Smith, NV to Whitney, NV is 389.9 miles and takes about 7h 40m via Veterans Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $79 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, entirely within Nevada. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on surface roads, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. The route offers a direct connection between these two Nevada locations, suitable for those prioritizing efficiency.
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
195 miles from Smith, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Veterans Memorial Highway
262.4 mi
4h 50m
Silver Peak Road
45.6 mi
57m
North Main Street
23.3 mi
25m
Purple Heart Highway
22.1 mi
25m
Nordyke Road
11.4 mi
15m
NV 208
8.3 mi
12m
East Main Street
6.2 mi
8m
Boulder Highway
3.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 262.4 mi, about 4h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smith, NV and Whitney, NV.
1
Start on NV 208
8.3 mi·12 min·NV 208
2
Keep left at fork onto NV 208; NV 339
0.1 mi·10 sec·Topaz Road
3
Turn straight onto NV 339
11 mi·15 min·Nordyke Road
4
Turn right onto US 95 ALT
1.0 mi·2 min·Goldfield Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
23 mi·25 min·North Main Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 95
33 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
7
Turn left onto US 95 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·Freedom Road
Use the left lane.
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
24 mi·25 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 95
0.9 mi·2 min·Plymire Street
10
Continue on US 95
7.8 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Continue on US 95
1.2 mi·3 min·Front Street
12
Continue on US 95
35 mi·37 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Turn right onto NV 265
21 mi·22 min·Silver Peak Road
14
Turn left onto Cinnabar Way
0.1 mi·27 sec·Cinnabar Way
15
Turn left onto Silver Peak Road
17 mi·23 min·Silver Peak Road
16
Continue on 3457
7.5 mi·11 min·Silver Peak Road
17
Turn right onto US 95
4.4 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
18
Continue on US 95
0.5 mi·1 min·West Crook Avenue
19
Continue on US 95
0.4 mi·1 min·South Sundog Avenue
20
Continue on US 95
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
21
Continue on US 95
6.2 mi·8 min·East Main Street
22
Turn left onto US 95
0.2 mi·41 sec·South 2nd Street
23
Continue on US 95
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
24
Continue on I 11; US 95
22 mi·25 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 70Toward NV 582: Boulder HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto NV 582
3.3 mi·5 min·Boulder Highway
Use the left lane.
27
Turn slight left
278 ft·7 sec
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left onto East Tropicana Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·East Tropicana Avenue
29
Turn right onto Steptoe Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·Steptoe Street
30
Turn left onto Kimberly Avenue
0.1 mi·37 sec·Kimberly Avenue
31
Turn left
69 ft·5 sec
32
Turn right
63 ft·4 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 40m estimated duration, leaving Smith, NV in the morning will allow you to reach Whitney, NV with plenty of daylight. With only 2 planned stops, consider spacing them out to break up the 389.9 miles. The longest stretch without a significant stop is 262.4 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, so ensure you're comfortable with that distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $79, and it's always wise to top up when you see stations, especially on surface roads where they might be less frequent.
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 195 miles from Smith, NV, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262.4 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 86 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195 miles or 3h 58m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whitney, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Smith, 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 Smith, NV
This is one driving day of about 389.9 miles and 7h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Smith, 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 262.4 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 8.3 and 389.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
8.3 mi into trip|~12m in|NV 208; NV 339 / Topaz Road
Keep left at fork onto NV 208; NV 339 / Topaz Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
76.9 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|US 95 Truck / Freedom Road
Turn left onto US 95 Truck / Freedom Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
78.2 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|US 95 / Veterans Memorial Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 95 / Veterans Memorial Highway
Navigation decision point
7
385.2 mi into trip|~7h 31m in
Take the exit toward NV 582: Boulder Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 70
Toward NV 582: Boulder Highway
5
389.7 mi into trip|~7h 39m in|Kimberly Avenue
Turn left onto Kimberly Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.44 one way
$158.88 round trip
$5.03/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.33
$84.19
$168.38
premium
$5.56
$87.76
$175.51
diesel
$5.40
$85.28
$170.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$104–$129
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
EV Charging Along Route
28 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Craig Marketplace - Tesla Supercharger
Las Vegas, NV
Tesla
20 DCFC
SNHD-Decatur Crossing Center - Tesla Supercharger
Las Vegas, NV
Tesla
20 DCFC
Charleston Valley View Business Park - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117
1
$40.94
$18.72
Efficient EV
97.5
1
$34.12
$15.60
EV Truck/SUV
156
1
$54.59
$24.95
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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 24, 2026
Origin
Smith, NV
Morning
in Smith on Saturday
Local time
11:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Whitney, NV
Morning
in Whitney on Saturday
Local time
11:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live 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
26 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
7h 40m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 363
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 has a highway share of 2, meaning most of your 389.9 miles will be on surface roads. You'll experience 262.4 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, which is a substantial portion of the drive. After this highway segment, expect to transition to more local surface roads for the remainder of the trip. The profile is mostly surface roads, so anticipate varied speed limits and potential for more intersections.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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?
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 around 8.3 miles in near NV 208; NV 339 / Topaz Road.
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 40m, 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: at 8.3 miles (NV 208; NV 339 / Topaz Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.9 miles (US 95 Truck / Freedom Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.2 miles (US 95 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 40m. Total distance: 389.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 40m 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Whitney, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 8.3 miles (NV 208; NV 339 / Topaz Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.9 miles (US 95 Truck / Freedom Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.2 miles (US 95 / Veterans Memorial Highway): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 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 Whitney, NV before the return drive.
