Sprinter Van Rental Road trip from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park

Begin Your Trip by Wandering the City of Trees

Nicknamed The City of Trees, Sacramento is California’s capital, and it lies along the Sacramento River at its confluence with the American River. Slide behind the wheel of your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter rental van and drive to the California State Railroad Museum in the old town of Sacramento (15-minute drive).

This fascinating landmark hosts around 20 restored locomotives and toy train exhibits, and it offers a 50-minute scenic train excursion along the Sacramento River. Downtown is also a great place to wander tree-lined streets, marvel at Gold Rush-era buildings, and experience an underground tour of the original city. You can also sample farm-to-fork cuisine, enjoy craft brews, and admire famous murals.

Make sure you check out the Capitol in downtown. Beyond its majestic building, it boasts a museum and a 40-acre city park that houses an astounding variety of trees from all over the world. Looking for more attractions? Drive your van rental to Sac. Zoo, California Museum, or Crocker Art Museum.

Drive Your Van Rental from Sacramento to Yosemite’s Basecamp

Around 4 pm, drive south to Groveland, which is 2¼ hours away from Sacramento. This Gold Rush town has a museum that details the lives of prospectors, pioneers, and local wildlife.

The Iron Door Saloon And Grill is the best spot to have dinner. Established in 1852, it’s the oldest operating tavern in California. Pass through its swinging doors to enjoy flavorful local delicacies. They also have live music on weekends and karaoke nights.

Spend the night in Groveland and use it as your basecamp to explore Yosemite National Park.

Pass Through Yosemite's Scenic Tioga Road

Yosemite giant sequoia trees, thundering waterfalls, picturesque meadows, imposing granite cliffs, and incredible wildlife will leave you breathless and in awe of the majesty of nature. With your Sacramental rental van, drive to Big Oak Flat entrance, which is around 45 minutes from Groveland.

This entrance also marks the beginning of the scenic Tioga Road (Highway 120), which runs from the west to east gate, rising into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Just about every bend on this byway reveals another stunning vista. The route passes through Tuolumne Grove of giant Sequoias, Olmsted Point, which offers a great view of the iconic granite Half Dome and meanders through the colorful Tuolumne Meadows.

Other noteworthy points of interest along the road are Tenaya Lake and Tioga Lake. There are dozens of short to long hikes starting from this road. Notably, It’s around 55 miles between the Big Oak Flat Entrance and the Tioga Pass Entrance. Allow 3 or more hours to stop at the scenic points along the way or to do hikes.

Spend the night in the quaint small town of Lee Vining, just 5 miles east of Tioga Pass entrance. Whoa Nellie Deli is the best restaurant to have dinner or breakfast.

Note: Due to snow, Tioga Road typically closes from November through late May or early June.

Lee Vining to Lake Tahoe

Located at the end of Tioga Pass Road, Lee Vining is the ideal stopover if you're aiming for Lake Tahoe. The drive to South Lake Tahoe is just 2 ½  hours (110.1 mi) via US-395. Kickstart your road trip by checking out the unusual geologic features of Mono Lake, which is just minutes from Lee Vining.

Get back into your van rental and take the turnoff for route 270 to visit the old ghost town of Bodie State Historic Park. Take a self-guided tour of this abandoned gold-mining community, complete with an old schoolhouse, homes, mining equipment, a church, a bank, and rusty cars.

Next, park at Bridgeport Inn for some locally raised steak, charbroiled burgers, or prime rib French Dip sandwiches. Another notable stop to stretch your legs along your drive from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe is Topaz Lake. This reservoir lies on the California-Nevada border and has blissful picnic areas to hang out.

Enter South Lake Tahoe and stay close to Heavenly Village. Overlooking the cobalt-blue waters of Lake Tahoe, this village has world-class restaurants, a vibrant live music scene, live theatre performances, and a trendy shopping scene.

Lake Tahoe Rim Drive

Lake Tahoe is America's largest alpine lake, offering something special for every kind of traveler. It has gleaming waters for aqua-based pursuits, epic mountains for powder chasers, and breathtaking hikes leading to gorgeous lake overlooks, waterfalls, granite peaks, a castle, and even a lighthouse. It also has opportunities for urban pursuits like golfing, shopping, dining, and nightlife.

The 72-mile Lake Tahoe scenic loop is the most rewarding way to experience the region. It takes 3 hours if you drive it straight through. But there are lots of delightful activities and overlooks along the highway, so it can take an entire day. Roll down your van’s windows and get ready to soak in some jaw-dropping vistas.

Head northeast to Sand Harbor, which is on the Nevada Stateside. It’s a hub for water lovers thanks to its long shallow beaches, crystal-clear waters, and shady picnic spots. It's 40 min (23 mi) north of South Lake Tahoe via US-50.

Emerald Bay State Park is another must-see on the southwestern edge of the lake. Carved by glaciers, this park features stunning granite cliffs, forested hillsides, roaring waterfalls, and a Scandinavian-style castle. Don’t miss the short and magical hike to reach Eagle Falls.

Other fabulous stops are Zephyr Cove, Tahoe City, Sugar Pine Point SP, and DL Bliss State Park. After completing the loop, head back to your South Lake Tahoe hotel so you can rest up for the trip back to Sacramento.

Back to Sacramento Via The Loneliest Road (US-50)

Check out of your accommodation and begin your journey back to Sacramento via the spectacular US-50. This stretch takes around 2 hours (102.9 mi) without breaks. Make a quick stop at Pyramid Creek Trailhead that leads to the base of the seasonal 800-foot-high Horsetail Falls.

Other nice stops are Jack Russell Farm Brewery, Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, and Sutter Creek, one of California’s earliest mining towns. Finish up your 4-day trip by dropping off your Sprinter van rental in Sacramento.

This itinerary is super flexible, and you can adjust it based on your interests and the number of days available. If you have limited time, head back to Sacramento after touring Yosemite, or do Lake Tahoe and skip Yosemite.