Elko, NV to Price, UT: A Deep Dive into the Loneliest Highway

Elko, Nevada, sits at Mile 304 of Interstate 80, but the route to Price, Utah, begins by veering south onto US-93, then east on US-6. This stretch—part of the original Lincoln Highway—crosses the Great Basin, the Nevada-Utah border at a signless sagebrush flat, and culminates in the Book Cliffs of Utah. The estimated driving time is 4 hours 30 minutes for 285 miles. But is it worth driving Elko, NV to Price, UT? Absolutely—if you appreciate geologic time writ large and roadside relics that predate the interstate era.

This guide covers how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, ensuring you don’t just pass through but experience the high desert’s truest rhythms. Use the table below for a quick snapshot of the route's essential data.

The backbone of this trip is US-50 and US-6, collectively branded the "Loneliest Road in America." Gas stations are sparse: plan stops in Wells (just off I-80), Ely (the last proper town for 200 miles), and maybe an off-grid station at the Border Inn (NV-UT line). The route passes through one time zone change—Mountain Time begins south of West Wendover.

• Wells: Last major fuel before the high desert; also has a Chevron with diesel.
• Ely: Full services—Walmart, auto repair, and multiple gas stations. Fill up here.
• Border Inn: Only gas station for 100 miles, open 24/7, but prices are 20% higher.

Road quality is surprisingly good: US-50 has wide shoulders and is freshly paved in Nevada; US-6 through Utah is narrower but well-maintained. Snow clearance is rapid between October and April, though whiteouts can occur near the Nevada-Uta border. The biggest quirk is the absence of cell reception for ~150 miles between Ely and the Utah line. Download offline maps and bring cash for pay-at-pump failures.

Safety is paramount on this desolate route. The single biggest risk is fatigue: the straight, hypnotic highway lulls drivers. Plan to stop every 2 hours. The best mid-point is the Selmon’s store in Currie (Mile 45 on US-93)—it has a picnic table and a porta-potty. For families, the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Ely runs steam trains on weekends (check schedule). Pets: most rest stops have no shade; bring a collapsible water bowl and avoid exercising dogs between 10am-4pm in summer.

• Rest stops: Ward Mountain Rest Area (US-50, Mile 60) has clean bathrooms and vending machines.
• KOA in Ely: Full hookups, a playground, and a fenced dog run. Book ahead in summer.
• Child-friendly: Dinosaur tracks near Price's Mill Canyon can be reached via a short, flat hike.

For fatigue management, use the town of Baker (west entrance to Great Basin NP) as a stop—it has a café and motel. The Border Inn also has a gas station/store combo that serves as a mid-desert oasis. If driving after dark, be wary of wildlife: mule deer and pronghorn frequent the shoulders at dusk.

This route slices through two distinct geologies: the Basin and Range province of Nevada and the Colorado Plateau transition in Utah. In Nevada, look for the Ruby Mountains south of Elko (visible on a clear day) and the white salt flats near Bonneville Speedway. The landscape shifts east of Ely, where red rock starts appearing in the form of the Ward Mountain and the Egan Range.

• Great Basin National Park (sidetrip via US-50): Lehman Caves, bristlecone pines, and stargazing. Entry $15 per person.
• Bonneville Salt Flats: 30 miles north of Wendover; famous for speed records. Walkable but fragile crust.
• Book Cliffs Overlook (near Price): Cretaceous-era cliffs with visible coal seams and dinosaur fossils.

Local commerce is dominated by small mining towns that have reinvented themselves. Ely's old jailhouse now houses a museum; the Hotel Nevada (1910) serves a $6 prime rib. Wendover's state-line casinos sell liquor 24/7. For authentic gifts, stop at the Crossroads Trading Post in Majors Place—it sells turquoise jewelry and local honey.