This 446.6-mile journey from Cold Springs to Las Vegas, NV, is estimated to take around 8 hours and 51 minutes. Given the duration, it's best planned as a 2-day trip to avoid a grueling single-day drive. The route primarily utilizes Veterans Memorial Highway and US 95 ALT, with a relatively low highway share of 11%. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $89 for this trip. This 'Mountain West' to 'Mountain West' drive offers a turn-heavy local feel, making it more of an adventure than a straightforward cruise.
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
223.3 miles from Cold Springs, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
262.4 mi
4h 50m
Silver Peak Road
45.6 mi
57m
US 95 ALT
26.7 mi
32m
North Main Street
23.3 mi
25m
USA Parkway
19 mi
29m
Purple Heart Highway
17.7 mi
20m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17.5 mi
20m
Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
14.8 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 262.4 mi, about 4h 50m
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 Cold Springs, NV and Las Vegas, NV.
1
Start on Goldfinch Drive
276 ft·14 sec·Goldfinch Drive
2
Turn left onto Flamingo Drive
423 ft·16 sec·Flamingo Drive
3
Turn right onto Cold Springs Drive
219 ft·12 sec·Cold Springs Drive
4
Turn left onto Village Parkway
1.3 mi·2 min·Village Parkway
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·25 sec
Toward US 395 South: Reno, Carson City
6
Merge onto US 395
15 mi·17 min·Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·10 sec
Exit 68Toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 80: Sparks, Elko
9
Merge onto I 80
18 mi·20 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·9 sec
Toward NV 439 South: Yerington, Las Vegas
11
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Exit 32Toward NV 439 South: Yerington, Las Vegas
12
Turn right onto NV 439
19 mi·29 min·USA Parkway
13
Continue on US 50
0.8 mi·53 sec·California Emigrant Trail
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
15
Turn left onto Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
3.4 mi·5 min·Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
16
Merge onto US 95 ALT
27 mi·32 min·US 95 ALT
17
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
1.0 mi·2 min·Goldfield Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
23 mi·25 min·North Main Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 95
33 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
20
Turn left onto US 95 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·Freedom Road
Use the left lane.
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
24 mi·25 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
22
Continue on US 95
0.9 mi·2 min·Plymire Street
23
Continue on US 95
7.8 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
24
Continue on US 95
1.2 mi·3 min·Front Street
25
Continue on US 95
35 mi·37 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
26
Turn right onto NV 265
21 mi·22 min·Silver Peak Road
27
Turn left onto Cinnabar Way
0.1 mi·27 sec·Cinnabar Way
28
Turn left onto Silver Peak Road
17 mi·23 min·Silver Peak Road
29
Continue on 3457
7.5 mi·11 min·Silver Peak Road
30
Turn right onto US 95
4.4 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
31
Continue on US 95
0.5 mi·1 min·West Crook Avenue
32
Continue on US 95
0.4 mi·1 min·South Sundog Avenue
33
Continue on US 95
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
34
Continue on US 95
6.2 mi·8 min·East Main Street
35
Turn left onto US 95
0.2 mi·41 sec·South 2nd Street
36
Continue on US 95
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
37
Continue on I 11; US 95
18 mi·20 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 75AToward Cashman FieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn left onto North Las Vegas Boulevard
0.1 mi·32 sec·North Las Vegas Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
40
Turn left onto NV 579
62 ft·1 sec·East Bonanza Road
Use the left lane.
41
Arrive at destination
NV 579
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 2-day drive, consider departing early on your first day to cover a substantial portion, perhaps focusing on the 262.4-mile stretch of Veterans Memorial Highway. With 2 planned stops, you'll have opportunities to rest and refuel. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, pay close attention to navigation, especially as you approach Las Vegas. Budgeting around $89 for fuel is a practical consideration for this 446.6-mile trip, and knowing the longest stretch helps in planning your fuel stops effectively.
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 223.3 miles from Cold Springs, NV, or about 4h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262.4 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 98 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 223.3 miles or 4h 32m 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 223.3 miles or 4h 32m
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 7h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Las Vegas, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cold Springs, 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 Cold Springs, NV
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Las Vegas, NV
Aim for roughly 223 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 98 miles from Cold Springs, 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 262.4 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 446.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 395 South: Reno, Carson City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 South: Reno, Carson City
6
16.7 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 68
Toward I 80: Sparks, Elko, Reno, Sacramento
6
16.8 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80: Sparks, Elko
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80: Sparks, Elko
7
446.2 mi into trip|~8h 50m in
Take the exit toward Cashman Field
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75A
Toward Cashman Field
7
446.5 mi into trip|~8h 51m in|NV 579 / East Bonanza Road
Turn left onto NV 579 / East Bonanza Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$91.20 one way
$182.40 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg156 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$97.02
$194.04
premium
$5.72
$100.56
$201.11
diesel
$5.35
$94.07
$188.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$91
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 156.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
134
1
$46.89
$21.44
Efficient EV
111.7
1
$39.08
$17.86
EV Truck/SUV
178.6
2
$62.52
$28.58
Gas CO2
156 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Cold Springs, NV
Afternoon
in Cold Springs on Wednesday
Local time
1:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Las Vegas, NV
Afternoon
in Las Vegas on Wednesday
Local time
1:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
NW 3 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
27 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
8h 51m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
Over the last ~570,000 years, water has transformed the Upper Las Vegas Valley. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is an urban park that preserves the unique story of this ever-changing enviro...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 431.2
Park Closure: South Unit temporarily closed south of Grand Teton Drive; Trailheads remain open.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience rather than a fast-paced highway sprint. While the highway share is only 11%, the longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 262.4 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. This suggests significant portions of the route will involve navigating local roads and making frequent turns. The road's character will likely shift, offering a dynamic driving experience as you transition between different road types throughout the 8-hour-plus journey.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 262.4 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 26 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 446.6 miles you will encounter 26 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
“The Entertainment Capital of the World”
·
Founded 1905
Situated in the midst of the southern Nevada desert, Las Vegas is the largest city in the state of Nevada. Nicknamed Sin City, Las Vegas and its surrounding communities are famed for their mega-casino resorts, often lavishly decorated with names and themes meant to evoke romance, mystery, and exotic destinations. Along the brightly-lit Strip through the center of the city, visitors will find all manner of amusements and entertainment: circuses, stage shows, thrill rides, erotica, exotic animals, fine dining restaurants, nightclubs, shopping, and elaborate fountain displays, to say nothing of the age-old allure of gambling and drinking.
Top landmarks
•The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod — hotel, casino, and tower located in Las Vegas
•Mob Museum — organized crime and law enforcement museum in Las Vegas, Nevada
•Madame Tussauds Las Vegas — museum in Las Vegas, Nevada
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 262.4 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 223 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Las Vegas, 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 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Las Vegas, NV before the return drive.
