Reno, NV to Las Vegas, NV

[oneupdownstairs]

Has anyone ever biked from Reno, NV to Las Vegas, NV? Are there biker friendly routes for this? I searched online and in the forum but no luck.

[JHamelman]

Have you looked at this site:

http://www.bicyclenevada.com/

It is part of the Nevada Department of Transportation. If you don't see what you are looking for, contact information is also listed there.

.Jennifer.

[aggie]

There isn't a good direct route from Reno to Las Vegas.  Any route you take really depends on the weather (time of year) and what kind of scenery you prefer.

During the winter you can work your way over to Hwy 95.  This will take you all the way to Vegas.  The road isn't too bad but it does have a rumble strip in the shoulder so you will be riding close to the white line.  There are a few places where you won't have any stops for water or supplies for more than 60 miles.  It can be a little desolate and in some areas there is very light traffic.  It is definitely desert nearly the entire route.

During most of the rest of the year you could take Hwy 395 to just south of Lone Pine.  Then you can take Hwy 136 and 190 through Death Valley and continue on to Beatty, NV.  Then take Hwy 95 south into Vegas.  There are many more places for food and water and the scenery is much better.  There is more climbing than the Hwy 95 route.  There are a couple of passes over 8000 feet so they can get quite a bit of snow in the winter.  I wouldn't advise going through Death Valley during the summer (unless you like 115 degree days) or Hwy 95 during the summer.  It does get really hot and it is very dry.

[oneupdownstairs]

Thanks for the great information. A trip through the NV desert in the summer is a no go. I was thinking early Spring. Thanks so much, it really helps.

[MrBent]

I suggest you try to time your tour so you can take Hwy 395 down and then cut across through Death Valley.  If you do it very late fall or hit the passes early enough in the spring, you can make it.  Flexibility will be key.  Hit a good weather window in the spring, and you'll have a blast.  Since the run from Reno down to Bishop is pretty quick, it wouldn't take much to get out of the high altitude areas that might cause problems with snow.  A well-timed spring tour would be fantastic!

You could also almost certainly do it in Nov., too, before the first snows come in hard.

Cheers,

Scott

[BicycleNevada]

If you need information on US95, or would like one of the State's bicycle touring maps, please contact me at wstory@dot.state.nv.us or (775) 888-RIDE.

Bill Story
Bicycle / Pedestrian Coordinator
Nevada Dept.of Transportation