Ely to Orderville Road Trip Guide: Nevada to Utah

This 240-mile route along US-50 and US-89 traverses the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, crossing the Nevada-Utah border at a point where the next gas station is often 70 miles away. Ely sits at 6,438 feet, Orderville at 5,650 feet—but the road dips and climbs through basins and mountain passes, with the highest point at 7,200 feet in Utah.

Built on a railroad grade that once carried copper from Ely to the world, the asphalt now hosts fewer than 500 vehicles per day in some stretches. The route includes the controversial 'Loneliest Highway in America' section, where a broken radiator might mean waiting hours for a passing truck.

The most striking fact: this road passes within 30 miles of Great Basin National Park but also skirts the edge of the Basin and Range Province, where you can see the Earth's crust stretching apart at a rate of 0.3 inches per year.

Route Overview Table

Natural Landscapes & Attractions

The route alternates between sagebrush flats and dramatic limestone cliffs. Just east of Ely, the Ward Charcoal Ovens are well-preserved beehive-shaped kilns from the 1870s. Near Baker, Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park offers guided tours through marble caverns with rare shield formations.

• Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park: $5 entry, short hike.
• Great Basin National Park: Starry skies, bristlecone pines.
• Utah's Sevier River Valley: Red rock hoodoos near Orderville.

The transition from the Great Basin to the Colorado Plateau is visible near the Utah border—the flat expanse gives way to steep canyons and red sandstone.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

There are no UNESCO sites directly on this route, but nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument and Zion National Park (both short detours) are part of the Grand Canyon-Parashant International Dark Sky Province. The closest official UNESCO site is the Grand Canyon (3 hours away). However, the entire region is a candidate for a serial nomination of Basin and Range cultural landscapes.

Local Commerce & Culture

Ely's economy once boomed on copper mining; the Nevada Northern Railway Museum preserves that era. Baker is a tiny gateway town for Great Basin, with a few art galleries and a rock shop. Orderville was settled by Mormon pioneers and retains a strong community feel with a historic mercantile building.

• Ely: Mining museum, train rides.
• Baker: Great Basin Visitor Center, local crafts.
• Orderville: Orderville Mercantile, a general store since the 1800s.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Consider the short detour to Garnet Hill (8 miles from Ely) for amateur rockhounding—garnets are abundant. Near Milford, the abandoned town of Frisco (ghost town) has a well-preserved jail and a cemetery dating to 1884. For a more scenic diversion, take UT-62 through the Tushar Mountains if you have high clearance.

Infrastructure Safety & Road Quality

US-50 is mostly two lanes, paved but with occasional potholes and cattle guards. The section through the Snake Valley has long straightaways that can induce hypnosis. Speeding is common—watch for deer at dawn and dusk. In winter, snow closures and icy patches can occur. Check road conditions before departure.

• Cell service: None for 100+ miles in Nevada; better in Utah.
• Emergency services: CHP covers Nevada; Utah Highway Patrol covers Utah.
• Water and supplies: Carry 2 gallons per person.

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

Plan stops every 2 hours. Good rest areas include Conner's Pass Overlook (milepost 67 on US-50 east of Ely), which has a picnic table and stunning view of Wheeler Peak. Also, the Utah Welcome Center near the border (milepost 5 on UT-21) has restrooms and vending machines.

• Conner's Pass Overlook: 1.5 hours from Ely.
• Utah Welcome Center: 2.5 hours from Ely.
• Panguitch Lake Rest Area: 30 minutes from Orderville.

Family and Child Suitability

This route is excellent for families who enjoy wide-open spaces and geology. Kids will love the train rides at Ely's Nevada Northern Railway. At Great Basin National Park, the Lehman Caves tour (1 hour) is educational and cool. In Orderville, visit the Lava Knolls—a small lava tube cave that is easy to explore with flashlights.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Pets are allowed on leashes at all roadside stops. Great Basin National Park permits pets on trails except in caves. In Orderville, pets welcome at the Orderville Mercantile outdoor area. Note that extreme heat can affect pets in summer—carry water and never leave pets in the car.

Climatic Conditions & Route Aesthetics

Spring (April-June) offers mild temps and wildflowers. Summer (July-August) can exceed 100°F in the valleys, but high-elevation passes are cooler. Autumn brings golden cottonwoods and crisp air. Winter can bring snow and subfreezing temps, with possible road closures. The best stop for aesthetics: the stretch from Baker to the Utah border, where the desert floor seems endless.

For more tips on this specific route, see our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Fuel and Route Economics

Gas stations are sparse between Ely and Milford. Fill up in Ely before heading east. In Baker, NV, there is a single pump at a convenience store that closes by 8 PM. In Utah, Milford has two stations, and Panguitch (30 miles from Orderville) has multiple options.

• Ely to Baker: 68 miles, no services.
• Baker to Milford: 120 miles, no services except possibly a seasonal station in EskDale (unreliable).
• Milford to Orderville: 52 miles, no services except in Panguitch.

For those wondering how long to drive Ely to Orderville without stops, the fastest route takes about 4 hours 5 minutes. However, with scenic stops, allocate 5-6 hours. Is it worth driving Ely to Orderville? Absolutely—the solitude and vastness are unmatched.

Culinary Infrastructure

Restaurants are limited. In Ely, try the Jailhouse Pizza (historic setting) or a diner. Baker has one café (sourdough pancakes recommended) and a microbrewery. Milford offers fast food. For the best local flavor, bring a picnic and stop at a scenic overlook.

• Ely: Several diners, a steakhouse.
• Baker: The Café (breakfast & lunch only).
• Milford: Subway, a Mexican restaurant.