California State Route 190, highway in California
California State Route 190 is a long highway that runs through Tulare County and Inyo County in two separate segments divided by the Sierra Nevada. The western portion starts near Tipton and heads east through farmland and mountain foothills to Quaking Aspen in Sequoia National Forest, while the eastern section begins near Olancha and crosses through Death Valley before ending at Death Valley Junction.
The route traces paths used since the 1800s by travelers and miners moving through California, including prospectors during the gold rush era. The highway was officially added to California's road system in the 1930s and expanded in sections over time, though plans for a continuous crossing over the Sierra Nevada were never completed due to environmental protection of wilderness areas.
The road is mostly a two-lane highway that is regularly maintained but can have variable conditions depending on elevation and season, especially in mountain and desert areas. Travelers should prepare for changing landscapes, carry adequate water and fuel, and be aware that higher elevation sections may close seasonally due to snow or weather.
Where the road crosses Death Valley, it passes near Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at below sea level. A roughly 43 mile gap over the Sierra Nevada was never constructed, leaving the two segments of the route separated by undeveloped terrain.
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