9 Great Road Trips to Take in Nevada

Nevada is known as the state of extremes, where you can experience the city life of Las Vegas and the polar opposite areas on the back roads, such as Lake Mead or the Moapa Valley Wildlife Conservation. Sometimes, experiencing these two opposites is possible on a one-day road trip. Adding these road trips to your itinerary is necessary; whether you want a practical 24-hour excursion or a weekend getaway, both are possible in this contrasting state.

Las Vegas to Boulder City

Las Vegas to Boulder City is a 30-minute road trip traveling Southeast along the I-11 and U.S. Route 93. Along the way, the famous Hoover Dam is a spectacle on the Colorado River and hosts visitor center tours year-round. Numerous water activities, such as whitewater rafting and fishing, are also available. Lake Mead is a popular destination for road trippers on U.S. Route 93, as it offers picnic areas, water activities, and incredible views. With Boulder City approaching, there are a few refueling stops, one being The Coffee Cup Cafe, a retro cafe known for its delicious breakfast menu. If you are sentimental, The Coffee Cup Cafe also hangs their guests' coffee cups from home around the cafe, adding to the cozy interior. Upon your arrival in Boulder City, the Historic District can fill your day by roaming around art galleries, restaurants, and antique shops.

Reno to Virginia City

Reno to Virginia City will catch your attention if you want another short-day road trip. The drive is around 35 minutes Southeast along I-580 and U.S. Route 341. You will find the scenic winding road through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and a breathtaking panoramic view of the valley—beautiful during Autumn. There are fun outdoor activities by the dozen, such as Wasoe Lake State Park, where hiking trails are abundant and significant bird-watching opportunities for twitchers. The Chollar Mine Tour is located in Virginia City and showcases Virginia's centuries-old silver mine heritage. At the end of a long day, a bite to eat is always in order. Cafe Del Rio in Virginia City offers southwest cuisine using fresh ingredients and rich flavors.

Carson City to Zephyr Cove

Carson City to Zephyr Cove is a 30-minute drive southwest on U.S. Route 395 and 50. Taking this road trip during a beautiful clear day is ideal, as Kingsbury North Trailhead and Castlerock are a short detour away. Here, you can view Lake Tahoe in all its glory and the rock formations that have taken place over millennia. The eastern shore of Lake Tahoe is another photo-worthy spot called the Zephyr Cove Day Use Area. Zephyr Cove is across from Zephyr Cove Resort, a camping ground with Zephyr Cove Marina just nearby. Zephyr Cove offers crisp water, rock formations, and recreational activities such as camping and boating. The fun doesn’t stop there; the Puzzle Room is a family-friendly escape room made for the investigative mind. After a day of adventure, refueling is a number one priority, which can be done at Casey’s, a unique lakeside location. Casey’s boasts a traditional all-American menu with a rustic interior that sets the mountainside tone.

Las Vegas to Caliente

Following the I-15 and U.S. Route 93 slightly Northeast for 2.5 hours provides a perfect weekend getaway from Las Vegas to Caliente. The trip offers multiple State Parks, including Valley of Fire State Park, Kershaw Ryan State Park, and the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge, showcasing wetlands and a protected area for unique bird migrations. As you enter the small town of Caliente, you will be greeted by a vibrant history and photogenic landscapes. Rainbow Canyon is a hidden gem in Southern Nevada, ideal for hiking, biking, and spotting historic petroglyphs. The Panaca Hot Springs is also a must-see, particularly after a long day of winding down in crystal clear, naturally heated water. A local recommended spot to get some food is Side Track Restaurant. The menu includes cheeseburgers, hot honey pizza, and desserts like pies and cakes.

Las Vegas to Pahrump

One of America's most iconic road trips is heading around Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area and the Toiyabe National Forest an hour west on the I-15 and U.S. Route 160. The Red Rock Scenic Drive is 13 miles of red-rock landscapes, and if you are willing to go for a small hike, you will even see the petroglyph wall, estimated to be 800 years old. The history of Pahrump can be found at the Pahrump Valley Museum, which showcases local cotton fields heritage, geological rocks, and a unique outdoor exhibit featuring structures that are original to the town. Enjoy Pahrump's Finata Italian Style Pizza, known in town for its extensive list of brick oven pizzas and excellent fresh toppings.

Reno to Tonopah

Following U.S. Route 95 is a four-hour journey filled with desert scenery, one-of-a-kind stops, and eccentric landmarks. As you travel southward, mountain tops quickly fill the area with a distinct remote wilderness that defines the Nevada desert. Walker Lake is located in the Great Basin in Mineral County. It is essential to some migratory wildlife and an ideal rest stop for a quick break and beautiful panoramic lake views. Tonopah is known as the “Queen of the Silver Camps” due to its silver mining heritage. Some must-see locations are Tonopah Historic Mining Park and the Central Nevada Museum, which showcase historical exhibits and vintage mining artifacts. Strawberry Hill Diner is a highly talked-about diner in Tonopah where travelers can eat comfort food in a restful atmosphere. The menu boasts all-American classics with burgers and large breakfast plates featuring pancakes.

Henderson to Searchlight

Heading south from Henderson on U.S. 95, follow a winding road to Searchlight. The road trip is only 45 minutes long, offering a distinguished vantage point of Nevada's baron landscape with heritage stops en route. The journey starts east of Henderson at Lake Las Vegas, a petite lakeside village with photo-worthy architecture, boutiques, and Coffee Shops such as Mimi & Coco Bistro. Next, a short 25-minute detour will bring you to Eldorado Canyon, where the Techatticup Mine resides—Nevada's oldest, richest, and most famous gold mine. Here, you can view old mining equipment, the labyrinth tunnels, and historic artifacts. When arriving in Searchlight, the Searchlight Historical Museum is a small, free local museum that displays old mining artifacts and presents life in Searchlight before settlers, during settlers, and after—including famous residents. Once you conclude Searchlight, take a detour back to the Nelson Ghost Town, a high-traffic tourist spot with a fun food steak sandwich food truck.

Fallon to Austin

From Fallon to Austin, it is a 90-minute road trip on U.S. Route 50, a beautifully graphic route highlighting desert landmarks and rich Nevada history. Around 25 miles east of your starting point in Fallon is the Sand Mountain Recreation Area in the high desert, offering a landscape of dunes ideal for off-roading. Nearby tourists can view the excavated and stabilized ruins of the Sandy Springs Pony Express Station.

Grimes Point Archeological Site, along U.S. Route 50, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Native American people etched open-air petroglyphs into rocks dating back as far as 6,000 years - the short and sweet walking trails make it easy for travelers to view these iconic markings. Approaching Austin is Stokes Castle, positioned on a hill on the western edge of town. The castle was built in 1867 by a mine developer. It is an ode to Austin's mining heritage and is still beautifully preserved. Stopping for a bite to eat at Middlegate Station is well-known to travelers—and home to the “Middlegate Monster Burger.” The pit stop was initially built as a Pony Express Station in 1860, making it one of a kind.

Winnemucca to Paradise Valley

Taking you along the Nevada countryside on the NV-290 for 1 hour is a peaceful route from Winnemucca to Paradise Valley. Traveling north, you will gaze upon the largest dunes in Nevada, the Winnemucca Dunes. Ample activities happen at the dunes, including sandboarding, ATVing, and off-roading - road trip tip: heading there at sunset for epic views of the sand, taking on the colors of the sky. Heading into Paradise Valley's Historic District, tucked into the foothills of neighboring mountains, will not disappoint. Well-preserved buildings such as old ranches, schoolhouses, and a general store tell a colorful life story of the 19th century. Santa Rosa Peak is the second-highest peak in the Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak Wilderness. It offers a central and immaculate view of the wilderness and hiking, climbing, and wildlife-watching opportunities. The Paradise Valley Saloon Bar and Grill is a local stop loved by many. The restaurant serves open fire-cooked steaks and ice-cold beer and sometimes has live entertainment on the weekends.

These nine road trips offer scenic routes showcasing Nevada's loneliest highway, beautiful mountain ranges, early-settler heritage, and most convenient pit stops—all ingredients for a memorable road trip. Nevada provides access to various historic sites, whether you want to see antique artifacts, millennia-old petroglyphs, or sparkling lakeside views of old rock formations. Sometimes, when planned just right, you can see them all in just one day.