Drive corridor · sweet spot
Los Angeles to Yosemite NP road trip: 11 stops worth the detour
Los Angeles, CA → Yosemite NP, CA. Ranked detours with honest +N min estimates — then open a pre-filled plan door when you're ready to drive it.
Worth the detour
Stops along the drive
6 stops · 5 hidden
- The Elderberry House+2 minDining · CA
Oakhurst's top-rated fine-dining destination plating seasonal French-inspired cuisine from local farms harvesting exclusively for its kitchen. Order: Tasting menu.
- Mini Kabob+12 minDining · CA
Tiny family-run Glendale institution beloved for expertly grilled, generously salted kebabs cooked over charcoal. Order: Beef lula kebab.
- Newport Seafood+32 minDining · CA
Long-running Chinese-Vietnamese banquet hall famous for its wok-fried house special lobster in a buttery jalapeno-ginger sauce. Order: House special lobster.
- Watts Towers+29 minRoadside Americana · CA
Simon Rodia’s 99-ft mosaic spires
- Tuolumne Meadows Campground+56 minCamping · CA
Yosemite’s granite-domed high country
- Tuolumne Meadows Grill+58 minDining · CA
A seasonal high-country grill stop on Tioga Road, valuable precisely because services are scarce between Lee Vining and Yosemite Valley.
Multi-city cycles
Part of these loops
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State hubs & places
Where to stay
Where to stay along this drive
Hotels, cabins, and rentals close to the action — compare and book for your trip.
At the destination: Yosemite NP →
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FAQ
Before you go
- How long is the drive from Los Angeles to Yosemite NP?
About 6 hr 6 min and 311 mi of road driving, before any detours.
- What are the best stops between Los Angeles and Yosemite NP?
Top ranked stops include The Elderberry House, Fort Tejon State Historic Park, Castaic Lake SRA. Each stop shows an honest +N min detour estimate from the main drive.
- Can I plan this drive in Roamward?
Yes — open the pre-filled From→To planner for Los Angeles to Yosemite NP, pick a detour budget, and save the trip.
Paper backup
Glovebox note
Dead zones happen. Plan this corridor, then use Print glovebox sheet on the trip page for a paper itinerary with coordinates — no signal required. Start here: pre-filled From→To door.