Amargosa Valley Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Whitney, NV to Winnemucca, NV
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 55m
Distance
477.8 mi
769 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$85
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 48m
★
6 AM
8h 56m
8 AM
9h 12m
10 AM
9h 2m
12 PM
9h 0m
3 PM
9h 2m
5 PM
9h 11m
8 PM
8h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Whitney, NV
Wikimedia Commons
Winnemucca, NV
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Whitney, NV to Winnemucca, NV is 477.8 miles and takes about 8h 55m via Veterans Memorial Highway and Tonopah-Austin Road, with a fuel budget near $99 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Nevada, crossing the Mountain West region twice. Expect a drive that mostly utilizes surface roads, offering a more rural cruising experience. With 2 recommended days for the trip, you'll have ample time to enjoy the scenery and make stops along the way.
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
238.9 miles from Whitney, NV
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Memorial Highway | 184.2 mi | 3h 21m |
| Tonopah-Austin Road | 99.8 mi | 1h 48m |
| Battle Mountain Road | 86.1 mi | 1h 32m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 51.8 mi | 50m |
| Purple Heart Highway | 22.3 mi | 25m |
| Lincoln Highway | 12.1 mi | 18m |
| West Main Street | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Veterans Memorial Highway
— 184.2 mi, about 3h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitney, NV and Winnemucca, NV.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
69 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn right onto Kimberly Avenue
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Kimberly Avenue
4
Turn right onto Steptoe Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Steptoe Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto East Tropicana Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Tropicana Avenue
6
Turn right onto NV 582
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Boulder Highway
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: Downtown Las Vegas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 11; US 93; US 95
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 95
99 mi
·
1 hr 48 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 95
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
South 2nd Street
11
Turn right onto US 95
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
West Main Street
12
Continue on US 95
60 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Continue on US 95
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sundog Avenue
14
Continue on US 95
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Crook Avenue
15
Continue on US 95
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway
16
Continue on US 95
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Erie Street
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
18
Turn straight onto US 6
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
19
Turn left onto NV 376
100 mi
·
1 hr 48 min
·
Tonopah-Austin Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 50
11 mi
·
17 min
·
Lincoln Highway
21
Continue on US 50
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
22
Continue on US 50
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Highway
23
Turn right onto NV 305
86 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
Battle Mountain Road
24
Continue on NV 305
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Broad Street
25
Turn left onto Broyles Ranch Road
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Broyles Ranch Road
26
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 80 West: Reno
27
Merge onto I 80
52 mi
·
50 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
28
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 178
Toward NV 289: Winnemucca, Boise
29
Turn left onto NV 289
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East 2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on I 80 BUS; NV 289
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Winnemucca Boulevard
31
Arrive at destination
I 80 BUS; NV 289
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour and 55-minute estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is a wise choice. Plan to depart in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. The longest stretch without services is 184.2 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before starting this segment. With two recommended days, you can break up the 477.8 miles comfortably, perhaps stopping around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between Veterans Memorial Highway, Tonopah-Austin Road, and Battle Mountain Road.
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 238.9 miles from Whitney, NV, or about 4h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 184.2 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 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 238.9 miles or 4h 31m 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 238.9 miles or 4h 31m
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 7h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winnemucca, NV than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Whitney, 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 Whitney, NV
Aim for roughly 239 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Winnemucca, NV
Aim for roughly 239 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Whitney, 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 184.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
239 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Tonopah, NVOvernight Options
Night 1
239 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Tonopah, NV after about 239 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 105 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 238.9 miles from Whitney, NV, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Veterans Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 184.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 239 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Button Point Rest Area
0 mi from route
Big Smoky Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Valmy Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.9 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2 mi from route
Clark County Wetlands Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours: 5 am–8:30 pm
+17024557522
Visit websiteMystic Falls Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17024567777
Visit websiteHenderson Bird Viewing Preserve
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Henderson, Nevada
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+17022674180
Visit websiteWally Wombats | Indoor Playground & Events Center- Henderson
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Henderson, Nevada
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+17024835900
Visit websiteTorrance Ranch Preserve
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Beatty, Nevada
Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm
+17753224990
Visit websiteParadise-McLeod Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+17024557513
Visit websiteBig Dune Recreation Area
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Amargosa Valley, Nevada
Visit websiteThings To Do in Las Vegas
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~12 min detour
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18008482834
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 476.4 — 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
|
Steptoe Street
Turn right onto Steptoe Street
Navigation decision point
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
NV 582 / Boulder Highway
Turn right onto NV 582 / Boulder Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: Downtown Las Vegas
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: Do...
5
4.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 11; US 93; US 95 / Purple Heart Highway
Merge onto I 11; US 93; US 95 / Purple Heart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
476.4 mi into trip
|
~8h 52m in
Take the exit toward NV 289: Winnemucca, Boise
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 178
Toward NV 289: Winnemucca, Boise
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.67 one way
$169.34 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
167 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $90.67 | $181.34 |
| premium | $5.04 | $94.85 | $189.69 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $90.22 | $180.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 167.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 143.3 | 1 | $50.17 | $22.93 |
| Efficient EV | 119.5 | 1 | $41.81 | $19.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 191.1 | 2 | $66.89 | $30.58 |
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.
Origin
Whitney, NV
Morning in Whitney on Saturday
Local time
11:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
109°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 12 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:24PM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Destination
Winnemucca, NV
Morning in Winnemucca on Saturday
Local time
11:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
WSW 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:24PM PDT by NWS Elko NV
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM 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
12 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
8h 55m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 32.9
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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 0% highway driving, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire 477.8 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 184.2 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway. You'll notice the transition from Veterans Memorial Highway to Tonopah-Austin Road and then Battle Mountain Road, offering a consistent rural cruising feel throughout your drive.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 184.2 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 0.2 miles in near Steptoe Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
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 8h 55m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 17 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Steptoe Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (NV 582 / Boulder Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,872 ft
1,650 ft
Total Climb
5,281 ft
Total Descent
2,636 ft
Highest Point
5,872 ft
~238.9 mi in
Elevation Range
4,222 ft
Notable High Points
3,637 ft at ~68.3 miles
+757 ft prominence
5,872 ft at ~238.9 miles
+67 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Whitney, NV
Full guide →Founded 1942
Arriving in Winnemucca, NV
Full guide →Winnemucca is a small city in Nevada that got its start as a station on the first transcontinental railroad. It's now a hub for mining, freight traffic, and other activity in northern Nevada, and it also has enough to pique a visitor's interest: mountain landscapes, casinos, vestiges of the Old West, and a proud Basque heritage.
Top landmarks
- • Winnemucca Hotel — hotel in Nevada, United States of America
- • Winnemucca Main Post Office — in Winnemucca, NV, NRHP-listed
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 55m 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 184.2 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 239 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Winnemucca, 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 10 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 (Steptoe Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (NV 582 / Boulder Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: 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 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Winnemucca, NV before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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