Ely NV to Pinedale WY Road Trip Guide: Epic High Desert Journey

This route from Ely, Nevada (altitude 6,435 feet) to Pinedale, Wyoming (7,175 feet) spans 420 miles of US-6, US-50, US-93, and I-80 before reaching US-191. It's a drive that few take deliberately, but those who do find a landscape of extremes: the Great Basin's sagebrush sea gives way to the Wasatch Range, then the Green River Basin, and finally the glaciated peaks of the Wind River Range. The drive typically takes 7.5 hours without stops, but the real journey lies in the deviations.

This corridor follows portions of the Pony Express Trail and the Lincoln Highway. A little-known fact: the section of US-50 in Nevada near Ely earned the nickname 'Loneliest Road in America' in a 1986 Life Magazine article, yet it passes within sight of the highest point in the state (Wheeler Peak, 13,063 feet). For those wondering how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, the answer lies in slowing down.

The route uses major highways: US-93 north from Ely to I-80 in Wells, NV, then east on I-80 through Utah and Wyoming, exiting at US-191 for the final leg to Pinedale. This is a well-maintained interstate corridor, but the final 90 miles from Rock Springs to Pinedale on US-191 is a two-lane highway with limited services.

• Fuel: Fill up in Ely (NV), Delta (UT), Provo (UT), Evanston (WY), and Rock Springs (WY). Distances between gas stations exceed 70 miles in Nevada and Wyoming.
• Food: Limited options on US-50 in Nevada; better choices in Utah cities. Pinedale has grocery stores and restaurants.
• Lodging: Ely, Delta, Provo, Evanston, Rock Springs, and Pinedale offer motels/hotels. Camping available in national forests.
• Cell coverage: Sporadic on US-50 and US-191; reliable on I-80.

I-80 is a divided, well-lit interstate with frequent rest areas. US-191 from Rock Springs to Pinedale is undivided with sharp curves and wildlife crossings (antelope, deer, moose). Winter conditions (Nov-Apr) can bring snow and ice; check forecasts. Summer thunderstorms bring sudden hail and wind.

• Wildlife hazard: Dawn/dusk driving requires vigilance on US-191.
• Truck traffic: Heavy on I-80, especially near Salt Lake City.
• Fatigue management: Rest stops every 30-50 miles on I-80; plan for a stop every 2 hours.

Family-friendly stops: The Bonneville Salt Flats (walk on the crust), the Discovery Center in Delta (UT), and the Fossil Butte National Monument near Kemmerer. Dog-friendly: Great Basin National Park allows leashed dogs on trails; rest areas on I-80 have pet areas.

From Ely, the Great Basin Desert stretches eastward with vast salt flats and barren mountains. Near the Utah border, the landscape shifts to the House Range and the Great Salt Lake Desert. The Wasatch Front near Provo offers a stark transition to alpine forests. In Wyoming, the Red Desert presents a surreal, windswept terrain, while the Wind River Range near Pinedale towers with granite peaks and glaciers.

Local commerce revolves around mining (copper in Ely, oil and gas in Wyoming), tourism (skiing in Utah, fishing in Pinedale), and agriculture (ranching). Notable stops: Great Basin National Park (east of Ely), the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Utah Olympic Park near Park City, and the historic Kemmerer (WY) with its fossil quarry.