“The Loneliest Road in America” is a Survival Test Across a Nearly-Empty Desert Highway

US Route 50, aka Highway 50, is called “The Loneliest Road in America.”

The “lonely” part refers to the 287-mile stretch that cuts through Nevada.

Much of this road is desolate with almost no cell service, towns, or emergency services over hundreds of miles in the desert. Still, most drivers consider this one of the most beautiful highways you can drive in the US.

You can get a literal badge of honor when you finish it thanks to a special survival passport program. If you’re planning on taking a road trip this year, here’s why you should consider making it Highway 50.

Why It’s Called the Loneliest Road

The famous nickname came from a warning in Life magazine’s July 1986 issue. The magazine and AAA painted a grim picture of Highway 50.

They called it “empty” with “nothing to see.” They warned drivers to pack survival gear and avoid the route unless they were well-prepared.

Extremely Isolated

The highway runs 287 miles through Nevada’s high desert, and some parts have no towns for 75-110 miles. You’ll find yourself truly alone on this road.

Along this empty stretch, there are only five small towns, and fewer than 15,000 people live in all of them combined. In the quietest parts, fewer than 500 cars pass through in a whole day.

In the quietest parts, fewer than 500 cars pass through in a whole day. If there’s an emergency, help takes about 45 minutes or longer to arrive.

That’s why experts say you should take regular breaks to avoid getting tired while driving in these harsh conditions.

Gas Station Gaps

The longest stretch without gas is between Fallon and Ely – that’s 260 miles of empty road, which takes over three hours to drive.

Plan your trip around the towns that do have gas, like Austin and Eureka. Keep in mind that rural gas stations often close early, charge more, and might only take cash.

Cell Service Void

Your phone probably won’t work on large parts of Highway 50, where “No Service” is a common sight. There’s little or no coverage across big sections of the road, and it varies depending on which phone company you use.

Many people who live in these rural areas don’t even bother with cell phones because service is so expensive. AT&T and Verizon claim to have better coverage in some areas, but even their service maps aren’t always right.

For safety, don’t count on your cell phone alone. Emergency help can take hours to reach you in these remote areas, so bring a satellite phone, emergency beacon, and paper maps.

Mountain Pass Challenges

You’ll climb from 4,000 feet up to 7,729 feet at Connors Pass, driving through pine forests and remote little towns (Ely and Baker) along the way.

The hardest parts include a white-knuckle 12-mile stretch near Austin and dangerous winter conditions at Austin Summit (7,484 feet) and Robinson Summit (7,607 feet).

Sparse Town Services

Even when you reach towns along Highway 50, don’t expect many services.

Take Austin, for example. With only about 200 people living there, you might just find a gas station and a diner.

Fallon is the biggest town, with 8,600 people, but even there you’ll only find basic things like a gas station, a place to eat, and somewhere to sleep.

Elevation Ranges

The highway shows off Nevada’s rugged landscape, where mountain ranges 13-17 miles wide alternate with wide-open valleys.

Driving Highway 50 will take you through 17 different mountain passes, including Austin Summit at 7,484 feet and Robinson Summit at 7,607 feet.

These big changes in height, often more than 3,000 feet between valleys and peaks, make it hard to build things like cell towers.

This means driving here today can be just as challenging as it was many years ago.

Extreme Climate Swings

The weather on Highway 50 can be intense, so you need to prepare yourself and your vehicle.

Summer days often get hotter than 100°F, but nights can cool down to 50°F – that’s a 50-degree change in one day.

Winter brings its challenges, especially up high where snow is common and snowplows work non-stop during bad storms.

Crosses 17 Mountain Passes

Highway 50 also connects old frontier towns that tell stories about America’s westward growth.

You’ll pass through interesting towns like Ely, which used to be a copper mining center, and Eureka, which still has buildings from the 1800s.

Austin, known as “The Town that Wouldn’t Die,” and Fallon, home to a Naval Air Station, show how Nevada’s pioneer spirit lives on.

Highway 50 Survival Guide

After the Life Magazine event, Nevada created a special guide to help people explore America’s “Loneliest Road” safely. This free booklet tells you everything you need to know. You can pick it up in Carson City.

It shows you where to find gas stations, warns about areas with no cell service, and suggests where to stop for supplies. You can make your trip more fun by collecting stamps from at least five of the eight towns along Highway 50.

After you get your stamps, mail in your postcard. You’ll receive official recognition that includes a certificate signed by the governor saying you’re an official “Highway 50 survivor.”

You’ll also get a pin and a bumper sticker.

Roughly Parallels the Pony Express Trail

Highway 50 follows the same path as the famous Pony Express Trail, letting today’s drivers see pieces of America’s frontier mail history.

About 80% of the trail runs through public lands, stretching nearly 500 miles through Nevada’s rough wilderness. The Bureau of Land Management keeps track of the historic markers along the way.

You can still see remains from the 1800s mail service, including stone foundations, rock monuments, and old limestone buildings where stations used to be.

Great Basin National Park

Just off Highway 50, you’ll find Great Basin National Park, home to bristlecone pine trees that are over 5,000 years old.

The park covers 77,100 acres and includes the amazing Lehman Caves with its beautiful limestone formations.

Since it’s far from city lights, it’s one of the best places in America to see stars, shooting stars, and distant galaxies. The park’s highest point is Wheeler Peak at 13,063 feet.

Throughout the park, you can find traces of the ancient Fremont people, who left behind rock art and other cultural items.

Lots of Interesting Stops

Highway 50 might be desolate, but interesting stops still dot this route.

Virginia City preserves its mining town looks from 1859 when they found the Comstock Lode silver deposit. You can tour real mines and see buildings from the 1800s.

Stop at the remote Middlegate Station to try their famous Monster Burger challenge and see the quirky tree where people hang their shoes. Further along, you can sit on saddle barstools at the Lucky Spur Saloon in Kingston and enjoy mountain views.

At Spencer Hot Springs, you can relax in natural pools that reach 130°F. It’s perfect for watching stars and spotting wild donkeys in the desert.