driving down a dirt road in vya nevada

Driving Tips

We’re adventurous—not crazy! From weird weather that rolls in from nowhere to roads that seem to point there, you never know what you’ll encounter in this awesomely uncanny state. Part of the fun? You bet. But let’s keep it that way with a few tips, road rules, and general bits of wisdom to prep you for your unforgettable Nevada experience. Before you buckle up for an adventure of a lifetime, there’s a few on-road highway driving tips and off-road basics you’ll need to know, like ensuring there’s enough gas in the tank, how to prep for inclement weather, registering your OHV, fees and other safety equipment needed. Read on for Travel Nevada pro tips for driving to Nevada, in and around the state.

Highlights
  • Driving Nevada Highways
  • Nevada Wildlife Encounters
  • Live by the Dirt Road Code

Highway Driving Tips

From High Beams to High-Speed Limits

Those long stretches of road that splice through Nevada’s peaks and valleys are certainly picture-perfect, but sometimes require smart maneuvering, especially if you plan on driving to Nevada from out of state or driving at night. Before you hit the road, embrace a few highway driving tips that will make your time in Nevada fun, safe, and mindful of others on the road.

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State of Nevada

Driving Nevada Roads at Night

Though it may seem like those roads are lonely, don’t rely on little to no traffic as a constant too much—it’s always when you think you’re the only one on the road that oncoming traffic comes out of nowhere and surprises you. When pulling over, be sure to stop only in safe locations like pullouts, and off-the-highway rest stops whenever possible. If emergency strikes and you don’t have those opportunities, remember to pull all the way off the highway with plenty of shoulder space if at all possible. 

pyramid lake at night
Pyramid Lake
night driving in las vegas
Downtown Las Vegas

Renting a car? Make sure your vehicle’s turn signals are working properly and be sure to test those high beams—you’re going to need ‘em in rural Nevada. A lot of our highways require day-time headlights (keep your eyes out for signs). Be sure to use the left lane for passing, but only when you’ve got tons of distance to safely do so, and always remember to obey posted speed limits. Like we said, you may think you’re the only one on the road, but a lot of the time, so are our rural officers of the law. And they like to keep their highways as safe as possible. Trust us. 

Driving Nevada in the Winter

Nevada is a land of extremes, and the weather is no exception. Check ahead for any inclement weather that may make traveling through low desert and high desert terrain harder than it needs to be. There are two of America’s four deserts in Nevada—The Great Basin and Mojave—which means the temperature range around here is extreme across the state, even within the space of a day. Travel prepared, especially when accessing remote locations.

mountain ranges in red rock national conservation area
Mojave Desert
ski tracks in the ruby mountains
Great Basin Desert

Make sure your gear kit has a flashlight with extra batteries, a headlamp, and jumper cables. Bottled water, a multi-tool—think a Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife—road flares or reflective warning triangles, and windshield cleaner are all items that are always good to have with you on Nevada highways, too.

Wildlife Crossings

Nevada is very much a wild place, and definitely has all kinds of animals roaming freely to prove it. Beyond the asphalt, Nevada wildlife ranges from rattlesnakes to rabbits, coyotes, antelope, wild horses, and burros. While you’re out here, remember that you’re on their turf, especially considering many of these herds are protected and fixtures of the very places you’re visiting. 

Animal safety crossings—or passages above or beneath roadways—help prevent human and animal injuries or deaths, but they don’t exist everywhere, so slow down and stay alert. Keep your eye out for large birds of prey sitting in the middle of the road, too—though you think they may take flight as you approach hawks, eagles and other large birds of prey characteristically… won’t. 

nevada burros crossing the road at a ranch
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
jeep driving on a dirt road in nevada
Success Loop Scenic Drive

And of course you’ve got unfenced, open-range cattle in some parts of Nevada, too—and some of those things are bigger than your vehicle. In this case, we’re talking about a rancher’s livelihood if one were to be struck—accident or not. Keep your eye on speed, especially when driving at night, and always try and give more than you take. 

Travel Nevada Pro Tip

Really want to get to know the Nevada backroads? Follow the Dirt Road Code and you’ll be an expert in no time.

Exploring Rural Nevada

What does freedom feel like? It normally hits the second your tires drop off the pavement and grip onto a wide-open dirt road. Few feelings beat the feeling of true freedom, and there sure is a lot of it calling you from hundreds of miles of Nevada’s backroads. Sometimes traveling unpaved roads can seem intimidating, but with the right packing list and a few solid road rules like what nighttime safety on rural roads actually looks like, there’s no way to go wrong out here. 

Whether you’ve rambled our backroads more than once, or are just dippin’ your tires in for the first time, we’ve got the dirt on what it takes to unlock some tried and true off-grid bliss. Follow these tips when driving Nevada’s unpaved roads:

woman inspecting a paper map
International Car Forest of the Last Church
silhouette of a man watching the sunset  in rural nevada
Black Rock Desert
  • Get your pack list dialed, then don’t take it out of the trunk. Keep it stocked, that way, you’ll automatically be ready the next instant you wanna peel out of town.
  • Bring a tire patch kit, shovel, and jumper cables. Always have a full-size spare.
  • Always carry a paper map or atlas—cell coverage in rural Nevada isn’t always dependable, and Google Maps are not a reliable source.
  • Carry extra fuel, water and food.
  • Keep your distance between cars to avoid broken windows, and stay to the right, even if it seems like a one-lane road.
  • If you’re going so fast you can’t avoid running over an animal—you’re going too fast.
  • Slow down in small towns or ranching communities.
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#TravelNevada

Whether you’re a dusty ol’ pro or just dippin’ your tires in, we’ve got the dirt on what it takes to unlock some great highway driving and off-grid bliss. Want to help us show it off? Use #TravelNevada on all your Nevada backroads adventures. If we love your photo, look for it here.
• on the road🍃🇺🇸 ☀️•
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#honeymoon #usatravel #travel #nevadadesert #love #adventure #landescape #photooftheday #awesome_earthpix
#LaterGram because all my INSTAgrams are stories 👽
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#outfitshare #ootd #outfitoftheday #lasvegas #vegas #nevada #travelnevada #wanderlust #fashionshare #dailyoutfits #westernstyle #lasvegaslocal #vegaslocal #ltk #ltkoutfits #springstyle #summeroutfitideas #momsbelike #momstyle #momoutfits #stylediary #outfitshot #igfashion #amazonfashion #under1k #ootdshare #jeepgirls
Pyramid Lake, Nevada
This was the highest and greenest I’ve ever seen the lake!
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#DJIAir3 #DronePhotography #AerialPhotography #DJIDrones #ElevateNVPhotography #RenoNevada #SparksNevada #ExploreNevada #RenoSparks #NorthernNevada #DroneShots #DJIOfficial #NevadaViews #DroneLife #RenoPhotographer #SparksPhotographer #EpicAerials #Dronestagram #NevadaPhotography #DJICommunity #PyramidLake #PyramidLakeNevada #NativeAmericanHistory #DroneLandscape #LakePhotography #NevadaNature #ScenicNevada #AdventureNevada
RIVIERA STARDUST | THE NEON MUSEUM, LAS VEGAS

One of the highlights of my trip to Las Vegas was exploring the Neon Museum in the downtown area. There is so much Vegas history in these old signs. I highly recommend a visit here if you are visiting.
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#theneonmuseumboneyard #NevadaAdventures #theneonmuseumlasvegas #theneonmuseum #lasvegas #lasvegastourism #neonsigns #neonlights #signs #lasvegashistory #museum #travel #tourism #Fitzgeralds #Nevada #LasVegas #touristattraction #lit #USA #touristdestination #travelusa #desert #brightlights #Vegas #travelnevada #copyrightamandawhite2024
Walking through the narrows 🥾

I’ve been wanting to visit this place for a while now, but the last time I tried going was after a wash came through and made it difficult to get out there. This time I was finally able to go, and it did not disappoint. What’s even crazier is that this place is about 1 hour outside of vegas!! 

📍Anniversary Narrows, NV 
🚗 4x4 recommended (I have AWD and no issues)

#nevada #travelnevada #roam #explore #adventure #anniversarynarrows #lasvegas #vegas #desert #hiddengems
📍Winnemucca, Nevada
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My drive out to California was not centered around hiking, scenic landscapes, or getting photos like this. It was about getting to know new cities, stopping by small towns for coffee, enjoying community parks and landmarks. The more I travel, the more I appreciate that type of exploring - actually getting to know and experience different communities. And of course Maverick prefers urban exploring to hiking anyways 🤣
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Wearing CANOPY by muttcloth 
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#ratterrier #hikingdogsofinstagram #adventuredognation #theruffoutdoors #winnemuccadunes #winnemucca #visitnevada #roadtrip
…Solo travel isn’t just about the places you visit; it’s about the person you become along the way. It’s about seeing new places and seeing yourself in new ways. It’s about collecting not just souvenirs but stories, and not just photos but memories. It’s about empowering yourself through independent exploration, learning that the journey within can be as vast and wonderful as the journey outside. So, if you’ve ever thought about taking off on your own, remember, the world is not just out there to be explored; it’s also inside you, waiting to be discovered.

Although this isn’t in Mammoth, I sure am looking forward to hitting some hot springs soon, especially with this colder weather upon us. My first stop on my next trip coming up will be in Mammoth, so I’ll definitely be hitting the springs up there. But looking at this image, it brings me right back to that exact moment in time to where I got to see a killer sunset, and with great people. This shot was taken minutes after they stepped out of the springs to grab some food from their RV. As they stepped out, I took a few minutes to capture some shots of the sunsets reflection in the water and the flames burning in the mountain horizon. Not really, but it does kind of look like the distant mountains are on fire. Although this isn’t in Mammoth, you can find this gem just under 4 hours northeast from Mammoth.
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📍Nevada 
#hotsprings #hotspringsworld #nevadahotsprings #travelnevada #neewer #shotoniphone #hotspringsphotographer #hotspringphoto #explorenevada #hotspringsguide #applephotographer #landscapephotography #hotspringsphotography #hotspringsparadise #hotspringsnude #HotSpringsnevada #hotspringslife #nevadaphotographer #nevadalife #longexposurephotography #photography #chevyphotography #nevadamagazine #explorenevada #travellife #hotspringsaroundtheworld #earthfocus #sunsetphotography
That's definitely snow behind me.
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#polarplunge #cleansing #nevada #alpinelake #travelnevada #dfmi #views #staywild #highdesert
It’s always an adventure not knowing where we’ll end up. 

#justagirlandhercamera #nikon #jeepadventure #optoutside #jeep #dianebedellphotography #travelnevada
Extraterrestrial Highway. What more can I say! #extraterrestrialhighway #rainbow #rainclouds #nevadadesert #explorenevada #roadtrip
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