Drives California The High Sierra
Sonora Pass: Highway 108
CA 108, Sonora Pass · Strawberry → US 395
The drive
Highway 108 over Sonora Pass is one of the steepest highways in the country, and it gets there gradually. From Strawberry the road runs east through pine forest and granite above the Stanislaus River, past Dardanelle, toward Kennedy Meadows. For the first 25 miles or so it's a steady mountain highway.
Then it changes. Past Kennedy Meadows the road narrows and climbs hard, with grades over 8 percent most of the way and up to 26 percent in places, with tight hairpins. At the top it crosses Sonora Pass at 9,624 feet, the second-highest highway pass in the Sierra Nevada after Tioga, where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the road beside a small picnic and parking area.
The descent on the east side is just as steep at first, then eases into the open sagebrush valley of the West Walker River past Leavitt Meadows and the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center at Pickel Meadow. It ends at Sonora Junction on US 395, between Bridgeport and Walker.
Along the way
- Strawberry
- Dardanelle
- Sonora Pass summit
- US 395 (Sonora Junction)
Good to know
- The road is closed by snow every winter, usually from November or December until spring.
- Between Kennedy Meadows and Leavitt Meadows it's narrow and extremely steep, and it isn't recommended for long or large vehicles, including RVs and trailers.
- Use low gears on the descents to save your brakes, and expect hairpins with very little room when you meet oncoming traffic.
- Storms can close the pass in fall before the official winter closure; check Caltrans before you go.
Closed by snow from about late November or December until May. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Caltrans highway conditions: Highway 108.
Questions about this drive
How long does it take to drive Sonora Pass?
Highway 108 from Strawberry over Sonora Pass to US 395 is about 49.5 miles and takes about 1 hr 25 min without stops, climbing about 6,500 feet.
Is Sonora Pass open in winter?
No. Caltrans closes Highway 108 over Sonora Pass for snow every winter, usually from November or December into spring, and storms can close it for days at a time in late fall.
How steep is Sonora Pass?
Highway 108 is steeper than 8 percent for most of the climb between Kennedy Meadows and Leavitt Meadows, and reaches 26 percent in a few places, with tight hairpins.
Can you take an RV or trailer over Sonora Pass?
Highway 108 over Sonora Pass is narrow and steep and isn't recommended for long or large vehicles; RVs and trailers are better off using another Sierra crossing.
How high is Sonora Pass?
Sonora Pass on Highway 108 is 9,624 feet, the second-highest highway pass in the Sierra Nevada after Tioga Pass.
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More drives near here
Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.