stargazing in the black rock desert in nevada

Nevada Road Trips

Take a Drive. Find Your Vibe. Feel Alive.

Cowboys and counterculture. Wildlife and wilder tales. Open roads and open hearts. Nevada’s highways don’t just lead you to adventure—they are the adventure.

Travel back in time exploring Wild West ghost towns, or jump to a not-so-distant future near Area 51. Ride Highway 50—the Loneliest Road in America—or hike with the locals at Red Rock Canyon. You never know what you’ll encounter between Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe until you buckle up.

So go on—get a little out there. Because sometimes getting there is all the fun.

Burner Byway

Highlights

Choose From 10 Nevada Road Trips
Stargaze at Great Basin National Park
Rock Out at Valley of Fire State Park
Encounter Living History in 600+ Ghost Towns

Find the Space to Be

Nevada Road Trip Ideas

With over 60 million acres of public lands, there’s endless space to be here. Outdoor enthusiast? Set up camp at Wheeler Peak. Art aficionado? Get up close and personal with larger-than-life exhibits at Goldwell Open Air Museum. Want one-of-a-kind wonders? Take a dip at Spencer Hot Springs. Let your heart and the wide-open heart of Nevada guide you to your next anything-but-ordinary experience.

Bring on the Heat

Las Vegas to Death Valley & Beyond

Stark terrain, hardy wildlife, and a record-shattering climate make Death Valley National Park the ultimate final destination on a route full of extreme encounters.

Route Distance

Up to 370 mi

Suggested Time

3 or 4 Days

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Travel
Alerts

Keep an eye out for sudden road closures and inclement weather, especially in winter. Check Nevada 511 for the latest updates.

Let’s Hit the Road

10 Best Road Trips in Nevada

Click the icons on the map to see detailed itineraries, trip highlights, and tips for getting off the beaten track.

Burner Byway

110 to 250 miles | 2 to 4 days

Cowboy Corridor

400 miles on I-80 Nevada | 2 to 4 days

Death Valley Rally

Up to 370 mi | 3 or 4 Days

Extraterrestrial Highway

100+ miles | Loop from Las Vegas: 470 mi | 2 Days

Free-Range Art Highway

440 to 515 miles | 1 to 3 days

Great Basin Highway

350 to 585 miles | 3 to 5 Days

Lake Tahoe Loop

145 miles | 2 to 5 days

Loneliest Road in America

375 to 500 miles | 2 to 4 Days

Neon To Nature

60 to 210 miles | 1+ Day Per Route

Rubies Route

30 mi to 375 mi | 2 to 5 days

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Take the Quiz

The Perfect Nevada Road Trip

With over 3,400 miles of scenic byways and highways and 37 days’ worth of Silver State experiences, there’s a trip for everyone. Take the quiz to find yours.

Buckle Up

Tips for Driving in Nevada

The best road trips are all about the journey, but before you put the pedal to the metal, take a minute to read these need-to-know tips and tricks for keeping your wheels turning and the adventure unfurling.

Driving in Nevada

Brush up on driving basics—both on and off the pavement. From navigating wintry roads to braking for the occasional cow, Nevada highways are untamed, unforgettable, and unlike any other state’s.

Cell Service

Phone service can get spotty when you go off the grid. Map out your Nevada road trip with gas stations, meal breaks, and nightly stops. Always tell someone where you’re headed and when you plan to return, too.

Weather

Nevada is a land of extremes. Plan for glorious changes in weather, climate, and terrain as you explore our vast state. Pack clothes for both warm and cold temps in any season, and don’t forget your swimsuit. Because you never know what Nevada will do next.

Travel Advisories

If we know about access issues or closures that may affect your visit, we post them on our Travel Advisories page. There, we also link you to the best resources for real-time updates on roads, environmental incidents, and temporary travel impediments.

#NVROADTRIP

You never know where the open road and the wide-open heart of Nevada will take you. Use #NVRoadTrip to share the adventure with the world.

Featured Stories

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Ghost Town

26 Must-See Nevada Ghost Towns & How to Find ‘Em

If there is any better feeling than the second those tires leave the pavement, you drop off grid with friends, and spend the day digging through places that made the Silver State well, the Silver State… someone kindly loop me in. #NVGhostTown

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State & National Parks

6 Ways To Get Into Nevada’s Biggest Pocket of Parks

This six-pack of Nevada state parks—all within 70 miles of each other—serves up the best climbing secret in the state, stargazing from slot canyons, Fern Gully-style singletrack, and true alone-in-nature situations where it’s just you, pristine waterfalls, and incredible wildlife. Is there a more freeing seasonless road trip?

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Rockhounding & Mining

Nevada Adventure, On The Rocks

Millions of years of geological activity have made Nevada a rockhounding paradise. Discover where to uncover turquoise, garnets, black fire opals, and so much more throughout the Silver State.

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the star mural by sebas velasco in elko nevada

Arts & Culture

High Desert Renaissance: Elko’s Public Art Revival

From dozens of larger-than-life cowboy boots to more than 100 vibrant murals, Elko’s public art scene is thriving.

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Museums

13 Ways to Cash in on the Storied Glory of the Million Dollar Courthouse

Sure, wealth rooted to Nevada’s mining heydey was definitely a factor, but an actual million dollars? Learn more about how what sounds like exaggeration is actually truth, and how to lock in your NV Road Trip to this southeastern Nevada museum. #NVHistory

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History & Heritage

10 Reasons We’re Stoked On Austin (And You Should Be Too)

Ready for an amazing central Nevada road trip? Get your hands on Nevada turquoise, explore ancient pictograph and petroglyph sites, drive backcountry canyons, soak in Nevada hot springs and more, all within 45 minutes of Austin, NV.

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Hot Springs

Score a Soak (and History Lesson) at 5 Nevada Resort Hot Springs

Take refuge at one of Nevada’s treasured hot spring resorts, where you’ll soak in some history as enriching as the mineral content itself. #NVHotSprings

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Outdoor Recreation

Live By The Dirt Road Code

Whether you’re new to dusty Nevada roads or a dirt road pro, we’ve got the dirt on off-grid Nevada bliss. From safety tips for driving on dirt roads to a packing list for your dirt road campground, we’ve got everything you need to become an expert on the Dirt Road Code.

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