How long is the Las Vegas to Death Valley: A Mojave Desert Loop route?

This route takes 8 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Las Vegas to Las Vegas in Death Valley & Southern Nevada, United States.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is November to March; avoid summer heat.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car or a campervan.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Adventure, Classic road trip.

Las Vegas to Death Valley: A Mojave Desert Loop

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The route · 6 stops

5 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Las Vegas

2 nights

The desert gateway and your supply base. Beyond the Strip's hotels and shows, drive the 13-mile Red Rock Canyon scenic loop just west of town for sandstone cliffs and easy trails. Stock up, fuel up and collect a reliable car here, because services thin out fast once you leave the city for the park.The desert gateway and your supply base. Beyond the Strip's hotels and shows, drive the 13-mile Red Rock Canyon scenic loop just west of town for sandstone cliffs and easy trails. Stock up, fuel up and collect a reliable car here, because services thin out fast once you leave the city for the park.

Recommendations

1h 23m · 99 km drive to Pahrump

Pahrump

1 night

A quiet desert-valley town and the eastern gateway to Death Valley. It makes a relaxed base for Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, where spring-fed pools shelter rare pupfish, and for the cool pine forests of the Spring Mountains and Mount Charleston nearby. A couple of valley wineries round out the stop.A quiet desert-valley town and the eastern gateway to Death Valley. It makes a relaxed base for Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, where spring-fed pools shelter rare pupfish, and for the cool pine forests of the Spring Mountains and Mount Charleston nearby. A couple of valley wineries round out the stop.

Recommendations

1h 31m · 109 km drive to Furnace Creek

Furnace Creek

2 nights

The heart of Death Valley and its main hub. From here reach Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level the lowest point in North America, the eroded badlands of Zabriskie Point, the colour-streaked Artist's Drive and the panoramic Dante's View. Two nights let you catch sunrise and sunset, when the desert light is at its best.The heart of Death Valley and its main hub. From here reach Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level the lowest point in North America, the eroded badlands of Zabriskie Point, the colour-streaked Artist's Drive and the panoramic Dante's View. Two nights let you catch sunrise and sunset, when the desert light is at its best.

Recommendations

33m · 39 km drive to Stovepipe Wells

Stovepipe Wells

1 night

Death Valley's northern base, smaller and quieter than Furnace Creek. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes rise right beside the highway, glowing at dawn and dusk, and Mosaic Canyon's polished marble narrows are a short drive away. With almost no light pollution, this is one of the best stargazing stops in the park.Death Valley's northern base, smaller and quieter than Furnace Creek. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes rise right beside the highway, glowing at dawn and dusk, and Mosaic Canyon's polished marble narrows are a short drive away. With almost no light pollution, this is one of the best stargazing stops in the park.

Recommendations

53m · 63 km drive to Beatty

Beatty

1 night

Cross back into Nevada over Daylight Pass to Beatty, a friendly high-desert outpost on US-95. Just west sit the photogenic ruins of Rhyolite, a gold-rush boomtown abandoned by 1920, and the ghostly plaster figures of the Goldwell Open Air Museum. It is the last overnight before the easy run south to Las Vegas.Cross back into Nevada over Daylight Pass to Beatty, a friendly high-desert outpost on US-95. Just west sit the photogenic ruins of Rhyolite, a gold-rush boomtown abandoned by 1920, and the ghostly plaster figures of the Goldwell Open Air Museum. It is the last overnight before the easy run south to Las Vegas.

Recommendations

On the way

Las Vegas
3h 1m · 217 km
Close the loop back in Las Vegas. The drive south from Beatty on US-95 takes about two hours across open Mojave desert, past Joshua trees and old mining country, returning you to the city where the trip began.Close the loop back in Las Vegas. The drive south from Beatty on US-95 takes about two hours across open Mojave desert, past Joshua trees and old mining country, returning you to the city where the trip began.
Recommendations

Las Vegas to Death Valley: A Mojave Desert Loop