This 408.4-mile journey from North Las Vegas, NV, to Carlin, NV, is estimated to take about 7 hours and 44 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing Sunnyside Road, Eureka/Carlin Road, and the Great Basin Highway, this route is best handled as a single day trip, especially given its recommended one-day duration. Expect a fuel cost around $81 for this drive through the Mountain West region. The overall feel is more of a turn-heavy local exploration than an interstate cruise, with two planned stops to break up the trip.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
204.2 miles from North Las Vegas, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sunnyside Road
109.4 mi
2h 4m
Eureka / Carlin Road
87.5 mi
1h 34m
Great Basin Highway
85.2 mi
1h 35m
Lincoln Highway
77.8 mi
1h 29m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
22.2 mi
24m
Las Vegas Freeway
17.2 mi
18m
South Main Street
2 mi
4m
Civic Center Drive
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Sunnyside Road
— 109.4 mi, about 2h 4m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,416 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~492 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 17 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 North Las Vegas, NV and Carlin, NV.
1
Start on this road
261 ft·21 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Constitution Way
0.1 mi·31 sec·Constitution Way
3
Turn right onto Civic Center Drive
1.5 mi·2 min·Civic Center Drive
4
Turn left onto NV 574
412 ft·8 sec·East Cheyenne Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 15 North, US 93 North
6
Merge onto I 15; US 93
17 mi·18 min·Las Vegas Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 93
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 93
Exit 64Toward US 93 North: ElyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 93
85 mi·1 hr 35 min·Great Basin Highway
9
Turn left onto NV 318
99 mi·1 hr 52 min·Sunnyside Road
10
Continue on NV 318
1.4 mi·1 min·Main Street
11
Continue on NV 318
11 mi·12 min·Sunnyside Road
12
At end of road, turn right onto US 6
22 mi·24 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
13
Turn left onto 6768
0.2 mi·32 sec·Murry Street
14
Continue on 6768
0.9 mi·2 min·Mill Street
15
Turn left onto US 50
0.2 mi·32 sec·Aultman Street
16
Continue on US 50
76 mi·1 hr 27 min·Lincoln Highway
17
Continue on US 50
2.0 mi·4 min·South Main Street
18
Continue on US 50
2.1 mi·2 min·Lincoln Highway
19
Turn right onto NV 278
87 mi·1 hr 34 min·Eureka / Carlin Road
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·21 sec
Toward I 80 East: Elko, Salt Lake City
21
Merge onto I 80
0.8 mi·47 sec·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Exit 280Toward NV 766 South: Central Carlin
23
Turn right onto NV 766
0.5 mi·41 sec·10th Street
24
At end of road, turn right onto West Main Street
294 ft·13 sec·West Main Street
25
Turn left onto South 9th Street
141 ft·11 sec·South 9th Street
26
Turn left
375 ft·27 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 44-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from North Las Vegas to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can plan to break up the 408.4 miles into manageable segments. Be mindful of the longest stretch of 109.4 miles on Sunnyside Road; ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that portion. Given the local road nature of this route, keep an eye on road conditions and be prepared for potential variations in pavement quality.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 204.2 miles from North Las Vegas, NV, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.4 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 90 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.2 miles or 3h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carlin, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Las Vegas, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from North Las Vegas, NV
This is one driving day of about 408.4 miles and 7h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from North Las Vegas, NV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Sunnyside Road for about 109.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 407.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Constitution Way
At end of road, turn right onto Constitution Way
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|I 15; US 93 / Las Vegas Freeway
Merge onto I 15; US 93 / Las Vegas Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
19.3 mi into trip|~23m in|US 93
Take the exit onto US 93 toward US 93 North: Ely
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 64
Toward US 93 North: Ely
5
406.3 mi into trip|~7h 41m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 East: Elko, Salt Lake City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 East: Elko, Salt Lake City
5
407.5 mi into trip|~7h 42m in
Take the exit toward NV 766 South: Central Carlin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 280
Toward NV 766 South: Central Carlin
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.37 one way
$144.74 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg143 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$77.50
$155.00
premium
$5.04
$81.07
$162.14
diesel
$4.80
$77.11
$154.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
122.5
1
$42.88
$19.60
Efficient EV
102.1
1
$35.74
$16.34
EV Truck/SUV
163.4
2
$57.18
$26.14
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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
North Las Vegas, NV
Late night
in North Las Vegas on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
88°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 to 15 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 7:44PM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Destination
Carlin, NV
Late night
in Carlin on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
0 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 7:44PM PDT by NWS Elko 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.
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
31 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
7h 44m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
17 mi from route
~43 min detour
Free
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 drive offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter frequent directional changes rather than long, straight highway stretches. With only a 4% highway share, most of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is 109.4 miles on Sunnyside Road, so plan for varied driving conditions and potentially slower speeds. The character of the road will likely shift as you move from the outskirts of Las Vegas into more rural Nevada.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.4 mi on Sunnyside Road.
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 early in the drive near Constitution Way.
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 7h 44m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 18 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Constitution Way): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.2 miles (I 15; US 93 / Las Vegas Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
North Las Vegas in Nevada is a city in its own right within the Las Vegas metropolitan area. With a population in 2019 of 252,000, it's the fourth largest city in the state, and is primarily residential with some industry. It borders the Mojave Desert. Its main attractions are the speedway, and Nellis Air Force Base which sometimes puts on air shows.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 44m. Total distance: 408.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 44m 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 109.4 miles on Sunnyside Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Carlin, 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 12 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: near the start (Constitution Way): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.2 miles (I 15; US 93 / Las Vegas Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Carlin, NV before the return drive.
