I'll be heading to Yosemite end of the month. Based on another post, I have my route picked out. From Vallejo, I'll head north to Hwy 12, take that east to San Andreas, then 49 south to 140.My alternate will be to take 4 from Stockton to get to 49. Here's my question. Google maps has that ride taking 5 hours. Does that sound reasonable? I'll be cruising the whole way there, 5-10 miles over the speed limit. No need for me to keep up with the sport bikes. The only reason I ask is that I have to be at El Portal by 2, 1:30 preferably and want to make sure I won't be late if I leave at 8am. Also, any recommendations for stops along the way besides fuel or random vista points I'm sure I'll find?

Thanks for your help.

Mark

 

Mike,

I used to live right up the road from you in Fairfield, and my youngest son still lives there.

I actually think 5 hours might be a bit optomistic. I would use Hwy 4 to connect to Hwy 49. Hwy 49 is mostly two lane with lots of curves. It is a great ride, but a bit slow. The H-D Dealer and railroad museumin Jamestown are both worth a look. The entire area along Hwy 49 has lots of CA gold rush history as well as some connections to authors Mark Twain and Bret Harte. From Angels Camp south most of the towns have restored buildings from the gold rush era and museums that can be interesting. In most cases the speed limit is 55 but some times in the curvy sections 55 is the sportbike pace and most of the towns are 25 or 30 mph speed limits and heavily enforced. It is a great ride, but I would plan an early start or a more direct route such as Hwy 99 to Hwy 120 if you have specific arrival time you need to meet.