The Loneliest Highway in America

"The Loneliest Highway in America." That's how Life Magazine described the 287 miles of U.S. 50 in Nevada back in 1986.

But Nevada state officials and the towns along Route 50 didn't view that as an insult; instead, they've turned it into a marketing asset.

You can buy Loneliest Highway t-shirts and other souvenirs, and order the free Route 50 Survival Kit about the attractions along this loneliest of roads as it runs from the Utah/Nevada state line (see photo on left) to Carson City (see photo below right).

Traveling on U.S. 50 with my wife (Lila) I couldn't say I truly felt lonely. But I can say that the repeating sequence of mountain range followed by broad valley was impressive. And other than some small towns, and a dramatic National Park, you won't find too many people -- other than what appears to be a diminishing number of ranchers.

To give you at least a flavor for Route 50 as it barrels through Nevada, here are some photos taken as we drove from east to west. As a reminder, you can click on any photo to view a larger version.

photos from the remarkable Lehmann Caves at Great Basin National Park:

 

The Hotel Nevada and casino in the center of Ely; an announcement for what may well be the longest Walmart bus excursion in the U.S. (now that's lonely when you have to travel three hours to get to a Walmart!):

A view along Route 50 in the Newark Valley, between Ely and the nearby -- 70 miles west -- town of Eureka:

The restored Eureka Opera House:

A view of Route 50 through our windshield, 15 miles west of Eureka:

Dust devils in the Smoky Valley before reaching Austin, Nevada (strong winds gusted over the roadway):

Cattle grazing, about 5 miles west of Austin:

Sand Mountain, a natural sand dunes east of Fallon, Nevada:

and finally, signs of civilization -- of sorts -- on entering Carson City:

I've also posted separate reports for Ely, Nevada, and Carson City, Nevada, which cover those communities in more detail.

p.s., the New York Times ran a good short article last year on the loss of ranchland in northern Nevada (available for a fee) -- in part due to the expanding water needs of the Las Vegas area. And we've published an article, Emerging Water Shortages Are No Mirage, by western planner Dave Stauffer -- available to download for a small fee.