Hwy50 - the loneliest road in America.

The "Loneliest Road in America" refers to a roughly 400-mile stretch of U.S. Route 50 that cuts directly across the heart of Nevada. The nickname originated from a July 1986 Life magazine article, which declared the desolate route required "survival skills" due to its lack of civilization and points of interest.While the article intended to be pejorative, Nevada embraced the moniker. Today, the route is a famous, scenic road trip stretching from Fernley in the west to the Utah border just past Baker.

Key Route HighlightsDistance: Spans about 280 to 400 miles, depending on your exact starting and ending points (usually bookended by Carson City and Great Basin National Park).Landscape: You will traverse the Great Basin's "basin and range" topography, taking you up and over more than a dozen mountain summits that drop into wide, open valleys.Historic Stops: The route roughly traces the historic Pony Express Trail and the Lincoln Highway. You can explore timeworn, authentic mining towns like Austin, Eureka, and Ely.Outdoor Activities: Key attractions along the way include Sand Mountain Recreation Area (massive sand dunes), Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area, and Great Basin National Park (home to Lehman Caves and ancient bristlecone pines).

Survival Guide: Travel Nevada offers a tongue-in-cheek "Survival Guide" passport. You can get it stamped at local businesses in towns along the route and receive an official certificate for surviving the drive.Preparation: Because services and gas stations can be spaced 60 to 100 miles apart, make sure to plan your fuel stops carefully and carry plenty of water.Accessibility: From California, reaching the western start of the highway is fairly convenient. It takes about 3 hours from Sacramento, 5.5 hours from San Francisco, and under 2 hours from South Lake Tahoe.

375 to 500 miles

Suggested Time

2 to 4 Days

In July of 1986, Life magazine dubbed Nevada’s Highway 50 the “Loneliest Road in America.” The article claimed there were “no points of interest” along the route and “warned” readers not to risk traveling it unless they were confident of their “survival skills.” However, Nevada adventurers knew better then—and still do. And sure, a road doesn’t get much more wide-open than Highway 50. But that’s exactly why we dig it. Today, this famous Nevada road trip is your gateway to ghost towns, historic mining communities, stunning state parks, unsurpassed recreational opportunities, and a handful of authenticity-packed Sagebrush Saloons, to boot.

A NOT-SO-LONELY HISTORY

The path of the Loneliest Road in America has been well traversed in Nevada’s history. American Indians followed herds of antelope and deer across the middle of what would become Highway 50. Early explorers— including Jedediah Smith and John C. Fremont—traveled through the area; the Overland Stage followed a similar route, as did the Pony Express carriers. In 1913, entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher dreamed of building a continuous roadway from New York City to San Francisco as a memorial to President Abraham Lincoln. What became the Lincoln Highway bisected Nevada’s core, but was described by a young Dwight Eisenhower as “…one succession of dust, ruts, pits, and holes.”

It wasn’t until 1926 that a national highway system was created, and present-day Highway 50 closely mimics the Lincoln Highway in many places. Nevada’s portion of the bicoastal road traverses the state for a distance of about 410 miles, starting in South Lake Tahoe and ending at the Utah border. The 287 miles from Fernley to Ely is the designated Loneliest Road, even though the section between Fernley and Fallon is actually Highway 50 alternate.

The many mountain ranges—about 17—in those approximately 287 miles take travelers from the serene desert floors to majestic mountain ranges, with unparalleled vistas at every turn. Despite the naysayers 30 years ago, there is plenty to see and do along the loneliest road, and short side-trips reveal a lot about Nevada. But it is also clear why it was so named; five towns span the almost 300 miles and while the population of Fernley is about 19,000, the remaining four—Fallon, Austin, Eureka, and Ely—add just another 13,000 citizens, combined.

It is at Fernley—which is technically on Highway 50 Alternate— the Loneliest Road begins and the distance between towns grows and grows. Yet it’s what’s in between and around civilization that also makes Highway 50 worth a trip.

FERNLEY

A farming community established in 1904, Fernley was also a depot of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Today, the town of nearly 20,000 sits at the apex of Highway 50, Interstate 80, and U.S. Route 95 Alternate. Hazen is a small hamlet just 12 miles east of Fernley, and while the town’s store is on the National Register of Historic Places, it is closed but worth a photo. The town is also the location of Nevada’s last lynching in 1905. Just off Highway 50 on U.S. 95 Alternate is the Lahontan Reservoir. Named after the ancient Lake Lahontan, this local boating and camping area offers 69 miles of shoreline and ample wildlife viewing opportunities, including bald eagles.

ARTIST PAN PANTOJA CREATED HIS DESERT TORTOISE SCULPTURE FOR THE CITY OF FERNLEY IN 2013. IT IS LOCATED IN MAIN STREET PARK.

FALLON

So if you love open roads, and no traffic, you will love to travel on this road. But bring your own music to listen to, there is no radio reception. I’ve traveled this road a couple of times. The quaint desert towns are good to explore, rock hounding is fantastic, tourquoise, azurite, just being far from the madding crowds is reason enough.

So pack your backpack, and your car, and have a great road-trip.