Cedar City to Groveland: A Road Trip Across the Great Basin

The route from Cedar City, Utah to Groveland, California crosses three states and four distinct ecosystems. One of the quietest sections is US-93 north of Cedar City, where traffic counts dip below 500 vehicles per day near the Nevada border. This road trip is about 650 miles and takes roughly 10 to 11 hours of pure driving, but you'll want at least two days to savor the landscapes.

Table: Route Overview

For guidance on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, check Wayro's deep-dive. Below, we break down every aspect of this epic drive.

The route skirts Great Basin National Park (near Ely, NV), home to ancient bristlecone pines and Lehman Caves. Although not a UNESCO site, the park's remoteness offers dark skies and solitude. Further west, Mono Lake (near Lee Vining) is a stunning saline lake with tufa towers.

• Natural attractions: Great Basin NP, Mono Lake, Yosemite NP (Groveland is the west gate).
• UNESCO sites: None directly on route, but Yosemite National Park is a World Heritage Site (just east of Groveland).
• Local commerce: In Ely, visit the Nevada Northern Railway Museum; in Bishop, the annual Mule Days celebrate ranching heritage.

Best stops Cedar City to Groveland include the small town of Pioche, NV (historic saloons) and the ghost town of Bodie, CA (east of Bridgeport). Wineries are scarce, but you can find local honey in Bishop and artisan cheese in Groveland.

Things to do between Cedar City and Groveland range from hiking, fishing in the Sierra streams, to casino stops in Jackpot, NV (if you take US-93). For a cultural detour, visit the Smith Valley Historical Museum in Smith, NV.

Climatic conditions: Expect desert heat (100°F) in July between Cedar City and Ely, and cool mountain air (60–70°F) in the Sierra. Tioga Pass may have snow until June. The best aesthetics are in autumn (golden aspens) and spring (wildflowers).

• Summer: carry sun protection and AC check.
• Winter (CA-120 closed): use I-80 via Sacramento instead, adding 2 hours.

Fuel stations become sparse after leaving Cedar City. Fill up in Cedar City (current average $3.80/gal) and plan for long stretches without services. The cheapest gas on the route is often in Ely, NV, while prices spike near the Sierra passes.

• Key fuel stops: Cedar City, UT (I-15 & US-93); Ely, NV (US-50 & US-93); Tonopah, NV (US-6); Bishop, CA (US-395).
• Distance between fuel stops: ~90–120 miles. Your car's range should exceed 250 miles.
• Desert sections: carry extra water and a spare fuel can if driving an older vehicle.

Road quality varies. US-93 from Cedar City to Ely is well-paved two-lane highway with occasional patches. US-50 across Nevada is known as “the loneliest road,” smooth but monotonous. CA-120 over Tioga Pass is winding and may be closed in winter (check NPS).

Infrastructure safety: US-93 and US-50 have long stretches with no cell service. Download offline maps and tell someone your plan. The road quality is generally good, but watch for livestock on open range in Nevada.

• Emergency services: tow trucks can take 1+ hours to arrive; carry a spare tire and first-aid kit.
• Rest zones: every 60–80 miles there are pull-offs, but few developed rest areas. Try the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park near Ely.

Family and child suitability: Kids will enjoy the “loneliest road” bingo (spot jackrabbits, empty gas stations). In Ely, the railroad museum offers train rides. In Bishop, the Laws Railroad Museum is interactive. For teens, the ghost town of Bodie provides a spooky history lesson.

• Pet-friendly framework: Most motels in Ely and Bishop accept pets (check in advance). Many BLM lands allow free-range dogs. On CA-120, leashes are required in Yosemite.

Fatigue management: The monotony of US-50 can cause drowsiness. Plan stops every 2 hours. Hidden off-route spots include the Sand Spring overlook (NV) and the Manzanar National Historic Site (just east of Bishop). For coffee, try The Grille at the Ely Frontier Casino or Bishop's Mahogany Smoked Meats (jerky and coffee).

How long to drive Cedar City to Groveland directly? Without stops, 10 hours. But is it worth driving straight? Absolutely not—the hidden gems like Lehman Caves and Mono Lake deserve time. Budget 3 days for a fulfilling trip.