Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from SFO
San Francisco to Yosemite RV Road Trip
East across the Central Valley from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley's granite walls and waterfalls.
San Francisco to Yosemite by RV is about 195 miles and about 4 hours of driving via Ripon, Mariposa. This round trip covers 389 miles in 5 nights (6 days): Yosemite (3 nights), then back to San Francisco. Best months: May–Oct. In season now · best May–Oct.
At a glance
- Trip length
- 5 nights · 6 days
- Route
- San Francisco → Yosemite → San Francisco · 389 mi · about 8½ hours driving
- Longest driving day
- About 4 hours
- Arrive and depart
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- RV pickup and return
- San Francisco area (rental listings around San Francisco)
- Overnights
- Ripon, CA → Yosemite → San Francisco (near the airport and RV return)
- Best months
- May–Oct
Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.
Route map and itinerary
Day by day
Day 1 Arrive in San Francisco and pick up your RV
Experience
Land at SFO, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.
Getting there
After pickup: about 2 hours · 93 mi to Ripon, CA. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.
Your stay: 1 night
Along the routeCastle Crags SPRipon, CA · about 25 min to Ripon, CA (estimate)Why stay here: A practical overnight on the way; lists RV sites up to 32 ft.Change or extend:Compare 2 other campgrounds
- Along the routeCaswell Memorial SPRipon, CA · about 25 min to Ripon, CA (estimate)Lists sites up to 24 ft; confirm your site fits
- Along the routeGeorge J. Hatfield SRANewman, CA · about 35 min to Ripon, CA (estimate)Site length not listed: ask the campground
Day 2 Drive to Yosemite
Experience
Three nights near the park give two days for Yosemite Valley's waterfalls and Glacier Point or Tuolumne Meadows when open.
Getting there
about 2 hours · 102 mi
Your stay: 3 nights (check out Day 5)
Inside the parkUpper Pines CampgroundYosemite National Park, CA · inside the park · 4.0★ (3431)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 35 ft; 4.0★ from 3,431 reviews.Change or extend: Add a night here in the plannerCompare 3 other campgrounds
- Inside the parkLower Pines CampgroundYosemite National Park, CA · inside the park · 5.0★ (606)Lists sites up to 40 ft; confirm your site fits
- Inside the parkWawona CampgroundWawona, CA · inside the park · 4.0★ (862)Lists sites up to 35 ft; confirm your site fits
- Inside the parkNorth Pines CampgroundYosemite national Park, CA · inside the park · 4.0★ (836)Lists sites up to 40 ft; confirm your site fits
Getting around Yosemite
From Upper Pines Campground: you're inside the park.
Driving the RV- Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
ShuttlesWe don't have verified shuttle information for Yosemite; check the park or town's official site.
Activities with pickupLoading activities…
Other local transport- Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.
Day 3 Yosemite: explore
Experience
Three nights near the park give two days for Yosemite Valley's waterfalls and Glacier Point or Tuolumne Meadows when open.
Travel today
No campground change today; local travel is additional.
Your stay
Stay a second night at Upper Pines Campground · same site, no packing up
Day 4 Yosemite: explore
Experience
A free day: revisit a favorite viewpoint or take a longer hike.
Travel today
No campground change today; local travel is additional.
Your stay
Stay a third night at Upper Pines Campground · same site, no packing up
Day 5 Drive back toward San Francisco
Experience
Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.
Getting there
about 4 hours · 195 mi
Your stay: 1 night
Near the airportHalf Moon Bay SBHalf Moon Bay, CA · about 20 min from the RV return areaWhy stay here: About 20 minutes from the RV return area; lists RV sites up to 40 ft.Change or extend:Compare 2 other campgrounds
- Near the airportMarin ParkGreenbrae, CA · about 45 min from the RV return area · 4.4★ (20)Lists sites up to 45 ft; confirm your site fits
- Near the airportPortola Redwoods SPLahonda, CA · about 50 min from the RV return areaLists sites up to 24 ft; confirm your site fits
Day 6 Return the RV and fly home from SFO
Experience
Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.
Getting there
Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.
Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.
RV pickup and return
Pick up and return the RV in the San Francisco area. Day 1 allows time to get from SFO to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2 hours to Ripon, CA. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.
Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 389 miles.
Before you go
- Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close in winter (Tioga usually from November to late May or June).
- In recent summers the park has required peak-hour reservations to drive in; check nps.gov/yose.
- Snow chains may be required on park roads in winter.
Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes · Camping (official) · Hours & seasons
San Francisco to Yosemite by RV: common questions
How far is it from San Francisco to Yosemite?
San Francisco to Yosemite is about 195 miles, roughly about 4 hours of driving via Ripon, Mariposa without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 389 miles.
How many days do you need for San francisco to yosemite by RV?
Plan on 5 nights (6 days): Yosemite (3 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 4 hours.
When is the best time to go?
May–Oct. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close in winter (Tioga usually from November to late May or June).
Where can you camp with an RV?
Suggested RV campgrounds near Yosemite include Upper Pines Campground, Lower Pines Campground, Wawona Campground. Inside the park: Upper Pines Campground, Lower Pines Campground, Wawona Campground, North Pines Campground. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.
Can you rent an RV near San Francisco International Airport?
Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around San Francisco. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.