Virginia City, NV to Price, UT: A Road Trip Guide to the Loneliest Highway

This route from Virginia City, NV to Price, UT is a 500-mile journey along US-50, once dubbed 'the loneliest road in America.' It crosses the Great Basin Desert, climbs into the Wasatch Range, and ends in Utah's coal country. The drive takes roughly 8-9 hours of pure driving, but plan for two days to truly absorb the landscape.

One little-known fact: Virginia City's silver boom funded much of the Comstock Lode, and the route east parallels the old Pony Express trail. The highway itself is a remnant of the Lincoln Highway, America's first transcontinental road.

Fuel is scarce between major towns. Fill up in Virginia City (NV-341 to US-50), then again in Fallon (30 miles east). After Fallon, the next reliable gas is in Ely, 200 miles away. Carry a full tank and extra water.

• Estimated total fuel cost for a mid-size car: $60-80.
• Best fuel stop: Ely's Maverik station (24/7, clean restrooms).
• Alternative: Baker, NV (near Great Basin National Park) has a single pump.

The economy of this route relies on tourism and mining. Virginia City's main street is a tourist trap with fudge shops, while Price is a hub for coal truckers. The contrast is stark: one lives on nostalgia, the other on extraction.

US-50 is mostly two-lane with long straight stretches. Speed limits range 65-70 mph, but wildlife (mule deer) and occasional gravel trucks demand caution. Between Eureka and Ely, the road has no shoulder for miles. Use high beams at night, but turn off when approaching other cars.

• Fatigue zone: The 100-mile stretch between Austin and Ely is soporific. Pull over at the Middlegate Station (a historic bar) for a coffee and a burger.
• Family stop: The Great Basin Visitor Center in Baker has interactive exhibits for kids; the Lehman Caves tour is a must (reserve in advance).
• Pet-friendly note: Most motels in Ely and Delta accept pets; call ahead. Rest stops have limited shade – carry a water bowl.

For families with children, plan a short hike in Great Basin National Park (e.g., Alpine Lake Trail, 2.5 miles). The road is safe, but the desert heat (summer highs >100°F) means carry extra water. Winter can bring snow on the mountain passes (especially near Ely's Connors Pass, 7,700 ft). Check weather before departing.

The landscapes shift from sagebrush desert to alpine forests. US-50 crosses the Toiyabe Range at 7,000 ft, then drops into the Snake Valley. The Great Basin National Park (near Baker, NV) offers the Lehman Caves and 13,000-ft Wheeler Peak. Further east, the Sevier Desert stretches to the Wasatch Plateau. For a deeper dive into spotting the best stops and hidden gems between cities, check out this guide.

• Must-see natural stop: Great Basin National Park (detour 60 miles south of US-50 on NV-487/488).
• Little-known gem: Garnet Hill in Ely – a free public dig for garnets.
• Cultural stop: The Railroad Museum in Ely (historic steam trains).

Local commerce is thin. In Austin, NV (mile 170), the International Cafe serves decent chicken fried steak. In Delta, UT, the Great Basin Museum chronicles the area's volcanic past.