On our way home from Reno on our road trip this past July, we ended up taking a road I had never heard of before. We saw that we were going to be taking a route called Highway 50 for a few hundred miles. At first, I honestly didn’t think twice about it. I thought that this would just be another road, same as any other.
Highway 50 actually stretches across the entire United States, from California to Maryland. It is 3,008 miles (4,841 km) long. As we were entering the highway, we saw a sign that said “Highway 50, The Loneliest Road in America.” This was a little unexpected to see, but I was excited to see if it actually lived up to the name. It turned out that this “normal” road just might turn out to be another highlight of our trip.
The stretch that we were on has nine small towns, two abandoned mining camps, and several mountain ranges.
The first things that I noticed was that it is a two-lane road. The second thing I noticed was that there was basically no one around.
Apparently, a long time ago it was said to avoid this road; however, I am really glad that I had the experience.
There was so much beautiful scenery around that it was hard to get bored for a long time. We would occasionally go through a very small town, where to usually 80mph speed limit would slow down to around 20mph. The towns would last for less than 5 minutes, so if you are ever on this road and think you need to stop, you might want to take the opportunity.
After a few hours, I started to notice that the distant ground looked really white. I eventually realized that we were in Utah, and these were salt flats. Being pretty excited about this, we pulled over at a random gravel road and drove over to the flats.
We began to walk out on the flats. The ground at first was how you would expect, really flat and hard. After a couple of minutes, the ground started to get softer. Before we knew it, we were up to our ankles in this very sticky gray clay material. It was quite hard to get out of, but we finally made our way back to the car.
Seeing as there was no town around, we wiped off our feet the best we could and had to wait until we got to a gas station around an hour later to really get the already drying clay off.
There were also many, many pull-offs on the road. There were no services on these pull-offs, but the views were always amazing.
All in all, I quite enjoyed this road. Don’t expect to see many people, and if you were to break down it may take a while for assistance to arrive, but I would definitely drive on this road again one day if only for the views.
Would you take this road given the opportunity, or do you prefer civilization?
-Haley
Amazing landscapes! 🙂 I have never heard of this before.
Great photos! I’ve been on sections of this road and its absolutely stunning scenery out west.
Thanks!!
I totally agree, it is a gorgeous area!
Stunning trip and photo’s , if I would have a chance I would take the trip too, Haley. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading! 🙂
Love the title and the pic a of this post!
Thank you!! 🙂
This looks great! I’d love to give it a try, road trips are the best
Road trips are definitely such cool experiences!
Yes, I have taken many trips on highway 50 through Nevada. My family frequents Nevada for exploration and adventures. There are plenty of ghost and old mining towns to visit along the way, and quite a bit of American Gold Mining history. Thank you for sharing those phenomenal pictures. Where were you headed?
That’s awesome! It is such an interesting area to drive through. We were actually leaving the Reno area and headed back to Knoxville, TN. I’m so thankful that we got to experience this road! I’d actually love to drive on it again one day.
Wow, what gorgeous views! I think I drove on a little stretch of it a few years ago between Vegas and Phoenix, but I can’t recall exactly. There are a lot of lonely roads in the high desert, it turns out. Now I want to go on a road trip!
Definitely do take this road if you ever get the chance! Road trips are such awesome experiences!
Beautiful photos! I enjoyed reading this very much, thank you!
Thank you so much for reading!
Awesome pictures!
Thanks so much! 🙂
We go to Nevada every year or two to visit family. I’ll be adding US 50 to our itinerary. Lovely pictures btw.
Thank you very much! I am glad to hear you’re interested in taking US 50. I am sure that you will find it to be an interesting experience!
Amazing photos 😍
Thanks very much!! 🙂
Wonderful photos. I would definitely drive down that road for those views!
Oh, it is most definitely worth it! Thanks!
Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
Wow – this is going on our get-there list! We’ve been to Utah several times but not on this road. Thanks for showing us what we’ve been missing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! It definitely makes for a fun adventure!
Beautiful photos! As I get older I find myself increasingly drawn to places with fewer people, so I’d definitely be up for this drive. =D
Saw your Quiolota loop post. Wish I could leave a comment!
How odd that you couldn’t leave a comment – were you on WordPress Reader? I think you have to go to my site itself to leave a comment. Thanks for visiting! 🙂
Thank you! I agree, if you are looking for few people, you’ll love this area! 🙂
Wow! Wish I would’ve known last year. I was in Reno! 😍
Safe travels,
Alex ⭐
I had also been to Reno before this and had no idea about this road! Hopefully you can experience it next time! 🙂
Beautiful landscapes and great photographs!
Thanks alot! 🙂
Living in Reno, I do know that road 😉
Nice! I’m sure you’re very familiar! 🙂
Beautiful imagery! Love the road less traveled.
Oh I agree! It’s interesting getting to see things that many people never do!
There’s definite big-time romanticism associated with driving road trips. Many years ago, a friend and I drove across Canada from Vancouver to Ottawa. The drive took 7 days with various stop. At a distance of over 4400 kilometres (2700 miles), the length of the trip only covers about two-thirds of the country. Also, on separate trips over a span of years, I’ve essentially driven the entire length of the north-south I-5 along the western United States. I’d like to spend more time driving a number of (famous) highways throughout the U.S.
That trip across Canada sounds amazing! I would love to do that one day. Highways definitely have a different feel as opposed to interstate systems. I hope to cover many more of both! 🙂
I saw an hour-long documentary about how towns along the famous highway 66 are slowly dying after parallel multilane Interstate highways were built. That documentary made me want to get into a car and drive (parts of) the old US-highways, including US-99 in central California.
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/4w5xj9/tonight-on-viceland-abandoned-route-66
Wow how interesting! I’d definitely love to drive on some more old highways!
Hi Haley,
This is both eerie and fascinating too.
Love it.
Because here in NJ, we see so few truly uninhabited areas, in the most population dense state in the US. 12 million people, and you get from top to bottom via car in 3 hours. Yikes.
We did experience solitude when staying in a remote Costa Rican jungle 2 years ago. Relaxing, peaceful and maddening by the time the 6 week house sit expired. Loneliness and doing the same 2 things daily drove me batty.
Thanks for sharing Haley.
Ryan
Ryan,
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting New Jersey twice so far, and I’ve really enjoyed it! I find that I enjoy both really populated areas as well as areas with literally no one. I think I like just how different they are from one another.
I can’t imagine staying in a jungle in Costa Rica! I would totally do it, because I bet that was a one of a kind experience (even if it did get old after 6 weeks!) 🙂
Haley
Love your photos and descriptions! The only part of Hwy50 I’ve been on is from Sacramento, CA to South Lake Tahoe. Stunning, beautiful trip over the pass anytime of year. Winter can be an adventure because of mudslides and snow on the two-lane winding highway ;-). Love your blog. Following!
I bet when there is snow it’s so crazy! I’d still love to experience it though 🙂 thanks so much for your comment!
The view is gorgeous as you go over the pass headed towards Lake Tahoe!
Absolutely lovely and Ineed to try it.
Wow! Beautiful pictures!
I got the traveling bug at a young age. My family moved over 60 times before I was 14. We covered territory from California to Georgia and back again.
I married a military man and thought we’d move a lot. However, in his almost 25 years of service, we only had 2 actual moves. We had a few temporary duty assignments (TDY), but no actual moves, go figure! Ironic, to say the least.
I’m looking forward to going through your blog and enjoying your travels and pictures!
Wow! I’ve always enjoyed moving too, but I’ve only done it three times total so far! I definitely hope to move quite a few more times. Thanks so much for reading and for your comment! 🙂
I hope you get the chance to move to some more places you love!
You are very welcome! I enjoyed your story. I’m looking forward to reading more. 🙂
Hello there. I wanted to thank you for consistently checking out my StruckByWanderlustBlog.wordpress.com. It is sincerely appreciated !
I have nominated you for “The Sunshine Blogger Award” because I enjoy reading your posts which bring rays of sunshine into my everyday life.
https://viewfromtheback.com/2017/10/15/the-sunshine-blogger-award/
Kind regards
Sheree
Love your photos on this one. Would love to ride that road on my bike and I suppose would be rather fitting: @lonelyTWAT riding the loneliest road in America 😂
haha! I’m sure you would enjoy it if you were to ever get the chance! 🙂
It looks amazing. Maybe one day 😊
Thank you for the like on our first post! Your whole blog is incredible, as a Canadian who takes many trips to the US, ill be looking on your site for my next travel adventure!
Love,
iHeartToronto
Thanks very much! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your trip and for stopping by my blog. I love the smaller, scenic highways and choose them over civilization any time.
Thank you for liking “Luna’s.” Nice post! I went to Reno or Lake Tahoe with my parents a long time ago, so I probably traveled down Highway 50 at least part of the way on that trip. However, it was winter when I went there. The landscape looks so different without snow! I enjoyed seeing the beautiful scenery on this lonely stretch of highway during the summer. Thanks for sharing.
I would so love to see it during the winter! I’ve not had the opportunity to encounter very much snow in my lifetime, so I bet that was awesome 🙂
The winter scenery was beautiful, but the snow made it difficult to see most of the of the rock formations and trees near the road.
Like you, I have not seen much snow in my life. However, I do not mind because I do not think I would enjoy driving in the snow. 😀
Thank you for following my blog. 🙂
You made me quite nostalgic of my road trip in New Mexico all the way back in 2010 — so, thank you for that 🙂 I’d been living in New Jersey for a couple of years at the time, so it was especially shocking to drive through such empty two-lane highways much like the ones you describe in your post — we almost ran out of fuel, not realizing the next gas station north of Roswell wouldn’t come in another 70 miles!! — we were already well into the reserve when we finally reached it :p
Thank you for visiting my blog — i’m glad you enjoyed my Grams of Inspiration, and hope you’ll come back for more — they’re published every Thursday, and you can also sign up for our mailing list if you want to get them delivered straight to your inbox a couple of days earlier 😉
Cheers,
Mika
Mika, Thanks so much for your comment! I will definitely continue to check out your posts 🙂
Beautiful. Been across to the USA once and visited Sedona.
We drove this road in the late 1980s. It is lonely as they say and has some very intriguing scenery. The minor paved state highways in Nevada (such as NV 375) are even lonelier with less auto traffic. It is almost like being in another world at times.
I would love to visit it. it sounds magical
Feel your pain when you suddenly drop to your knees in mud on the salt flats! Great read!
I am very keen to drive in the US. Would love to try this road
Wow, so beautiful! I enjoyed reading this blog and following your journey!
Thanks so much!
Beautiful photos of beautiful scenery
Never heard of this road before, but I love Utah an Arizona! I love road tripping out west, so I would definitely take this road (:
I honestly hadn’t heard of it until we were driving down it! It’s a fun experience for sure 🙂
Stunning photos! It’s been quite a while, but I still remember how amazing it was to see the salt flats in Utah. Thanks for reviving the memory!
Thanks so much for reading! 🙂
I would like a little of both. Sometimes one feels the need to get away from too much civilization and then once nature has revived you, it’s time to meet up with others again. Thanks for the follow.
Woo, I’d love to go and take a break from the hustle bustle of life 🙂
You should definitely try to one day! 🙂
So awesome! Would be nice…wonder is there was reception available…. pretty pictures. Thanks for sharing!
There were definitely many areas where we had no service, but when we would come around to another town then we had it again. Luckily there were not many turn offs so we couldn’t really get lost 🙂
Oh I would’t hesitate, as long as I don’t have to drive it alone, could’t do without some human interaction and someone to share this all with!
Same! I loved it, but I’m not so sure I’d like it as much if I were to be alone.
Raw and beautiful!
I would definitely take this trip. I remember a desolate highway in Arizona that ran along the border. It actually got a little scary because one car followed us for awhile until we arrived at a town with just two buildings 😱
Oh wow that is crazy! Isolation like that can be so beautiful but also a little scary at times for sure!
I would definitely take this road–in fact, I’m going to go out of my way to make sure we take thsi road. Great post!!! Dawn
That’s awesome Dawn! I’m sure you won’t regret it! 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to check out my StruckByWanderlustBlog.wordpress.com. It is sincerely appreciated !
Looks like a great drive!
It definitely is!
Incredible photography!!! Absolutely stunning! There are so many places in this world that take one’s breath away for the scope of Beauty they hold! Thank you!
Thank you so much and thanks for checking out the post!! 😊
I drove the loneliest highway some years ago from just outside Reno up to Elko Nevada I believe. Back then I was an archeologist and had done some work if I remember right at Fallon Naval Air Station. We had done some prehistoric archeological surveys using a helicopter to reach some fairly isolated radar or other sites. I don’t remember the exact sequence but we found ourselves driving up Highway 50 from around Reno to Elko and noticed that this was the route I believe that the Pony Express took and there were historic sites along the highway marking that use. The loneliness was tantalizing and we checked the gas gauge in the car a number of times and kept an anxious eye on the car temperature since most of the places we went through were not connected whatsoever to any other places. There were mining towns and these amazing vistas of desert and the road leading forever onward. It was a desolate yet magnificent feeling that this road with its two lanes cut inexorably across one of the most beautiful landscapes I had ever seen. I’m a desert rat at heart and wandered over the Mojave and Great Basin deserts way back when doing professional archeology. This felt like a strange and other worldly trip and we both laughed to see signs proclaiming houses of prostitution with no electrical power along the way. Mining towns, old historic remnants, long reaching vistas. They all marked our trip to Elko. I will never forget the loneliest highway in America. I may not ever drive it again but there are some drives one should do once. Highway 50 is one of those.
Hi Michael, your descriptions of the area is so perfect. We actually almost ran out of gas once, but luckily made it to a gas station just in time. I definitely agree that everyone should do this drive at least once. It sounds like your experience was very interesting! Thanks so much for your comment.
I DO LOVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS!
WARMEST REGARDS, ED
Thank you so much Ed!
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
……and thank you for following my blog!
Didn’t know this road existed, but I’m glad I know now, it looks amazing!
Thanks for checking it out 😊
Thank you for sharing your photos and for writing about the loneliest road…It makes me want to drive it now, well when we eventually get to America. Australia has Nullarbor Plains. I think it starts from South Australia heading towards the west and I was told that it a long and boring drive…One day hubby and I will do that.
I’m sure the drive along Nullarbor Plains would be worth it, if only for the story! I’ve been really thinking about when I can get to Australia one day. I’m just not sure if to visit in the summer or the winter! Thanks for reading and for your comment!
Summer in Australia can be humid and hot…so visiting the beaches is perfect. Winter here is mild especially in Queensland. I tell you what. I will do a blog about this after Christmas.
Thanks so much for the info! Looking forward to reading your blog! 🙂
If you want to visit the outback or the north go in the southern winter ….cool nights but beautifully clear days, perfect for road trips.
Your pictures are beautiful. It is worth taking a risk driving on this one road you drove. but honestly, I would think hard before I even do it. it is really too lonely. But well I am so glad you stopped at my blog. Thank you for the follow it was great and I appreciate that so very much and I returned the favour. I hope our communications will continue. A lovely week to you. cheers!
Thanks for reading and for your comment! 🙂
you are very much welcome. Happy week!
Recently my wife and I watched the movie Independence Day, and during the scene where Will Smith’s character is pulling the alien across what looks like the salt flats, we both said we’d love to visit there someday. Thanks for the pictures and your description.
Wow, I’ve seen that movie but don’t remember that part! Thanks for your comment!
Enjoyed the fabulous photos in your article on the loneliest road!
Thanks for being neighbourly and popping over to see my blog on arts and life at http://www.commaand.co Glad you liked my blog post on Julia Child and her husband’s photography. It’s like going back in time, to see Paris in the 1950s.
Wow what great photos! Sounds like an amazing trip!!
Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.
My great grandfather helped build this road!
That’s so neat!
Got to feel the road in your words! Did you feel a little worried about the lack of emergency services, just in case the car had an issue? Wondering..This was part of my plan when I was in the US in May/Jun and had to skip it as my trip days were reduced due to some commitments. Do look forward to driving through Monument Valley, Four Corners etc…let us see when the stars align…
I love the photos in your blog. We travelled through that area when my kids were much longer. What I remember most was the incredible heat when we got out (it was the middle of summer) and the scenery, which was so different from anything I had experienced.
Oh I can just imagine how hot that area is in the middle of summer! It wasn’t too too bad when we were there. 😊
Amazing! I have driven across the U.S. many times, but have never heard of this highway. I will look for it my next trip. Thank you.
Thanks for checking it out!
nice photos ! but if you really want a “lonely ” road trip head Downunder to Australia http://www.pbase.com/mike_n/image/156246670 Thats a highway, believe it or not 🙂
love your blog !
Wow!! That’s amazing, thanks for sharing! 😄
Salt flats! That’s pretty cool. I wanted to check them out when we were in Utah, but we were hours and hours away sadly.
Thank you very much for following my blog 🙂
Thanks for writing this great blog. I really enjoyed reading it. In answer to your question yes I’d prefer to take this road any day! You pictures are fantastic and I was there on the journey with you. I love exploring different places and would one day very soon love to take this road so I can experience it for myself.
Thanks so much for your comments! You would most definitely have a great time exploring this area 😊
You are welcome. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with me. I look forward to visiting there.
I could definitely use a trip down this road from time to time. Almost makes me wish I lived out west.
Really beautiful scenery, but being so lonely and with your 4th photo in…. I can’t help being reminded of ‘The Hills have Eyes’ haha!
I definitely know what you mean! haha
Exactly what first came to my mind😬
I lived in Utah for about 10 years in my youth and my then boyfriend, now husband, and I explored so much of UT and Nevada, we probably were on this road at some point. Your post made me want to go back and take another look at how beautiful Earth can be!
Thanks for reading! This place is most definitely an example uninterrupted beauty on the Earth. I hope you get a chance to go back soon! 😊
Wonderful photos! I think I’d opt for the lonely road if I had plenty of water with me.
Great photos and story. My dream is to spend some time in the Utah area exploring Bryce and Zion, some day. The mountains and skies in your photos are very dramatic.
I hope you get to go soon! Thanks for your comment 😊
Thanks for checking out my blog. I am sure glad I found yours. Not that it is helping my cabin fever. LOL. Now I am even more anxious to get back on the road. There are so many wonderful and beautiful locations to visit. My bucket list just keeps growing. Thanks for sharing.
What a great blog. Very interesting. One of the reasons why I love traveling is…finding the unexpected.
Me too! That’s always fun to do 🙂
Looks beautiful and look like a sight to see with all the scenery however, I personally would be a bit hesitate to take this road let alone be on this road only being I’d be so scared of what may happen because I’m such a scardy cat from all those horror movies lol
Luckily I wasn’t alone, and was on this road mostly during the day 🙂
Great photos!
Thank you!
Love your photos, what a great post!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Beautiful pictures! I love back roads! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much 🖤
LOVE Highway 50! Thanks for the great photos!
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Love this!
Thank you!
Amazing photography. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
I’m learning it doesn’t take much to motivate me for a road trip. Great pics, thanks!
Those off the beaten tracks are always the best, that white clay seemed worrying, imagine if it rained, you’d be stuck in it
It was definitely a little troubling! I’d be much more careful next time for sure 🙂
i know, you lived to tell the tale, that’s what’s important, always calculated risks!
Indeed very beautiful. I have heard of this road but have never managed to drive on it…it is on our list for one of these days…(Suzanne)
Fascinating post. I love the photos.
Great post! This road is on my bucket list. And I like your blog in general: straight and to the point, useful information:-)
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate that 🙂
Thanks for liking my blog; the feeling is mutual! I am getting bolder as I get older, so would probably take the adventurous route. Loved your photos! Keep writing!
In late August 2010, my brother-in-law joined me when I took my granddaughter her car out to USAFA in Colorado Springs, CO. We wanted to take a step back in time and drove RT. 50 from MD. It was 850 or so miles to Pueblo where we exited onto I-25 N. The road less taken, I’d recommend it to everyone, a real education into the past.
HAD to click on this title for my first visit to your blog. I’ve been on stretches of it across the U.S. but not the part you drove, which I’d like to do. Thanks for visiting Under Western Skies. Travel on.