Only driving through- Which entrance/exit, overnight?

Question

My daughter and I are driving from Huntington Beach, CA to Olympia, WA and want to drive through Yosemite NP on the way. Our first overnight will be the Yosemite area, and the next night will need to be about 6 hours north (Azalea, maybe?) so we will only have a few hours to see some highlights of the park. Would it be more efficient for us to stay in Mariposa, or at the Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway? Any suggestions on a route to take through the park to see the most in our limited window of time?

Answer

Hello,

For a drive-through visit to Yosemite NP with limited time, your choice of overnight stay and route can make a big difference in maximizing the highlights you see. Since you are coming from Huntington Beach and heading north toward Olympia, WA, here’s a detailed breakdown.

Overnight Stay Options:

Mariposa: Located outside the park’s western entrance, staying in Mariposa gives you easy access to the Arch Rock Entrance. The town has plenty of lodging and restaurants. It’s convenient if you plan to enter the park in the morning, drive through the valley, and exit via the Big Oak Flat or Arch Rock entrance. However, this adds some drive time to actually reach the valley floor.
Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway (El Portal): Just outside the park’s Big Oak Flat entrance, this location is closer to the valley and gives you more time inside Yosemite itself. You can enter the park early, see the valley highlights, and then start your northbound drive the next morning. This minimizes extra driving outside the park.

Route Through Yosemite:

Enter via Arch Rock Entrance (if coming from Mariposa) or Big Oak Flat Entrance (if staying at El Portal).
Drive into Yosemite Valley and focus on key viewpoints such as Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan Meadow. These stops are easily accessible from the main valley loop road.
If time allows, take a short detour to Glacier Point for a panoramic view of the valley and Half Dome (adds ~1–1.5 hours round trip from valley floor).
Exit via the northern Tioga Road or Big Oak Flat depending on your next destination and road conditions (Tioga may be closed depending on the season; check ahead).

Recommended Plan for Limited Time:

Stay at the Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway to maximize your park time and minimize outside driving.
Enter early, drive through the valley loop, stopping at Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls viewpoints.
Optional short hike or stop at Lower Yosemite Falls Trail (~30 minutes) if you want to stretch your legs.
Continue north via Big Oak Flat Road, stopping briefly at Olmsted Point if Tioga Road is open and you have extra time.
Plan your next overnight north of the park (e.g., around Azalea, Oregon), keeping in mind it will be roughly a 6-hour drive from Yosemite depending on your exit point.

This approach gives you the most iconic views of Yosemite in a limited window while keeping your northbound drive efficient. Staying near the park allows more flexibility and less stress than staying further out in Mariposa.

Only driving through- Which entrance/exit, overnight?

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