Tuolumne County Maps, Directions & Transportation Information
Tuolumne County is located directly east of the San Francisco Bay Area in the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountain range of Central California.
The main highways leading to this picturesque, two-to-three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area are Highways 108 and 120 from the west (the latter considered to be the most scenic and direct route to Yosemite National Park) and Highway 49 from the north.
Getting Here
From the San Francisco Bay Area:
- Take I-580 E through Pleasanton and Livermoore
- Keep left to continue on to I-205 E
- Merge on to I-5 and use right 2 lanes to merge on to CA-120 E, continue to Manteca
- Continue on CA-120 E and use left lane to merge on to CA-99 N in Manteca
- Use right lane to merge back on to CA-120
- Continue on CA-120 and turn left on CA-108/120 in Oakdale
- Continue east on CA-108/120
- Continue on CA-108 toward Sonora, Jamestown, Columbia and Sonora Pass destinations, or turn right on CA-120 to go to Groveland and Yosemite
Mileage and time (according to Google Maps) to Sonora, county seat of Tuolumne County and home to many hotels and historic inns:
From San Francisco: 132 miles (213 km), 2 hours and 31 minutes
From San Jose: 129 miles (209 km), 2 hours and 29 minutes
From Oakland: 124 miles (199 km), 2 hours and 15 minutes
From Dublin/Pleasanton: 98 miles (157 km), 1 hour and 54 minutes
From the Sacramento Area:
- Take CA-99 S to Stockton
- Head east on CA-4
- In Copperopolis, turn right on O'Byrnes Ferry Rd.
- Turn left on CA-108/120
- Continue on CA-108 E toward Sonora, Jamestown, Columbia and Sonora Pass destinations, or turn right on CA-120 E to go to Groveland and Yosemite
From Los Angeles/Southern California:
- Take I-5 north to CA-99
- Go north on CA-99 to Merced
- In Merced, take the 16th St. exit and turn right on G St. continue to Snelling Rd (G St.).
- Turn right on CA-59 N
- Turn left on J-59 N
- Turn right on CA-108/120
- Continue on CA-108 E toward Sonora, Jamestown, Columbia and Sonora Pass destinations, or turn right on CA-120 E to go to Groveland and Yosemite
GPS
Using GPS devices or apps isn't advised in this area. Map out your trip before you go.
Public Transportation:
Transportation from the towns of Tuolumne, Sonora, Jamestown and Groveland to Yosemite National Park is available on YARTS from mid-May through early-September.
Transportation to Tuolumne County from airports in San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento and the AMTRAK station in Modesto may be arranged through Mother Lode Adventure Charter Services.
Vehicle Charging Stations:
View a list of some of the vehicle charging stations here.
Airports
| City/Airport | Driving Time (to Sonora, CA) | Distance |
| San Francisco | 2.5 hours | 132 miles (213 km) |
| Oakland | 2.25 hours | 125 miles (201 km) |
| San Jose | 2.5 hours | 130 miles (209 km) |
| Sacramento | 2 hours | 120 miles (193 km) |
| Fresno | 2.25 hours | 118 miles (190 km) |
| Los Angeles | 6.5 hours | 334 miles (537 km) |
Maps
Winter Driving Tips and Road Closures
WINTER TRAVEL
Highway 120 is open year-round between Tuolumne County destinations and Yosemite National Park and into Yosemite Valley.
Both Tuolumne County mountain passes, Sonora Pass (Highway 108) and Tioga Pass (Highway 120 east in Yosemite) are closed in the winter. Although closing and opening dates vary by season; the two routes are generally closed mid-November through mid-May or early June. Alternate routes over the Sierra Nevada include Highway 88 or Highway 50 to the north or Highway 58 to the south.
It is always advisable to carry chains in the mountains during the winter. Tire chains are available at Yosemite Adventure Supply in Groveland (along Highway 120) and in auto parts stores in Sonora for Highway 108 travel.
Visit the CalTrans website to find up to the minute travel information on Highways 108 and 49. For Highway 120 and Yosemite National Park road conditions, call 209-372-0200 option #1, then #1.
