Road Trip To Yosemite National Park & Mammoth Lakes from Loss Angeles

The road trip from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes is a truly get-back-to-nature experience if you’re ready for a short yet amazing adventure. This is the ideal route if you need an escape from the city!

It takes 8 hours to drive the 410 miles from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park & Mammoth Lakes. Notable attractions include Bakersfield and Fresno; the national parks of Death Valley and Kings Canyon; and the national forests of Sequoia and Sierra.

Along this amazing road trip, there are many other sights to see. For more information about them, please read until the end.

The distance and how long will it take to drive from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes? 

Route	Distance	Travel Time
Fish Camp Route	410 miles	8 hours
Highway 395 Route	380 miles	6 hours 30 minutes

It takes around 280 miles to drive from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park, and another 130 miles to go to Mammoth Lakes.

You can complete the drive in a single day if you want to spend about 5 hours driving to the south entrance of Yosemite and an additional 3 hours driving through Yosemite National Park to Mammoth Lakes.

However, there is a lot to see on this amazing road trip, so it would be better to go slowly and extend the drive to at least four or five days if you can.

Another option is to take Highway 395 between Death Valley and the series of parks and forests to the east and west, staying at Mammoth Lakes before proceeding to Yosemite via Tioga Pass. This route avoids the cities of Bakersfield and Fresno.

Consider that Tioga Pass and Mariposa Grove often close in the winter due to snowfall; if you’re traveling during this time of year, your only choice is to take the first route, which passes through Fish Camp.

The best affordable route to go from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes

Your route choice should be driven by your favorite type of scenery and the time of year you wish to visit Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes. Both are great options for a road trip from Los Angeles.

There are plenty of route-specific attractions on both routes, so if the roads are open, you should take one to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite and the other on the way back.

The Highway 395 Route will take you to the Tioga Pass Entrance (closed in winter), while the Fish Camp Route will allow you to enter the national park through the South Entrance.

Booking a car rental for your road trip is something you must do as soon as possible, regardless of whether you’re driving into Los Angeles or you don’t have any other means of transportation there.

Drive to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park from Los Angeles.

Our recommendations for the best road trip routes from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park are highlighted on the map above. Keep reading for thorough explanations of both itineraries, lodging options, and essential stops along the way.

The Fish Camp Route

After leaving Los Angeles, head north on Interstate 5, passing past Pyramid Lake and Santa Clarita before arriving in Wheeler Ridge. Proceed north on Route 99 until you reach Bakersfield, then take a detour to Isabella Lake and Sequoia National Forest.

Proceed on Road 99 toward Fresno on the main road; after that, you may want to use Highway 198 as a detour to Kings Canyon National Park. Returning to Fresno, take Route 41 via Fish Camp and past Millerton Lake to arrive at Yosemite National Park through the South Entrance.

Once the route opens, you can head south on Highway 395 through the Inyo National Forest and into Mammoth Lakes through the Tioga Pass out at Lee Vining.

The Highway 395 Route

Drive Interstate 5 to Santa Clarita and then go onto Route 14, which will take you via Lancaster and Palmdale. You can turn onto Highway 395 by driving into Isabella Lake before Bradys.

Continue eastward to see Death Valley National Park, or west to see Inyo National Forest after crossing Kings Canyon National Park. You can stop at Lake Crowley after crossing Bishop and enter Mammoth Lakes.

Once you reach Lee Vining, which is located just west of Mono Lake, you can only enter Yosemite National Park via the Tioga Pass Entrance and continue west on Route 120.

The best spots between Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite National Park, and Los Angeles

Traveling from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes by car offers a variety of interesting places to see, attractive towns, and bustling cities.

Take an iconic hike in Death Valley

Death Valley National Park is the ultimate location to visit, on this road trip if you’re traveling along the Highway 395 Route.

There are other lodging options in this location to accommodate a variety of interests (and price ranges), but The Inn at Death Valley is the greatest because of its breathtaking outdoors and vast variety of services.

This facility is luxurious and comfortable in every manner, from the beautiful courtyard walks to the comfortable rooms. When you’re not traveling, you’ll be relaxing in the amazing outdoor pool or playing golf to spend the time.

The greatest American food the area has to offer is served in the three on-site restaurants, but if you’re feeling daring, there are plenty of additional places within easy walking or driving distance.

Hiking through Death Valley is sufficient for workouts, but if you’d rather, you may try out at the fitness facility for a few rounds before stretching your legs in the sauna.

Enjoy the amazing view of Mammoth Lakes

Not everyone likes Death Valley’s summer heat, so if snow is more your thing, think about staying at a Mammoth Lakes winter resort for a while. The Westin Monache Resort is the best hotel in the area; its vast landscape and outdoor pool are the frosting on top.

After relaxing in your comfortable accommodations, you have the option to explore the area or take a bath in one of the two outdoor hot tubs to warm you up.

One of the most beautiful restaurants you might consider dining at is Whitebark Restaurant, Bar, and Lounge, which is attached to the hotel. After you’re satisfied, you may take the shuttle to the closest ski areas and enjoy some excellent skiing.

Among a wealth of facilities (such as a gondola ride to Mammoth Mountain), visiting the hotel’s vast property and taking in all the distinctive and stunning architectural details will be the highlight of your visit.

When everything is considered, this location is cheaper than its highly sought-after place. Yosemite National Park and other local attractions regardless, the hotel is a natural fit for anyone planning to spend time in Mammoth Lakes.

Attractions on a road journey from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes, and Los Angeles are quite separate, so there are a lot of historical, scenic, and cultural sites you might wish to stop at along the route.

You could easily take more than a month to see them all, but if you are short on time, we have put together a list of some of the best spots the route has to offer.

1-Santa Clarita- is the location of some of the most significant historical sites in California, like Mentryville, the state’s Pioneer Oil Town, which is also home to the world’s longest-running oil well, Pico Number 4.

2-The State Recreation Area Castaic Lake- amazing family-friendly location, which is a reservoir of the California State Water Project, includes a lake with boat rentals, swimming (in the summer), and fishing. Recognized as an excellent location for hiking and camping.

3. Bakersfield- has a creative district that is home to several amazing galleries and museums, including the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and the California Living Museum. A great place to go hiking as well; multiple trails go through the mountains of the Sequoia National Forest’s Kern River Ranger District.

4-Fresno- the agricultural center of the country is most known for Woodward Park, which has the stunning Shinzen Japanese Garden, and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, featuring sea lions and a stingray touch pool.

5-Yosemite National Park-One of the most well-known national parks in the United States which is home to massive, ancient sequoia trees, the breathtaking Bridalveil Falls, and the amazing, steep granite cliffs of El Capitan and the Half Dome.

6-Mount Patterson: The highest point in the Sweetwater Mountain range, this majestic mountain top in Mono County rises to a height of nearly 11,000 feet. It provides amazing views of the surroundings. 

7-Tufa Towers-Renowned tufa towers at Mono Lake, an old saltwater lake, are its most famous attribute. home to an enormous variety of bird species as well as trillions of brine shrimp.

8- Inyo National Forest-One of the oldest living trees on Earth, as well as the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

9-Death Valley National Park- is not only one of the most scenic and popular destinations in North America, but it also has some amazing resorts.

When is the best time to drive from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park?

It’s advised to try making a road trip from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park between May and September.

Due to snow and other bad weather, Yosemite’s roads and trails are blocked during the winter, including Tioga Road, which leads to Mammoth Lakes.

You won’t be able to view all the park’s attractions, but you may still travel through some of the parks and take an earlier trip to Mammoth Lakes.

Though many tourists enjoy the snowy slopes of the Mammoth Lakes region, going there in the winter has its advantages as well. This is among the best sites in California for having a wonderful winter holiday.

Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes are teeming with tourists in July and August, which usually means more traffic and more expensive accommodations.

Fall is the best season to go if you want to avoid the crowds because there are fewer tourists and cheaper lodging options. Remember that Yosemite is frequently covered with snow as early as October, so if you want to be warm and dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to travel from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park?

Around 300 miles and more than 5 hours of driving are required to go from Los Angeles to Yosemite Valley, but the trip is well worth it, especially if you get to see the mysterious and rare Firefall.

How to get from Loss Angeles to Yosemite without a car?

The best option from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park is by bus via Merced, which costs between $170 and $240 and takes 10 hours and 39 minutes without a car.

Is Yosemite worth it?

Yosemite possesses some of the most beautiful views in the country. One of the first conservation efforts in America was driven by Yosemite’s breathtaking natural beauty.

Where should I stop between Yosemite and Los Angeles?

The 360-mile drive from Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park could be accomplished in six hours. You can make stops along the route in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Santa Clarita, Bakersfield, Fresno, Mammoth Lakes, and Inyo National Forest.

What is the best time to visit Yosemite?

However, if you want to avoid having your Yosemite experience hindered by road, trail, and campground restrictions, your best time to visit is between June and September when most of the park’s facilities and attractions are open.

Is 2 days enough in Yosemite?

The good news is that you can spend two days enjoying it all, from hiking to beautiful drives and discovering the park’s history.

Is Yosemite near San Francisco?

East Central California’s 1,200-acre Yosemite National Park hides away in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Where do people stay in Yosemite?

Majestic Yosemite Hotel.

 Half Dome Village.

Big Trees Lodge

Which airport for Yosemite?

The main entrance to Yosemite lies at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)

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