Redlands to Incline Village: A Desert-to-Alpine Road Trip Guide

This 515-mile journey from Redlands, CA (elevation 1,335 ft) to Incline Village, NV (elevation 6,300 ft) climbs nearly 5,000 feet, crossing the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada, and the Great Basin. The route follows Interstate 10 west to Interstate 15 north, then US-95 north and US-395 north, finishing on NV-431 (Mount Rose Highway). A little-known fact: the section on US-395 north of Bishop parallels the Owens Valley, a deep trough where the valley floor is actually sinking while the Sierra Nevada rises—one of the fastest uplifting mountain ranges on Earth.

Typical drive time without stops is about 8–9 hours, but with suggested breaks and sightseeing, plan for two days. The question is it worth driving Redlands, CA to Incline Village, NV? Absolutely—this route offers stark contrasts from palm-studded suburbs to alpine forests.

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Fatigue is a major risk on long desert stretches. Plan rest stops every 2 hours. The Baker Valley Rest Area (I-15 southbound) is clean and has picnic tables. On US-95, the town of Goldfield has a small park. Watch for wildlife on US-395: mule deer and cattle often graze near the road.

• Recommended rest stops: Baker Rest Area (I-15), Tonopah Rest Area (US-95), Walker Lake (US-395)
• Wildlife caution: Dusk and dawn on US-395 and NV-431
• Fatigue signs: Drifting, yawning, missed exits

For families, the best stops between Redlands and Incline Village include the California Science Center (Los Angeles area, detour) or the Redlands Bowl. In Baker, the 'Alien Fresh Jerky' shop entertains kids. Bodie Ghost Town is a hit with older children ($8). Sand Harbor offers beaches and calm waters.

• Bodie Ghost Town: Kid-friendly history walk
• Sand Harbor: Shallow coves, lifeguard in summer
• Rhyolite: Abandoned buildings, can be explored safely

Pet-friendly framework: Most stops allow dogs on leash. The Mojave National Preserve permits dogs on trails (but not in wilderness). Bodie State Park allows dogs in parking lot only. In Incline Village, pet-friendly lodging includes Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe (with pet fee). Rest areas have pet relief areas.

• Mojave Preserve: Dogs on leash on roads and in developed areas
• Bodie: Dogs not allowed in park (extreme heat)
• Incline Village: Dog-friendly restaurants like T's Mesquite Rotisserie

Safety infrastructure: Gas stations and services are sparse. Carry a spare tire, water, and blankets. US-95 has long stretches with no cell service. NV-431 (Mount Rose Highway) is subject to sudden snowstorms; check weather before crossing. The road is well-maintained but has sharp curves.

• Emergency services: Nevada State Patrol on US-95; Washoe County Sheriff on NV-431
• Towing: Available in Tonopah (775-482-6220) and Carson City
• Desert survival: Never leave without 1 gallon water per person

Hidden off-route spots: Just south of Tonopah, the 'Tonopah Test Range' is off-limits, but north of town, the 'Lunar Crater' is a volcanic maar, accessible via dirt road (high clearance). Near Walker Lake, the ghost town of Mina is abandoned but photogenic. On the Mount Rose Highway, the Tahoe Rim Trail trailhead offers short hikes.

• Lunar Crater: 18 mi north of Tonopah on NV-6, then 7 mi dirt road
• Mina Ghost Town: 5 mi west of US-95 on NV-360
• Tahoe Rim Trail: From Spooner Summit, 2 mi south of Incline on NV-28

The route comprises three major segments: I-10 to I-15 (desert interstate), US-95 (lonely two-lane highway), and US-395/NV-431 (mountain pass). Fuel availability is sparse between Baker, CA and Tonopah, NV—about 170 miles without services. Always fill up at the Amor Gas Station in Baker (last cheap gas before the desert stretch).

• Total distance: 515 miles
• Estimated driving time: 8.5 hours non-stop
• Recommended fuel stops: Baker, CA; Tonopah, NV; Carson City, NV
• Road quality: I-10/I-15 excellent; US-95 fair with rough patches; US-395 good; NV-431 winding but paved

Cell service is reliable on interstates but drops on US-95 north of Beatty and on NV-431. Download offline maps. No tolls exist on this route. The fastest path is I-10/I-15/US-95/US-395; for scenery, consider CA-178 through Walker Pass, but that adds 45 minutes.

For detailed stop planning, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Weather windows: November–March can bring snow on NV-431 (chains required often). Summer heat tops 110°F in the desert. Spring and fall offer ideal conditions. Check NV roads status at nvroads.com.

• Best driving season: May–October
• Snow chain requirement: On NV-431 typically November–April
• Desert heat warning: Carry extra water from June–September

Leaving Redlands, you traverse the San Bernardino Valley with views of the San Gabriel Mountains. At Cajon Pass (I-15), elevation 4,190 ft, the terrain shifts to high desert scrub. Near Baker, the Mojave National Preserve features the Kelso Dunes—some of the tallest in the world, rising 700 ft. Stop at the Kelso Depot Visitor Center for exhibits on railroads and desert ecology.

• Kelso Dunes: 7-mile round trip hike to summit
• Mojave National Preserve: Free entry, camping available
• Baker's World's Tallest Thermometer: 134 ft tall

Crossing into Nevada at Primm, the landscape flattens. US-95 passes through the ghost town of Rhyolite, a Gold Rush relic with the famous Bottle House. Beatty offers the 'Burro Inn' and a taste of local mining culture. Tonopah, the 'Silver Capital,' has the Tonopah Historic Mining Park and the Mizpah Hotel (reportedly haunted).

• Rhyolite Ghost Town: Open daily, free
• Tonopah Historic Mining Park: Self-guided tours, $3
• Mizpah Hotel: Historic landmark, rooms from $129

US-395 north from Tonopah enters the Walker River region and the eastern Sierra. At Bridgeport, stop at the Twin Lakes for hiking and fishing. The Bodie State Historic Park (13 miles east of Bridgeport) is a perfectly preserved ghost town, a National Historic Landmark. Mono Lake, just north of Lee Vining, features tufa towers and millions of migratory birds.

• Bodie: $8 admission, open 9 AM–6 PM summer
• Mono Lake: South Tufa Trail, $3 fee
• Lee Vining: Gateway to Tioga Pass (Yosemite)

As you ascend NV-431 from Carson City, the scenery shifts from sagebrush to Jeffrey pine forests. Mount Rose Summit at 8,911 ft offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. Incline Village sits on the north shore, with access to casinos (Crystal Bay) and outdoor recreation: Diamond Peak Ski Resort and Sand Harbor State Park.

• Sand Harbor: $10 vehicle fee, kayak rentals
• Diamond Peak: 1,200 ft vertical drop, 30 trails
• Incline Village: Upscale dining and boutique shopping