Best driving roads near Las Vegas

Beyond the Strip, Las Vegas drivers are minutes from red-rock escarpments, alpine canyon climbs, and lakeside desert roads that swap neon for raw Mojave scenery.

1. Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive

The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive passing the red sandstone Calico Hills outside Las Vegas
Photo: BLM Nevada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A 13-mile one-way loop just 17 miles west of the Strip curving past Calico Tanks and Rainbow Mountain through striking red sandstone cliffs.

Length
13 mi, one way
Drive time
about 1 h 05 min

Best time to go: Fall through spring; a timed entry reservation is required Oct 1 to May 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Map of Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive from Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center to Scenic Drive exit at SR 159
Route: Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center to Scenic Drive exit at SR 159, about 13.1 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

2. Mount Charleston / Kyle Canyon Road (SR-157)

Kyle Canyon Road climbing through a desert canyon toward snow-capped Mount Charleston in the Spring Mountains
Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A climb from desert floor into the alpine Spring Mountains, transitioning from sagebrush to pine forest as it ascends toward Mount Charleston.

Length
21.6 mi
Drive time
about 30 min

Best time to go: Year-round; the upper canyon holds snow in winter, and the mountain runs much cooler than the valley in summer.

Map of Mount Charleston / Kyle Canyon Road (SR-157) from US 95 / Kyle Canyon Rd to Mount Charleston village (end of SR 157)
Route: US 95 / Kyle Canyon Rd to Mount Charleston village (end of SR 157), about 20.8 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

3. Valley of Fire Highway

Valley of Fire Highway running through the desert toward red sandstone formations in Valley of Fire State Park
Photo: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The main road through Nevada's oldest state park, weaving past fiery red rock formations that glow at sunset northeast of Las Vegas.

Length
10.5 mi
Drive time
about 35 min

Best time to go: October to mid-May; summer heat is extreme and many park trails close May 15 to Sept 30. Park open sunrise to sunset.

Map of Valley of Fire Highway from West entrance (from I-15) to East entrance toward Northshore Road
Route: West entrance (from I-15) to East entrance toward Northshore Road, about 16.8 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

4. Northshore Road

Northshore Road curving across the desert of Bitter Spring Valley toward the Muddy Mountains in Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A desert park road through red rock between Callville Bay and Echo Bay in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, with spur roads down to the bays.

Length
about 45 mi as mapped
Drive time
about 1 h 15 min

Best time to go: Fall through spring; summer highs reach 89 to 103 F and the park warns of dangerous heat.

Map of Northshore Road (Lake Mead) from Lake Mead Parkway / Lakeshore Road junction to Valley of Fire Highway junction
Route: Lake Mead Parkway / Lakeshore Road junction to Valley of Fire Highway junction, about 45 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

5. Lakeshore Road

Black and white view down Lakeshore Road along Lake Mead's Boulder Basin with a roadside pullout
Photo: Historic American Engineering Record (National Park Service); photographer not named, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A park road along the west shore of Lake Mead, from US-93 near Boulder City north to SR-564, an easy cruise close to the city.

Length
about 12 mi as mapped
Drive time
about 15 min

Best time to go: Fall through spring; summer highs reach 89 to 103 F.

Map of Lakeshore Road (Lake Mead) from US 93 near Boulder City to Lake Mead Parkway (SR 564) / Northshore Road
Route: US 93 near Boulder City to Lake Mead Parkway (SR 564) / Northshore Road, about 11.6 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

Track your next drive near Las Vegas

Open Road keeps every drive: the route on a map, the time and the distance. On iPhone and Android.

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Questions, answered

What are the best driving roads near Las Vegas?
Top picks near Las Vegas: Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive, Mount Charleston / Kyle Canyon Road, Valley of Fire Highway, Northshore Road, Lakeshore Road. Each one is here for the drive and the scenery.
How long are the best driving roads near Las Vegas?
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive: 13 mi, one way. Mount Charleston / Kyle Canyon Road: 21.6 mi. Valley of Fire Highway: 10.5 mi.
When is the best time to drive these roads?
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive: Fall through spring; a timed entry reservation is required Oct 1 to May 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mount Charleston / Kyle Canyon Road: Year-round; the upper canyon holds snow in winter, and the mountain runs much cooler than the valley in summer. Valley of Fire Highway: October to mid-May; summer heat is extreme and many park trails close May 15 to Sept 30. Park open sunrise to sunset. Northshore Road: Fall through spring; summer highs reach 89 to 103 F and the park warns of dangerous heat. Lakeshore Road: Fall through spring; summer highs reach 89 to 103 F.
What's the best app to track a drive near Las Vegas?
Open Road records your drive and saves it to your drive log with the route on a map, the distance and the time. It is on iPhone and Android.

Famous driving roads