I've made that trip a bunch of times (including just last night) - my preference is 395 to Big Pine, and then 168 / 266 across to 95 in NV. It has teh advantage of the two highish passes on 168, where it's a little cooler. In winter the Lone Pine -> Death Valley route is an option, but I try to stay away from the brain-melting temperatures this time of year. Typical time from TM to my placeby owmyfeet - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion