Sacramento to Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park comprises various magnificent landforms that draw the attention of the world.

The park logs an attendance of about 4 million visitors every year.

People mostly visit Yosemite from nearby cities, whether it be locals or tourists.

Sacramento is one of the cities from where people may begin their trip. Getting from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park can be done in various ways.

We take a look at the various ways to travel from Sacramento CA to Yosemite National Park and the different directions from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park.

Choose the option that fits you best.

By Car

One thing to know before going deep into the means of transport discussion is how far is Yosemite National Park from Sacramento.

The distance between Sacramento and Yosemite is 145 miles. It is closer to Yosemite than other cities from where people also travel such as San Francisco or Los Angeles.

The driving distance from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park is pretty much the same but it can increase by a few miles depending on the routes available or chosen.

Directions from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park

• Head down south to Highway 99 
• Change to Highway 4 near Stockton
• Near Copperopolis, connect to Highway 120
• Follow along Highway 120 until the Big Oak Flat Entrance of the park

This path takes 3 hours to reach Yosemite National Park from Sacramento.

You can also enter through the Arch Rock Entrance through this route from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park.

• Go south to Highway 99. This path takes you further as compared to the route mentioned above
• Turn off onto Highway 140 E in Merced
• Follow along this direction until the Arch Rock Entrance of the park

While roads to Yosemite may be closed during winter, these two paths are unlikely to be interrupted. They are both incredibly pretty and are some of the most pleasing drives in the world.

You can also take an audio-driving tour of Yosemite. Get to know fascinating facts about the national park and also receive suggestions for itineraries and more.

By Bus

Another option to go from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park is via bus. You will need to make one or more changes according to your travel plan.

Sit in a Greyhound bus from the Sacramento Bus Station and travel to Merced, from where you can then get on a YARTS bus to Yosemite.

It takes around 6 to 7 hours to cover the distance from Sacramento CA to Yosemite National Park via bus but it is a cheap option.

If you ride the night bus from Sacramento that leaves around 10.25 pm, you can arrive at Merced by 1 am.

The first YARTS bus becomes available at 5 am and you can reach Yosemite as early as 7.15 am. This does mess up the sleep schedule though.

Buses also depart at 8.55 am and 2.05 pm. The latter is a direct trip but the morning bus stops at Oakland Station and takes longer to reach Merced.

The Greyhound buses feature a Wi-Fi connection, power outlets, reclining seats, a good amount of leg space, a restroom and more.

YARTS buses also come equipped with facilities like air-conditioning, lavatory, wheelchair and ADA access.

By Train

A faster but still cheap option for covering the distance from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park is to travel by train.

A trip via train would take you somewhere between 5 to 6 hours.

Board the San Joaquins train from Sacramento to reach Merced.

After reaching Merced, take a YARTS bus from the Amtrak station to arrive at the Yosemite National Park. There are a few stops along the way.

You get similar features on the train as you do on the buses such as free Wi-Fi, restrooms, bicycle-friendly, power outlets, etc.

If you’re starting your trip from LA, book this Yosemite tour that takes care of accommodations, park entry and the return journey to Sacramento or San Francisco.

FAQs