RoadAtlas
Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States — Desert
North America

Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley

United States

Point-to-point
Las Vegas Stovepipe Wells

In short: Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley is a 480 km desert road trip in United States, typically driven over 3 days, best in Oct–Apr. Highlights: Las Vegas, Zabriskie Point, Dante's View.

Distance
480 km
Duration
3 days
Best Season
Oct–Apr
IconicModerateDesert

The lowest, hottest, driest national park on Earth, and one of its most spectacular. Golden badlands, salt flats at 86m below sea level, rainbow-painted hills, and dunes that hum when the sand shifts in the wind.

~0 refuels
~1 charge
Practical notes
This is an open Las Vegas-to-Stovepipe Wells route, not a circuit. Summer temperatures routinely exceed 48°C and can disable vehicles. Carry extra water and food, check the live NPS conditions map immediately before departure, and recheck both paved-road damage and backcountry closures; several remote sites have no drinking water or mobile service.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Las Vegas to Furnace Creek / central Death Valley

Zabriskie Point · Dante's View · The 19th Hole

Day 2Furnace Creek to Stovepipe Wells and Mesquite Flat Dunes

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes · Mosaic Canyon · Stovepipe Wells Village Restaurant

Day 3Northern Death Valley / Ubehebe Crater

Ubehebe Crater · Stovepipe Wells Village Restaurant

Stops along the route

Las Vegas — Departure — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Departure
Las Vegas
Drive west into the Mojave. Within two hours the Strip's neon dissolves and the Amargosa Valley opens into something ancient.
Hotels
Furnace Creek — City — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
City
Furnace Creek
The park's hub at 58m below sea level. Fuel, the historic Inn, and the world's lowest-elevation golf course beside a spring-fed oasis.
Hotels
Stovepipe Wells — Arrival — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Arrival
Stovepipe Wells
The valley's original settlement. Cold beer at the saloon, the Milky Way overhead, and temperatures that only start to drop after midnight.
Hotels

Things to Do

Zabriskie Point — Landmark — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Landmark
Zabriskie Point
Layered badlands of borax and clay in every shade of gold, best at sunrise when long shadows turn each eroded ridge razor-sharp.
Dante's View — Nature — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Nature
Dante's View
1670m above Badwater Basin, looking down the full length of Death Valley. The salt flat gleams white against the Black Mountains below.
Badwater Basin — Landmark — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Landmark
Badwater Basin
86m below sea level, the lowest point in North America. A vast hexagonal salt pan stretching to the horizon beneath the Black Mountains.
Artist's Palette — Nature — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Nature
Artist's Palette
Iron oxides paint the hillside in pink, green, yellow, and purple. Drive the one-way loop at golden hour when the colours are most surreal.
Mesquite Flat Dunes — Nature — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Nature
Mesquite Flat Dunes
Star-shaped dunes rising 30m from the valley floor. At sunrise their crests throw knife-edge shadows across the rippled faces.
Harmony Borax Works — Historic Site — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Historic Site
Harmony Borax Works
Explore the ruins of a 19th-century borax refinery and learn about the '20 Mule Team' wagons that transported minerals.
Show 4 more
Golden Canyon Trail — Hike — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Hike
Golden Canyon Trail
A 3-mile round-trip hike through colorful canyons leading to the striking Red Cathedral rock formation.
Devil's Golf Course — Scenic Viewpoint — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Scenic Viewpoint
Devil's Golf Course
Vast expanse of jagged salt formations, creating a surreal and otherworldly landscape.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center — Museum — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Museum
Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Offers exhibits on Death Valley's geology, history, and wildlife, along with a park film and bookstore.
Ubehebe Crater — Nature — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Nature
Ubehebe Crater
A half-mile-wide volcanic crater in the park's far north, with a rim trail overlooking colorful layered walls, a good optional day-3 target.

Where to Eat

The Inn Dining Room — Fine Dining — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Fine Dining
The Inn Dining Room
Offers upscale American cuisine with panoramic desert views, featuring seasonal ingredients and an extensive wine list.
The Last Kind Words Saloon — Steakhouse — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Steakhouse
The Last Kind Words Saloon
Rustic Western-themed steakhouse serving hearty meals, including prime cuts and classic sides, in a lively atmosphere.
The 19th Hole — Casual American — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Casual American
The 19th Hole
Relaxed eatery adjacent to the golf course, offering burgers, sandwiches, and cold drinks with scenic views.
Badwater Saloon — Bar and Grill — Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley — United States
Bar and Grill
Badwater Saloon
Casual spot serving burgers, salads, and a variety of beers, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley drive?

The Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley covers 480 km from start to finish.

How long does the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley take to drive?

Most travellers spend 3 days on the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley?

The recommended season for the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley is Oct–Apr.

Where does the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley start and end?

The Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley runs from Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells.

What are the main stops on the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley?

The Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley passes through Las Vegas, Zabriskie Point, Dante's View.

How difficult is the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley to drive?

The Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley is rated moderate and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley in a regular car?

Yes — the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley?

Plan around 0 refuels (or about 1 EV charges) along the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley, based on its 480 km length.

Is the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley safe to drive?

This is an open Las Vegas-to-Stovepipe Wells route, not a circuit. Summer temperatures routinely exceed 48°C and can disable vehicles. Carry extra water and food, check the live NPS conditions map immediately before departure, and recheck both paved-road damage and backcountry closures; several remote sites have no drinking water or mobile service.

What scenic tier is the Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley?

The Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells via Death Valley is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.