best route?

[lov2dibb]

Trying to choose a route between Yosemite and Las Vegas next July and need some advice as to which way would be the most interesting/picturesque.
Choices are:
1. East via Tioga Pass then through Death Valley
2. South via Fresno

I would also like a place to stay overnight (about halfway) on this journey so any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Lola]

My vote would be the Tioga Pass because it is so beautiful

[Coral]

Another vote for the Tioga Pass - stunning!

[tracyh]

Originally Posted by lov2dis

Trying to choose a route between Yosemite and Las Vegas next July and need some advice as to which way would be the most interesting/picturesque.
Choices are:
1. East via Tioga Pass then through Death Valley
2. South via Fresno

I would also like a place to stay overnight (about halfway) on this journey so any recommendations would be appreciated.

See more...

You have to go via Tioga Pass, we drove this about 3 weeks ago and it was possibly the best drive of the trip, we did the whole drive from Yosemite to Vegas in a day and so the drive pretty much took close to 12 hours to complete (with lots and lots of photo stops along the way)

If you go via Fresno you will be driving some long and pretty uninteresting stretches of highway and going through Tioga then Death Valley etc then the whole drivie is outstanding for views.

If you want to see a few pics from that drive then our trip report for that day is here http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=358441

Its a fantastic drive though and well worth doing. You could also possibly split the drive into 2 days and stay at places like, Mammoth Lakes, Bishop or over at say Furnace Creek in Death Valley if you didnt want such a long drive in one day.

[Hudson]

We spent the night at Mammoth Lake after driving through Death Valley.
Tioga Pass is a great drive.

[UncleLatch]

We did LV to Yosemite via Fresno. Not very awe inspiring at all. Unless you like deserts.

[budgie6741]

Best through the Pass then onto Bishop for a overnight stay.
Then onto LV through Death Valley. I always stop at the Resurant in middle
of Dv for Apple Pie then onto Lv.

[merlinormartin]

We done San Fran -> Yosemite (1 night) -> Bishop (1 night) -> Death Valley (1 night)

Tioga Pass was breath taking, the sheer beauty is jaw dropping. If you go to Death Valley you must visit Dantes Peak, We could see almost the entire valley, with badwater far below and the salt flats stretching off into the distance were simply stunning

Accomodation and prices (Aug/Sep 2009)
Yosemite - House Keeping Camp $88 (Very basic lol)
Bishop - Bestwestern Creekside Inn $156 (best free breakfest i've ever had)
Death Valley - Furnace Creek Rance $124

[merlinormartin]

I found a few pictures i took on route to Vegas

[sue.o]

No question for me! Tioga Pass into Death Valley staying at Stovepipe Wells overnight! Staying in Death Valley was one of the highlights of our trip last year! Highly recommended!