Ely to Hermosa Beach Road Trip Guide: Scenic US-6 & US-395

This 680-mile route from Ely, NV (elevation 6,435 ft) to Hermosa Beach, CA (sea level) traverses the Great Basin Desert, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Los Angeles sprawl. The US-6/US-395 corridor passes through the remote White River Valley and the ghost town of Currant, NV—a place with a 2010 population of 0.

For a deeper dive into trip planning, read how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Route breakdown: Ely to Bishop, CA via US-6 (280 miles, ~4h30m), then US-395 south to Mojave (150 miles, ~2h30m), then CA-14 to I-5 south to Hermosa Beach (250 miles, ~4h). Total driving time without stops: 10-12 hours, but plan for 2-3 days to enjoy the landscape.

Fatigue risk is high on long, straight desert roads. Plan rest stops every 2 hours. Safety: wildlife (mule deer, cattle) on US-6, especially at dawn/dusk. Cell service weak between Ely and Tonopah; download offline maps.

• Family stop: Schat's Bakery in Bishop, CA (famous sheepherder bread)
• Pet-friendly: Alabama Hills Recreation Area near Lone Pine (dogs on leash)
• Rest zones: Pullouts on US-395 with picnic tables near Olancha

Culinary: Basque restaurants in Ely (e.g., Hotel Nevada), fish tacos in Hermosa Beach. Hidden off-route: Zing's Chinese Restaurant in Bishop (unexpectedly good).

• Things to do between Ely and Hermosa Beach: visit Mono Lake (1 hour detour), take a hike in the Sierra Nevada near Bishop, explore the California Science Center in Los Angeles (off-route but near Hermosa Beach)

Gas stations are sparse between Ely and Bishop; the longest stretch without services is 110 miles from Ely to the small town of Lund, NV (population ~100). Fill up in Ely and again in Tonopah, NV (105 miles west on US-6).

• Ely: Chevron, Shell, Maverik
• Tonopah: Pilot, Shell
• Bishop: multiple stations including ARCO and Chevron
• Mojave: Flying J, Chevron

Road quality: US-6 is well-paved but two-lane, with occasional patches of rough asphalt near the Nevada-Utah border. US-395 from Bishop to Mojave is a divided highway with good surface. CA-14 is well-maintained. I-5 is typical California freeway with heavy traffic near Los Angeles.

• Estimated fuel cost for a typical sedan: $90-120 (assuming 25 mpg, $4.5/gal)
• Tolls only in California on I-5 express lanes (optional, avoid by staying in right lanes)

The route includes the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest near Bishop, CA, home to Methuselah (a 4,850-year-old tree). Not a UNESCO site but a natural wonder. The nearest UNESCO site is Yosemite National Park (5-hour detour) but off-route. Explore the ghost town of Bodie, CA (a State Historic Park) just off US-395 near Lee Vining.

• Natural highlight: Mono Lake tufa formations (near Lee Vining)
• Local commerce: Bishop's Eldorado Trading Post for jerky and souvenir
• Hidden off-route: Hot Creek Geological Site, visible from US-395 but require dirt road access

Climate varies dramatically: start in semi-arid Nevada (30s-50s°F in winter/80s in summer) to Mediterranean coastal (60s-70s°F year-round). In winter, check for snow on US-6 and US-395; carry chains. Summer temperatures in Death Valley (nearby) can exceed 120°F.