Travel in March

Question

Will be in San Fran for a week mid March and contemplating making a run out to Yosemite for a night or two. I have a high end Tesla reserved (Turo) so I have no intention of putting tire chains on nor driving in any weather where they would be required. To that extent, I know I am at the mercy of the weather gods during my stay.

With that said, I see that there are restrictions in place for tire chains to be carried. Is this restriction all winter long or does it come and go dependent on approaching storms? Would a local Walmart in San Fran, or somewhere a long the way towards Yosemite, have chains in stock mid March? I have no issue buying chains to have in the car so I'm "legal" with full intentions of not opening them and returning them probably the next day if that is the game I have to play.

Answer

Visiting Yosemite in March can be a beautiful experience, but it does come with some winter travel considerations. Tire chain requirements in Yosemite are seasonal and weather-dependent rather than year-round. Generally, chain requirements are enforced from November through May, but they are only mandatory when road conditions, such as snow or ice, make them necessary.

The National Park Service issues chain controls in real-time depending on weather and road conditions. There are three levels of restrictions:

R1: Chains or snow tires may be required for certain vehicles if conditions are hazardous.
R2: Chains required for all vehicles except those with snow tires or 4WD.
R3: Chains required for all vehicles, regardless of type.

This means that on a clear mid-March day, you may not need chains at all, but if a storm has recently passed, they could be required. Yosemite typically updates conditions on its website and on road signs approaching the park, so monitoring the forecast is crucial.

Regarding obtaining chains:

Some Walmart stores in San Francisco or along the I-580/I-205 route toward Yosemite may carry tire chains in stock, especially during winter months. However, availability is not guaranteed, particularly for less common sizes or for high-end vehicles like Teslas.
It’s advisable to call ahead to stores in Oakdale, Manteca, or Groveland, which are towns along Highway 120 and Highway 140 routes to Yosemite. These towns are closer to the park, and hardware or auto supply stores often carry chains in March.
Rental chains from auto supply or hardware stores could be an option if you want to legally meet the requirement without purchasing permanently.

Other considerations for a Tesla:

Ensure that any chains you buy are compatible with your vehicle, as some EV wheels have specific clearance limitations. Tesla typically advises using snow socks or approved chains if necessary.
Even if you do not plan to use the chains, having them in the car keeps you legally compliant in case the rangers require them at chain control checkpoints.
Check Yosemite’s road conditions page daily before your trip to avoid routes with mandatory chain controls.

In summary, chain requirements are conditional and dependent on current road/weather conditions. March is a transitional period, so bringing chains “just in case” is a smart move, but with a clear forecast you may drive without needing to install them. Pre-purchasing or reserving chains from stores near your route is advisable to ensure availability.

Travel in March

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