Drive Time: Cincinnati, OH to Yosemite National Park

Distance: ~2,250 miles (3,620 km) via I-70/I-15/US-50 (central route) or ~2,300 mi via I-40 (southern route).

Pure Driving Time: 33–35 hours (no stops).

Realistic Trip: 4–5 days with 8–10 hr driving days, overnight stops, meals, fuel, stretch breaks.

Sample 4-Day Itinerary (Central Route)

• Day 1: Cincinnati → St. Louis (340 mi, 5 hr) → overnight.
• Day 2: St. Louis → Kansas City (250 mi) → Limon, CO (400 mi) → overnight (650 mi total, 10 hr).
• Day 3: Limon → Grand Junction, CO (260 mi) → Green River, UT (150 mi) → overnight (410 mi, 6.5 hr).
• Day 4: Green River → Yosemite Valley via I-70/US-191/I-15/US-50 (500 mi, 8.5 hr) – enter via CA-120 (Tioga Pass, open ~May–Nov) or CA-41 (Fresno, year-round).

Key Variables

• Tioga Pass (CA-120) closed Nov–May → adds 150 mi via CA-41.
• Mountain weather, construction, traffic (Salt Lake City, LA basin if southern route).
• Altitude sickness risk above 8,000 ft (Yosemite Valley 4,000 ft; Tioga 9,943 ft).

Fly (CVG → FAT/MCE) + rent car = 5 hr travel vs. 35 hr drive. Choose adventure vs. time.