This 337-mile journey from Spring Creek, Nevada, to Gardnerville, Nevada, will take you approximately 5 hours and 16 minutes to complete. It's a manageable drive primarily on local roads, with a 'turn-heavy' profile, making it well-suited for a single day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $67. You'll be navigating through the Mountain West region of Nevada for the entire trip, experiencing the local character of the state. Given its duration and road type, this route offers flexibility for your travel plans.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
168.8 miles from Spring Creek, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
251.8 mi
4h 4m
California Emigrant Trail
21.2 mi
25m
US 50 ALT
13.1 mi
15m
Lamoille Highway
12.7 mi
18m
Lincoln Highway
12.3 mi
18m
South Carson Street
11 mi
14m
Carson City Deputy Sheriff Carl Howell Memorial Freeway
4.6 mi
5m
Cottonwood Lane
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 251.8 mi, about 4h 4m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,242 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,497
Quietest
2 AM
~92 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.5×
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 Spring Creek, NV and Gardnerville, NV.
1
Start on Frisco Drive
0.6 mi·2 min·Frisco Drive
2
Turn left onto Glen Haven Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Glen Haven Drive
3
Turn left onto Spring Creek Parkway
0.9 mi·1 min·Spring Creek Parkway
4
Turn right onto NV 227
2.1 mi·3 min·Lamoille Highway
5
Enter roundabout onto NV 227
109 ft·3 sec·Lamoille Highway
6
Continue on NV 227
11 mi·15 min·Lamoille Highway
7
Continue on NV 227
0.8 mi·2 min·South 5th Street
8
Turn left onto Silver Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Silver Street
9
Continue on NV 225
1.0 mi·2 min·Mountain City Highway
10
Turn left
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 80 West: Reno
11
Merge onto I 80
252 mi·4 hr 4 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12
Take the exit onto I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT
0.3 mi·34 sec·I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT
Exit 48Toward I 80 BUS West, US 95 ALT South: East Fernley, Yerington
13
Turn left onto I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT
0.8 mi·1 min·Truck Inn Way
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on NV 828
341 ft·9 sec·Farm District Road
15
Enter roundabout onto NV 828
171 ft·4 sec·Farm District Road
16
Continue on NV 828
0.7 mi·1 min·Farm District Road
17
Turn right onto Cottonwood Lane
1.3 mi·2 min·Cottonwood Lane
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 50 ALT; US 95 ALT
13 mi·15 min·US 50 ALT; US 95 ALT
Use the left lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 50
75 ft·1 sec·California Emigrant Trail
20
Continue on US 50
2.6 mi·3 min·California Emigrant Trail
21
Enter roundabout onto US 50
127 ft·1 sec·California Emigrant Trail
22
Continue on US 50
19 mi·22 min·California Emigrant Trail
23
Continue on US 50
12 mi·18 min·Lincoln Highway
24
Continue on US 50
0.1 mi·15 sec·East William Street
25
Take the exit onto US 50
0.4 mi·25 sec·US 50
Toward I 580 South, US 395 South, US 50 West: Minden, Gardnerville, South Lake Tahoe
26
Merge onto I 580; US 50; US 395
4.6 mi·5 min·Carson City Deputy Sheriff Carl Howell Memorial Freeway
27
Turn left onto US 395
11 mi·14 min·South Carson Street
Use the left lane.
28
Take the exit
488 ft·13 sec
29
Turn straight onto NV 88
0.3 mi·42 sec·Woodfords Road
30
Enter roundabout onto County Road
144 ft·2 sec·County Road
31
Continue on County Road
1.1 mi·2 min·County Road
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 395
0.8 mi·2 min·US 395
33
Turn right onto NV 756
68 ft·1 sec·Gilman Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
NV 756
Trip Plan
For this 337-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to make the most of your day and allow ample time for the numerous turns. With a duration of just over 5 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day without feeling rushed. Plan for one stop, perhaps to refuel or grab a quick bite, though the relatively short total distance offers flexibility. The primary consideration on this 'turn-heavy' route is to maintain a steady pace and be mindful of your surroundings as you navigate local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since much of this drive is on local, less-serviced roads.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.8 miles from Spring Creek, NV, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 251.8 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 74 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.8 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gardnerville, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spring Creek, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spring Creek, NV
This is one driving day of about 337.5 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Spring Creek, NV.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 251.8 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 269.3 and 319.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
269.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT
Take the exit onto I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT toward I 80 BUS West, US 95 ALT South: East Fernley, Yerington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward I 80 BUS West, US 95 ALT South: East Fer...
5
269.6 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT / Truck Inn Way
Turn left onto I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT / Truck Inn Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
270.5 mi into trip|~4h 37m in|NV 828 / Farm District Road
Enter roundabout onto NV 828 / Farm District Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
272.5 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|US 50 ALT; US 95 ALT
At end of road, turn left onto US 50 ALT; US 95 ALT
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
319.1 mi into trip|~5h 42m in|US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward I 580 South, US 395 South, US 50 West: Minden, Gardnerville, South Lake Tahoe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 580 South, US 395 South, US 50 West: M...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.81 one way
$119.61 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$64.05
$128.09
premium
$5.04
$67.00
$133.99
diesel
$4.80
$63.73
$127.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.3
1
$35.44
$16.20
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.53
$13.50
EV Truck/SUV
135
1
$47.25
$21.60
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Spring Creek, NV
Late night
in Spring Creek on Sunday
Local time
12:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 5 to 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Gardnerville, NV
Late night
in Gardnerville on Sunday
Local time
12:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 0 to 15 mph1% 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
3 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
6h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a driving experience that is more about navigating local roads than cruising on highways, as this route has a 0% highway share. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments, so staying alert is key. While there isn't a defined 'longest stretch' provided, the nature of local driving suggests a constant engagement with the road and its many turns. This route will likely feel more intimate and connected to the landscape than a high-speed interstate trip.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 251.8 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 269.3 miles in near I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 337.5 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 269.3 miles (I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.6 miles (I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT / Truck Inn Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 270.5 miles (NV 828 / Farm District Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,034 ft3,939 ft
Total Climb
2,115 ft
Total Descent
3,000 ft
Highest Point
6,034 ft
~48.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,095 ft
Notable High Points
6,034 ft at ~48.2 miles+1,020 ft prominence
4,690 ft at ~120.5 miles+172 ft prominence
4,277 ft at ~192.9 miles+49 ft prominence
4,813 ft at ~313.4 miles+62 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Spring Creek, NV and Gardnerville, NV, road signs point toward Yerington and Lake Tahoe.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 337.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 251.8 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Gardnerville, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 15 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 269.3 miles (I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.6 miles (I 80 BUS; US 95 ALT / Truck Inn Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 270.5 miles (NV 828 / Farm District Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gardnerville, NV before the return drive.
