This 502.1-mile journey from Reno to Mesquite, Nevada, spans an estimated 9 hours and 44 minutes of driving time. Given its length, it's best tackled over two recommended days, rather than attempting it as a single day trip. You'll navigate primarily on Veterans Memorial Highway and the Las Vegas Freeway, with a portion on Silver Peak Road, experiencing a 23% highway share. The estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is around $100. Both your origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent, albeit varied, Nevada landscape throughout your travels.
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
251.1 miles from Reno, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
262.4 mi
4h 50m
Las Vegas Freeway
70.3 mi
1h 10m
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
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
18.8 mi
21m
Bruce Woodbury Beltway
11.6 mi
13m
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 Reno, NV and Mesquite, NV.
1
Start on this road
105 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left
171 ft·14 sec
3
Turn right onto East 4th Street
186 ft·13 sec·East 4th Street
4
Turn left onto University Way
0.3 mi·53 sec·University Way
5
Take the ramp onto East Maple Street
0.2 mi·16 sec·East Maple Street
Toward I 80 East: Elko, Salt Lake City, Winnemucca
6
Merge onto I 80
19 mi·21 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi·9 sec
Toward NV 439 South: Yerington, Las Vegas
8
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Exit 32Toward NV 439 South: Yerington, Las Vegas
9
Turn right onto NV 439
19 mi·29 min·USA Parkway
10
Continue on US 50
0.8 mi·53 sec·California Emigrant Trail
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
12
Turn left onto Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
3.4 mi·5 min·Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
13
Merge onto US 95 ALT
27 mi·32 min·US 95 ALT
14
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
1.0 mi·2 min·Goldfield Avenue
15
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
23 mi·25 min·North Main Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 95
33 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
17
Turn left onto US 95 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·Freedom Road
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
24 mi·25 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 95
0.9 mi·2 min·Plymire Street
20
Continue on US 95
7.8 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
21
Continue on US 95
1.2 mi·3 min·Front Street
22
Continue on US 95
35 mi·37 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
23
Turn right onto NV 265
21 mi·22 min·Silver Peak Road
24
Turn left onto Cinnabar Way
0.1 mi·27 sec·Cinnabar Way
25
Turn left onto Silver Peak Road
17 mi·23 min·Silver Peak Road
26
Continue on 3457
7.5 mi·11 min·Silver Peak Road
27
Turn right onto US 95
4.4 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
28
Continue on US 95
0.5 mi·1 min·West Crook Avenue
29
Continue on US 95
0.4 mi·1 min·South Sundog Avenue
30
Continue on US 95
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
31
Continue on US 95
6.2 mi·8 min·East Main Street
32
Turn left onto US 95
0.2 mi·41 sec·South 2nd Street
33
Continue on US 95
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
34
Continue on I 11; US 95
3.6 mi·4 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.6 mi·40 sec
Exit 91AToward CC 215 EastUse the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 91AToward CC 215 East
37
Merge onto CC 215
12 mi·13 min·Bruce Woodbury Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 51BToward I 15 North, US 93 North: Ely, Salt Lake City
39
Merge onto I 15; US 93
70 mi·1 hr 10 min·Las Vegas Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 122Toward Pioneer Boulevard, Sandhill BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Turn right onto Sandhill Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Sandhill Boulevard
Use the right lane.
42
Turn right onto East First North Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·East First North Street
43
Arrive at destination
East First North Street
Trip Plan
For this 9-hour, 44-minute drive covering over 500 miles, splitting the journey into two days is highly advisable to avoid fatigue. Plan for at least two stops to break up the drive and refuel. Given the longest stretch is 262.4 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, be sure to have ample fuel before embarking on that segment. Departing earlier in the morning can help you make the most of daylight, especially if you plan to drive through the Las Vegas area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out across Nevada.
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 251.1 miles from Reno, NV, or about 5h 11m 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 110 miles or 2h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 251.1 miles or 5h 11m 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 251.1 miles or 5h 11m
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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mesquite, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Reno, 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 Reno, NV
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Mesquite, NV
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Reno, 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 501.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|East Maple Street
Take the ramp onto East Maple Street toward I 80 East: Elko, Salt Lake City, Winnemucca
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 East: Elko, Salt Lake City, Winnemu...
7
416.7 mi into trip|~8h 14m in
Take the exit toward CC 215 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 91A
Toward CC 215 East
6
417.2 mi into trip|~8h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CC 215 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 91A
Toward CC 215 East
7
430 mi into trip|~8h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 15 North, US 93 North: Ely, Salt Lake City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51B
Toward I 15 North, US 93 North: Ely, Salt Lake...
8
501.3 mi into trip|~9h 42m in
Take the exit toward Pioneer Boulevard, Sandhill Boulevard
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 122
Toward Pioneer Boulevard, Sandhill Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$88.97 one way
$177.95 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg176 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$95.28
$190.56
premium
$5.04
$99.67
$199.34
diesel
$4.80
$94.81
$189.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$219–$329
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 175.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
150.6
1
$52.72
$24.10
Efficient EV
125.5
1
$43.93
$20.08
EV Truck/SUV
200.8
2
$70.29
$32.13
Gas CO2
176 kg
EV CO2
59 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 16, 2026
Origin
Reno, NV
Evening
in Reno on Saturday
Local time
6:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
W 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 3:38PM PDT until July 16 at 4:15PM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:34PM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Destination
Mesquite, NV
Evening
in Mesquite on Saturday
Local time
6:31 PM
PDT
Current temp
108°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 3:38PM PDT until July 16 at 4:15PM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 3:34PM 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.
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
15 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
9h 44m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 415.5
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 presents a long-distance drive with a significant portion on Veterans Memorial Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 262.4 miles. While 23% of the drive is on highways, expect a substantial amount of time on other road types, including Veterans Memorial Highway and Silver Peak Road. This suggests a mix of faster travel and more local road conditions as you progress through Nevada. The drive is characterized by its extended periods on the road, requiring sustained attention and a comfortable vehicle.
23% 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: 262.4 mi on Veterans Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
At 9h 44m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near East Maple Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 502.1 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 0.4 miles (East Maple Street): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 416.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 417.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,698 ft1,607 ft
Total Climb
2,634 ft
Total Descent
5,532 ft
Highest Point
5,698 ft
~251.1 mi in
Elevation Range
4,092 ft
Notable High Points
4,588 ft at ~35.9 miles+84 ft prominence
4,900 ft at ~179.3 miles+494 ft prominence
5,698 ft at ~251.1 miles+1,359 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Reno, NV and Mesquite, NV, road signs point toward Cc 215 East and Salt Lake City.
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.
Top landmarks
•Reno — railway station in Reno, Nevada, United States
•Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts — theater in Reno, Nevada, United States
•Mizpah Hotel — former hotel building in Reno, Nevada, USA
Mesquite is a city in Clark County, in Southern Nevada, about 80 mi (130 km) northeast of Las Vegas. It is immediately on the Nevada-Arizona border, near Utah. The town is on the north bank of the Virgin River, with the smaller settlement of Bunkerville on the south side of the river. Mesquite is a boomtown, attracting tourists and permanent residents. The town's population is about 19,000 (2018). Its biggest industry is tourism.
Top landmarks
•Virgin Valley Heritage Museum — hospital in Nevada, United States
Long-haul drive 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 251 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Mesquite, 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 19 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 0.4 miles (East Maple Street): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 416.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 417.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mesquite, NV before the return drive.
