California 101 to Yosemite

[sigbowman]

We will be driving south from Oregon on 101 in early September. Our plan is to turn inland somewhere north of San Francisco and go directly to Yosemite. What is the best route? As much as possible, we would like to avoid steep hills, curves and big cities. We are driving a 30-foot Class A with tow car. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[msmith1199]

othertonka wrote:
My route would be south on 101 and catch hwy 20 between Willits and Ukiah, Then Hwy 20 over to Williams and south on I 5 to Stockton, and then `East on Hwy 4, cross town freeway, over to Hwy 99. South on 99 to Merced and then Hwy 140 to Yosemite. Fuel up at safeway in Willits on 101 and then again at Merced before heading to Yosemite. (No fuel in Yosemite) Some will recommend hwy 120 in Manteca but that puts you over New Preist's grade which is kind of steep and windy. Doable but I don't like it my self in a MH. OK in a car.

There is fuel in Yosemite, just not in the valley. If you're going in on 140 there is a gas station right outside the gate too. But the higher in the hills you go the more expensive the fuel gets.

[stfnwuf]

Marv Hoag wrote:

othertonka wrote:
My route would be south on 101 and catch hwy 20 between Willits and Ukiah, Then Hwy 20 over to Williams and south on I 5 to Stockton, and then `East on Hwy 4, cross town freeway, over to Hwy 99. South on 99 to Merced and then Hwy 140 to Yosemite. Fuel up at safeway in Willits on 101 and then again at Merced before heading to Yosemite. (No fuel in Yosemite) Some will recommend hwy 120 in Manteca but that puts you over New Preist's grade which is kind of steep and windy. Doable but I don't like it my self in a MH. OK in a car.

X2

Make that X3

[Marv_Hoag]

othertonka wrote:
My route would be south on 101 and catch hwy 20 between Willits and Ukiah, Then Hwy 20 over to Williams and south on I 5 to Stockton, and then `East on Hwy 4, cross town freeway, over to Hwy 99. South on 99 to Merced and then Hwy 140 to Yosemite. Fuel up at safeway in Willits on 101 and then again at Merced before heading to Yosemite. (No fuel in Yosemite) Some will recommend hwy 120 in Manteca but that puts you over New Preist's grade which is kind of steep and windy. Doable but I don't like it my self in a MH. OK in a car.

X2

[suprz]

Just went from san francisco to yosemite in may. We were in a rental car. I agree there is no real way to get there without going up hills and winding roads.

[msmith1199]

And for info, you can't get to Yosemite without big hills and curves. It's just that some roads don't have has many big hills and curves as others. Personally I'd take 120, but I don't worry about the curves and hills. 140 is in fact the easiest of the roads into Yosemite, but it has a big hill between Mariposa and where the road meets up with the Merced River.

[Gonzo42]

Yes, Merced is the way to go. Hwy 140 is very much lower in elevation than any other route.

[othertonka]

My route would be south on 101 and catch hwy 20 between Willits and Ukiah, Then Hwy 20 over to Williams and south on I 5 to Stockton, and then `East on Hwy 4, cross town freeway, over to Hwy 99. South on 99 to Merced and then Hwy 140 to Yosemite. Fuel up at safeway in Willits on 101 and then again at Merced before heading to Yosemite. (No fuel in Yosemite) Some will recommend hwy 120 in Manteca but that puts you over New Preist's grade which is kind of steep and windy. Doable but I don't like it my self in a MH. OK in a car.

[kalynzoo]

The least stressful route would be to pick up the 80 around Valajo east to the 99 then south to your town of choice. Taking the 20 thru Napa is lovely but twisty. Highway 49 is a fun trip south but you have some grades and turns. Really depends on your comfort level.