Loneliest Road in America - US 50 Across Nevada
U.S. Highway 50 (US 50) is a historic transcontinental highway which stretches from Sacramento, California in the west, to Ocean City, Maryland on the east coast.
 Edwards Creek Valley on The Loneliest Road in America |
US 50 crosses the central portion of Nevada, from the west side of the state near Lake Tahoe to the east side near Great Basin National Park. Heading eastbound, the road traverses Carson City, Dayton, Fallon, Austin, Eureka, Ely and Baker.
Why is US Highway 50 Called the Loneliest Road?
The Nevada portion of U.S. Highway 50 was named "The Loneliest Road in America" by Life magazine in July 1986.
The article in Life had definite negative overtones, and quoted a AAA Counselor:
"It's totally empty. There are no points of interest. We don't recommend it. We warn all motorists not to drive there."
However, astute Nevada officials seized on the flawed article as a marketing slogan. The name originates from large desolate areas traversed by the route, with few or no signs of civilization. The highway crosses several large desert valleys separated by numerous mountain ranges towering over the valley floors.
The route was constructed over a historic corridor, first used for the Pony Express and Central Overland Route, and later for the Lincoln Highway.
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U.S. Route 50 in Nevada: The Loneliest Road in America
Our Road Trip on the Loneliest Road
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The Nevada Commission on Tourism today publishes an excellent passport-size document: The Official Highway 50 Survival Guide.
It includes maps and highlights along the road. If you get your Survival Guide stamped along the way, and mail it in, you receive a certificate of travel! It's very well done. Make sure you pick one up when you travel the Loneliest Road.
We've wanted to drive the route for years, and finally had the opportunity to traverse most of it recently.
We journeyed eastbound, from Carson City, with a small side tour over to nearby Virginia City. We had planned to drive the entire Nevada U.S. Route 50 through Ely, and to the Great Basin National Park, and then into Utah.
After an overnight stay in Ely, the forecast of hurricane force winds in Utah forced us to head north from Ely, up U.S. Highway 93 to West Wendover.
In the Ely area, visitors often enjoy several attractions, such as Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, Ely Renaissance Village, Success Loop, and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum.
Included herein are a few photo highlights of a great trip on the Loneliest Road ... highly recommended for anyone who loves the solitude of the open road, with constantly changing vistas, spectacular scenery, and no traffic!
For more information on the Loneliest Road and the Official Hwy50 Survival Guide, visit the website of Travel Nevada.
Storm clouds hanging over U.S. Route 50 in Nevada
Lodging Options Near the Loneliest Road
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Hotels in West Wendover, Nevada Loneliest Road Travel Guide at TripAdvisor: Hotels, restaurants, things to do
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Map of U.S. 50 in Nevada: The Loneliest Road
Click map for an interactive version at Google
Scenes Along the Loneliest Road
Historical marker for Austin, Nevada, along U.S. Route 50 |
Eureka Opera House on U.S. Route 50 in Nevada |
| Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park near Ely, Nevada Perched in the Egan Mountain Range in eastern Nevada, the Park is a scenic, forested retreat. It features six beehive shaped charcoal ovens that were used from 1876 through 1879 to help process rich silver ore that was discovered in the area. |
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U.S. Route 50 sign in Nevada |
Snow in winter along U.S. Route 50 in Nevada |