Paradise, NV to Smith, NV is 387.6 miles and takes about 7h 37m via Veterans Memorial Highway and US 95 ALT, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Nevada, traversing the Mountain West region. Expect a drive composed mostly of surface roads, so plan for a more relaxed pace compared to interstate travel. With only two recommended stops, it's manageable in a single day, but consider the overall duration when planning your departure.
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
193.8 miles from Paradise, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
262.3 mi
4h 50m
Silver Peak Road
45.6 mi
57m
US 95 ALT
23.3 mi
25m
Purple Heart Highway
15.7 mi
18m
Nordyke Road
11.4 mi
15m
Topaz Road
8.4 mi
12m
West Main Street
6.2 mi
8m
Las Vegas Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 262.3 mi, about 4h 50m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,713 veh/hr typical
· worst 7,141
Quietest
2 AM
~1,373 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 4 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 Paradise, NV and Smith, NV.
1
Start on this road
37 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Palo Verde Circle
145 ft·12 sec·Palo Verde Circle
3
Continue on Palo Verde Circle
317 ft·15 sec·Palo Verde Circle
4
Turn right onto Palo Verde Road
467 ft·23 sec·Palo Verde Road
5
Turn right
427 ft·31 sec
6
Turn right
151 ft·16 sec
7
Turn left onto University Center Drive
0.1 mi·19 sec·University Center Drive
Toward Las Vegas
8
Turn left onto East Tropicana Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·East Tropicana Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 15 NorthUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 15
4.8 mi·5 min·Las Vegas Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·12 sec
Exit 42AToward US 95 North: Reno, Martin L KingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 42AToward US 95 North: RenoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 42AToward US 95 North: Reno
14
Merge onto I 11; US 95
16 mi·18 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 95
99 mi·1 hr 48 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 95
0.2 mi·46 sec·South 2nd Street
17
Turn right onto US 95
6.2 mi·8 min·West Main Street
18
Continue on US 95
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 95
0.4 mi·1 min·South Sundog Avenue
20
Continue on US 95
0.5 mi·1 min·East Crook Avenue
21
Continue on US 95
4.4 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
22
Turn left onto 3457
25 mi·35 min·Silver Peak Road
23
Turn right onto Cinnabar Way
0.1 mi·28 sec·Cinnabar Way
24
Turn slight right onto Silver Peak Road
21 mi·22 min·Silver Peak Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto US 6; US 95
35 mi·37 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
26
Continue on US 95
1.2 mi·3 min·Front Street
27
Continue on US 95
7.8 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
28
Continue on US 95
0.9 mi·2 min·Plymire Street
29
Continue on US 95
23 mi·25 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
30
Take the exit onto US 95 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·US 95 Truck
31
Take the exit onto US 95 Truck
324 ft·12 sec·US 95 Truck
32
Merge onto US 95
33 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
33
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
23 mi·25 min·US 95 ALT
34
Turn right onto US 95 ALT
1.0 mi·2 min·Goldfield Avenue
35
Turn left onto NV 339
11 mi·15 min·Nordyke Road
36
Continue on NV 208; NV 339
8.4 mi·12 min·Topaz Road
37
Arrive at destination
NV 208
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour driving time, aim for an early morning departure from Paradise to maximize daylight. You'll have two planned stops, which are good opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel, especially since the longest stretch without a stop is considerable at 262.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be spaced out on the surface road sections. The $71 fuel cost is an estimate, so be prepared for slight variations. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your timing based on road conditions.
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 193.8 miles from Paradise, NV, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262.3 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 85 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.8 miles or 3h 41m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smith, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Paradise, 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 Paradise, NV
This is one driving day of about 387.6 miles and 7h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Paradise, 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 Veterans Memorial Highway for about 262.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 8.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|University Center Drive
Turn left onto University Center Drive toward Las Vegas
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward Las Vegas
8
7.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 95 North: Reno, Martin L King
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42A
Toward US 95 North: Reno, Martin L King
8
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 95 North: Reno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 42A
Toward US 95 North: Reno
6
8.3 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 95 North: Reno
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 42A
Toward US 95 North: Reno
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.42 one way
$164.84 round trip
$5.40/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.73
$87.39
$174.79
premium
$6.02
$91.88
$183.76
diesel
$6.86
$104.68
$209.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$107–$132
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.3
1
$40.70
$18.60
Efficient EV
96.9
1
$33.92
$15.50
EV Truck/SUV
155
1
$54.26
$24.81
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Paradise, NV
Evening
in Paradise on Sunday
Local time
7:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 2 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Smith, NV
Evening
in Smith on Sunday
Local time
7:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 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.
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 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 37m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 26.7
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 sees 8% of its total mileage on highways, meaning you'll primarily be on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch is 262.3 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. After that, you'll transition to roads like Silver Peak Road and US 95 ALT. You'll notice the shift from highway cruising to more rural surface road driving, which often involves lower speed limits and fewer services.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 262.3 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 387.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (University Center Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
•High Roller — ferris wheel in Las Vegas, Nevada
•Fountains of Bellagio — fountain in Las Vegas, Nevada
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 37m. Total distance: 387.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 37m 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 262.3 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Smith, 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 6 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 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (University Center Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Smith, NV before the return drive.
