From Neon to Nature, Ghost Towns to Galaxies—These Are the Routes That Define the Silver State
If the open road is calling, there’s no better answer than Nevada. With over 100,000 square miles of wide-open desert, snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and offbeat attractions, Nevada was practically built for road-tripping. Whether you’re chasing cosmic curiosities on the Extraterrestrial Highway, soaking up Old West charm along the Cowboy Corridor, or tracing volcanic tufa towers and turquoise waters on the Lake Tahoe Loop, each road trip promises a different kind of adventure—always raw, real, and unforgettable.
What makes these ten routes the best? Each one tells a unique story. Some follow historic pioneer trails and mining roads. Others lead you to remote ghost towns, world-renowned art installations, or some of the darkest night skies in the country. Many pass through state and national parks, vibrant small towns, and landscapes that look like nowhere else on Earth.
Best of all, there’s no wrong time to explore Nevada. From spring wildflowers and summer festivals to autumn colours and crisp winter skies, every season brings something new to discover.
Burner Byway
Best time to go: Spring or Autumn
Route: Reno → Pyramid Lake → Gerlach → Black Rock Desert
Highlights: The Burner Byway takes you from the urban energy of Reno into the remote, creative wilds of northern Nevada. This route ventures through the dramatic landscape of Pyramid Lake and onward to the Black Rock Desert, home of the iconic Burning Man festival. Outside of event season, the desert remains a surreal and soulful place to explore—ideal for solitude, stargazing, and self-expression. Along the way, you’ll encounter natural oddities like Fly Geyser and artistic havens like Planet X Pottery.
Best for: Creative spirits, free thinkers, solitude seekers
Why: This route blends striking scenery with eccentric culture—perfect for those who want space to roam and think outside the box.
Great Basin Highway
Best time to go: Summer through early Autumn
Route: Las Vegas → Caliente → Ely → Great Basin National Park
Highlights: Stretching north from Las Vegas along US-93, the Great Basin Highway is a road trip into quiet grandeur. It’s made for anyone seeking an immersive escape into Nevada’s lesser-known national park. Great Basin National Park is an official International Dark Sky Park, where ranger-led astronomy programs and the annual Astronomy Festival offer celestial experiences unlike anywhere else. Along the route, you’ll pass historic mining towns like Pioche and Caliente, the eerie ruins of Ward Charcoal Ovens, and the cathedral-like spires of Cathedral Gorge State Park.
Best for: Nature lovers, families, astronomy buffs
Why: With a blend of geological wonders, historic towns, and stellar stargazing, it’s the perfect deep dive into Nevada’s quieter side.
Cowboy Corridor
Best time to go: Year-round
Route: Reno → Winnemucca → Elko → West Wendover
Highlights: Running east-west along I-80, the Cowboy Corridor is a deep dive into Nevada’s frontier heritage and great for travellers who want to mix road tripping with meaningful cultural stops. Towns like Elko and Winnemucca are full of stories—Elko being home to the annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and some of the best Basque food in the West. The California Trail Interpretive Center and historic saloons offer glimpses into the pioneering past, while the nearby Ruby Mountains provide alpine serenity just off the main highway.
Best for: History buffs, Western culture fans, foodies
Why: This route gives travellers a chance to experience Nevada’s deep ranching roots and authentic frontier towns.
Lake Tahoe Loop
Best time to go: Year-round
Route: Carson City → Incline Village → South Lake Tahoe → Genoa
Highlights: One of Nevada’s most scenic circuits, the Lake Tahoe Loop is ideal for couples, outdoor lovers, and families in search of year-round adventure. This loop weaves through charming towns like Genoa and Carson City before wrapping around the sparkling waters of Lake Tahoe. Along the way, you’ll find hiking trails, sandy beaches, world-class ski resorts, and mountain bike paths that turn the drive into a four-season playground. State parks such as Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay offer stunning photo ops, and the elevated mountain air brings a refreshing contrast to Nevada’s desert terrain.
Best for: Couples, families, outdoor adventurers
Why: Whether you’re skiing, swimming, or sipping a cocktail lakeside, Tahoe delivers a stunning mix of action and relaxation.
Death Valley Rally
Best time to go: Late Autumn to early spring
Route: Las Vegas → Pahrump → Death Valley National Park → Rhyolite
Highlights: For thrill-seekers, photographers, and lovers of extreme landscapes, the Death Valley Rally offers an unforgettable plunge into the wild side of the Southwest. Starting in Las Vegas and winding through Pahrump into Death Valley National Park, this drive leads to some of the hottest, driest, and most visually staggering terrain on Earth. Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, and the rolling Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes showcase nature’s raw power, while nearby ghost towns like Rhyolite give the route a haunting twist. Stargazing here is phenomenal due to minimal light pollution.
Best for: Photographers, extreme landscape lovers, road warriors
Why: This route offers some of the most jaw-dropping, otherworldly scenery in the U.S.—with a taste of eerie history to match.
Loneliest Road in America
Best time to go: Late spring through Autumn
Route: Ely → Eureka → Austin → Fallon → Carson City
Highlights: The aptly named Loneliest Road in America (US-50) is a meditative and beautiful journey through high desert basins and forgotten frontier towns. Starting in Ely and stretching west through Eureka, Austin, and Fallon, this route offers ghost towns, natural hot springs, and glimpses of Nevada’s rugged independence. History buffs will enjoy exploring preserved Pony Express stations and remote mining ruins.
Best for: Off-the-grid travellers, history lovers, peace seekers
Why: It’s ideal for those who crave open space, quiet, and a connection to the untamed past of the American West.
Extraterrestrial Highway
Best time to go: Spring or Autumn
Route: Crystal Springs → Rachel → Tonopah
Highlights: Mysterious, quirky, and full of character, the Extraterrestrial Highway (NV-375) is a bucket-list trip for sci-fi fans, pop culture enthusiasts, and the eternally curious. The highway passes near the top-secret Area 51 and through the tiny town of Rachel, home to the Little A’Le’Inn. Along the way, you’ll find UFO-themed attractions, alien murals, and some of the darkest skies in the country for night photography or stargazing. Travellers often stop for jerky at the Alien Research Center or visit the Extraterrestrial Highway sign for a classic roadside photo.
Best for: Sci-fi fans, families, curious minds
Why: Quirky, fun, and full of cosmic charm—this is Nevada’s most out-of-this-world drive.
Neon to Nature
Best time to go: Autumn through spring
Route: Las Vegas → Red Rock Canyon → Valley of Fire → Lake Mead
Highlights: Only have a weekend? The Neon to Nature route is perfect for first-time Nevada visitors and weekend warriors based in Las Vegas. Within just a short drive from the Strip, you’ll find yourself among red rock formations, petroglyphs, and stunning desert scenery. Red Rock Canyon offers scenic drives and hiking trails close to the city, while Valley of Fire State Park stuns with fiery sandstone formations and ancient Native American rock art. This route is proof that you don’t need to go far to experience Nevada’s natural wonders.
Best for: Weekenders, first-timers, outdoor lovers
Why: Perfect for balancing the buzz of Vegas with the serenity of the desert—all without straying too far from the city.
Free-Range Art Highway
Best time to go: Spring through fall
Route: Las Vegas → Rhyolite → Goldfield → Tonopah
Highlights: The Free-Range Art Highway is Nevada at its most surreal. From Las Vegas to Tonopah, you’ll drive past open-air installations, eccentric towns, and roadside curiosities. Must-see stops include the Goldwell Open Air Museum near Beatty, the haunting ruins of Rhyolite ghost town, and the International Car Forest in Goldfield—a madcap display of graffiti-covered vehicles embedded nose-first in the desert. Tonopah itself offers a mix of stargazing and quirky charm.
Best for: Artists, road-trippers, alternative culture seekers
Why: This is Nevada at its most unconventional—playful, surreal, and unapologetically weird.
Rubies Route
Best time to go: Summer through Autumn
Route: Elko → Lamoille Canyon → Jarbidge
Highlights: Tucked away in northeastern Nevada, the Rubies Route is a hidden gem best suited to hikers, explorers, and those seeking peaceful alpine solitude. Starting in Elko, the route winds into Lamoille Canyon—a glacier-carved valley in the Ruby Mountains known for its breathtaking beauty. This is one of the best places in Nevada for Autumn foliage, but it’s also a fantastic destination in spring and summer for hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing.
Best for: Hikers, photographers, backroad explorers
Why: For those who want to truly get away, this route offers alpine serenity and untamed Nevada wilderness.