Spanning 392.1 miles across Nevada, this journey from Alamo to Reno takes approximately 8 hours and 12 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the length and the technical nature of the roads, you should plan to split this trip over 2 days to maintain a comfortable pace. You will navigate via Veterans Memorial Highway, the Extraterrestrial Highway, and US 95 ALT, creating a diverse path through the Mountain West. Expect to set aside roughly $78 for fuel, though you should verify current local prices before heading out. This route is best suited for travelers who prefer a slower, turn-heavy local experience rather than a quick interstate sprint.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
196.1 miles from Alamo, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
131.8 mi
2h 26m
Extraterrestrial Highway
84 mi
2h 4m
US 95 ALT
50 mi
58m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
27.5 mi
30m
Grand Army Highway
21.8 mi
23m
USA Parkway
19.6 mi
30m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi
21m
Warm Springs Road
14.4 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 131.8 mi, about 2h 26m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,560 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~266 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alamo, NV and Reno, NV.
1
Start on North Purple Sage Avenue
283 ft·14 sec·North Purple Sage Avenue
2
Turn left onto 4469
0.2 mi·49 sec·Broadway
3
Turn left onto US 93
12 mi·13 min·Great Basin Highway
4
Turn left onto NV 318
0.6 mi·42 sec·Sunnyside Road
5
Turn slight left onto NV 375
14 mi·17 min·Warm Springs Road
6
Continue on NV 375
84 mi·2 hr 4 min·Extraterrestrial Highway
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 6
16 mi·16 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
8
Continue on US 6
22 mi·23 min·Grand Army Highway
9
Continue on US 6
12 mi·13 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
10
Turn right onto US 6; US 95
0.5 mi·1 min·Erie Street
11
Continue on US 6; US 95
1.4 mi·2 min·Main Street
12
Continue on US 6; US 95
68 mi·1 hr 12 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Continue on US 95
1.2 mi·3 min·Front Street
14
Continue on US 95
7.8 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 95
0.9 mi·2 min·Plymire Street
16
Continue on US 95
23 mi·25 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
17
Take the exit onto US 95 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·US 95 Truck
18
Take the exit onto US 95 Truck
324 ft·12 sec·US 95 Truck
19
Merge onto US 95
33 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
23 mi·25 min·US 95 ALT
21
Turn right onto US 95 ALT
1.0 mi·2 min·Goldfield Avenue
22
Turn right onto US 95 ALT
27 mi·32 min·US 95 ALT
23
Turn left onto Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
3.4 mi·5 min·Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
24
Turn right onto US 50
0.9 mi·1 min·California Emigrant Trail
25
Enter roundabout onto NV 439
267 ft·3 sec·USA Parkway
26
Continue on NV 439
20 mi·30 min·USA Parkway
27
Merge onto I 80
19 mi·21 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·45 sec
Exit 13Toward US 395 BUS: Downtown Reno
29
Continue on East 8th Street
400 ft·18 sec·East 8th Street
30
Turn left onto US 395 BUS
0.4 mi·1 min·North Virginia Street
31
Turn left onto East 4th Street
202 ft·8 sec·East 4th Street
32
Turn right
171 ft·11 sec
33
Turn right
105 ft·7 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour drive time, leaving early in the morning is essential to maximize daylight and reach your overnight stop safely. Plan for at least 2 dedicated stops along the way to break up the 392.1-mile distance and manage fatigue on the more technical sections. Since fuel costs are estimated at $78, keep an eye on your gauge during that long 131.8-mile stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway to avoid running low in remote areas. Because this path is heavy on local roads, prioritize steady, cautious driving rather than trying to rush your arrival. Taking two days allows you to handle the turns without feeling pressured by the clock.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 196.1 miles from Alamo, NV, or about 4h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 86 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.1 miles or 4h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 196.1 miles or 4h 12m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reno, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alamo, NV so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alamo, NV
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Reno, NV
Aim for roughly 196 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Alamo, NV.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Veterans Memorial Highway for about 131.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 391.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|4469 / Broadway
Turn left onto 4469 / Broadway
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|US 93 / Great Basin Highway
Turn left onto US 93 / Great Basin Highway
Navigation decision point
4
12.3 mi into trip|~14m in|NV 318 / Sunnyside Road
Turn left onto NV 318 / Sunnyside Road
Navigation decision point
4
111.3 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 6 / Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Navigation decision point
5
391.4 mi into trip|~8h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 395 BUS: Downtown Reno
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 13
Toward US 395 BUS: Downtown Reno
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.48 one way
$138.96 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$74.41
$148.81
premium
$5.04
$77.83
$155.67
diesel
$4.80
$74.04
$148.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.6
1
$41.17
$18.82
Efficient EV
98
1
$34.31
$15.68
EV Truck/SUV
156.8
1
$54.89
$25.09
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Alamo, NV
Morning
in Alamo on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
98°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Reno, NV
Morning
in Reno on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
W 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
39 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 12m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a dynamic experience behind the wheel, as this route is classified as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway haul. With only 18% of the journey consisting of major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating regional roads that demand your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 131.8 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, which provides a significant period of steady driving. As you transition between these segments, the road character shifts frequently, requiring you to adapt to varying road conditions. It is a challenging but engaging drive that moves away from the monotony of typical interstate travel.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.8 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 4469 / Broadway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 12m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 19 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (4469 / Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 93 / Great Basin Highway): Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles (NV 318 / Sunnyside Road): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,138 ft3,461 ft
Total Climb
4,175 ft
Total Descent
3,132 ft
Highest Point
6,138 ft
~140 mi in
Elevation Range
2,677 ft
Notable High Points
6,138 ft at ~140 miles+567 ft prominence
4,441 ft at ~252.1 miles+39 ft prominence
4,903 ft at ~308.1 miles+285 ft prominence
5,265 ft at ~364.1 miles+647 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Reno, the "Biggest Little City in the World", is in the beautiful north-west region of the State of Nevada, right at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Reno is the second largest tourist destination in Nevada, mainly thanks to its popular downtown casinos. It also has family entertainment, festivals, museums, and cuisine.
Top landmarks
•Reno — railway station in Reno, Nevada, United States
•Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts — theater in Reno, Nevada, United States
•Mizpah Hotel — former hotel building in Reno, Nevada, USA
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.8 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 196 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Reno, NV before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through NV can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (4469 / Broadway): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 93 / Great Basin Highway): Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles (NV 318 / Sunnyside Road): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Reno, NV before the return drive.
