Are you looking for a great Las Vegas to San Francisco drive? With this road trip itinerary, you will visit two national parks and see some incredible views!
About this Las Vegas to San Francisco drive
A Las Vegas to San Francisco drive is an unforgettable experience. You cross diverse landscapes, from arid deserts to green mountain valleys. You go from one of the hottest places in the world to snow-capped mountain peaks, and all in a matter of days.
I personally went on this amazing road trip as part of a big West America road trip, but if you don’t have time for a long trip, this is a perfect itinerary for an introduction to the beautiful western United States.
Road trip itinerary from Las Vegas to San Francisco via Death Valley & Yosemite
In this article, I’ll take you along the best route for this trip in the summer, with stops in Death Valley, Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, Tioga Pass, and Yosemite, among others. You’ll need about a week for this trip, to see all the sights. It has a length of about 620 miles (over 1,000 kilometers).
Las Vegas: starting point of the trip
The road trip begins in the bustling gambling city of Las Vegas. You can easily enjoy yourself here for a week or more, but if you like variety, it is convenient to stay here for a maximum of 3 days.
There is plenty to see and do in Las Vegas, especially on the Las Vegas Strip. Think about the iconic theme hotels, special concerts and theater shows, the famous Las Vegas sign, the colorful Fremont Street, and the interesting Neon Museum.
- Hotel Tip Las Vegas: Hotel New York New York (4⭐) – One of the nicest themed hotels in Las Vegas. Outside is the Statue of Liberty and you sleep in a skyscraper.
When you’re done in Sin City, drive along Highway 160 toward Death Valley.
Death Valley: the hottest place on earth
Death Valley is known as the hottest place on earth. In the summer, temperatures there can reach as high as 120°F (50°C), and I can tell you that it is really hot! When I went for a short walk in the park in these temperatures, I didn’t even feel that I was sweating, as it evaporated immediately.
Nevertheless, it is definitely worth visiting this national park, because it is very special. You will find extraordinary landscapes such as Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America), the salt flats of Devil’s Golf Course, and the colorful rocks of Artists Drive. Plan your visit in the early morning or afternoon and bring plenty of water.
- Hotel Tip Death Valley: The Ranch At Death Valley (4⭐) – Fine hotel in a great location in Furnace Creek, in the middle of Death Valley. There is a nice big refreshing pool and a restaurant.
Lone Pine: the gateway to the Sierra Nevada
From Death Valley, you drive north toward Lone Pine in a few hours. The drive out of the park is pretty spectacular, with a long straight road through the desert and behind it the high mountains.
Lone Pine town lies at the foot of the imposing Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is a popular base for hikers and climbers seeking to conquer Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States. Drive to the Alabama Hills for spectacular views of Mount Whitney.
- Hotel tip Lone Pine: Dow Villa Motel (3⭐) – This hotel is in a nice location in downtown Lone Pine. It has an outdoor pool, great to take a refreshing dip here after a hot day in Death Valley.
Bishop: a perfect stopover
Instead of Lone Pine, you can also choose to stop in Bishop. This is just an hour further north. Here you imagine yourself back in civilization for a while, as there are numerous hotels, restaurants, and stores in the town. As a result, it has a great atmosphere. One of the most popular stops in Bishop is Erick Schat’s Bakery, a bakery where you can buy delicious (Dutch!) bread.
- Hotel tip Bishop: Wayfinder Bishop (3⭐) – One of the best-rated hotels in downtown Bishop. It has a beautiful garden and the Bishop Creek runs across the property. Of course, again you have a nice outdoor pool here.
Mammoth Lakes
One place I still regret I didn’t stop at while driving from Las Vegas to San Francisco is Mammoth Lakes. This is a famous ski resort and in the summer you can go on beautiful hikes here. You will find incredibly nice accommodations (those cute lodges), cozy cafes and restaurants, and convenient stores.
Of course, it is also nice to take a moment to visit the beautiful lakes located here, such as Twin Lakes and Lake George. A good starting point for the iconic drive over Tioga Pass.
- Hotel tip Mammoth Lakes: The Village Lodge (4⭐) – Nice luxury lodge-style hotel. It has studios and apartments with (small) kitchens, so you can cook your own meals (if you like).
Nice quick stop: Just past the beginning of Tioga Pass you will find Mono Lake.
This is a salt lake and there are several unusual salt pillars. A very special sight!
Tioga Pass: California’s most spectacular mountain pass
Just before the town of Lee Vining, turn left, toward Yosemite National Park. You will now drive over the amazing Tioga Pass, the highest mountain pass in the United States of America. The road winds its way up to over 3,000 feet, with breathtaking views along the way.
Be sure to stop at Tuolumne Meadows (meadows with steep granite rock formations) and Olmsted Point for a magnificent view of the iconic Half Dome rock formation. If you enjoy seeing the huge redwood trees, a hike in Tuolumne Grove is fun to do.
Please note that Tioga Pass is only open a few months a year (usually from late May/early June through October/November). Therefore, always check road conditions before departure.
Yosemite National Park: crowning glory of the road trip
The last stop on this road trip to San Francisco is perhaps the highlight: Yosemite National Park. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural beauty.
Good to know: Yosemite is a popular destination. On some days, you can only enter the park with a reservation. Check the official website for more information.
In Yosemite National Park you can admire, among other things, high granite rock walls, deep valleys, waterfalls and huge redwood trees. And you might even see a bear! Places you absolutely must visit are Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove. Plan at least 2-3 days to see the highlights of the park.
- Hotel Tip Yosemite: Yosemite Valley Lodge – Fine lodge hotel in a perfect location: in the middle of Yosemite Valley. Rooms have porches or balconies and almost always nice views.
Final destination: San Francisco
From Yosemite, it is about a four-hour drive to San Francisco. Here ends this wonderful road trip through some of the most beautiful scenery the western United States has to offer.
San Francisco is a great place to spend a few days. For example, visit the iconic prison island Alcatraz, take a ride in the famous cable cars or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. A great end to a great road trip!
- Hotel tip San Francisco: citizenM San Francisco Union Square (4⭐) – Colorful hotel in a modern building. Very centrally located in Union Square.
Map Las Vegas to San Francisco drive
This is an image. Click here to view the map and zoom in.
Alternative route via Lake Tahoe
If Tioga Pass is unexpectedly closed, you can also take an alternative route from Bishop via South Lake Tahoe. This is the largest mountain lake in North America and is beautifully situated among the forests and mountains. You can take a nice boat trip here or go hiking along the shores of the lake.
While this alternate route is less spectacular than the route via Tioga Pass and Yosemite, it is still very rewarding with beautiful natural landscapes along the way.
Book your trip to America
Would you like to do this epic road trip and visit Las Vegas and San Francisco? Then book your trip now!
✈️ Plane tickets – Both Las Vegas and San Francisco have a large international airport. Check WayAway to find the best deals and cashback on plane tickets.
🚘 Rental car – To do this road trip, you need a car. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals on rental cars. You can also do this road trip with an RV, check out RV Share to rent an RV.
💊Travel insurance – Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
🎡 Tours and Activities – There are tons of fun tours and activities to do along this road trip. Check Get Your Guide for all options.
Read more about a USA road trip
Want to make the most of your trip in America? These travel guides are full of great tips and information for a great USA road trip.
Lonely Planet Best Road Trips Southwest USA
The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA
I myself have had the pleasure of going on multiple USA road trips, most of them in the beautiful Southwest. You can therefore find a lot of information on this website about traveling in the United States. Check out one of these articles for more road trip tips and inspiration:
- Utah Arizona road trip itinerary: The perfect route for 2 or 3 weeks
- Oregon road trip: 2 and 3 week itinerary
- Amazing 3-week Alaska road trip itinerary
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