Nevada's Loneliest Road (US 50)

Life magazine called US 50 in Nevada 'The Loneliest Road in America' in 1986 and the state turned the insult into a slogan. The road crosses range after range, with Austin, Eureka and Ely as the only towns of any size. It suits people who like emptiness, old mining history and stargazing.

The stops

1. Start

   Carson City

2. Town

   Carson City

   Start at the state capital's historic district

3. Viewpoint

   Sand Mountain Recreation Area

   Singing sand dune beside the highway

4. Town · Overnight

   Austin

   Old silver town with a few motels

5. Town

   Eureka

   Opera house and a historic main street

6. Town

   Ely

   Railway museum and Nevada Northern Railway

7. Park

   Great Basin National Park Visitor Center

   Lehman Caves tours and dark skies

8. Viewpoint

   Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive

   Paved road up to about 3,000 m

9. Finish

   Baker

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Austin

  Austin motels · Bob Scott Campground

• Night 2

  Ely

  Ely motels · Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park

When to go

Apr-Oct; winter snow on passes

On the road

Services are widely spaced; fill up at every town. Several passes can be icy in winter.