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The Loneliest Highway

From: Sacramento

Essential Gear

Smart recommendations tailored to your specific itinerary and season.

Footwear

Waterproof Hiking Shoes

Necessary for the Rubicon Trail and navigating the mist and rocky terrain near Lower Eagle Falls.

Amazon REI
Protection

Polarized Sunglasses

Crucial for reducing glare from the water at Sand Harbor State Park and Cave Rock.

Amazon REI
Apparel

Lightweight Layers

The transition from orchards to high-altitude lake trails requires adaptable clothing for shifting temperatures.

Amazon REI
Protection

Sand Gaiters or High-Top Boots

Essential for keeping fine sand out of your shoes while exploring the Sand Mountain Recreation Area.

Amazon REI
Hydration

Insulated Water Reservoir

The desert environment of Toiyabe National Forest and Middlegate Station requires constant hydration.

Amazon REI
Accessories

Dust Mask or Buff

Protects against wind-blown dust and sand at Sand Mountain and the historic, unpaved areas of Virginia City.

Amazon REI
Tech

High-Capacity Power Bank

Long stretches of remote driving through Cave Valley and petroglyph areas mean limited access to charging.

Amazon REI
Lighting

LED Headlamp

Vital for exploring the interior of the Ward Charcoal Ovens and navigating campgrounds after sunset.

Amazon REI
Protection

Wide-Brimmed Sun Hat

The exposed landscape of the Hickison Petroglyph area offers little shade from the high-altitude desert sun.

Amazon REI
▼

Day 1

🗺️ Google Maps
  • •Pacing: Fast-paced mountain transition with 4h 9m of driving and 10h 50m of exploration.
  • •Vibe: Alpine adventure meets Sierra foothills charm, shifting from orchards to the crystal waters of Lake Tahoe.
🏠
Start Origin
Sacramento, CA
🚗
1h 21 min • 59.1 miles
🏛️

Larsen Apple Barn

9:15 AM
2461 Larsen Dr, Camino, California 95709, United States
45m • Leave at 10:00 AM
#1
🚗
4 min • 2.9 miles

Delfino Farms

10:00 AM
3205 N Canyon Rd, Camino, California 95709, United States
75m • Leave at 11:15 AM
#2
🚗
4 min • 2.9 miles
🍴

🍽️ Lunch at Starfield Vineyards & Winery

12:00 PM
2750 Jacquier Road, Placerville
50m • Leave at 12:45 PM
#3
🚗
1h 8 min • 49.1 miles

Lower Eagle Falls

2:00 PM
South Lake Tahoe, California 96142, United States
45m • Leave at 2:45 PM
#4
🚗
6 min • 4.3 miles

Rubicon Trailhead North

2:45 PM
Unnamed Road, Tahoma, California 96142, United States
120m • Leave at 4:45 PM
#5
🚗
15 min • 11.2 miles

Cave Rock Trail Head

5:00 PM
669 Cave Rock Dr, Glenbrook, Nevada 89413, United States
75m • Leave at 6:15 PM
#6
🚗
19 min • 14.1 miles
🏖️

Sand Harbor State Park

6:30 PM
2005 NV-28, Incline Village, Nevada 89451, United States
180m • Leave at 9:30 PM
#7
🚗
17 min • 12.0 miles

Dinner at Dickey's Barbecue Pit

9:45 PM
3250 Retail Dr Ste 100, Carson City, Nevada 89706, United States
60m • Leave at 10:45 PM
#8
🚗
1 min • 0.3 miles

Staybridge Suites Carson City Tahoe Area

🌙 Evening: Check-in
972 Retail Ct, Carson City, Nevada 89706, United States
#9
View Deal
▼

Day 2

🗺️ Google Maps
  • •Pacing: Intense 'Route Explorer' day featuring 5h 16m of driving and 10h 40m of visiting historic landmarks.
  • •Vibe: Ghost town grit and desert solitude as you traverse the 'Loneliest Road in America.'
🚗
42 min • 30.1 miles
🍴

🍳 Breakfast at La Reyna Taco Truck

8:45 AM
8565 White Fir St, Reno, Nevada 89523, United States
30m • Leave at 9:15 AM
#1
🚗
5 min • 4.0 miles

Hunter Creek Falls

9:15 AM
Hunter Creek Trail, Reno, Nevada 89511, United States
180m • Leave at 12:15 PM
#2
🚗
14 min • 10.1 miles
🌲

Toiyabe National Forest

12:30 PM
Jones Whites Creek Loop, Reno, Nevada 89511, United States
90m • Leave at 2:00 PM
#3
🚗
21 min • 15.4 miles

Virginia City Historic District

2:15 PM
39 S C St, Virginia City, Nevada 89440, United States
150m • Leave at 4:45 PM
#4
🚗
1 min • 0.0 miles
🍴

🍽️ Lunch at The Delta Saloon and Casino

4:45 PM
18 South C Street, Virginia City
50m • Leave at 5:30 PM
#5
🚗
2h 36 min • 112.8 miles

Middlegate Station

8:00 PM
42500 Austin Hwy, Fallon, Nevada 89406, United States
60m • Leave at 9:00 PM
#6
🚗
1h 34 min • 68.4 miles

Stokes Castle

10:30 PM
Austin, Nevada 89310, United States
20m • Leave at 10:45 PM
#7
🚗
1 min • 0.3 miles

Dinner at Somethings Brewing

10:45 PM
13 Main St, Austin, Nevada 89310, United States
60m • Leave at 11:45 PM
#8
🚗
1 min • 0.3 miles

Magnolia Gallery & Inn

🌙 Evening: Check-in
103 Main St, Austin, Nevada 89310, United States
#9
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▼

Day 3

🗺️ Google Maps
  • •Pacing: Heavy driving day (6h 43m) with 7h 20m of visit time, focusing on the vast, open basins of the Great Basin Desert.
  • •Vibe: Pure desert solitude and high-elevation mountain passes, emphasizing the scale and history of rural Nevada.
🚗
32 min • 23.4 miles

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area

8:30 AM
Austin, Nevada 89310, United States
45m • Leave at 9:15 AM
#1
🚗
1h 15 min • 54.2 miles

Breakfast at Brett's Bistro

10:30 AM
45 N Main St, Eureka, Nevada 89316, United States
45m • Leave at 11:15 AM
#2
🚗
8 min • 5.9 miles

Pinto Summit

11:30 AM
US-50, Eureka, Nevada 89316, United States
45m • Leave at 12:15 PM
#3
🚗
53 min • 38.5 miles

Nevada Historical Marker 53

1:15 PM
Lincoln Hwy, Ely, Nevada 89301, United States
30m • Leave at 1:45 PM
#4
🚗
30 min • 21.5 miles

Kimberly Mountain

2:15 PM
Unnamed Road, Ruth, Nevada 89319, United States
60m • Leave at 3:15 PM
#5
🚗
22 min • 16.0 miles

Lunch at JT's Steakhouse

3:30 PM
805 Great Basin Blvd, Ely, Nevada 89301, United States
60m • Leave at 4:30 PM
#6
🚗
10 min • 7.4 miles
🌲

Ward Mountain Campground

4:45 PM
⚠️ This location is closed. Hours today: 06:00 - 20:00.
Ely, Nevada 89301, United States
45m • Leave at 5:30 PM
#7
🚗
1h 20 min • 58.0 miles

Ranching Exhibition

6:45 PM
NV-488, Baker, Nevada 89311, United States
60m • Leave at 7:45 PM
#8
🚗
1h 15 min • 54.1 miles
🍴

🍽️ Dinner at Hotel Nevada & Gambling Hall

9:00 PM
Hall Street, Ely, Nevada 89301, United States
50m • Leave at 9:45 PM
#9
🚗
1 min • 0.4 miles

Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall

🌙 Evening: Check-in
#10
View Deal

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