Introduction: The Loneliest Road Meets the Fur Trade
Driving from Bishop, CA to Afton, WY covers approximately 700 miles along US Highway 6 and Interstate 80, with a driving time of 11–12 hours without stops. This route traces the path of the historic Lincoln Highway and the old Oregon Trail, crossing the Great Basin Desert, the Wasatch Range, and the Bear River Divide.
Bishop sits at 4,150 feet in the Owens Valley, while Afton lies at 6,260 feet in Star Valley. The elevation change is subtle but constant, with three major passes: Montgomery Pass (7,167 ft), Parleys Canyon (7,060 ft), and the summit near Evanston (7,500 ft).
The journey passes through Ely, NV—famously the “heart of the Loneliest Road in America”—and Salt Lake City, the only major metropolis between start and end. Fuel stops are sparse in Nevada’s Great Basin, with gaps exceeding 100 miles between services.
| Segment | Distance | Driving Time | Key Highway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop, CA to Ely, NV | 250 mi | 4h 15m | US 6 |
| Ely, NV to Salt Lake City, UT | 245 mi | 3h 45m | US 6, I-80 |
| Salt Lake City, UT to Afton, WY | 205 mi | 3h 30m | I-15, US 89 |
Route Logistics and Infrastructure
Fuel stops are critical: the longest stretch without services is from Tonopah, NV to Ely, NV (112 miles), and again from Ely to Wendover, UT (120 miles). Plan to fill up at every opportunity in Nevada.
- Recommended fuel stops: Bishop (CA), Tonopah (NV), Ely (NV), Wendover (UT), Salt Lake City (UT), Evanston (WY)
- Restrooms available at most fuel stations; 24-hour services only in Tonopah, Ely, Wendover, and Salt Lake City
- Road quality: US 6 in Nevada is two-lane with some rough patches; I-80 is excellent; US 89 from Evanston to Afton is a scenic two-lane highway in good condition
Accommodation: Book ahead in Ely and Salt Lake City during summer. Budget motels are available in Tonopah (e.g., The Hotel Motel) and Wendover (casino hotels). Afton has a few inns and cabins.
- Estimated total driving time without stops: 11 hours 30 minutes
- Recommended total break time: 3–4 hours
- Cost of fuel (as of 2025): ~$0.35/mile for an average sedan
Road Safety, Family Stops, and Fatigue Management
US 6 in Nevada is notorious for long, straight sections that cause driver fatigue. The speed limit is 70 mph, but wildlife (mule deer, pronghorn) is common at dawn and dusk.
- Fatigue management: stop every 2 hours; ideal rest stops include the “Little A’Le’Inn” in Rachel (Area 51 theme), and the Salt Flats Rest Area east of Wendover
- Pet-friendly: many motels in Ely and Salt Lake City allow pets; national parks require leashes
- Child suitability: Great Basin National Park has junior ranger programs; the Bonneville Salt Flats allow walking on the crust; the Tree of Life sculpture near Afton is a quirky photo op
Hidden off-route spots: the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park (20 miles south of Ely), the ghost town of Cisco (abandoned, off I-70 in Utah – a small detour), and the Bear River State Park in Evanston (bison herd).
Safety infrastructure is minimal from Bishop to Wendover. Carry a spare tire, extra water, and a first aid kit. Cell service is intermittent; download offline maps. In winter, check tire chains requirements at Montgomery Pass.
Natural Landscapes and Local Commerce
The route crosses three distinct ecoregions: the rain-shadowed Great Basin, the Wasatch Front, and the Wyoming Range. Nevada’s basin and range topography offers endless sagebrush valleys flanked by mountain ranges.
- Great Basin National Park (near Ely): Wheeler Peak, Lehman Caves, 13,063 ft summit – a UNESCO biosphere reserve candidate
- Bonneville Salt Flats (west of Wendover): 46 square miles of crusted salt, used for land speed records
- Wasatch Mountain State Park (near Salt Lake City): hiking, fishing, and fall colors
- Star Valley (near Afton): alpine meadows, the “World’s Largest Elkhorn Arch” in Afton (3,011 antlers)
Local commerce along the route includes small-town diners, a Basque restaurant in Ely (The Basque Club), and cheese factories in Star Valley (Stendal’s Cheese). In Bishop, try Erick Schat’s Bakery for sheepherder bread.
For a deeper dive into finding unique stops, check out this guide: how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to drive from Bishop, CA to Afton, WY?
The drive is about 700 miles and takes 11–12 hours of pure driving time. Plan for a full day with stops, or split the drive over two days with an overnight in Ely or Salt Lake City.
Is it worth driving from Bishop, CA to Afton, WY?
Absolutely. The route offers stark desert beauty, the Bonneville Salt Flats, Great Basin National Park, and the transition to Wyoming’s Star Valley. It’s a classic American road trip with minimal traffic.
What are the best stops between Bishop, CA and Afton, WY?
Top stops include: Great Basin National Park (NV), Bonneville Salt Flats (UT), Salt Lake City’s Temple Square, and the Elkhorn Arch in Afton. Don’t miss the Lehman Caves and the Basque restaurant in Ely.
What is there to do between Bishop, CA and Afton, WY?
Besides the major attractions, you can hike in the Wasatch Mountains, visit ghost towns (Cisco, UT), explore the Great Basin Desert, or sample cheese in Star Valley. Each region offers unique outdoor activities and cultural sites.
Your voluntary support keeps the project running and fuels our future development
