about the same so it'll be a struggle either way, up or down. We took the toad into Yosemite and to look at the cgs in the area. My coach would not fit so I simply nixed the route and didn't make too many notes of it. Have you tried google roads to take the video tour of the Priest Grade from Moccasin to Big Oak flats? If not, perhaps that will give you a good 'feel' for the curves. I can tell you though, the grades are pretty substantial....Dennis



    Which road is the Priest hwy. We got reservations at the Thousandtrails, Naco RV park just before you enter Yosemite. I definitely want to stay away from the old Priest Grade, but I do not remember the number of the hwy.

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