Ely to Spokane Road Trip: Desert to Pine Forests

Ely, Nevada sits at 6,440 feet elevation on US Route 50, famously dubbed 'The Loneliest Road in America.' From here, a 700-mile journey northwest to Spokane, Washington traverses the Great Basin, crosses the Snake River Plain, and ascends into the forested Palouse. This route includes sections of US-93, I-84, and US-395, with drive time around 11-12 hours excluding stops.

The highway skirts the edge of the Basin and Range province, where the earth's crust has stretched into parallel mountain ranges and valleys. In Twin Falls, Idaho, the Snake River has carved a canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon’s first mile. Spokane, at 1,900 feet, receives more than 40 times Ely’s annual precipitation, making the climate shift a dramatic feature of this trip.

The Great Basin is a high-altitude cold desert with sagebrush and juniper. As you cross into Idaho, the landscape transforms into irrigated farmland along the Snake River. The Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls is a dramatic highlight, with the Perrine Bridge offering views 486 feet above the river. Further north, the rolling hills of the Palouse near Spokane are agricultural mosaics of wheat and lentils.

• Great Basin National Park (near Ely) – Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peak
• Shoshone Falls (Twin Falls) – higher than Niagara
• Hells Canyon (near Pendleton) – deepest river gorge in North America
• Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (near Spokane) – elk and waterfowl

Local commerce along the route includes Basque culture in Ely (J.T. Basque restaurant), potato farms in Idaho, and Native American heritage in Pendleton (Umatilla Reservation, Pendleton Round-Up). Spokane’s Kendall Yards district offers local breweries and artisan markets.

Fuel stations become sparse east of Ely; fill up there. US-50 and US-93 stretch through 100-mile gaps without services. Once on I-84, services are frequent every 30-50 miles. US-395 north of Pendleton has good coverage, but some remote sections between Ritzville and Spokane exist.

• Gas prices: Nevada ~$3.50/gal, Idaho ~$3.30/gal, Washington ~$4.00/gal (2025 averages)
• EV charging: Sporadic on US-50; better on I-84 (fast chargers in Twin Falls, Boise, Pendleton, Spokane)
• Tolls: None on this route
• Road surfaces: US-50 and US-93 are two-lane highways with moderate upkeep; I-84 and US-395 are well-paved interstates

Lodging options include motels in Ely, Twin Falls, Boise, Pendleton, and Spokane. Campgrounds are plentiful in state parks along the Snake River and in the Umatilla National Forest. The desert stretches have limited accommodation.

• Ely: Jailhouse Motel (historic)
• Twin Falls: Shilo Inn (river view)
• Pendleton: Wildhorse Resort (casino)
• Spokane: The Davenport Hotel (luxury)

Wildlife encounters (deer, elk, pronghorn) are common on US-50 and US-93, especially at dawn/dusk. Winter travel requires caution: snow can close mountain passes through January. Summer temperatures exceed 100°F in desert sections; carry water and extra food.

• Cell service: Gaps on US-50 (no signal for 60+ miles) and parts of US-93
• Emergency services: Limited in rural Nevada; 911 works where cell exists
• Rest areas: Every 40-60 miles on I-84; minimal on US-50

Family-friendly stops include the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely (historic train rides), the Twin Falls City Park playground, and the Children's Museum of Spokane. Pets are allowed at most rest stops and many motels (check pet policies). Fatigue management: stop every 2 hours or 100 miles; the how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities guide helps plan breaks.

• Best kid stop: Shoshone Falls viewing area (Twin Falls)
• Best pet stop: Hells Canyon overlook (pet-friendly trail)
• Best rest stop: Salmon Falls Creek Rest Area (Idaho, mile 52 on I-84)