📷 Photo by John Bewlay on UnsplashUS-50: the Loneliest Road in America
Across Nevada’s basins and ranges, through old mining towns to Great Basin National Park.
- Distance
- 587 km (365 mi)
- Driving
- 6 h 31 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 5
- States
- NV
- Updated
- May 12, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 587 km (365 mi) with 5 stops, from Reno to Great Basin National Park. About 6 h 31 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Nevada · More road trips from Reno
Route description
From Reno, head east to Fallon, a farming town with a naval air station, where US-50 begins its long stretch across the Great Basin. East of town, Sand Mountain is a huge dune popular with off-road vehicles. The road then crosses a series of basins and mountain ranges, with the next town far ahead.
Austin is an old silver-mining town built on a steep hillside, with old churches and the ruins of Stokes Castle nearby. Farther east, Eureka has a restored opera house and a main street of 19th-century buildings. Ely, a former copper-mining town, is home to the Nevada Northern Railway museum, which runs historic trains.
From Ely, US-50 continues to Great Basin National Park near Baker. Tours of Lehman Caves should be booked in advance, and the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive climbs to groves of ancient bristlecone pines; vehicles over 24 feet are not allowed on the upper part of the road. The park’s dark skies are among the best in the country for stargazing.
Distances between towns are long, so fill up whenever you can and carry water. The upper Wheeler Peak road is closed in winter, and snow can fall on the passes from fall to spring. Summer and early fall are the best times, with cool nights at higher elevations.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Reno
NV - 2107 km
Fallon
NV - 3176 km
Austin
NV - 4227 km
Ely
NV - 576 km
Great Basin National Park
NatureBaker, NVAncient bristlecone pines, Lehman Caves and some of the darkest night skies in the country.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Reno → Austin · 176 mi · 3 h 08 minOn the way: Fallon.Overnight nearby, for example: Bob Scott Campground (5 mi); Big Creek Campground (11 mi).
- Day 2: Austin → Ely · 141 mi · 2 h 31 minOvernight nearby, for example: Ward Mountain Campground (5 mi); Timber Creek Campground (17 mi).
- Day 3: Ely → Great Basin National Park · 47 mi · 0 h 51 minOvernight nearby, for example: Eagle Peak Campsites (6 mi); Snake Creek Campsite (7 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is US-50: the Loneliest Road in America?
3-day road trip of about 587 km (365 mi) with 5 stops, from Reno to Great Basin National Park. About 6 h 31 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for US-50: the Loneliest Road in America?
We suggest 3 days: about 6 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does US-50: the Loneliest Road in America start and end?
It starts in Reno and ends in Great Basin National Park.
Which states does US-50: the Loneliest Road in America pass through?
Nevada.
Where can you camp along US-50: the Loneliest Road in America?
OpenStreetMap lists 57 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: RV Park at Grand Sierra Resort, Victorian RV Park and Eagle Peak Campsites.
When is the best time for US-50: the Loneliest Road in America?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
