[5] It is located on one of the three main roads providing access to Yosemite Valley, the most visited section of the park.

After passing through the tunnel, when leaving Yosemite Valley, Wawona Road continues to Chinquapin Junction with Glacier Point Road to Badger Pass ski area & Glacier Point, and reaches an elevation of 6,039 feet (1,841 m) above sea level.

The completion of the tunnel shortened the trip to Yosemite by 40 miles (64 km) from Fresno and Southern California, compared to the All-Year Highway from Merced.

These improvements lowered the road's incline to a gentle 5% and softened sharp curves, making it better suited for automobile speeds.

[7] Additionally, the project rerouted the road away from old stagecoach relay stations like Fort Monroe.