Extraterrestrial Highway
United States, north-america
158 km
1,585 m
easy
March-May and September-November (extreme heat in summer)
Nevada State Route 375 is one of those roads that feels genuinely otherworldly – and honestly, the official "Extraterrestrial Highway" designation (since 1996) isn't just a gimmick. This 158-kilometer stretch of two-lane blacktop cuts straight through the remote desert of south-central Nevada, skirting the edge of the Nevada Test and Training Range where the legendary Area 51 lurks just beyond the horizon.
The drive is beautifully, almost eerily desolate. You're talking endless desert valleys, jagged mountain ranges that seem to go on forever, and practically zero signs of civilization for the entire journey. It's the kind of road where you might not see another car for hours. The only real pit stop is Rachel (population: basically a heartbeat), sitting roughly midway through. The town's main claim to fame? The Little A'Le'Inn, a quirky UFO-themed bar and motel that's basically become the unofficial nerve center for anyone obsessed with Area 51 and all that comes with it.
What makes this route special goes beyond the conspiracy stuff. The isolation means you've got some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 – absolute stargazing paradise once the sun sets. And if you time it right, you might catch military aircraft doing training runs overhead, which definitely adds to the whole "something strange is happening here" vibe. It's weird, it's empty, and it's absolutely worth the drive if you're into that kind of thing.
Where is it?
Extraterrestrial Highway is located in Nevada, United States (north-america). Coordinates: 37.6453, -115.7441
Driving Tips
# Road Trip Tips for the Area
Make sure you fill up your gas tank before you head out—there's seriously nothing between Ash Springs and Tonopah, so running low would be a bummer.
Those restricted military areas you'll see? Just skip them. They're actively patrolled, and trespassing is a federal offense, so it's not worth the hassle.
Stock up on water and snacks before you go since you won't have cell service for most of the drive. It's pretty remote out there, so you'll want to be self-sufficient.
The Little A'Le'Inn in Rachel is basically your only food option along the way, so plan accordingly if you're getting hungry.
On the bright side, if you time your trip for a moonless night, the stargazing is absolutely incredible. The lack of light pollution makes it one of those special spots where you can really see the stars.
Road Surface
Paved, straight two-lane highway in good condition
Road Details
- Country
- United States
- Continent
- north-america
- Region
- Nevada
- Length
- 158 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,585 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Surface
- Paved, straight two-lane highway in good condition
- Best Season
- March-May and September-November (extreme heat in summer)
- Coordinates
- 37.6453, -115.7441
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