Let the road set the pace.
This byway offers a spectacular passage over the Sierra Nevada. Drive through the highest automobile pass in California and experience an elevation change of over one mile. Experience glacier-carved granite peaks, pristine lakes, wildflower-covered meadows, and lush evergreen forests with Giant Sequoia groves in this serene yet rugged landscape.
Public Domain. Photo by Neil Li · Photo credits
Places and landscapes to consider
- High-country viewpoints
- Tenaya Lake area
- Tuolumne Meadows
Before you drive
Make it a satisfying day
Choose a realistic section, then allow time for viewpoints, a town stop and breaks. Scenic mileage rarely tells the whole story of how long an outing will take.
Match the road to your vehicle
Check the exact roads for your car, RV or motorcoach. Tunnel dimensions, turning space, grades and road surfaces can matter as much as distance.
Route overview and designation: Federal Highway Administration, America’s Byways. Research: October 2026. This is a travel idea, not live navigation or a guarantee that the full route is open. Confirm exact roads, current conditions, parking and any attraction reservations before departure.