loneliest road in america
loneliest road nevada

Loneliest Road in America

Highway 50: Plenty of Space at Your Own Pace

Route Distance

375 to 500 miles

Suggested Time

2 to 4 Days

In July of 1986, Life magazine dubbed Nevada’s Highway 50 the “Loneliest Road in America.” The article claimed there were “no points of interest” along the route and “warned” readers not to risk traveling it unless they were confident of their “survival skills.” However, Nevada adventurers knew better then—and still do. And sure, a road doesn’t get much more wide-open than Highway 50. But that’s exactly why we dig it. Today, this famous Nevada road trip is your gateway to ghost towns, historic mining communities, stunning state parks, unsurpassed recreational opportunities, and a handful of authenticity-packed Sagebrush Saloons, to boot. 

Highlights

  • Earn road tripper cred, stamp by stamp, with your Highway 50 Survival Guide
  • Toast your travels in real-deal roadhouses and storied Sagebrush Saloons
  • Encounter the oldest trees under the darkest skies at Great Basin National Park

Chasing Horizons on a Route 50 Road Trip

Anything But Lonesome on the Loneliest Road

American Indians. The Pony Express. Gold miners. And now…you. Come chase some history while making plenty of your own. If it’s outdoor action you’re after, get ready for hiking, biking, camping, stargazing, hot springing, off-roading, wildlife watching, and Sagebrush Saloon-hopping. You’ll also encounter a few welcoming, far-flung (but just-close-enough) small towns, from farm-fresh Fallon to western history-packed Austin, Eureka, and Ely along the way. Cap it all off at Great Basin National Park, where sky-scraping peaks and 5,000-year-old trees beckon visitors who prefer their national parks served without a side of elbows at their vista points. 

Nevada map

COMMUNITIES ON THIS TRIP

Carson City, Dayton, Fallon, Austin, Eureka, Ely, Baker

Glovebox Essentials

Prepare for Your Adventure

Get ready to come chase some horizons with this handy tool kit. Here, you’ll find all the Loneliest Road in America road trip essentials, including downloadable directions, maps, and podcasts, and tunes to complement your upcoming adventure.

The Roaming Gnome Road Trips the Loneliest Road in America

Loneliest Road in America Playlist

The Loneliest Food in America—Part 1: Baker + Ely

The Loneliest Food in America—Part 2: Eureka + Kingston

The Loneliest Food in America—Part 3: Austin, Middlegate + Fallon

The Loneliest Food in America—Part 4: Dayton, Carson City + Stateline

Buzzfeed Bring Me! Along the Loneliest Road in America

Expand

Hit the Wide-Open Road

Heaps to Explore on Highway 50

From ghost towns and state parks to hot springs and Sagebrush Saloons, the Loneliest Road is alive with passions to chase. Along the way, you’re bound to enjoy Highway 50’s endless vistas, friendly communities, and historic towns filled with stories and characters who can spin a yarn that’ll keep you mesmerized and yearning to explore more.

Leg 1

Follow in the Hoof-steps of the Pony Express

Snag a Highway 50 Survival Guide (and first stamp) in Carson City, then hit the Loneliest Road, visiting Fallon, Sand Mountain, the Shoe Tree, and more en route to Austin NV.

Leg 2

Get Found in the Middle of Somewhere

Check out a “castle” with a view and shop for turquoise in Austin before heading toward Eureka, with detours to a hot spring, a sagebrush saloon, and a ghost town.

Leg 3

“Eureka!” Discover the Heart of Nevada.

Explore an opera house, haunted hotel, and newspaper museum in the old mining town of Eureka before cruising to Ely, where great grub, neat history, and outdoor action await.

Leg 4

A Day (or More) in the Parks

This leg is all about Great Basin National Park. 5,000-year-old trees. Millenia-old cave formations. 13,064-ft Wheeler Peak. And a few million stars. You do the math.

loneliest road in america

Leg 1

Reno or Carson City to Austin NV

170 to 215 miles

Embark from Carson City, Nevada’s cultured-up capital town. Before you ditch civilization, order your Highway 50 Survival Guide (or grab one from our pals at the Visit Carson City HQ). Collect stamps in at least five communities along your journey and we’ll send you some sweet “survivor” swag. Then head for the old mountaintop mining town of Austin, by way of Fallon, an ancient petroglyph site, a huge singing sand dune, an old-school roadhouse, and more. 

Travel Nevada Pro Tip

Launching from Reno? You can also connect to route 50 in Fernley.

Stay in a motel or a cute, cozy suite in town at Union Street Lodging in town, or opt for an Uncommon Overnighter in an ornate, old-fashioned estate room in a star-studded valley at Paradise Ranch Castle

Paradise Ranch Castle

Paradise Ranch Castle

Austin

Holiday Inn Express – Fallon

Holiday Inn Express – Fallon

Fallon

Best Western Fallon Inn & Suites

Best Western Fallon Inn & Suites

Fallon

Cold Springs Station Resort

Cold Springs Station Resort

Fallon

Cozy Mountain Motel

Cozy Mountain Motel

Austin

Kingston Cabin

Kingston Cabin

Kingston

Dayton RV Park

Dayton RV Park

Dayton

Union Street Lodging B&B

Union Street Lodging B&B

Austin

Reese River Cabins

Reese River Cabins

Austin

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Uncover mining-era history at Dayton, Fort Churchill, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Parks. Be a bird nerd at Stillwater NWR or a culture-vulture at Oats Park Art Center. Or send it big at Sand Mountain Recreation Area.

Lattin Farms

Lattin Farms

Fallon

Cold Springs Station Resort

Cold Springs Station Resort

Fallon

The Shoe Tree of Middlegate

The Shoe Tree of Middlegate

Middlegate Station

Fort Churchill State Historic Park

Fort Churchill State Historic Park

Silver Springs

Churchill County Museum & Archives

Churchill County Museum & Archives

Fallon

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Gabbs

Sand Mountain

Sand Mountain

Fallon

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Fallon

Hidden Cave & Grimes Point Archaeological Site

Hidden Cave & Grimes Point Archaeological Site

Fallon

Dayton State Park

Dayton State Park

Dayton

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Find farm-to-fork foodie flavors in Fallon, “The Oasis of Nevada.” Tour Frey Ranch, one of the USA’s only estate distilleries. Or take on the infamous, multi-pound Monster Burger at Middlegate Station to win a trophy shirt. 

Frey Ranch Farmers + Distillers

Frey Ranch Farmers + Distillers

Fallon

Roadrunner Café

Roadrunner Café

Dayton

Azteca Grill & Bakery

Azteca Grill & Bakery

Fallon

Dayton Taphouse

Dayton Taphouse

Dayton

The Courtyard Café & Bakery

The Courtyard Café & Bakery

Fallon

Stone Cabin Coffee

Stone Cabin Coffee

Fallon

The Slanted Porch

The Slanted Porch

Fallon

Telegraph Coffee & Tap

Telegraph Coffee & Tap

Fallon

Cold Springs Station Resort

Cold Springs Station Resort

Fallon

J’s Old Town Bistro

J’s Old Town Bistro

Dayton

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Visitors flock to Fallon to appreciate Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge’s 260+ migratory bird species, to celebrate the town’s famed Hearts of Gold cantaloupes, and take a shot at out-drawing fellow sharpshooters. 

Fastest Gun Alive World Championship

Fastest Gun Alive World Championship

Octane Fest

Octane Fest

Spring Wings Bird Festival

Spring Wings Bird Festival

Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair

Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair

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route 50 road trip

Leg 2

Austin, NV to Eureka, NV

70 to 135 miles

Sure, you could blast from Austin to Eureka in just over an hour. But with all these on-the-way wonders, what would be the fun in that? That’s why we’ve designated this slice of Highway 50 its own leg—one offering chances to pull up a stool in a classic Sagebrush Saloon with a Big Smoky Valley view; soak your cares away while listening for the bray of wild burros at Spencer Hot Springs; examine millennia-old cave paintings and rock carvings; and more. Combine it with Leg 3 or make it a full day on its own. The options are endless.

Sleep and sip in 1870s opulence at the elegant, beautifully restored Jackson House Hotel & Tea Room (ghost tours on weekends). Or cozy it up in the Eureka Doll House, a gorgeous little 1880-built cottage with a jacuzzi tub.

The 1870 Heritage House

The 1870 Heritage House

Eureka

Stone Church Lodge

Stone Church Lodge

Eureka

Jackson House Hotel & Tea Room

Jackson House Hotel & Tea Room

Eureka

Ike’s Canyon Ranch

Ike’s Canyon Ranch

Las Vegas

Colonnade Hotel

Colonnade Hotel

Eureka

Eureka Doll House

Eureka Doll House

Eureka

Sundown Lodge

Sundown Lodge

Eureka

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On this historic leg, investigate 3,000-year-old cave paintings and 10,000-year-old petroglyphs, taste tea between ghost tours at Jackson House Hotel, and glimpse mining-era grandeur at an opera house and newspaper museum.

Eureka Historic Walking Tour

Eureka Historic Walking Tour

Eureka

Toiyabe Crest National Recreation Trail & Arc Dome Wilderness

Toiyabe Crest National Recreation Trail & Arc Dome Wilderness

Austin

Spencer Hot Springs

Spencer Hot Springs

Austin

Kingston Canyon

Kingston Canyon

Kingston

Toquima Cave

Toquima Cave

Toquima Mountain Range

Eureka Sentinel Museum

Eureka Sentinel Museum

Eureka

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area

Austin

Stokes Castle

Stokes Castle

Austin

Eureka Opera House

Eureka Opera House

Eureka

Eureka Underground Tunnels

Eureka Underground Tunnels

Eureka

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Dip down about twenty minutes southwest off Highway 50 to Kingston, home of the Lucky Spur Saloon, where the drinks are strong and the decor fits the name. In Eureka, dig into steaks and American classics at the Owl Club.

Champs Burgers

Champs Burgers

Austin

Urban Cowboy Bar & Grill

Urban Cowboy Bar & Grill

Eureka

Raine’s Market Deli

Raine’s Market Deli

Eureka

Lucky Spur Saloon

Lucky Spur Saloon

Kingston

Eureka Owl Club

Eureka Owl Club

Eureka

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Hop into haunted history at the Jackson House Hotel, which has lured the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures crew. Or listen as some of Nevada’s most talented musicians fiddle their way to victory in the Eureka Opera House.

Eureka Art, Wine & Music Fest

Eureka Art, Wine & Music Fest

Jackson House Afternoon Tea

Jackson House Afternoon Tea

Eureka Gold Rush Games

Eureka Gold Rush Games

Nevada Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest

Nevada Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest

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how long does it take to drive route 50

Leg 3

Eureka to Ely

80 to 185 miles

The short, beautiful 1.25-hour drive from Eureka to Ely rewards you with plenty of time to fill your day exploring a mountain town built on art, history, and outdoor adventure. Stop at Garnet Hill to search the ground for ruby-like stones before rolling into town, where you’ll find more gems at the bauble-filled Garnet Mercantile, plus paintings at the Ely Art Bank and on a town-wide mural tour. After wandering trails, rails, and historic sites, treat yourself to a hearty dinner and rest up for the last leg of the Loneliest Road in America.

The western-chic, century-old Hotel Nevada delights with funky flair, killer neon, and rooms honoring famous former guests, while the Bristlecone delivers mountain views, and the Prospector offers paw-some, pet-friendly rooms.

El Rancho Motel

El Rancho Motel

Ely

Holiday Inn Express & Suites—Ely

Holiday Inn Express & Suites—Ely

Ely

Bristlecone Motel

Bristlecone Motel

Ely

Historic Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall

Historic Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall

Ely

Prospector Hotel & Gambling Hall

Prospector Hotel & Gambling Hall

Ely

Magnuson Park-Vue Motel

Magnuson Park-Vue Motel

Ely

La Quinta Inn & Suites—Ely

La Quinta Inn & Suites—Ely

Ely

Jailhouse Motel & Casino

Jailhouse Motel & Casino

Ely

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With hands-on history at a railroad museum, a working locomotive yard, and Renaissance Village; fabulous art at the Ely Art Bank and all over town; and outdoor activities galore, discover what it means to get Ely-vated.

Garnet Hill

Garnet Hill

Ely

Nevada Northern Railway Museum

Nevada Northern Railway Museum

Ely

McGill Drugstore Museum

McGill Drugstore Museum

McGill

Renaissance Village and Ely Mural Walking Tour

Renaissance Village and Ely Mural Walking Tour

Ely

East Ely Railroad Depot Museum

East Ely Railroad Depot Museum

Ely

Ely Art Bank

Ely Art Bank

Ely

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park

Ely

Ward Mountain Recreation Area

Ward Mountain Recreation Area

Ely

Cave Lake State Park

Cave Lake State Park

Ely

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There’s a lot to eat in Ely. From one of Nevada’s best Basque chorizo burgers to old-fashioned malts to juicy steaks served in your own private jail cell, you’ll have your plate full with this list of our favorite Ely eats.

The Cup

The Cup

Ely

Economy Drug & Old Fashioned Soda Fountain

Economy Drug & Old Fashioned Soda Fountain

Ely

Racks Bar & Grill

Racks Bar & Grill

Ely

From on-the-ice sculpting, fishing, and bowling contests to cranking the pedals in bike races up mountains or against old-school steam locomotives, Ely’s no stranger to exciting events.

Silver State Classic Challenge

Silver State Classic Challenge

Race the Rails

Race the Rails

Fears, Tears & Beers Mountain Bike Enduro Race

Fears, Tears & Beers Mountain Bike Enduro Race

Sunset, Stars & Champagne Train

Sunset, Stars & Champagne Train

Fire & Ice Winter Festival

Fire & Ice Winter Festival

Schellraiser Music Festival

Schellraiser Music Festival

Ely Film, Art & Music Festival

Ely Film, Art & Music Festival

White Pine County Fair and Horse Races

White Pine County Fair and Horse Races

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reno to great basin national park

Leg 4

Ely to Great Basin National Park

65 to 95 miles

Another hour-and-change drive whisks you to wonderment at Great Basin National Park, a sanctuary where solitude can still be found and nature runs wild. Get gnarly among 5,000-year-old bristlecone pine trees—the oldest living things on Earth. Drive up to 10,000 feet and hoof it up to 13,064-ft Wheeler Peak—Nevada’s 2nd tallest. Navigate stalactites and stalagmites at stunning Lehman Caves. Then discover why “half the park is after dark” as you scan the Lower 48’s darkest night skies for shooting stars and entire galaxies.

Enjoy Great Basin’s incomparable night skies from the courtyard at Stargazer Inn, from the hot tub at Hidden Canyon Retreat, your RV site at Whispering Elms, or around the campfire at one of the National Park campgrounds.

Whispering Elms Campground, Motel and RV Park

Whispering Elms Campground, Motel and RV Park

Baker

Stargazer Inn & Bristlecone General Store

Stargazer Inn & Bristlecone General Store

Baker

Border Inn RV Park

Border Inn RV Park

Baker

Hidden Canyon Retreat

Hidden Canyon Retreat

Baker

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive & Campground

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive & Campground

Baker

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Cruise into Baker via Osceola Ghost Town. Then hit the park to check out water-carved formations in Lehman Caves, hike among ancient trees and towering peaks, fish backcountry lakes, and gaze galaxies with your naked eye.

Osceola Ghost Town

Osceola Ghost Town

Osceola

Great Basin Hiking Trails

Great Basin Hiking Trails

Baker

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive & Campground

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive & Campground

Baker

Lehman Caves

Lehman Caves

Baker

Mt. Moriah Wilderness Area

Mt. Moriah Wilderness Area

Baker

Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park

Baker

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Baker: small town, big flavors. Slide into Sugar, Salt & Malt for everything from breakfast to sushi and ice cream cookie sammies. Pick up burgers and burritos at 487 Grill, AM eats to go at Great Basin Café, and south-of-the-border favorites at Sandra’s Mexican Food.

Stargazer Inn & Bristlecone General Store

Stargazer Inn & Bristlecone General Store

Baker

487 Grill

487 Grill

Baker

Literally scope out galaxies with astro pros under the darkest skies in the Lower 48, get down at a baaaad-ass party with Great Basin sheepherders, or celebrate an intriguing community’s local heritage.

Great Basin BioBlitz

Great Basin BioBlitz

Great Basin Astronomy Festival

Great Basin Astronomy Festival

#LoneliestRoadInAmerica

The Loneliest Road? Anything but, and we’ve got the hashtag to prove it. Use #LoneliestRoadInAmerica to showcase those wide open spaces, big smiling faces, and all the adventures awaiting in between. 

@quinnlowrey image
U.S. Highway 50. The Lincoln Highway. The Loneliest Road in America.
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This open road is waiting for you, no matter what you call it. 🚘🗺
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#TravelNevada #LoneliestRoadInAmerica #NVRoadTrip #Roadtrippers #LincolnHighway #RoadTripUSA #Nevada #TravelByCar #TakeMeHere #ExploreNevada
Sand Mountain just outside Fallon, Nevada. 600 feet high, 2.5 miles in length. Impressive and beautiful don’t even describe it. .
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#nevadarocks #travelnevada #dfmi #fallonnv #mybackyard #exploreyourstate #sandmountain
Driving across Nevada on highway 50 to Lake Tahoe, the highway is literally nicknamed, “The loneliest road in America.” Passing through snow covered mountain range followed by vast desert prairie...on repeat for 300+ miles. Sights along the way included the Pony Express byway and the Great Salt Wells of The Burning Man Festival. I can only imagine what this was like 100 years ago in an old Model T. .
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#greatbasinnationalpark #nevada #southwestlife #southwest #desert #desertlife #loneliestroadinamerica #greatbasin
On a dark desert highway....
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@travelnevada 
@nikonusa 
@visittheusa 
@travel.to.usa 
@roadtrippers 
#hotel #elrancho #ely #nevada #desert #highway #usa #unitedstates #travelnevada #nvroadtrip #halloween #creepy #lonely #roadtrippers #nikon #roadtrip #nikonusa #nikond850 #mynikonlife #nikonnofilter
Can I have a case of the Mondays on Thursday? 
Last weekend we got lost on America’s Loneliest Road this weekend with some amazing ladies and woke of for a spectacular soak and sunrise. Along highway 50 you may see wild donkey and pronghorn antelope, hot springs with or without goldfish, ancient petroglyphs and pictographs, gold mining saloons, and a spectacular view of the Milky Way.
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 #hotspring #milkyway #starynight  #nevada #girlstrip #campvibes #traillife #ontheroad #neverstopexploring #allgoodneverbetter 
#explorenevada #rawnevada #takeahike  #sheadventures #wanderlust #liveyouradventure  #wearethewild 
#getoutstayout #bpmag #optoutside #rei1440project #seeyououtthere #ourwild #highlife #highdesert #desertismydessert
Have you visited the Robert L. Douglass House recently? If not, it may be time to stop by this pink icon of Fallon history and see this unique architecture for yourself. #VisitFallon
Nahe der Stadt Middlegate in Nevada wächst auf dem US Highway 50, der sogenannten „Loneliest Road in America“, vor dem Hintergrund kahler, trockener Wüste und Berge ein einsamer Pappelbaum, der mit Schuhen bespannt ist. Bäume, die mit Gegenständen geschmückt sind - Schuhe, Unterwäsche, Gummi oder was auch immer Passanten zur Hand haben -, sind so gesund wie Apfelkuchen und in Amerika fast so verbreitet. An diesem Schuhspanner ist jedoch eine besonders gute Geschichte (und viele Schuhe) angebracht. Es passierte wie folgt: In einer warmen Wüstennacht geriet ein frisch verheiratetes Paar, das unter dem großen Pappelbaum kampierte, in einen Streit. Die Frau, eine aufbrausende Sorte, drohte wegzugehen. „Wenn Sie das tun“, knurrte der Mann, „müssen Sie barfuß gehen.“ Dann warf er ihre Schuhe in den Baum und fuhr zu einer nahe gelegenen Bar, wo der Barkeeper, wenn überhaupt, ein aufrechter Bürger war einer, überzeugte ihn, zu seiner Frau zurückzukehren. Er fuhr zurück zum Pappelbaum - natürlich war seine Frau immer noch da - und das Paar schaffte es, sich zu versöhnen und glücklich zu leben. Sie kehrten einige Jahre später mit ihrem ersten Kind zurück, um seine Schuhe in den Baum zu werfen, unter dem sie gekämpft und sich wieder vereint hatten. Der Rest ist, wie man sagt, Geschichte.

#travelnevada #travelgram #travelphotography #loneliestroadinamerica #travel #travelblog #travelblogger #travelguide #roadtrip #roadtripusa #usaroadtrip #uswestcoast #reiseblog #reiseguide #reisen #usa #shoetree #theshoetree #middlegate #highway50 #loneliesthighway #loneliestroadinamerica #longroad #shoes #wildwest
At the top of a mountain looking over the whole world is the best place to clear your mind and reflect. 📷by 11.06am
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#lovewhereyoulive #outwest #wildwest #travelnevada #nevadadesert #nevadalife #adventureseeking #goexplore #getoutstayout #optoutside
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