7 Best Nevada Road Trips

Discover the neon lights and natural wonders of Nevada on a road trip designed to show you the very best of the Silver State

Once a hive of activity during the gold rush, Nevada is now seeing people rush in to find gold of another kind – whether it’s golden sands in Red Rock Canyon or a glistening sunset over Mount Charleston.

From the vibrant Las Vegas strip to the state’s sprawling deserts and valleys, these seven scenic routes offer endless views, landmarks and activities to add to your itinerary.

Plan your road trip with Hertz to experience one of our awe-inspiring Nevada road trips and see the state in a completely new light.

1. Nevada to Nevada: Great Heights Tour

1491 miles, 7 days, 7 stops

If the bright lights of Las Vegas aren’t for you, then head into the mountains and hills of Nevada for breathtaking hikes and amazing views.

Start at Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, where you can camp out for the night before heading out on the drive to South Snake Ridge and Wheeler Peak. Spot the local wildlife as you explore, including mule deer, marmots and even coyotes.

Mount Jefferson is a world away from Wheeler Peak, taking you from harsh mountain terrain to lush forests. Lace up your boots to explore some trails and look out for bighorn sheep and deer.

Then it’s on to Nevada’s highest point – Boundary Peak – where experienced hikers can climb to the top for views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Mono Lake Basin below.

Discover the Great Heights of Nevada

2. Nevada to Nevada: The Grand Circle

1390 miles, 10 days, 13 stops

Forget everything you thought you knew about deserts! This road trip is guaranteed to change your perspective. Deserts are not just full of sand – the ones in Nevada, Utah and Arizona also have some amazing sights to see. So, get your cameras ready and set off on an adventure.

You’ll begin and end this trip in Nevada, starting out at Springs Preserve, which has some beautiful botanical gardens and walking trails to try.

You’ll then take a trip through Utah and Arizona to see some more incredible parks and trails. Stop off at Dead Horse Point State Park for a glimpse of the Grand Canyon, then it’s on to the world’s best-preserved meteor crater.

Your final stop brings you back to Las Vegas and the Pinball Hall of Fame, where you can play on a selection of the oldest and most popular pinball machines ever made.

Complete the Grand Circle

3. Phoenix to Nevada: Canyons of Arizona and Nevada

984 miles, 14 days, 13 stops

Take a trip through Arizona and Nevada to see some awe-inspiring feats of nature, from deep canyons and valleys to crystal clear lakes.

Starting at Camelback Mountain in Arizona, you’ll drive south to Tucson before heading back up north to Nevada. Once across the border, you’ll pay a visit to Virgin Valley Heritage Museum to discover six golf courses and find out more about the history of gold mining and ranch life in the area.

Red Rock Canyon is just 20 miles from Las Vegas, but you wouldn’t know it. It’s an incredible thing to behold and at some points reaches over 3000 feet high. You can follow the road to drive through it or stop off and take one of the hiking trails.

Venture deep into the Canyons of Arizona and Nevada

4. Washington to Nevada: The Weird, Weird West

1950 miles, 14 days, 13 stops

Fancy exploring Nevada and beyond? Take a trip down the west coast of America to discover some truly weird and wonderful spots. Pack your bags and bring the family to find out just how wild the west can be.

Start in the Gas Works Park in Seattle, where rusted pipes and industrial tanks create a focal point among the lush greenery. Then head on south through Oregon and California, stopping off at quirky creations and natural wonders like the Lava River Cave, San Francisco Wave Organ and the Echo Park Time Travel Mart.

Finally, you’ll enter Nevada. Take a tour of the Atomic Survival Town before moving on to the International Car Forest of the Last Church. Here, you’ll uncover abandoned and disheveled cars that have been wrecked, buried, or stacked to create a one-of-a-kind automotive ‘forest’.  

Embrace the Weird, Weird West

5. Arizona to Oregon: Into the Valleys

1764 miles, 14 days, 12 stops

Take a tour through some of the greatest natural wonders found in the western states on this incredible road trip through jaw-dropping landscapes.

From the Grand Canyon, head slightly north into Utah before crossing over to Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park. Explore incredible red rock formations, prehistoric art and look out for rare wildlife, such as the desert tortoise.

The next stop is Red Rock Canyon, where you will find 13 miles of huge sandstone peaks and cliffs to climb, hike or bike. It’s a one-way drive through the canyon, then it’s on to Death Valley, Yosemite and Crater Lake for a full two-week trip through the West Coast’s natural wonders.

Plan your trip into the Valleys

6. Utah to California: Roads Paved with Gold

1288 miles, 10 days, 12 stops

Go panning for gold and silver on this road trip and you might end up with a little nugget or two! Explore some of the ghost towns left behind after the gold rush, as well as luxe hotels, glimmering landscapes, and golden beaches.

Follow the Gold Rush from Salt Lake City to modern luxury at the Amira Resort in Red Rock Canyon. As you cross the border into Nevada, head straight to Twist – a high-rise restaurant owned by three-star Michelin chef, Pierre Gagnaire. This is his only site in the USA, with 300 golden globes suspended from the ceiling for a truly opulent feel. The food combines French fine dining with a contemporary twist, making it well worth a trip.

Fueled up and ready for a drive? It’s time to head to a couple of abandoned gold mines, including Techatticup Gold Mine and Goldfield, as well as boomtowns like Virginia City.

Finish off your trip in the aptly named Golden State, where you soak up rays on some of California’s best beaches.

Drive along Roads Paved with Gold

7. California to Arizona: Ghost Towns of the West

1346 miles, 10 days, 12 stops

Ready to get spooked? This historic road trip takes you on a journey back in time to the deserted landmarks and ghost towns that line the West Coast.

Take a tour through a selection of old gold rush towns that were abandoned as quickly as they were set up, while stopping off to see the empty Griffith Park Zoo and Bombay Beach resort.

Don’t forget to visit the Neon Museum in Nevada. This is where the old lights and signs of the Las Vegas strip go to their final resting place. At night, many of them are lit up, which is even eerier as you can see where some bulbs are missing. It’s a mini neon ghost town of its own.

Book your hire car with Hertz and plan your trip to see the Ghost Towns of the West.

Nevada has so much to see beyond the Las Vegas strip. So why not head out on one of our unique Nevada road trips? Reserve your Hertz rental car to discover all there is to know about the Silver State’s hidden secrets.