This 476.4-mile journey from Sparks, Nevada, to Moapa Valley, Nevada, will take approximately 9 hours and 21 minutes to complete. Given its duration, it's best split over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace. You'll primarily travel on Veterans Memorial Highway and Silver Peak Road, with a short segment on the Las Vegas Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $95. This route offers a local driving experience through the Mountain West region of Nevada, with two planned stops to break up the drive.
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
238.2 miles from Sparks, 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
262.4 mi
4h 50m
Silver Peak Road
45.6 mi
57m
Las Vegas Freeway
41.2 mi
41m
US 95 ALT
26.7 mi
32m
North Main Street
23.3 mi
25m
USA Parkway
19 mi
29m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15.4 mi
17m
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 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,587
Quietest
1 AM
~177 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.5×
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 Sparks, NV and Moapa Valley, NV.
1
Start on West Victorian Avenue
45 ft·3 sec·West Victorian Avenue
2
Turn left onto NV 445
253 ft·17 sec·Pyramid Way
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·25 sec
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 80
15 mi·17 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·9 sec
Toward NV 439 South: Yerington, Las Vegas
6
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·19 sec·this road
Exit 32Toward NV 439 South: Yerington, Las Vegas
7
Turn right onto NV 439
19 mi·29 min·USA Parkway
8
Continue on US 50
0.8 mi·53 sec·California Emigrant Trail
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
10
Turn left onto Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
3.4 mi·5 min·Ramsey Weeks Cutoff
11
Merge onto US 95 ALT
27 mi·32 min·US 95 ALT
12
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
1.0 mi·2 min·Goldfield Avenue
13
Turn left onto US 95 ALT
23 mi·25 min·North Main Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 95
33 mi·39 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
15
Turn left onto US 95 Truck
1.3 mi·2 min·Freedom Road
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 95
24 mi·25 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
17
Continue on US 95
0.9 mi·2 min·Plymire Street
18
Continue on US 95
7.8 mi·8 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 95
1.2 mi·3 min·Front Street
20
Continue on US 95
35 mi·37 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
21
Turn right onto NV 265
21 mi·22 min·Silver Peak Road
22
Turn left onto Cinnabar Way
0.1 mi·27 sec·Cinnabar Way
23
Turn left onto Silver Peak Road
17 mi·23 min·Silver Peak Road
24
Continue on 3457
7.5 mi·11 min·Silver Peak Road
25
Turn right onto US 95
4.4 mi·5 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
26
Continue on US 95
0.5 mi·1 min·West Crook Avenue
27
Continue on US 95
0.4 mi·1 min·South Sundog Avenue
28
Continue on US 95
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
29
Continue on US 95
6.2 mi·8 min·East Main Street
30
Turn left onto US 95
0.2 mi·41 sec·South 2nd Street
31
Continue on US 95
99 mi·1 hr 49 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
32
Continue on I 11; US 95
3.6 mi·4 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.6 mi·40 sec
Exit 91AToward CC 215 EastUse the slight right lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 91AToward CC 215 East
35
Merge onto CC 215
12 mi·13 min·Bruce Woodbury Beltway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 51BToward I 15 North, US 93 North: Ely, Salt Lake City
37
Merge onto I 15; US 93
41 mi·41 min·Las Vegas Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 93Toward NV 169: Logandale, OvertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn right onto NV 169
7.2 mi·11 min·North Moapa Valley Boulevard
40
Turn left onto Paul Avenue
0.3 mi·58 sec·Paul Avenue
41
Continue on North Mateuse Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·North Mateuse Street
42
Arrive at destination
North Mateuse Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 9-hour and 21-minute drive, plan to split it over two days. Departing early in the morning will allow you to cover a good portion of the 476.4 miles before needing to stop for the night. With two recommended stops, you can easily pace yourself, ensuring you have ample time to refuel and rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 262.4-mile stretch on Veterans Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent on these local roads. The estimated fuel cost of $95 is a good baseline for your budget.
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 238.2 miles from Sparks, NV, or about 4h 53m 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 105 miles or 2h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 238.2 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 238.2 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Moapa Valley, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sparks, 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 Sparks, NV
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Moapa Valley, NV
Aim for roughly 238 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Sparks, 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 468.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|NV 445 / Pyramid Way
Turn left onto NV 445 / Pyramid Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
413 mi into trip|~8h 9m 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
413.6 mi into trip|~8h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CC 215 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 91A
Toward CC 215 East
7
426.4 mi into trip|~8h 25m 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
468.5 mi into trip|~9h 8m in
Take the exit toward NV 169: Logandale, Overton
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 93
Toward NV 169: Logandale, Overton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$97.29 one way
$194.57 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg167 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$103.50
$206.99
premium
$5.72
$107.27
$214.53
diesel
$5.35
$100.34
$200.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$227–$337
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 166.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
142.9
1
$50.02
$22.87
Efficient EV
119.1
1
$41.69
$19.06
EV Truck/SUV
190.6
2
$66.70
$30.49
Gas CO2
167 kg
EV CO2
56 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Sparks, NV
Afternoon
in Sparks on Wednesday
Local time
12:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Moapa Valley, NV
Afternoon
in Moapa Valley on Wednesday
Local time
12:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Clear
N 1 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.
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
17 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 21m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 410.7
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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 476.4-mile route. With only an 18% highway share, you'll spend most of your time navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 262.4 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway, offering a significant period of consistent driving before reaching your next turn. This road profile suggests a more engaging driving experience compared to a pure interstate cruise, with frequent changes in direction as you make your way across the landscape.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
42 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
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 early in the drive near NV 445 / Pyramid Way.
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 25 significant decision points across 476.4 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: near the start (NV 445 / Pyramid Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 413 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 413.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,390 ft1,339 ft
Total Climb
2,033 ft
Total Descent
5,108 ft
Highest Point
5,390 ft
~238.2 mi in
Elevation Range
4,052 ft
Notable High Points
4,416 ft at ~34 miles+3 ft prominence
5,390 ft at ~238.2 miles+430 ft prominence
3,409 ft at ~374.3 miles+518 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sparks, NV and Moapa Valley, NV, road signs point toward Cc 215 East and Salt Lake City.
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.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 238 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 Moapa Valley, 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 (NV 445 / Pyramid Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 413 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 413.6 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 9.4 hours each way, a round trip means 18.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Moapa Valley, NV before the return drive.
