Driving Directions to Mammoth Lakes

DRIVING TIMES and DISTANCES Bakersfield - 4.5 hours - 260 miles

Death Valley - 4 hours - 214 miles

Fresno - 4 hours - 200 miles - 6.5* hours - 357 miles

Las Vegas - 5.5 hours - 377 miles

Los Angeles - 5.5 hours - 325 miles

Reno - 3 hours - 164 miles

Sacramento - 5 hours - 290 miles

San Diego - 6.5 hours - 400 miles

San Francisco - 5.5 hours-300 miles - 7* hours - 360 miles

Santa Barbara - 6.5 hours - 376 miles

Tioga Pass - 0.75 hours - 45 miles (*Hwy. 120 closed in winter)

Yosemite Valley - 2.5 hours - 100 miles (*Hwy. 120 closed in winter)

*Longer distance and driving time in the winter due to Hwy 120 closure. Use alternate route.

Mammoth Lakes is easily accessed by road from Los Angeles, or Reno, Nevada, or by Airlines that fly to Mammoth. Currently there are 5 airports that service Mammoth Lakes, San Francisico (SFO) San Jose (SJO) Los Angeles International (LAX) John Wayne / Orange County (SNA) and San Diego International (SAN).

To check the highway conditions while en route, you can call 800-427-7623 (1-800-GAS-ROAD). It is a voice activated road information service. While you're here, do it online!

Road Conditions:
Enter Highway Number        
Separate multiple route numbers with commas or spaces.

In the winter, Mammoth and the Eastern Sierras are a haven for snow. Mammoth Lakes gets from 400 -600 inches a year average, and more on heavy snow years. Winter driving however is not too difficult as long as you follow these very logical Winter Driving Rules including please carry tire chains at all times, or drive a 4WD vehicle, both with all season (mud - snow) tires to avoid car trouble. The town police will stop you at a check point to make sure you carry chains even for 4WD. You will definitely need either 4WD or Tire Chains in Winter. USE THEM PLEASE!. It's the law and will save you a lot of money in car repairs.

TIP: Tire chains are cheaper at home than in Mammoth, average cost in Los Angeles is $40. in Mammoth - $200. and more likely to be in stock. Often there is road side assistance to put them on.

Driving in Winter can be treacherous when you don't know how. Please read our winter driving tips to ensure your safety. If you are unaccustomed to the high altitude, please read the high altitude tips, We also have some general safety tips which you should be familiar with. We're at altitude and it is different than sea level.