Traveling from Laughlin to Reno covers 527.2 miles across the Nevada desert, a journey that typically takes 10 hours and 18 minutes of pure drive time. Because of the significant distance, you should plan for at least two days to complete the trip comfortably rather than attempting it in one exhausting stretch. You will primarily navigate via Veterans Memorial Highway, US 95 ALT, and Silver Peak Road. Budget approximately $105 for fuel to cover this cross-state transit. Since you are moving from the southern portion of the Mountain West to the northern region, prepare for a long-distance drive that demands careful pacing.
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
263.6 miles from Laughlin, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
316.2 mi
5h 47m
US 95 ALT
50 mi
58m
Silver Peak Road
45.6 mi
57m
Purple Heart Highway
38.9 mi
44m
USA Parkway
19.6 mi
30m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.6 mi
21m
Laughlin Highway
18.2 mi
21m
West Main Street
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 316.2 mi, about 5h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laughlin, NV and Reno, NV.
1
Start on this road
146 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto F Street
167 ft·19 sec·F Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Laughlin Civic Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Laughlin Civic Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto NV 163
18 mi·21 min·Laughlin Highway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
6
Merge onto US 95
54 mi·56 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on NV 173
0.2 mi·21 sec·Veterans Memorial Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·32 sec
Toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: Las Vegas, Henderson
9
Merge onto I 11; US 93; US 95
1.3 mi·1 min·Boulder City Bypass
10
Continue on I 11; US 93; US 95
39 mi·44 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 95
99 mi·1 hr 48 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 95
0.2 mi·46 sec·South 2nd Street
13
Turn right onto US 95
6.2 mi·8 min·West Main Street
14
Continue on US 95
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 95
0.4 mi·1 min·South Sundog Avenue
16
Continue on US 95
0.5 mi·1 min·East Crook Avenue
17
Continue on US 95
4.4 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
18
Turn left onto 3457
25 mi·35 min·Silver Peak Road
19
Turn right onto Cinnabar Way
0.1 mi·28 sec·Cinnabar Way
20
Turn slight right onto Silver Peak Road
21 mi·22 min·Silver Peak Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 95
35 mi·37 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
22
Continue on US 95
1.2 mi·3 min·Front Street
23
Continue on US 95
7.8 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
24
Continue on US 95
0.9 mi·2 min·Plymire Street
25
Continue on US 95
23 mi·25 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
26
Take the exit onto US 95 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·US 95 Truck
27
Take the exit onto US 95 Truck
324 ft·12 sec·US 95 Truck
28
Merge onto US 95
33 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
29
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
23 mi·25 min·US 95 ALT
30
Turn right onto US 95 ALT
1.0 mi·2 min·Goldfield Avenue
31
Turn right onto US 95 ALT
27 mi·32 min·US 95 ALT
32
Turn left onto Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
3.4 mi·5 min·Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
33
Turn right onto US 50
0.9 mi·1 min·California Emigrant Trail
34
Enter roundabout onto NV 439
267 ft·3 sec·USA Parkway
35
Continue on NV 439
20 mi·30 min·USA Parkway
36
Merge onto I 80
19 mi·21 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·45 sec
Exit 13Toward US 395 BUS: Downtown Reno
38
Continue on East 8th Street
400 ft·18 sec·East 8th Street
39
Turn left onto US 395 BUS
0.4 mi·1 min·North Virginia Street
40
Turn left onto East 4th Street
202 ft·8 sec·East 4th Street
41
Turn right
171 ft·11 sec
42
Turn right
105 ft·7 sec
43
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To manage the 527.2-mile journey effectively, aim to break the trip into two days to avoid driver fatigue. With two recommended stops along the way, plan your breaks strategically to ensure you stay refreshed during the longest stretches of the drive. Given the remote nature of the terrain, double-check your fuel levels before embarking on the Veterans Memorial Highway portion, as services may be spaced out. Since this is a significant commitment of over 10 hours, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to maximize daylight and reach your destination safely. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when navigating the non-highway sections of the route.
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 263.6 miles from Laughlin, NV, or about 4h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 316.2 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 116 miles or 2h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 263.6 miles or 4h 53m 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 263.6 miles or 4h 53m
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 8h 57m
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 Laughlin, 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 Laughlin, NV
Aim for roughly 264 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Reno, NV
Aim for roughly 264 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 116 miles from Laughlin, 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 316.2 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 0 and 526.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|F Street
Turn right onto F Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Laughlin Civic Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Laughlin Civic Drive
Navigation decision point
5
19.3 mi into trip|~24m in|US 95 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge onto US 95 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
73.2 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the ramp toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: Las Vegas, Henderson
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: La...
5
526.4 mi into trip|~10h 15m 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
$105.02 one way
$210.05 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg185 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$111.15
$222.30
premium
$5.59
$116.05
$232.09
diesel
$5.61
$116.40
$232.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$105
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$235–$345
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 184.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
158.2
1
$55.36
$25.31
Efficient EV
131.8
1
$46.13
$21.09
EV Truck/SUV
210.9
2
$73.81
$33.74
Gas CO2
184 kg
EV CO2
62 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Laughlin, NV
Evening
in Laughlin on Saturday
Local time
6:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear then Patchy Blowing Dust
NNW 13 to 45 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 4:11PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Reno, NV
Evening
in Reno on Saturday
Local time
6:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
24°F
Mostly Clear
NE 0 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 4:11PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
34 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
10h 18m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 109.1
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?
This route offers a distinct change of pace, featuring a low highway share of only 13 percent, which means you will spend most of your time on secondary roads rather than major interstates. You should be prepared for a significant long-haul experience, highlighted by a staggering 316.2-mile stretch on the Veterans Memorial Highway. Expect a varied driving environment that shifts from the immediate desert surroundings of Laughlin to the more expansive, remote stretches toward Reno. The personality of this drive is best described as a steady, long-distance trek that requires consistent focus and patience as you transition across the state.
13% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 316.2 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
At 10h 18m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. You will hit about 26 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near F Street.
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 527.2 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: near the start (F Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Laughlin Civic Drive): Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles (US 95 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Laughlin, NV to Reno, NV, road signs begin pointing toward Henderson along the way.
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.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 316.2 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 264 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 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 1 rest area 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: near the start (F Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Laughlin Civic Drive): Navigation decision point; at 19.3 miles (US 95 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 10.3 hours each way, a round trip means 20.6 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.
