From SAC, take 50 to a right on 89, go through Markleeville, then take a left up over Monitor pass to 395,,then head south until a right on 136..which turns into 190 into Death Valley.
It will be COLD until you get past Mamoth and the elevation drops.Bishop is a great little town. Stop at Eric Schat's Bakery..well worth it'
About 100 miles shorter than the next option
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One commonly used route has minimum interstate.
From the Bay area, head S on 101 to Gilroy, the take 25 all the way down until it Ts. Then take a left on 198 to Coalinga.
From Coalinga, take 33 all the way down to 7th standard road..straight across over 99 and past the Airport.
Go through Hart Memorial Park and you'll hit the light at 178 (Kern Canyon) to Lake Isabella. Good place for lunch.
Stay on 178 up over Walker Pass..one fun uphill right curve.. until it Ts into 14, Take a left down and up the hill and take a right to stay on 178.
There used to be a great little motel and resturant in Inyokern but I think the may have fallen to Covid..so continue to Ridgecrest. Lots of various motels and food choices if you decide to break the trip into two days.
Stay on 178 east and you'll pass through the thriving metropolis of Trona..continue on 178..You'll head up a hill and slow as you get at the top..there's a pull off on the right that will give you a panaramic view of the Panamint Valley.
Downhill with lots of curves untill it straightens out after the Ballarat Monument.
Head straight (nowhere else to go) until the road Ts into 190
Take a right on 190 up over Towne Pass and you're in Death Valley.
Stovepipe Wells for gas, food, stuff...or continue on 190 to the Furnance Creek Camground. The campground in on the right BEFORE you get to Furnace Creek proper.
Check in at the Ranger Station and enjoy the view.
One commonly used route has minimum interstate.
From the Bay area, head S on 101 to Gilroy, the take 25 all the way down until it Ts. Then take a left on 198 to Coalinga.
From Coalinga, take 33 all the way down to 7th standard road..straight across over 99 and past the Airport.
Go through Hart Memorial Park and you'll hit the light at 178 (Kern Canyon) to Lake Isabella. Good place for lunch.
Stay on 178 up over Walker Pass..one fun uphill right curve.. until it Ts into 14, Take a left down and up the hill and take a right to stay on 178.
There used to be a great little motel and resturant in Inyokern but I think the may have fallen to Covid..so continue to Ridgecrest. Lots of various motels and food choices if you decide to break the trip into two days.
Stay on 178 east and you'll pass through the thriving metropolis of Trona..continue on 178..You'll head up a hill and slow as you get at the top..there's a pull off on the right that will give you a panaramic view of the Panamint Valley.
Downhill with lots of curves untill it straightens out after the Ballarat Monument.
Head straight (nowhere else to go) until the road Ts into 190
Take a right on 190 up over Towne Pass and you're in Death Valley.
Stovepipe Wells for gas, food, stuff...or continue on 190 to the Furnance Creek Camground. The campground in on the right BEFORE you get to Furnace Creek proper.
Check in at the Ranger Station and enjoy the view.
