US-395 Eastern Sierra Road Conditions

Drive the Eastern Sierra on US-395 — know the summit status before you commit to the climb This guide introduces seasonal risks along the US-395 corridor. Open your route in TripCaptain to check the forecast, compare departure times and follow changes as you travel.

Winter Driving Pattern

US-395 runs the high desert spine east of the Sierra, climbing from about 1,150 m (3,770 ft) on the Owens Valley floor to a string of passes above 2,130 m (7,000 ft) — Sherwin Grade, Deadman, and Conway Summit, the high point near 2,480 m (8,140 ft). When a Sierra storm rolls through, snow and chain controls hit those summits first while the valley stays dry, so the road can be clear at Bishop and closed twenty minutes north. Wind is the other constant: gusts over 100 km/h (60 mph) funnel down the Owens Valley, and when they lift loose snow, visibility can fall below 400 m (¼ mile) in a ground blizzard. At elevation, black ice forms on shaded curves and bridge decks after dusk, long after the pavement looks safe. Because a single summit closure gates the whole corridor and services and cell coverage can be more than an hour apart, the difference between a smooth crossing and being turned back is usually the departure time. Knowing the pass status and your window before you leave is what keeps a winter drive on 395 predictable.

Common Hazards on This Corridor

• Summit snow & chain controls: Sierra storms drop snow on Conway, Deadman, and the top of Sherwin Grade before the valley floor sees a flake, and posted traction laws or chain controls can go up at the passes within an hour. The valley can be bare and dry while the summit above you is closed.
• Owens Valley wind: Gusts over 100 km/h (60 mph) channel down the Owens Valley and across the open high desert, shoving vehicles between lanes and drifting snow across the road. When wind lifts loose snow, visibility can fall below 400 m (¼ mile) in minutes.
• Black ice at elevation: After dusk, meltwater and spray refreeze into black ice on shaded curves, bridge decks, and the grade approaches long after the pavement looks dry. The valley may be above freezing while the road at 2,300 m (7,550 ft) is not.
• Long gaps with no services or signal: Between towns, US-395 runs for stretches with no fuel, no services, and no cell coverage, so a closure or a breakdown can leave you waiting in the cold with no way to call for help. Carry water, warm layers, and a full tank before you head into the passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is US-395 through the Eastern Sierra safe to drive in winter?

Yes — most winter days US-395 is open and drivable, but conditions change fast with elevation. The Owens Valley floor can be clear while snow and chain controls close the summits at Conway, Deadman, or Sherwin Grade twenty minutes north. Check the official pass status and the forecast for your departure time before you go, carry chains, and be ready to wait out a storm or turn back.

When do the passes on US-395 close, and how often?

Summits like Conway (about 2,480 m / 8,140 ft) and Deadman close for a few hours during and after most heavy Sierra storms, and hard multi-day closures happen a handful of times each winter. There's no fixed schedule — closures follow the weather, and a summit can shut with little notice when snow, wind, or a crash blocks the road. Because one closure gates the whole corridor, the road being open at Bishop doesn't mean it's open ahead.

Do I need winter tires or chains on US-395?

Carry chains from roughly November through April. When posted traction laws are in effect at the passes, chains or approved winter tires are required, and the requirement is enforced at the summit — you can be turned back without them. Even on a clear day, keep chains in the vehicle if snow is anywhere in the forecast for the high country.

What is the best time of day to cross the Eastern Sierra passes in winter?

Late morning to early afternoon is usually safest — the overnight ice has burned off, plows have been through after a storm, and you finish before the light fails and refreeze sets in. Avoid crossing right after dusk, when black ice returns to shaded curves, and avoid driving into an incoming storm. TripCaptain checks your specific route and departure time against the forecast and tells you the safer window and whether a summit is likely to close.

How high are the passes and how long is the US-395 Eastern Sierra corridor?

The stretch from Bishop through Mammoth Lakes to Bridgeport runs roughly 145 km (90 mi) and climbs from about 1,150 m (3,770 ft) on the valley floor to Conway Summit near 2,480 m (8,140 ft), the highest point on US-395. Sherwin Grade and Deadman also rise above 2,130 m (7,000 ft). That big elevation swing is why the valley and the passes can have completely different conditions on the same drive.

What should I carry, and what if I get stranded on US-395?

Carry chains, a full tank, water, food, and warm layers or a sleeping bag, because towns and cell coverage can be more than an hour apart. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle, keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, run the engine only in short bursts for heat, and make yourself visible. Wait for the road to open and for help rather than walking out into the cold and wind.

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