Ely to Mariposa Road Trip Guide: Epic Nevada to California Drive

The drive from Ely, Nevada to Mariposa, California covers roughly 420 miles along US-50, US-6, and CA-120, crossing the Great Basin Desert and the Sierra Nevada. This route includes the highest pass in California (Tioga Pass at 9,945 feet), which is typically closed from November to May due to snow. Learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Is it worth driving Ely, NV to Mariposa, CA? Yes, for the diverse landscapes, but prepare for long stretches with no services. Carry water, snacks, and a full tank. Tioga Pass (CA-120) is steep, winding, and avalanche-prone. In summer, it's a stunning alpine route; in winter, you must detour via US-395 and CA-58 (adds 2-3 hours). For families, Bodie and Mono Lake are educational stops. Pets are allowed at outdoor historic sites, but check for leash laws. Fatigue management: take breaks at rest areas near Austin (NV) and the Yosemite entrance.

Hidden off-route spots: Hot springs near Bridgeport (Buckeye Creek), the ancient bristlecone pines in the White Mountains (detour east of Big Pine), and the tiny Basque restaurant in Gardnerville.

Ely is a historic mining town with the Nevada Northern Railway Museum. The route crosses the Toiyabe Range and Great Basin. Near Tonopah, visit the Tonopah Historic Mining Park. Enter California at the ghost town of Bodie (State Historic Park), a well-preserved gold rush town. Lee Vining sits at the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park. Mariposa is the western gateway to Yosemite, known for its historic courthouse and wineries.

• Best stops: Ely, NV to Mariposa, CA include Great Basin National Park (detour 1h south), Lehman Caves, and Mono Lake (near Lee Vining).
• How long to drive Ely, NV to Mariposa, CA: 7-9 hours without stops, but plan a full day with sightseeing.
• Things to do between Ely, NV and Mariposa, CA: Explore ghost towns, hike in the Sierra, birdwatch at Mono Lake.

US-50 is famously remote, earning the moniker 'Loneliest Road in America'. Gas stations are sparse—plan fuel stops in Ely, Eureka, Austin, Tonopah, and Lee Vining. Nevada has no speed limit on some rural stretches, but safe speeds are 70-75 mph. California's Tioga Pass requires chain controls in winter. Cell service is intermittent; download offline maps.

• Ely to Tonopah: 125 mi, 2h, one gas stop at Eureka or Austin.
• Tonopah to Lee Vining: 190 mi, 3h 15m, gas at Tonopah, then next at Lee Vining (no services for 120 mi).
• Lee Vining to Mariposa: 105 mi, 2h 10m, gas at Lee Vining, Groveland (CA-120), or Mariposa.