Glenwood Springs to Tonopah Road Trip Guide: Epic Desert Drive

This route roughly traces the old Lincoln Highway, America's first transcontinental road. The segment from Glenwood Springs to Tonopah crosses the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin, offering stark beauty and sparse traffic. You'll drive 560 miles on I-70, US-6, US-50, and US-95, with an estimated 9 hours of pure driving time, but you should budget 11-12 hours with stops.

The drive leaves Glenwood Springs via I-70 west, then takes US-6 south to I-70 briefly before exiting onto US-50 west at Salina, UT. Continue on US-50 across Utah and Nevada to Ely, then US-6 west to Tonopah. Key fuel stops: Green River, UT; Salina, UT; Delta, UT; Ely, NV; and Tonopah, NV. The longest gap without services is between Delta, UT and Ely, NV (128 miles).

• Always fill up when you see a station, especially in Nevada.
• Cell coverage is spotty; download offline maps.
• Carry extra water and snacks.

How long to drive Glenwood Springs, CO to Tonopah, NV is not the only question; safety matters. Long stretches of two-lane highway require vigilance. Watch for wildlife, especially at dusk. The road quality is generally good, but beware of loose gravel on shoulders. Plan rest stops every 2 hours.

Is it worth driving Glenwood Springs, CO to Tonopah, NV? Absolutely for lovers of solitude and stark beauty. Families will enjoy the dinosaur museum in Price, UT, and the Lehman Caves. Pets are welcome at most outdoor stops but keep them leashed due to wildlife and extreme heat. Things to do between Glenwood Springs, CO and Tonopah, NV include hiking, stargazing (Tonopah has dark skies), and visiting ghost towns.

• Child-friendly: The Children's Museum in St. George (detour) or the swimming in Glenwood Hot Springs before departure.
• Pet-friendly: Many motels along US-50 in Utah and Nevada allow pets. Carry water bowls.
• Fatigue management: Stop at scenic overlooks, do jumping jacks, take a 15-min nap.

From the red rock canyons of Utah to the vast sagebrush basins of Nevada, this route offers a masterclass in arid geography. The best stops Glenwood Springs, CO to Tonopah, NV include Goblin Valley State Park and the Great Basin National Park. For a deeper dive into trip planning, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Local commerce is sparse but charming. In Salina, UT, try the homemade pies at Mom's Café. In Ely, NV, the historic Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall offers a taste of the Old West. Tonopah itself is a former mining town with the Tonopah Historic Mining Park.

• Goblin Valley State Park: otherworldly hoodoos.
• Great Basin National Park: ancient bristlecone pines.
• Ely: Nevada Northern Railway Museum.