Ely to Butte: A 600-Mile Nevada-Idaho-Montana Road Trip

This road trip begins on US-50 East, famously dubbed 'The Loneliest Road in America,' at milepost 90 near Ely, Nevada (elevation 6,435 ft). Your destination: Butte, Montana, 607 miles north by the most direct route via I-84 and I-15. Expect a solid 9.5 hours of pure driving, but the real journey unfolds in the vast spaces between.

The route crosses two time zones (Pacific to Mountain), four major geological provinces (Basin and Range, Colorado Plateau, Snake River Plain, Northern Rockies), and three state capitals' watersheds. A historical oddity: you'll drive within 20 miles of the site of the 1865 Mountain Meadows Massacre in Utah.

The first 100 miles out of Ely traverse the Snake Range, then drop into the Great Basin's salt flats and alluvial fans. Near the Nevada-Utah border, look for the Callao Salt Flat—a blinding white mirage. At the Utah line, US-50 merges with US-93 near the historic fish hatchery in Baker (stop for trout fishing permits).

In Utah, the route stays on I-15 through Salt Lake City. If you detour west on I-80 for 20 minutes, you'll reach the Bonneville Salt Flats—a UNESCO World Heritage candidate (not yet designated). The speedway, where land-speed records were set, is a surreal flat plane. Best visited early morning to avoid heat shimmer.

North of Salt Lake, I-15 crosses the Wasatch Front, then the Bear River Valley. Near Idaho Falls, turn onto US-26 to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument (45-minute detour). This volcanic field preserves basalt flows, cinder cones, and lava tubes. The 'Devil's Orchard' trail is a one-mile loop through shattered lava.

Hidden off-route spot: the ghost town of Cisco, Utah (exit 182 on I-70). Abandoned 1950s filling station and derelict buildings—Instagram heaven. Drive carefully on the unpaved access road.

For local commerce, stop at the Salmon River district in Shoshone, Idaho (exit 188). The Shoshone Trading Post sells handmade Idaho spuds and local honey. In Butte, visit the historic uptown Farmer's Market (Saturday mornings, June-Oct) for Huckleberry jam and pasties.

Culinary infrastructure: expect fast-food chains at every junction. For a real meal, try the 'Miner's Lunch' at the Ram's Horn Saloon in Delta, UT (historic diner). In Idaho Falls, the Snake Bite Brewery offers local craft beer and bison burgers.

US-50 in Nevada has no barriers and occasional livestock crossings. Drive with high beams off on curves to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. Wyoming and Idaho sections on I-15 are smooth but watch for deer near sunset between Malad City and Pocatello. Montana's I-90 into Butte has steep grades (up to 6%) near the Continental Divide.

• Fatigue management: the loneliest stretch is between Ely and Delta (150 miles). Plan a nap stop at the Border Inn (NV-UT line) with a cafeteria and motel.
• Family stops: Great Basin National Park (Lehman Caves tour, kid-friendly), and the Discovery Center in Idaho Falls (hands-on science).
• Pet-friendly: all major rest areas on I-15 allow leashed pets. Designated pet areas at Milepost 268 (Utah) and 42 (Montana).

Weather: summer temps range from 90°F in Utah to 70°F in Montana. Winter poses serious risks—snow can close I-15 near Pocatello. Always check road conditions via 511 for each state. Carry chains in your trunk year-round for mountain passes.

For a deep dive into discovering hidden gems on road trips like this, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Fuel stops are critical on the first leg. From Ely, the next gas is 69 miles west in Baker, Nevada (Great Basin National Park area), or 120 miles north on US-93 in Jackpot (truck stop). Better to fill in Ely at the Shell station on US-50 (average $3.89/gal).

• Segment 1: Ely to Salt Lake City - 247 miles. Tanks up in Delta, UT (200 miles) if needed. Avoid running below quarter tank west of Utah's Great Salt Lake Desert.
• Segment 2: SLC to Idaho Falls - 206 miles. Plenty of suburban exits in SLC (fill before leaving). I-15 north has frequent stations.
• Segment 3: Idaho Falls to Butte - 154 miles. Last cheap gas in Lima, MT (about $3.65). Fuel in Butte averages $3.55.

Total fuel cost for a typical sedan (25mpg): about $85-$95. Trucks and RVs need planning due to 1,000-foot elevation gains and occasional headwinds on the Snake River Plain. Check prices at gasbuddy.com before each leg.