Quick Summary:
- Fill up in Las Vegas, then top up in Alamo or Tonopah.
- Download offline maps, save key pins, expect long signal gaps.
- Avoid unpaved shortcuts and restricted areas, stick to numbered highways.
- If you break down, stay with the car, conserve water, call roadside assistance.
The Extraterrestrial Highway is Nevada State Route 375, a lonely ribbon of tarmac between US-6 and US-93 near the tiny settlement of Rachel. From Las Vegas, it is a full-day out-and-back for most drivers, with long empty stretches, harsh heat, and mobile coverage that can disappear for hours. With car hire, the key to enjoying it is simple planning: fuel, offline navigation, road-surface choices that fit rental terms, and a clear breakdown routine.
If you are collecting a vehicle on arrival, start by confirming your pick-up and return details and checking what is included. Hola Car Rentals’ Las Vegas pages are useful for comparing options in one place, whether you are collecting from the airport via Las Vegas Airport car hire or looking across providers with car rental in Las Vegas. For multi-day routes or larger groups, it can also help to compare standard cars with van hire in Las Vegas, because interior space affects how comfortably you can carry water, shade, and emergency gear.
Route overview from Las Vegas to the Extraterrestrial Highway
The classic paved loop from Las Vegas is: Las Vegas, US-95 north, then either:
Option A: US-95 to Tonopah, then US-6 east to the SR-375 junction, continue to Rachel, then return the same way.
Option B: US-93 north, then US-6 west, connect to SR-375, then back via US-95. This can reduce backtracking but depends on your timing and where you want to refuel.
Whichever route you choose, start early. Daylight is your safety buffer, not just for visibility but also for spotting wildlife and managing a puncture without rushing. In summer, consider leaving Las Vegas at dawn, so you do the hottest part of the drive with the air conditioning working efficiently and your attention fresh.
Fuel planning: where to fill up, and what to carry
Fuel is the number-one planning point for this drive. Distances are large, stations can be far apart, and opening hours are not always what you expect in small towns.
Practical approach for car hire drivers:
1) Start with a full tank in Las Vegas. Do not begin the day assuming you will “top up later”. If you are leaving straight from the airport, check the fuel level before you pull onto the motorway and fill up immediately if it is not full.
2) Top up early, not late. A good rule in the Nevada desert is to refuel whenever you drop below half a tank, unless you are in a major town with plenty of stations and you know your next stop is close.
3) Plan two confirmed fuel points. For many itineraries, Alamo, Tonopah, or the towns on US-93 are sensible candidates. Treat Rachel as a sightseeing stop, not a guaranteed refuelling stop.
4) Avoid driving “to fumes”. Strong headwinds, high speed, and constant air conditioning can noticeably increase consumption. Your car hire vehicle may also be less efficient than you assume, especially if you are carrying passengers and luggage.
5) Bring water and snacks regardless of fuel. Fuel planning is about preventing a stop. Water planning is about coping if a stop happens anyway.
If you are weighing vehicle types, remember that larger vehicles can use more fuel, but they can also carry more water and shade. A balanced choice is usually a mid-size car in good condition, unless you have a large group.
Offline navigation: preparing for signal gaps
Expect mobile coverage to be unreliable once you leave the main corridors. That means you should treat navigation as a pre-trip task, not something you do on the move.
Download offline maps before you leave Las Vegas. Save an offline area large enough to cover your whole loop, including the return route. Also download your music or podcasts locally, because streaming may drop repeatedly.
Save pins for essential waypoints. At minimum, pin: your planned fuel stops, the SR-375 “Extraterrestrial Highway” sign location, Rachel, the junction back to US-6 or US-93, and your Las Vegas accommodation. Add a pin for the nearest hospital town on your route so you are not searching under pressure.
Keep a paper backup. Even with offline maps, a printed route list with highways and junction numbers is useful. Nevada’s numbered highways are your friend in remote areas, because signage often references route numbers rather than attractions.
Charge management matters. Bring a car charger and cable, and consider a power bank. Phones overheat quickly when running maps in a hot cabin, especially if left in direct sun. If your phone thermal-throttles or shuts down, you will want an alternative.
Do not rely on “shortest route”. Mapping apps sometimes suggest minor roads. In remote Nevada, “shortest” can mean rough surfaces, long washboard sections, or routes that could conflict with rental restrictions.
Road rules and rental restrictions: what to avoid
The Extraterrestrial Highway itself is paved, and the main approaches on US highways are paved, so it is compatible with normal car hire conditions. Problems start when drivers chase novelty detours.
Avoid unpaved roads unless your agreement clearly allows them. Many rental contracts restrict driving on gravel, dirt, or “improved” unpaved roads. Even if a road looks flat, loose stones can cause tyre damage, and dust can affect cooling and filters. If you want to explore off the main highways, read your terms carefully and assume that damage on unpaved roads may not be covered.
Do not enter restricted sites. The region is famous for its proximity to military land. Signs are not decoration. If you see warning signs, turn around without debate. Trespass can lead to serious consequences and is never worth it.
Stay on numbered routes. For this trip, the safe baseline is: US-95, US-6, US-93, and NV-375. Those roads are maintained, signposted, and the most likely to have passing traffic if you need help.
Observe Nevada’s standard driving rules. Drive on the right, everyone buckles up, and keep headlights on if visibility drops due to dust or sudden storms. Watch your speed through small towns where limits drop sharply. A single ticket can sour the day, and enforcement can be strict in transition zones.
Be wildlife-aware. Dawn and dusk increase the chance of animals near the roadway. In remote areas, hitting an animal can also mean losing tyre pressure or damaging cooling components, so give yourself extra following distance and avoid overdriving your headlights after dark.
If you want to compare providers with clear pick-up logistics, you can browse Nevada-wide options via car rental in Nevada and then cross-check the individual supplier policies before you set off.
Remote desert driving habits that reduce risk
Small choices make a big difference in the desert:
Keep the tank above half whenever possible. This is your safety margin if a station is closed or out of service.
Set expectations with passengers. Tell everyone there will be long silent stretches, and agree on scheduled stops. When people feel “stuck”, they push for risky shortcuts.
Watch engine temperature and warning lights. If a warning light appears, do not ignore it because “you are nearly there”. Pull over safely and assess.
Carry essentials in the cabin, not the boot. Water, a hat, and a phone should be reachable without unloading the car on the roadside.
Plan for heat and cold. Nevada can be scorching by day and surprisingly cool at night, especially at elevation. Pack a light layer even in warm months.
What to do if you break down on the Extraterrestrial Highway
The safest breakdown plan is the one you decide in advance.
1) Get off the road safely. Signal early, move onto the shoulder, and keep your wheels as far from traffic as you can while staying on stable ground. Turn on hazard lights.
2) Stay with the vehicle. In remote desert, the car is your shade, your visibility marker, and your best chance of being found. Walking for help can turn a manageable delay into a medical emergency.
3) Call roadside assistance if you have signal. Use your rental documents to find the correct number. If you have only intermittent signal, try sending a text message, which can sometimes go through when a call fails.
4) Conserve water and manage heat. Drink small amounts regularly. Use the car’s shade, and avoid sitting directly in the sun. If you run the engine for air conditioning, do it in short intervals and watch fuel level.
5) Make yourself visible. If you have reflective triangles, set them up behind the car at a safe distance. At minimum, keep hazard lights on when you hear approaching traffic.
6) If another driver stops, stay cautious. Accept help with calling services or relaying your location, but keep valuables secure and do not get into a stranger’s vehicle unless you judge it necessary for immediate safety.
Before you depart Las Vegas, it is wise to confirm you know where the spare tyre, jack, and wheel nut key are located. Some cars have an inflation kit instead of a full spare, which matters on remote roads. When comparing suppliers, pages such as Budget car hire in Las Vegas can help you shortlist, then you can verify what equipment is typically provided at the counter.
Common planning mistakes on this route
Assuming Rachel is a service hub. Treat it as a landmark stop, not a place to solve problems.
Letting the map app choose back roads. Stick to the highways unless you have confirmed road surface and permissions.
Starting late. Driving remote highways in darkness is avoidable for most visitors.
Underestimating phone issues. Heat, glare, and battery drain are as real as signal gaps.
Forgetting the return drive. Many incidents happen when people are tired and pushing to get back to Las Vegas.
Final checks before you leave Las Vegas
Run through a quick pre-departure checklist: full tank, offline maps downloaded, water accessible, charging cable in the cabin, and a known route that stays on paved highways. Take two minutes to look at tyres for obvious damage and confirm your warning triangle and spare solution. If you are picking up near the Strip or downtown, allow extra time to exit the city calmly, because stress early in the day leads to rushed decisions later.
A well-planned car hire day trip to the Extraterrestrial Highway is less about chasing the unusual and more about respecting distance. If you do that, you can enjoy the big skies, quiet roads, and iconic signs while staying within sensible limits for a rental vehicle.
FAQ
Is the Extraterrestrial Highway paved the whole way? Yes, Nevada State Route 375 is paved. Problems usually come from taking unpaved detours off the main route.
How much water should I carry for a day trip from Las Vegas? Aim for at least 2 litres per person for the day, more in summer, plus extra for delays. Keep it in the cabin, not buried in luggage.
Will my phone work for navigation out there? Coverage can be patchy to non-existent in places. Download offline maps in Las Vegas, save pins for fuel stops and junctions, and carry a charger.
What should I do if I get a flat tyre in a rental car? Pull over safely, use hazards, and consult the rental’s roadside assistance guidance first. If you change it yourself, stay well off the roadway and follow the jack points.
Are there any special road rules I should know in Nevada? Drive on the right, wear seatbelts, obey changing speed limits through small towns, and avoid distracted driving. Plan to finish remote stretches in daylight.
