Best Stops on the Drive from
Sacramento, CA to Ely, NV
Drive the Loneliest Road in America from Sacramento to Ely, featuring Sierra Nevada peaks, historic mining towns, and vast high-desert landscapes.
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Must-See Stops Along the Way
These are our hand-picked recommendations to break up the drive.
Lake Tahoe
Take a slight detour to witness the crystal-clear blue waters of North America's largest alpine lake.
Sand Mountain Recreation Area
Marvel at a massive, singing sand dune that rises 600 feet above the desert floor.
Grimes Point Archaeological Area
Walk a short trail to view ancient petroglyphs carved into volcanic rocks by Native Americans thousands of years ago.
Stokes Castle
Visit a strange, three-story stone tower built in 1897 overlooking the vast Reese River Valley in Austin.
Great Basin National Park
Located just east of Ely, this park features the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak and ancient Bristlecone Pine groves.
About This Route
About Sacramento, CA to Ely, NV
Embark on a trans-Sierra adventure from the lush Sacramento Valley across the rugged Great Basin to the historic mining town of Ely.
- •The Loneliest Road:Traverse a significant portion of US-50, famously known as the Loneliest Road in America.
- •Alpine Beauty:Climb through the towering pines and granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
- •High Desert Vistas:Experience the rhythmic beauty of Nevada's basin-and-range topography and vast salt flats.
This route offers a profound sense of solitude and discovery through some of the West's most untamed landscapes.
Best Time to Visit
- •Winter Travel:Sierra mountain passes often require snow chains and can close during heavy storms.
- •Desert Heat:Summer temperatures in the Nevada basins can exceed 100°F; carry extra water.
- •Best Time:Late spring and early fall offer mild temperatures and clear mountain roads.
Distance & Driving
- •Fuel Strategy:Gas stations are extremely sparse in Nevada; fill up in Fallon and Austin.
- •Road Type:Primarily well-maintained two-lane highway with steep mountain grades.
- •Wildlife Warning:Be alert for deer in the Sierras and open-range cattle or wild horses in Nevada.
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