Scenic but dangerous drive along Highway 120 Tioga Pass from Yosemite National Park

Tioga Road is a part of California State Route 120, in Mono County, California, USA, with a length of 39-mile (63km), from Crane Flat, past Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake, through Tuolumne Meadows, and on to Tioga Pass, which at .3031m (9,945ft) above sea level is one of the highest mountain roads of California.
There are many turnouts with broad and beautiful vistas. This scenic drive through forests and past meadows, lakes, and granite domes is very exciting and sometimes very exposed and unsecured driveway in innumerable twists and turns. This drive travels from Yosemite National Park’s South Entrance, through Yosemite Valley, over Tioga Pass, California’s highest drivable pass, ending at the salt water Mono Lake, surrounded by tufa towers and mountain peaks. On the summit of the road there’s the Tioga Pass, at an elevation of 9,943ft (3.031m) above the sea level. It is the highest highway pass in California and in the Sierra Nevada. Mount Dana is to the east of the pass. The surface of the road is paved, and chains or snow tyres can be required throughout the year. Tioga Pass is named after Tioga Mine, whose name originated in New York: "Tioga" is named for an Iroquois and Mohawk term meaning "where it forks". The road was built in 1882-1883 as a mining road and was realigned and modernized in 1961.
This is a very beautiful Alpine drive, but the road is up/down and twisty, curvy all the time. It is a wide two-lane road with many turnout areas to pull off and soak in the absolutely spectacular scenery. There are no guard rails along most of the drive, so if you go off the road, it's a thousand-foot drop down the side of the mountain.
/ @bongbongtravels6108

[@deenugent473]

I drove to Yosemite about 5 times and every time I get the same jittery feeling, especially when there are no side rails. It wouldn't be scary if they had side rails 😣. I had about 10 rowdy passengers before we got to Yosemite, but somehow they were dead silent when I get to this road 😁.

[@Neilsowards]

We will be here Oct. 16. Thanks for posting. Looking forward to it, barring any unforeseen closures.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Thanks for watching. By the way, There's wildfire all over Yosemite.

[@carlbadman288]

I drove this in 2018. Coming from the UK I have never had a problem driving in the US. This was the one time my wife could see I was apprehensive and she hardly said a word for that whole clip. It was worth it just for that.

[@rexelliz]

Lol

[@ItsDylanHarding]

bro why do you hate your wife

[@RayRaeTV]

😂😂😂

[@jeremywendelin]

😂😂😂😂

[@smsquared]

Looks so beautiful. Would love to visit sometime.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Please do!

[@mikaelpersson2273]

Thank you for posting this andfor showing it at right speed, other videos i have seen are showed in fastforward speed and i just hate when they do that..!

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Thanks for watching.

[@NURSENOMADICRx]

Yeah it was a nice scary drive but absolutely stunning

[@bongbongtravels6108]

It really is!

[@quarantinekitchen6909]

You are so brave

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Thanks for watching.

[@hudsondonnell444]

Rolled though there back in September 2020.

[@DayTripAdventure]

Thanks for the video. I just uploaded a video of this area too. What a drive! Thanks again

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Thanks for watching.

[@goshera1]

Lol I love the last sentence... it's a thousand feet drop off. 😆 🤣 no big deal. 😆 🤣

[@quarantinekitchen6909]

Everything I am on that road I nearly faint all the time scary

[@yardboy3955]

I’ve driven this road downhill many times and have always had some nervousness, I tell who ever is in the car to please keep quiet until we reach the bottom at HWY395. I keep my foot on the brake pedal, go slow keep my eyes on the double yellow line in the middle so not to look over the edge and pull over and let any vehicles behind me pass. Driving down this hill you have one chance to do it safely. After I reach the bottom we go eat and have a beer and celebrate it was a great day at Yosemite.

[@boomtownrat5106]

In the early 1960s my family and I drove down the Tioga Road to Highway 395. I don’t know when the road was finally paved but back then it was a packed gravel road about a lane and a half wide. After a full day and evening in the park my dad found his way to the eastern gate of Yosemite asking about accommodations in the park. The Ranger told us there’s nothing available so if we wanted to find lodging we’d have to go down the mountain to Lee Vining. He recommended we shouldn’t attempt it because it was too dark. Let’s just say you didn’t tell my dad he can’t do something. It was pitch dark, no guard rails on the side. As you went down if somebody was trying to come up the mountain you had to back up until the car was able pass. It was very perilous driving.

[@joycechin2817]

I remember when it was like that. During the 1960s they rebuilt the road, or built the 'new highway' - my uncle was in the construction crew building it and we camped on the east side and he stayed with us some nights. Building the 'new highway' was quite perilous.

[@mikemadurie2719]

Wow! No fear

[@christiancruz8146]

Will never forget this road. Its crazy it says 20MPH only but im moving by only 5MPH and car piled up and keep stopping in every side road stopping area to let the Car pass behind me.

[@lawrencewiddis2447]

Well paved and painted. Needing to pay attention doesn’t make a road dangerous.

[@slickwillie9526]

I came up 120 from 395 and abandoned it as there were large sections without guard rails. I should have kept going but I get vertigo and I can't help it. I've driven Highway 1 up the Pacific Coast from LA to Oregon and it gave me jitters....but this was a bit much. I've been to Yosemite several times, but came in the Mariposa way.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Sorry to hear that

[@goshera1]

Sick Willie, So mariposa is a better alternative? I can't do that road in the video. :( that's too much for me.

[@cindywestlake6278]

Ok so which way are you mostly on the outside? Heading towards Yosemite or back to the East?

[@danvanderveen9929]

This video is driving east, from Yosemite towards hwy 395/Lee Vining.

[@girlsaturn8621]

Were you driving with just one hand and holding the camera with the other??

[@sgsmozart]

Dangerous ? Drive " Going to the Sun" road in Glacier National Park, Montana. It was built in the 30's, is very narrow and the drop off is around 2,000 feet...It cuts right through the continental divide...Spectacular!!

[@HH-om4uv]

Which direction is this video? It appears going the other direction is less scary, is that right?

[@bongbongtravels6108]

I was headed to US 395 towards Mono Lake.

[@StarboyBoss]

Thanks for posting this! I'm planning to go the week of October 26th, traveling from San Franscisco to Las Vegas, but my question is.. do you need to have a pass to drive through Tioga Road?

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Yes you need a reservation to enter Yosemite. Thanks for watching.

[@dennismeneses7122]

Bong Bong where do you request the reservation?

[@bongbongtravels6108]

@@dennismeneses7122 , www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2991

[@traincoville2021]

I burnt out my brakes going thru the big horn mountains, that’s when I was taught about using my lower gears. Were you driving in lower gears all the way down and will it mess up your transmission going down the mountains in first or 2nd gear in an automatic transmission?

[@bongbongtravels6108]

I drive in the mountain all the time using my lower gear. You don't wanna ruin your brakes.

[@kilo54]

Diesel engine brake. On my Dura Max.

[@pikeyboyfoo]

@@bongbongtravels6108you drive the whole trip on gear 1?

[@haybyw11]

How long does the windy road take

[@bongbongtravels6108]

About 40 minutes. Thanks for watching.

[@salomogibsonsimanungkalit6476]

Where is this? is this mono county?

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Yes it is. Thanks for watching.

[@krystinasaragos1535]

I’m extremely afraid of heights, especially while being in the passenger front seat of a car. How deep is this? Is it deeper than Pacific Coast Highway? Scarier? How is this road compared to CA 140?

[@bongbongtravels6108]

This is 9,945 feet above sea level. Thanks for watching.

[@brynmcdougal8915]

This is much, much, much, much deeper than the PCH. The video cannot possibly capture how high up you are. I am terrified of heights and this was a TOUGH drive for me, but I made it (I might have thrown up a little)....

[@llaa8149]

I almost died of anxiety here !!!! The transmitían kept slipping I could not handle . I’m terrified of heights

[@wsmcook]

This might be high elevation but it really does not appear to be much of a drop off, looks like the generals highway (180) towards kings canyon is much steeper.

[@oliviarichman6035]

im petrified of heights and couldnt handle it. worst experience of my life.

[@mysticmac3805]

I'm planning on visiting bodie state park... is this the only way towards bodie that isn't scary

[@bongbongtravels6108]

This is not the way to Bodie. The way to Bodie is a dirt road

[@mysticmac3805]

@@bongbongtravels6108 oh ok. I might be mistaken then. I Googled the route from fresno . So tioga doesn't take you anywhere near bodie ?

[@nomorefreedom6040]

makes me think of need for speed the run

[@trishapoirier8440]

Which road is less scary to take to get up to Yosemite ? I have a one month old and I’m going with family soon to sprinkle my fathers ashes & I’m getting nervous

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Just take highway 140.

[@trishapoirier8440]

@@bongbongtravels6108 thank you

[@Ace_v120]

@@trishapoirier8440 if theres no construction. then you really have no choice. thats what happened to us lol

[@cindywestlake6278]

The road is wide, unlike the million dollar highway in Colorado. Tbh no comparison lol

[@bongbongtravels6108]

I'm not sure if its wide enough but ive witnessed people driving crazy.

[@Dr-Stu]

Did this on our honeymoon in 2016. We got to Lee Vining at 23.30 after leaving Vegas at 12.00 thinking we'd be in our final destination of Mariposa by 22.00 a. Cus we're idiots and b. Cus America looks way smaller than it actually is on Google Earth. Everyone at the Lee Vining service station told us not to go at that time, wait til morning cus we'd probably hit an animal but we soldiered on with Irish "it'll be grand" pig ignorance. Got there by 3 if I remember correctly but it was grueling, especially coming off the back of a few all nighters in Vegas. I knew we were missing some amazing views doing it at night time, big regret.

[@Reitiaa311]

That is absolutely beautiful but there isn't enough currency in circulation to pay me to drive it.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Thanks for watching.

[@semisr4324]

To go to Yosemite i have to take this road ??😳😬

[@bongbongtravels6108]

You take the 120 or the 140.

[@joannekwong3045]

@@bongbongtravels6108 Is 140 less scary and safer?

[@shirleybalinski4535]

I'm afraid of heights. No way in "H" I could do this even as a passenger!! This video about did me in!! Do you " ride" your brakes the whole way down.( to keep the vehicle from getting out of hand)?

[@bongbongtravels6108]

You loose your brake and it's lights out.

[@parisdream7913]

Big Bear has dangerous driving roads as well. Not sure about the accident record though.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Thanks for watching.

[@charlesxue4178]

Agreed. Climbing up to the big bear through the east made me so nervous.

[@ozkarjf563]

Did you know big bear lake road?

[@bongbongtravels6108]

If you're talking about Highway 18, then yes.

[@ozkarjf563]

@@bongbongtravels6108 yea that one... I was there 3 days ago n now I'm gonna try to cross the tioga road so which one you think is more dangerous?

[@priyak3107]

So scary, seems I can’t go to Yosemite 😢

[@priyak3107]

@@angelitapoole4472 Thank you that’s what I wanted to know. I am scared of heights..

[@oliviarichman6035]

same... recently drove through this road on thr way to a campground near yosemite. we got so afraid we went home! lol

[@maricelat6837]

Yes! you must go, take a brave driver I myself could never but my husband was so brave once you’re there it will be so worth it, your heart expands from the stunning views 😍

[@taurus66]

It’s dangerous when you call it scenic road because dumb drivers will attention to the scenic part not the driving part.

[@davesimonton2822]

What makes this more dangerous than any other mountain drive? I'm not seeing it.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

This road has caused so many crashes and fatalities. There's not a lot of vehicles on the road right now at Yosemite because of the pandemic. But try driving this when there are other vehicles speeding down.

[@londonghung3392]

12 miles of 5% grade. Inertia downhill speed in a vehicle is 75mph+. With inexperienced driver who slows down/brakes on ever curve, burnout brakes, missing turns on curves, speed.. anxiety because downhill side is all outside lane. Its more intimidating than what the camera captures. If you go, makes sure the vehicle have good brakes.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

@@londonghung3392 , thanks for watching.

[@SherekaBrowne]

Try the 180 to get to Sequoia. 6000 feet, shear drop off. Windy roads, not railings. Narrow roads. Not going back.

[@joemanpjg]

drove 180 from Clovis 180 splits at entrance to Sequoia NP 180 goes to Cedar Grove and 198 takes you into Sequia NP...Curious to what section u are talking about. I did 180 to 198 Sequoia NP and on the way back to Clovis took 180 down into the steep canyon to Cedar Grove..and then back to Clovis..Moro Rock Trail in Sequoia NP a must hike and not the one in Morro Bay

[@sfmbooth]

​@@joemanpjg We took the Generals Highway that connects to State Route 180. But forget about it, I decided I would drive it again if they told me I had choose it or the MillIon Dollar Highway. I will drive to Sequoia no problem. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@DR-eq6qe]

Emerald Bay Rd in Lake Tahoe is worse. But yes, this sucks, too.

[@maricelat6837]

Yes! Emerald road was so scary I told my husband to turn back but they’re was no way to turn back si worth it though

[@adynathaly3145]

Are you talking about that narrow road that looks like a bridge and you can see on both sides of the lake?

[@DR-eq6qe]

@@adynathaly3145 Ya I think that’s the one. Nothing on both side when you get to the top. Just cliff.

[@roccitysoundllc3404]

I kno it's a sketch road but it looks like a lot of mouthing road I've been on in cali

[@xltek1]

Taken the motor home over it 4 times. No problem 😅.

[@grapejelly6053]

Regardless if one is good at driving I seriously believe they should install some walls or something. It really could get dangerous here. I know that people would want to see the scenery but honestly it's not worth risking one's life.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

I think it's safe if you take it easy.

[@somphothbsiratsamy3748]

Yeah, I got over 100mph down sonora, hell I went over 100mph in Yosemite but only over 100mph for a sec down the 8mi Yosemite down pass. Right before the dbl s turn

[@blackholeentry3489]

Dangerous? You should have 'driven' it like I first did when I was 16....on an old '46 post WW2 Harley Davidson motorcycle in 1956 with my 15 year old brother on back. Frankly, I don't recall whether or not the road was paved...I just recall it being quite steep with many sharp switchback curves and few if any guardrails. My guess is for the people actually involved in the first cutting and building of this road it would have been a dangerous undertaking.

[@bongbongtravels6108]

Thanks for sharing your story.

[@somphothbsiratsamy3748]

Come on, I did Yosemite from Sacramento to mammoth and back up Yosemite slept till 9pm, left at 10pm and took the Yosemite 8 mi down pass under 15 and back to Sacramento by 11. Oh started at 3am from sacramento

[@MrSeminole77]

prolly 60 trips over 120. never a close call or even seen an incident or close call. only dangerous if your an idiot driver

[@VaanRavi]

There's literally nothing dangerous about this