Road trip Nevada | The Extraterrestrial Highway buzz

Reasons to DriveNow

Price Guarantee
Book Direct
Compare
No Hidden Fees
No Booking Fees
Trusted Since 2003

Look for the signs: Expect the unexpected and a lot of quirkiness on the Extraterrestrial Highway. Picture: TravelNevada.

Expect the unexpected

Flanked on both sides by miles of vast dry desert and looming mountains, the Extraterrestrial Highway is truly a long and winding road that has the potential to lead you to something that is out of this world.

So if you have ever wondered whether there is really another mysterious life form from Mars out there or if you have an eye for spotting UFOs, it might be time to cross the Extraterrestrial Highway off your road trip list.

Don't forget to look to the skies: Picture Hana K Freeman/TravelNevada

Roadtripper's dream

Also referred to as the Nevada State Route 375, it was officially named the Extraterrestrial Highway in 1996 after the movie Independence Day, this lonely and quiet patch of highway really is every road tripper’s dream.

The Extraterrestrial Highway stretches 98 miles from State Route 318 at Crystal Springs and takes you northwest to U.S. Route 6 at Warm Springs.

Or you can start your journey in Las Vegas motorhome rental from the intersection of U.S. 93 and the Extraterrestrial Highway depending which way you’re coming from.

Istragrammable everywhere: Remember to stop for all the sights, including the famous signs. Picture: TravelNevada.

Area 51... the truth is out there

The well-known green ET Highway Sign is the first thing you see before you embark on your road trip on the open road and head into the mysterious desert terrain towards the Nevada Test and Training Range, which includes the top-secret and highly classified United States Air Force facility Area 51.

But forget about jumping out of your vehicle as you pass the Nevada military base and craning your neck to see if you can catch a glimpse of aliens, or even a UFO.

The range is not considered a tourist attraction and the ‘do not trespass’ signs make it clear that the base is heavily guarded and that you will be prosecuted if caught. Which means you’ll have to look to the heavens for a sign of a silver spaceship.

BEAM ME UP! CHECK OUT TRAVEL NEVADA'S AWESOME ET HIGHWAY ITINERARY

Unidentified Frothy Objects: Stop in at the Little A'Le'Inn for some cool refreshments. Picture: TravelNevada.

Say hello to Rachel

The highway offers plenty of sights and sounds for the modern day road tripper, and when you hit Rachel, population of about 50 of the most knowledgeable of people who know everything about the highway, you should stop for a break and a slice of pie and conversation at Little A’Le’Inn.

It is these type stops that make road trips amazing and a chance to court a close encounter of the Third Kind, of course, in the middle of the desert on the famous Extraterrestrial Highway.

As well as the famous ET Highway Sign, the highway offers road trippers the chance to check out the alien apparel and snap up some souvenirs for your family and friends at the Alien Research Centre in Hiko and if you’re feeling peckish you can also stop by the E-T- Fresh Jerky shop in Crystal Springs.

If you kick-start your journey from the intersection of U.S. 93 and the Extraterrestrial Highway, the E-T- Fresh Jerky shop and Alien Research Centre will be the gateway to the highway.

Just don’t forget to fill up at the Shell Gas Station near Hiko before setting out on your trip as you won’t see another gas station for miles.

Scott Podmore

Award-winning writer, editor, photographer, videographer and owner of October Grey Media. Specialising in travel and lifestyle content and a full member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers. Has contributed regular content for the NewsCorp stable of newspapers and magazines, TravelTalk mag, The Departure Lounge and many more publications in Australia and internationally. Follow on Twitter & instragram #scottpodmore