3 minute read
Road Trip Roundup
nevada road trips
TAKE
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A well-packed car and the open road... those who know, know. There is no better way to escape the daily grind than behind the wheel heading into the great wide open. With 10 classic road trips, Nevada has just the adventure you’re looking for, whether you want to get your culture or your cowboy on. It’s all here waiting for you, so put the pedal to the metal.
COWBOY CORRIDOR
400 miles | 2 to 4 days Few road trips brim with as much Western heritage as the Cowboy Corridor. Nevada's Interstate 80 may be what some motorists blast down on their way to somewhere else, but that’s their loss! Highway speed limits top 80 mph, but when you hit a town, slow down and take that exit. Beyond the off-ramps, you’ll discover lively communities with museums, art galleries, and cuisine highlighting the confluence of buckaroo, Basque, and American Indian traditions.
THEWHEEL
LONELIEST ROAD IN AMERICA
375 to 500 miles | 3 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 told readers not to risk traveling it unless they were confident of their “survival skills.” Nevada adventurers knew better—and still do. This famous road trip is your gateway to ghost towns, historic mining communities, stunning state parks, unsurpassed recreational opportunities, and a handful of Sagebrush Saloons, to boot.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL HIGHWAY
100+ miles | Loop from Las Vegas 470 miles | 2 days Welcome to Alien Country. We can neither confirm nor deny rumors of alien spacecraft, top secret technology, or little green dudes. But we can promise that when you pilot your vessel through this otherworldly wilderness, you’ll get why a “visitor” would cross the galaxy to enjoy this slice of the Silver State. Dive into the final frontier and explore Extraterrestrial Highway landmarks like the Black Mailbox and Little A’Le’Inn.
RUBIES ROUTE
30 miles to 375 miles | 2 to 5 days Welcome to Nevada’s majestic northeastern corner. With Elko as your hub, follow this route’s wild spokes to some of our most coveted scenic treasures. Recreation opportunities are as plentiful as the towering mountain peaks and alpine lakes. Tackle trails in glacier-carved Lamoille Canyon, watch wildlife at Angel Lake and Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, or venture north to remote, rugged Jarbidge—one of the last true frontier towns—by way of some wondrous wilderness.
BURNER BYWAY
110 to 250 miles | 2 to 4 days Come trace the art-lined route Burners take on their annual pilgrimage “home” to Burning Man, the wild arts event held in the mystical Black Rock Desert. Each fall, the pop-up metropolis of Black Rock City springs to life and—just as quickly— disappears. However, around northwestern Nevada, the Burning Man spirit never leaves. Road trip the Burner Byway any time of year and you’ll discover how Nevada’s “why not” attitude and unmatched freedom energize people to come create something magical.
GREAT BASIN HIGHWAY
350 to 585 miles | 3 to 5 days This route offers some of the West’s most majestic terrain, beginning with sandstone canyons and ending with ancient bristlecone pine forests below some of the nation’s darkest skies. In five days, you’ll steer from Las Vegas to Ely to Great Basin National Park, diving into the larger-than-life landscapes of several state parks including Valley of Fire and Cathedral Gorge, as well as charming communities and historic ghost towns.
NEON TO NATURE
60 to 210 miles | 1+ day per loop Las Vegas is good at keeping people occupied, but if you’re looking for places beyond the glow, these three mini road trips will have you exploring the world-famous Hoover Dam, outdoor playgrounds like Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire, and charming towns—and still get you back in time for your dinner reservation, spa treatment, or Elvis-officiated wedding.
