I've driven this road more times than I can count.
I can remember driving 395 in the early morning when the light was just hitting the peaks, again in October when the air is crisp, and in a snowstorm that probably should've made me turn around but didn't.
And every single time, I pull over somewhere new, see something I've never noticed, and remember why I live here.
Let me tell you exactly what to pack so you can do this drive right.
The Non-Negotiables
Layers. I cannot stress this enough.
You'll start your morning in Mammoth at 40 degrees, hit 80 by lunch in Bishop, and be back in a down jacket for sunset. I've done this drive in shorts and a parka in the same day. The Eastern Sierra doesn't believe in consistent weather. Pack like you're visiting four different climates, because you basically are.
I usually grab a hoodie that works for morning coffee AND evening campfire. Something I actually want to be seen in when I stop at Schat's.
A real water bottle
This is high desert. Dry air, elevation, and you'll be thirstier than you think. I keep a 32oz bottle in the car and another in my pack. Nothing sadder than buying overpriced plastic bottles at every gas station. Plus, we don't do that here. Pack it in, pack it out, leave it better than you found it.
Snacks that actually travel
Here's the thing: the stretch between Bridgeport and Bishop is stunning and also aggressively devoid of food. Like, there's nothing. For miles. I'll give you my go-to recipe at the end of this post. Trail mix that actually tastes good and won't turn into a melted disaster in your car.
A camera you'll actually use
Your phone is fine. But if you've got something better, this is the drive for it. The Alabama Hills at golden hour? Mono Lake at sunrise? These are print-it-and-frame-it moments. I've got shots from this road hanging in my house.
The Game-Changers
Your hot springs kit
There are wild hot springs scattered all along 395, and they're free, usually uncrowded, and absolutely worth the detour. Pack a swimsuit, a quick-dry towel, and sandals you don't mind getting muddy.
Here's the spot: Travertine Hot Springs, just south of Bridgeport. Take the dirt road off 395 and you'll see the turnoff. Park at the end, walk 5 minutes, soak with a view of the mountains. You're welcome.
An actual paper map
Cell service along 395 ranges from "spotty" to "what century is this?" Download your offline maps before you leave, and honestly, grab a paper backup. Getting lost out here is romantic for about five minutes, then it's just inconvenient.
Binoculars
You're going to see wildlife. Mule deer, golden eagles, maybe wild horses near the Nevada border. Binoculars turn "I think that's something?" into an actual memory. I keep a cheap pair in my glove box year-round.
The Stops
Bishop
The heart of the Eastern Sierra. Stock up on supplies here. Erick Schat's Bakery is non-negotiable and you have to get the sheepherder bread and whatever pastry is calling to you. The line moves fast. A lot of character in these
If you need gear, stop at Eastside Sports. If you need coffee that isn't gas station, Looney Bean.
Mono Lake
Those weird tufa towers rising out of the water? Even stranger in person. Get there early morning or late afternoon. The midday light is harsh and the parking lot fills up.
Here's my move: South Tufa area. There's a short boardwalk, easy access, and you can walk right up to the formations. No hiking required.
The Alabama Hills
This is where every Western was filmed, and when you see it, you'll understand why. The rocks, the arches, the Sierra rising up behind everything is unreal.
Take Whitney Portal Road from Lone Pine, turn onto Movie Road. Park anywhere, wander, and stay for sunset. The mountains turn pink and orange and it's genuinely ridiculous how beautiful it is. Pack a picnic.
Mammoth Lakes
Whether you ski, fish, hike, or just appreciate a mountain town that takes its food seriously, Mammoth is worth more than a quick stop. If you want weird geology, detour to Devils Postpile, home of these columns of basalt that look like someone stacked them on purpose.
What to Leave Behind
- Rigid itineraries (the best moments on 395 are the unplanned ones)
- Your work laptop (absolutely not)
- The assumption you'll "just find" a campsite on a holiday weekend (book ahead, seriously)
- Single-use plastic anything (we pack it in, pack it out)
The Recipe: Actually Good Trail Mix
I promised you a snack. Here's what I make before every road trip:
Sierra Road Trip Mix
- 2 cups mixed nuts (I like almonds, cashews, and walnuts)
- 1 cup dried cherries or cranberries
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Toss it all in a container. Done.
The key: use good chocolate and real dried fruit. This mix won't melt into a blob in your hot car (keep the chocolate ratio reasonable), it's actually satisfying, and you're not creating trash every time you get hungry.
I portion mine into reusable silicone bags so that I have one for the car and one for the pack. No wrappers blowing around and no garbage to deal with. Yay.
The Real Essential
Honestly? Just the willingness to pull over.
Highway 395 isn't about checking boxes or hitting every Instagram spot. It's about stopping when the light gets good, soaking in a random hot spring you spotted from the road, and remembering that the drive is the point.
This road has given me some of the best days of my life. I hope it does the same for you.
See you out there.
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