Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board best route from SF to whitney

Hi All,
I was just wondering what you guys think is the best route to get to whitney from SF.

1. 5 South, east thru Bakersfield, and 395 North

or

2. Thru Yosemite and 395 South

Thanks,
Dan

#2, hands down.

Depends. If you want straight, easy higher-speed driving, go the Bf route. If you're traveling at night, might as well go this way. But if you have an opportunity for sight-seeing, driving during the day, go Yosemite. You will have to pay the $20 entrance fee though, unless you have a pass already.

Google Maps chooses the southern route, 453 miles, 7:13 hours.
Via Lee Vining, they give 375 miles, 7:10 hours.

#2 has been faster for me. Even when there has been heavy traffic through Yosemite.

Also, 395 south from Mono Lake to Lone Pine is beautiful.

There also is further discussion on Quickest route from SF.

When I lived on the east coast I often flew into Sacramento, and would head east thru Placerville, Markleville to US395 near Walker. Seemed the shortest route and very pretty.

Have also done it via Bakersfield. It's boring, but if you're tired it's probably a safer route and about the same time as the route above. If you do opt for this route, it's faster to go thru Tehachapi to Mojave and then north on 14.

Take 120 and enjoy, there are some high camps along the way after Tioga Pass gate. I try to spend a night there comming from sea level.

especially Saddlebag Lake which is right after Tioga Pass. Campsites at the lake and actually walk ins just a mile of Hwy 120 that are real nice