My son and I are going on a road trip to Moab and the Grand Canyon end of June though July 5th.

Have most everything planned out, but on the return trip I’m not sure which way to go from Vegas to Winnemucca.


Anyone familiar with the options? Prefer more scenic versus flat, hot, dry.


Any info is appreciated.

I don't think there is anything scenic between Vegas and Winnemucca. If that's what you want, you'd probably be better to jump west a bit and go up through the Sierra Nevada.

If you are a member of AAA talk to a travel adviser. Google interest you have between start to end.

I have found that between the two, you come out with a fairly good outcome.



A side note, if I'm going to someplace in the fastest, shortest time/ DistanceI'll take the interstate. If I'm looking for Is scenery and exploring its the backroads.

I drive a Subaru WRX so, twisty, hilly backroad is fun and enjoyable to my. And if I can take in history of sights, all the better.

Have fun, and enjoy your time together!


ARman

I went to Google maps made a direction from Vegas to Winnemucca, then clicked on "Things to do."

There's The Mob Museum, The Neon Museum, SlotZilla Zipline, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Neonopolis (vintage toy store, ax throwing, and movie prop museum), Tonopah Historic Mining Park, Central Nevada Museum, Goldfield Art Car Park Gallery, then you'll be driving through Humboldt-Toiyabe National Park.

quote:

Prefer more scenic versus flat, hot, dry.

It's Nevada. It's practically all hot, dry and desolate, and large stretches are going to be flat no matter which route you take. To me, at least, that's part of the attraction.

Having said that, and if you aren't in a hurry (it's over 200 miles out of the way), you could take I-15 and CA 58 over to US 395. Until Bishop, CA, 395 is also flat, hot and dry, but there is a view of the eastern Sierra Nevada, and it is all four-lane divided. Between Bishop and the Nevada state line, however, is one of the most scenic drives in the US, and large part of this stretch are also four-lane. At this time of year, depending on how much snow it got, CA 120 into Yosemite should be open.

This kind of choice makes
Discussions appreciating the differences between 'stark' and 'nuanced' inevitable. Start early and enjoy the drive whichever you choose. How likely is it you'll repeat this journey regardless of which you pick?

I lived in Winnemucca for 2 months doing locums at Humboldt General Hospital, and the only redeeming thing was the $9.99 prime rib at the Model T casino. There was a nice and FREE shooting range up the mountain sponsored by the county.

There are a lot of ghost towns within an hour, I really liked the mining town Midas, and there is a burger joint up there for some reason that is excellent.

Elko, nearby, is a cool little town with a lot of history and it hosts the Cowboy Poetry festival yearly.







(be sure to have breakfast at the Griddle in Winnemucca)

Along the 395 corridor from Bishop northwards are a number of spectacular trout fishing spots, e.g., Crowley Lake, June Lake, Twin Lakes near Bridgeport.

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
I don't think there is anything scenic between Vegas and Winnemucca. If that's what you want, you'd probably be better to jump west a bit and go up through the Sierra Nevada.

This. Hop over to 395 going up through Lee Vining and eventually Topaz Lake. Very pretty drive along the eastern side of the Sierras.
I've done the other route between (and there really is only one other route) Vegas and Winnemuca and it's slightly interesting once.
I have unfortunately done it dozens of times. If you do it note that there are very few services offered on that route and cell service can also be spotty.

how about RT 93, a somewhat scenic drive to Rt 50 in Ely or go further to RT 80. Along Rt 9, Caliente has some food and a very photographable train station. A little further and you come to Pioche, Cathedral Gorge S.P., is well worth it. Then you come to the old mining town of Panaca, some interesting sites and the cafe is really good. When you get to Ely you can decide on Great Basin N.P. or not, if yes try to get a Lehman Cave tour. I have not driven RT 50, the loneliest highway in America, I think it would be interesting. Fallon has a Naval Air Station, I think some mining history. I had a fun article on a haunted gas station there, I'll see if I can find it.

If you're going to Winnemucca man.....

Not so much looking for things to do, just trying to see something different than the drive down. I assumed it would be equally bleak regardless of choice, but figured I’d ask.

Why Winnemucca? I’ve ridden motorcycles through central Oregon before, Burns, John Day, etc. beautiful area to go through and my son has never been in that area. The best way to get there from the Grand Canyon is through central NV.

Heading farther west to 395 would be nice, I’ve done it before and it is definitely scenic but I’d rather avoid going into CA on principle and the extra day it would add to the trip.

Still time to plan and tweak, will see what I decide.