Drives California The Southern Sierra
Highway 168: Tollhouse to Huntington Lake
Tollhouse Road, Huntington Lake Road, CA 168 · Tollhouse → Huntington Lake
The drive
Highway 168 is Fresno's road to the high Sierra, part of the Sierra Heritage Scenic Byway. This drive takes the old way up. From the foothill hamlet of Tollhouse, Tollhouse Road climbs the Tollhouse Grade, one of the oldest roads in Fresno County's mountains, in a series of tight switchbacks up the face of the mountain, then rejoins the main highway north of town.
From there it's a long climb through oak and then pine forest to Shaver Lake, a mountain town by its reservoir, and on up into the Sierra National Forest to Huntington Lake, where Highway 168 ends at Lakeshore. Beyond the end, Kaiser Pass Road carries on toward Mono Hot Springs and Florence Lake, but it isn't part of this drive.
The climb is the story: about 7,400 feet of it in 34 miles, from foothill grass and oaks to the pines of the high country.
Along the way
- Tollhouse
- Shaver Lake
- Huntington Lake (Lakeshore)
Good to know
- The Tollhouse Grade is narrow and switchbacked; the newer line of Highway 168 through Prather is the faster way up, and this drive deliberately skips it.
- The Forest Service keeps the byway open year-round as far as the Huntington Lake area; the road beyond Huntington Lake closes for snow in winter.
Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Caltrans: Highway 168 conditions.
Questions about this drive
How long is the drive from Tollhouse to Huntington Lake?
Highway 168 from Tollhouse to Huntington Lake, by the Tollhouse Grade and Shaver Lake, is 33.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Is Highway 168 to Huntington Lake open in winter?
Yes. Highway 168 is open year-round to the Huntington Lake area; only the road beyond, toward Kaiser Pass, closes for snow.
What is the Tollhouse Grade?
The Tollhouse Grade is the old, switchbacked line of Highway 168 climbing out of Tollhouse, once a toll road and bought by Fresno County in 1878.
Is the Sierra Heritage Scenic Byway the same as Highway 168?
Yes. The Sierra Heritage Scenic Byway follows Highway 168 from Clovis past Shaver Lake to Huntington Lake.
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More drives near here
Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.