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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROAD TRIPPING THE USA'S STUNNING HIGHWAY 50 AKA THE LONELIEST HIGHWAY IN NEVADA, INCLUDING THE TOP 8 THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY.
If you are anything like us, you have probably looked at a map of the Western part of the United States and focused in on states like Colorado, Utah, and California. You scan it over and just barely glance at the state in between: Nevada.
For years we never gave the “Silver State” a second thought. It was the state that you drove through, not a state you stopped and did things in. To us it seemed empty, arid, cracked and dismal. It seemed there was nothing there to actually see.
But that is completely and utterly wrong.
We have now seen the error of our ways and cannot wait to spend more time exploring this beautiful state. Now, don’t get us wrong, Nevada is still empty - there is no denying that - but that, in truth, is part of its appeal. In fact, the state is so empty that it has had one of its major highways - Highway 50 - nicknamed the Loneliest Highway in America.
Highway 50 - better known as the Loneliest Highway - stretches from Fallon, Nevada (near the much bigger city of Reno) all the way across the state to Delta, Utah. Along the way, the road twists and turns over mountain ranges, next to various ghost towns, through historic mining communities and stunning state parks (home to many fun recreational opportunities). If you are looking for a road trip that combines nature and history, but you don't want to deal with crowds, then driving the Loneliest Highway might be a great way to spend a couple of days.
💬 INSIDER TIP: we decided to drive the Loneliest Highway west to east (we started in Reno and ended in Delta) but you can very easily go the opposite direction. Just note that the stops below and the directions to each will need to be reversed.
LONELIEST HIGHWAY | BY THE NUMBERS
472 miles | the distance from Reno, Nevada to Delta, Utah, this is considered the main route of the Loneliest Highway.
7.5 hours | the average time it takes to drive from Reno to Delta, though this does not include any stops along the way.
3.14 million | the total population of the entire state of Nevada, over one-sixth of that lives in the city of Las Vegas.
300+ | the number of mountain ranges in the state, which surprisingly, is the most mountainous state in the USA (you will drive over many of these mountain ranges along the Loneliest Highway).
WHAT IS THE LONELIEST HIGHWAY?
While Life magazine was the first publication to give the highway the nickname “ the Loneliest Highway in America” back in 1986, it was the Nevada Commission on Tourism that really made it stick (check out their website here).
This was largely due to their numerous marketing campaigns that included such things as creating a Highway 50 Survival Guide as well as large highway roadside signs that remind you mile after mile that you are out there entirely alone. Heck, you can even receive a certificate, signed by the governor of Nevada, if you complete the entire driving route.
Thanks to all of that, what began as a fun moniker in the 80s has now become a well-known slogan for a road that stretches just over 400 miles across the entire state of Nevada.
EXPLORE MORE | 5 APPS YOU NEED TO DOWNLOAD BEFORE YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP
\\ The Best Time to Drive the Loneliest Highway
The shoulder seasons are always a good time to visit this area of the USA. In the spring, you will have a great chance of seeing everything in bloom - including wildflowers in Great Basin National Park. Whereas during the fall, you will get to see the trees change color, especially the aspen groves that can be found throughout the entire region.
We actually drove the Loneliest Highway in the winter, and while everything was open and there wasn't too much snow around (this was the end of December), it was definitely very (very) cold. If you aren't afraid to be a bit chilly on hikes or are totally prepared to bundle up, then this could also be a great time to drive the highway and explore the area.
\\ Where to Stay Along the Loneliest Highway
While you can do the whole drive from Reno or Carson City to Delta in one long day, we instead recommend splitting it up into at least 2 days. This allows you enough time to stop off at the many scenic places along the way - including 8 of the best destinations down below.
The main towns you can stay in along Highway 50 are Reno, Carson City (depending on where you are starting from), Austin and Ely. Below are some of the best places to stay in each town.
RENO
ATLANTIS CASINO RESORT SPA
Located in the southern part of the city of Reno, this casino/resort hotel has a wonderful pool, gym, ample parking and is well-located near many popular tourist attractions. It is also quite close to two major roads - Highway 580 and Highway 659 - both of which take you out to the start of the Loneliest Highway. Book a room here.
GRAND SIERRA RESORT AND CASINO
Another good option is this resort and casino, which like the hotel above, also offers a pool, gym, parking and access to a casino. This resort is actually the largest resort in all of northern Nevada, so if you want lots of options for things to do, then this might be the place to go. Book a room here.
CARSON CITY
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES
While it might not have the pizzazz as some of the resorts in nearby Reno, this simple hotel in Carson City checks all of the boxes - plus it comes with free breakfast. Book a room here.
AUSTIN
There are really only a few options when it comes to staying in Austin, Nevada - luckily, the options are pretty cute and definitely funky. We personally stayed at the Pony Canyon Motel and have nothing bad to say about it. The other options are Cozy Mountain Motel and Union Street Lodging (this is actually a very cute Bed and Breakfast).
When booking a night in Austin, expect to either do it over the phone (at least for the Pony Canyon Motel and the Union Street Lodging BnB) or just show up in person.