TA
0 mi from route
Trip from Carlin, NV to Sparks, 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 22m
Distance
264.9 mi
426 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 9m
★
6 AM
4h 23m
8 AM
4h 49m
10 AM
4h 32m
12 PM
4h 29m
3 PM
4h 33m
5 PM
4h 48m
8 PM
4h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carlin, NV
Wikimedia Commons
Sparks, NV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 264.9 miles across Nevada, this journey from Carlin to Sparks takes approximately 4 hours and 22 minutes of drive time. Because the route relies on local roads like South 9th Street, West Main Street, and 10th Street rather than major interstates, it functions best as a single-day trip. You should budget about $53 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Mountain West locations. While the drive is manageable in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the path requires your full attention throughout the day. It is an ideal choice if you prefer navigating local infrastructure over high-speed highway cruising. Keep in mind that this is a straightforward point-to-point transit within the same state, perfect for travelers looking for a direct route.
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
132.4 miles from Carlin, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 263.5 mi | 4h 19m |
| 10th Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West Victorian Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 9th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Pyramid Way | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 263.5 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,009 veh/hr typical · worst 1,236
Quietest
1 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
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 Sparks, 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
263 mi
·
4 hr 19 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 18
Toward NV 445
8
Keep slight right at fork
201 ft
·
13 sec
Toward NV 445 North
Use the right lane.
9
Turn slight right onto NV 445
43 ft
·
4 sec
·
Pyramid Way
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto West Victorian Avenue
344 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Victorian Avenue
11
Continue on West Victorian Avenue
329 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Victorian Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
West Victorian Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4 hour and 22 minute journey, plan to depart early in the morning to navigate the turn-heavy sections while visibility is at its peak. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that time to stretch and refresh before tackling the remaining local road segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $53 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in local traffic. A helpful tip for this specific trip is to preload your navigation for the transition between South 9th Street and 10th Street, as the frequent turns can be easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected local congestion.
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 132.4 miles from Carlin, NV, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.5 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 58 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 11m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sparks, 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 264.9 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 263.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.4 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 263.5 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
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, short detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Reno, Nevada
Hours: 12–8:30 pm
+17755255576
Visit websiteRancho San Rafael Regional Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Reno, Nevada
Hours: 8 am–7 pm
+17757854512
Visit websiteRiverwalk @ South Virginia St. Reno, Nv.
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Reno, Nevada
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
Fleischmann Planetarium
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 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 264.7 — 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
264.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward NV 445
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 18
Toward NV 445
8
264.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward NV 445 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward NV 445 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.94 one way
$93.88 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $50.27 | $100.54 |
| premium | $5.04 | $52.58 | $105.17 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $50.02 | $100.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 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 | 79.5 | 0 | $27.81 | $12.72 |
| Efficient EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.18 | $10.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106 | 1 | $37.09 | $16.95 |
Gas CO2
93 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
12:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Sparks, NV
Late night in Sparks on Sunday
Local time
12:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
NW 0 to 5 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
3 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 22m 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 unique experience on this trip, as the route consists entirely of local roads with zero highway miles. The path is defined by its turn-heavy profile, which demands constant engagement compared to a standard interstate cruise. You will navigate through various intersections and turns on 10th Street and West Main Street, making the drive feel more like a series of technical segments than a long, uninterrupted stretch. Because the road changes frequently as you transition through local corridors, you will find yourself navigating a more hands-on driving environment. This is not a monotonous highway grind; rather, it is a persistent, winding progression that requires you to stay alert at every turn.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.5 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 22m 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
5,094 ft
3,946 ft
Total Climb
914 ft
Total Descent
1,405 ft
Highest Point
5,094 ft
~18.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,148 ft
Notable High Points
5,094 ft at ~18.9 miles
+190 ft prominence
4,334 ft at ~151.4 miles
+112 ft prominence
4,179 ft at ~208.1 miles
+146 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Carlin, NV
Full guide →Arriving in Sparks, NV
Full guide →Founded 1904
Sparks is in Nevada. It's a suburb of Reno, just east along Interstate 80.
Top landmarks
- • Washoe County Library-Sparks Branch — library building in Sparks, Nevada
- • Bank of Sparks — bank building in Sparks, United States of America
- • Mary Lee Nichols School — school building in Sparks, United States of America
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 22m. Total distance: 264.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m 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 263.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Sparks, 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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