The romance of road trips continues to captivate people, inspiring them to pack coolers into the car and head out to sights unseen. This year, thanks to the pandemic, 41 percent of Americans say they expect their first road trip to involve driving within 100 miles or so of their homes. With gas prices at historic lows and calls for people to social distance, it’s a terrific way to have a vacation and stay safe.
Here are a few great Las Vegas scenic drives that will satisfy your craving for a road trip (don’t forget the killer playlist):
Best Towns to Visit on Nevada Road Trips
If you’re looking for unusual places to visit near Las Vegas, Nevada has it all, from ghost towns to colorful caves and snow-capped mountains. These towns can be covered in a week and some are doable as a day or overnight trip:
Incline Village
Furthest out from Las Vegas, Incline Village is a great choice for people who love the mountains. The eastern North Shore area features relaxing beaches. More active road-trippers can enjoy outdoor activities like mountain biking and canoeing. There’s lots to see along the 450-mile scenic drive from Las Vegas, including Mono Lake. If you want to split the trip into two days, consider an overnight stay in Mammoth Lakes. Death Valley is also a great stop.
Tonopah & Boulder City
Closer to Las Vegas, these two towns offer a variety of sights and activities. A three-hour drive north, Tonopah is known as one of the best places for stargazing in the country and the two historical museums there beautifully detail Nevada’s mining past. It’s also famous for its, supposedly haunted, Clown Motel. Tonopah is a good mid-point if you’re headed to Incline Village.
Thirty miles southeast of downtown Las Vegas, Boulder City is home to Hoover Dam and is also the place where you might catch sight of Desert Bighorn sheep around Lake Mead. The Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, and camping within its countless acres of mountains, valleys and canyons.
Tip: If your road trip includes any of Nevada’s seven national parks, be sure to check out the parks’ website to determine operating status during the pandemic.
Pioche
This three-hour drive along the Great Basin Highway is perfect for road trippers who want to see some of the stranger sights in the Nevada desert. Pioche is a small town renowned for its history of outlaws and gunfights, but the surrounding landscape is lush and ideal for fishing. Just south of Pioche you can find incredible slot canyons and, occasionally, getting off the beaten path reveals art tributes and other surprises that make up Nevada’s coolest roadside attractions.
Ensure Your Safety with Vehicle Maintenance
Before embarking on Nevada road trips of any length, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is functioning optimally. Contact us at 702-570-2257 to schedule maintenance.