TA
0 mi from route
Trip from Carlin, NV to Reno, NV
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
268.6 mi
432 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 15m
★
6 AM
4h 28m
8 AM
4h 55m
10 AM
4h 37m
12 PM
4h 35m
3 PM
4h 39m
5 PM
4h 53m
8 PM
4h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carlin, NV
Wikimedia Commons
Reno, NV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 268.6 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Carlin to Reno is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 28 minutes. You can easily tackle this distance in a single day, making it an efficient trek across Nevada. Budgeting around $53 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the trip. Since the drive stays within the same region and state, you won't face significant shifts in geography or time zones. It is a practical route for those looking to reach Reno efficiently without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134.3 miles from Carlin, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 266.9 mi | 4h 23m |
| 10th Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Virginia Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East 8th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 9th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 266.9 mi, about 4h 23m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,790 veh/hr typical · worst 2,104
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Carlin, NV and Reno, NV.
1
Start on this road
375 ft
·
29 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto South 9th Street
141 ft
·
8 sec
·
South 9th Street
3
Turn right onto West Main Street
294 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Main Street
4
Turn left onto 10th Street
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
10th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 80 West: Reno
6
Merge onto I 80
267 mi
·
4 hr 23 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 13
Toward US 395 BUS: Downtown Reno
8
Continue on East 8th Street
400 ft
·
18 sec
·
East 8th Street
9
Turn left onto US 395 BUS
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Virginia Street
10
Turn left onto East 4th Street
202 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 4th Street
11
Turn right
171 ft
·
11 sec
12
Turn right
105 ft
·
7 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid heavy traffic during your arrival in Reno. You should plan for one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 268.6-mile trek and keep your focus sharp. Given the length of the primary highway stretch, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Carlin to stay within your $53 budget. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for the transition from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway onto local city streets, as the driving pace changes significantly once you reach the Reno area.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 134.3 miles from Carlin, NV, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 59 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.3 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 38m
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 Carlin, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carlin, NV
This is one driving day of about 268.6 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Carlin, NV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 266.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.3 miles from Carlin, NV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 266.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Button Point Rest Area
0 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Trinity Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Cosgrave Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Valmy Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Puzzle Room Reno
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Reno, Nevada
Hours: 12–8:30 pm
+17755255576
Visit websiteRiverwalk @ South Virginia St. Reno, Nv.
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Reno, Nevada
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Reno, Nevada
Hours: 8 am–7 pm
+17757854512
Visit websiteWilbur D. May Center
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Reno, Nevada
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17757855961
Visit websiteFleischmann Planetarium
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Reno, Nevada
Hours: Closed
+17757844812
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 268.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 9th Street
Turn right onto South 9th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 West: Reno
Navigation decision point
Toward I 80 West: Reno
5
267.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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
4
268.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
|
East 4th Street
Turn left onto East 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.60 one way
$95.19 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $50.97 | $101.94 |
| premium | $5.04 | $53.32 | $106.64 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $50.72 | $101.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.20 | $12.89 |
| Efficient EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.50 | $10.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.4 | 1 | $37.60 | $17.19 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Carlin, NV
Late night in Carlin on Sunday
Local time
12:03 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Reno, NV
Late night in Reno on Sunday
Local time
12:03 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
W 0 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live 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.
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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by a massive 266.9-mile stretch along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which accounts for nearly the entire journey. While the majority of your time is spent on this major artery, the experience concludes with a transition onto 10th Street and North Virginia Street as you arrive in Reno. Despite the high-speed highway segments, the final approach shifts into a turn-heavy local drive that demands more attention than the open road. Because the highway share is effectively total until the final miles, you will spend most of your time behind the wheel focused on steady, long-distance travel.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 266.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 South 9th Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 28m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,120 ft
3,958 ft
Total Climb
1,021 ft
Total Descent
1,420 ft
Highest Point
5,120 ft
~19.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,163 ft
Notable High Points
5,120 ft at ~19.2 miles
+217 ft prominence
4,554 ft at ~76.8 miles
+27 ft prominence
4,268 ft at ~153.5 miles
+53 ft prominence
4,291 ft at ~211.1 miles
+178 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Carlin, NV
Full guide →Arriving in Reno, NV
Full guide →Founded 1868
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 268.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 266.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 (South 9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Reno, NV, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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