San Francisco Bay Area to Yosemite National Park – EV trip planning

Yosemite National Park is such a gem and relatively close to San Francisco Bay Area.  How ever the elevation change and sparse charging infrastructure around the park make it a little challenging to visit on EV.

Here I have compiled some tips from the EV community to plan your trip easily.

Getting there

I plotted a route from Dublin, CA, as this is a merge point whether you travel from North / South bay.

There are 2 direct routes

• Hwy 120
• Hwy 140

The distance to Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is anywhere from 158 miles to 200 miles.  So one would think an EV with 250 mile range should be able to make the trip without charging.  How ever the elevation gain of 6000 feet makes this a little tricky.

See the elevation profile I have created using Plugshare trip planner

This means, you may have to stop at a quick charger to top off a little before making into valley.  I have highlighted quick charger locations in the above elevation profile.

Here are the fast chargers along the way to top off your battery.   Keep in mind, once you start climbing, the options for quick chargers become slim.  So use chargers early to avoid long wait times

Tesla

• Supercharger in Manteca, on hwy 120  (Google Map,  Tesla link,  plugshare link)
• Supercharger in Groveland, hwy 120.  (Google map,   Tesla link,  plugshare link)
• Supercharger in Fishcamp, on hwy 140:  Tenaya Lodge, Fishcamp  (Google Map,   Tesla link,   Plugshare link)

Every one else

• Oakdale public parking.  Charepoint, 50kw.  (Google map,  Plugshare link)
  • plenty of chargers.  Restaurants and shopping nearby.  Recommended
• (coming soon) Groveland visitor center, Groveland.  Chargepoint fast chargers.  2 stalls.  ( Google map, plugshare link)
• Rushcreek Lodge, Groveland.  Chargepoint 50kw charger.  ,  Google Map,  Plugshare link
  • Only 2 fast chargers here.  Might be difficult to get one

Charging at your stay

Most people spend a couple of days at Yosemite.  So it is really advantageous to be able to charge at the place you are staying (hotel or airbnb).  This allows you not to worry about charge anxiety, just plugin at night and have a full battery in the morning.

Hotels

Use our guide of searching hotels with EV charging to find a hotel.  Here are a few.

Inside the park

• Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley.  (Google map,   Plugshare link)
  Tesla destination charger, and J-1772.  Slow (15A)

Outside the park

• Evergreen Lodge – hwy 120 (Google map,  Plugshare link)
• Groveland hotel – hwy 120 (Google map, plugshare link)
• Tenaya Lodge, Fishcamp  (Google map,  plugshare link)
• Automcamp, Midpines  (Google map,  plugshare link)
• and many more

AirBnB stays

There are lots of AirBnB accommodations around the park.  Unfortunately there is no easy way to filter out which property offers EV charging.

You have to read the reviews, and message the hosts to find one.

(And also message AirBnB to indicate that this is important to you, so they will add this feature!)

Charging Inside the Park

Charging options inside the park are slim.  And most likely you will encounter a wait.  But here are few options.

• Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite Valley.  (Google map,   Plugshare link)
  Tesla destination charger, and J-1772.  Slow (15A)
• Yosemite village store.  Just one charger.  plugshare link

Enjoy your trip

Hope this guide helps you a little in planning your trip.  If you have any suggestions for this guide, please send us a message using ‘Contact Us‘ link above