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Chicago - Yosemite Valley

This 17-day loop prioritizes the 'Loneliest Road' (US-50) and the high Sierra, using side roads to keep the vibe intimate and the camping easy.

14days
33stops
DAY01

Chicago Departure → Lacey-Keosauqua

Overnight in Lacey-Keosauqua
  1. 08:00
    Chicago Departure· start
  3. 13:00
    Ottumwa Canteen
  5. 17:30
    Lacey-Keosauqua· overnight
Campsite · Lacey-Keosauqua
Campsite details not verified yet
Roadside Bites
  • Canteen Lunch in the Alley · Classic loose-meat sandwiches in Ottumwa. A total local legend.
Dirtbag Budget
Gas & Snacks
$60
State Park Camping
$25
DAY02

Red Oak → McCook

Overnight in McCook, NE
  1. 09:00
    Red Oak· start
  3. 16:30
    McCook, NE· overnight
Campsite · McCook, NE
Campsite details not verified yet
Small Town Gems
  • Sehnert's Bakery · James Beard award winner in McCook. Get the Juergen's Krautburger.
Daily Spend
Gas
$55
Camping
$20
DAY03

Big Thompson Canyon → Estes Park

Overnight in Estes Park
  1. 14:00
    Big Thompson Canyon· start
  3. 16:00
    Estes Park· overnight
Mountain Eats
  • The Wheel Bar · Classic Estes Park watering hole. Great for a burger and a beer.
Park Fees
RMNP Entry
$35
DAY04

Alpine → Grand Lake

Overnight in Grand Lake
  1. 11:00
    Alpine· start
  3. 15:00
    Grand Lake· overnight
Alpine Dining
  • Grand Lake Lodge · Eat with a view of the deepest natural lake in Colorado.
Budget
Camping
$30
DAY05

State Bridge → Grand Junction

Overnight in Grand Junction
  1. 11:00
    State Bridge· start
  3. 16:00
    Grand Junction· overnight
Western Slope Eats
  • Bin 707 Foodbar · High-end local ingredients in Grand Junction. Treat yourself.
Fuel
Gas
$50
DAY06

Cisco Ghost Town → Moab

Overnight in Moab
  1. 11:00
    Cisco Ghost Town· start
  3. 15:00
    Fisher Towers
  5. 18:00
    Moab· overnight
Campsite · Moab
Campsite details not verified yet
Moab Classics
  • Milt's Stop & Eat · Old school burgers and buffalo milkshakes in Moab.
Camping
BLM Camping
$20
DAY07

Delta → Great Basin National Park

Overnight in Great Basin National Park
  1. 13:00
    Delta, UT· start
  3. 17:00
    Great Basin National Park· overnight
Desert Oasis
  • Kerouac's · Surprisingly gourmet food in the tiny town of Baker.
Fuel Up
Gas
$70
DAY08

Eureka → Austin

Overnight in Austin, NV
  1. 11:00
    Eureka, NV· start
  3. 15:00
    Spencer Hot Springs
  5. 18:00
    Austin, NV· overnight
Campsite · Austin, NV
Campsite details not verified yet
Highway Eats
  • The International Cafe · Historic spot in Austin. Great for a greasy spoon breakfast.
Budget
Camping
$15
DAY09

Sand Mountain → South Lake Tahoe

Overnight in South Lake Tahoe
  1. 10:00
    Sand Mountain· start
  3. 16:00
    South Lake Tahoe· overnight
Tahoe Grub
  • Base Camp Pizza · Solid pies and live music in South Lake Tahoe.
Fuel
Gas
$65
DAY10

Lee Vining → Yosemite Valley

Overnight in Yosemite Valley
  1. 11:00
    Lee Vining· start
  3. 14:00
    Tenaya Lake
  5. 18:00
    Yosemite Valley· overnight
Campsite · Yosemite Valley
Campsite details not verified yet
Legendary Stop
  • Whoa Nellie Deli · Inside a gas station at Lee Vining. Best food on the trip.
Park Fees
Yosemite Entry
$35
DAY11

Lower Yosemite Fall → Tunnel View

Overnight in Tunnel View
  1. 09:00
    Lower Yosemite Fall· start
  3. 14:00
    El Capitan Meadow
  5. 19:00
    Tunnel View· overnight
Valley Eats
  • Degnan's Kitchen · Good sandwiches and coffee in the heart of the Valley.
Daily Spend
Ice & Supplies
$30
DAY12

Glacier Point → Mariposa Grove

Overnight in Mariposa Grove
  1. 10:00
    Glacier Point· start
  3. 15:00
    Mariposa Grove· overnight
Dirtbag Dinner
  • Campfire Cooking · Nothing beats a foil-pack dinner under the stars.
Camp Life
Firewood
$12
DAY13

Mono Lake Tufa → Mammoth Lakes

Overnight in Mammoth Lakes
  1. 11:00
    Mono Lake Tufa· start
  3. 16:00
    Mammoth Lakes· overnight
Campsite · Mammoth Lakes
Campsite details not verified yet
Roadside Legend
  • Erik Schat's Bakkery · Famous Sheepherder bread in Bishop. Massive sandwiches.
Fuel
Gas
$70
DAY14

Tonopah → Ely

  1. 13:00
    Tonopah· start
  3. 18:00
    Ely, NV
Haunted Eats
  • Mizpah Hotel · Eat in the historic (and haunted) hotel in Tonopah.
Fuel
Gas
$80
Heads Up
  • Day 1: 5h 30m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 2: 6h driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 14: 6h driving — plan rest stops
  • Check Tioga Pass opening dates (usually June)
  • Book Yosemite entry reservations months in advance
  • Carry extra water and a spare tire for Nevada