How to Plan an Extraterrestrial Highway Road Trip

We didn’t plan on tackling an Extraterrestrial Highway road trip in our nomadic adventures. It only came up because we were traveling across central Nevada anyway. 

Add an interest in all things weird and wonderful and we decided that driving a few extra miles to see the hub of alien activity in the United States sounded pretty great.

Are you ready for one of the strangest drives ever? This guide gets into everything we saw on our trip, tips for not getting abducted out there, and bonus ideas for side trips while you’re here.

What is the Extraterrestrial Highway?

The Extraterrestrial Highway is the alien trip-themed moniker for Nevada State Route 375. It runs from Hiko to Warm Springs, a former town in the Tonopah Basin. (I hear real estate is super cheap out here!)

The most natural starting point is Las Vegas and Harry Reid International Airport if you’re flying. I’m not sure I’d fly into Vegas to make this happen, even if it is the best alien road trip out there, but it can be a fun addition to your Vegas vacation.

The full highway itself is just a little over 98 miles. That’s a pretty breezy road trip that you can polish off in a day starting from Las Vegas. I’ll include some additional fun stops within a short drive in case you want a little more adventure in the desert.

How close can you get to Area 51?

You cannot get very close to Area 51, the super secret military facility that sits within the Nevada Test and Training Range. Restricted airspace above the facility covers about 575 square miles, so don’t think you’re bringing our drone anywhere near this thing, either.

You’re not going to find directions to Area 51 as part of this itinerary. It involves traveling an unpaved road in the desert just to see the outside of a gate manned by military personnel who don’t want you anywhere near the base. 

I’ve also read some sketchy stories about people getting too close to the gates and encountering angry guards with guns drawn as a result. I don’t want that for you or on my own conscience.

As far as what actually goes on in there, the United States Air Force says it’s a testing facility. The general assumption is that this is where they test experimental aircraft and weapons systems, but things are kept very under wraps for national security reasons.

That level of secrecy makes the place a popular target for conspiracy theories about the existence of UFOs and UFO sightings. 

Fun fact: The word UFO means any unidentified flying object that we haven’t figured out just yet. It doesn’t have to mean aliens or other life among us. 

Our Extraterrestrial Highway Road Trip Itinerary

This Extraterrestrial Highway road trip itinerary starts in Las Vegas. 

You’ll want to keep the gas tank at about half a tank or more for the purposes of your desert travel. You’ll have some long stretches of driving where it’s just you and the brothels. Ash Springs and Alamo are both decent gas stops.

Note: We did see some signage announcing a few new planned gas stations along the way, but I’m all about road trip preparedness. 

Stop 1: E.T. Fresh Jerky

This gift shop and fresh jerky stop in Hiko is alien-themed, naturally. The decor inside is very fun, although I’m not sure I needed the Donald Trump alien. Do I need to see that guy everywhere?

I spent about $50 on three types of jerky, some pistachio nuts, and chili-dried mango because I love those snacks. Road trip snacks are always a great idea, especially if you’re not sure how long you’ll spend at each stop. 

There’s some great scenery outside, too, including a giant saucer that makes for a great photo backdrop. You won’t have many disturbances on the “skyline” here. The closest next town is Crystal Springs, and that one is a ghost town.

We had to try their whisky BBQ beef jerky immediately, so tore into that bag as soon as we got back to the car. While we snacked, a couple brought out a bucket and a shovel in the parking lot and started placing dirt into those buckets.

Then we heard a loud boom in the distance, looked at each other like, “What was THAT?!?” and went on our merry way to the next stop. It was only going to get weirder from here. 

Stop 2: Alien Research Center 

This stop was closed on our visit, so we missed out on their Alien Tequila. The posted signage claimed they were open, but alas. If you’re luckier than we were, pass by the giant metal alien outside to check out the souvenirs inside. 

Then let me know what you think of the tequila if you make it happen.

Stop 3: The Black Mailbox

This latest version of old-school communication with the folks above isn’t the original mailbox, but it remains a popular gathering spot for true believers. 

Apparently, if space aliens came down to visit they’d be treated to Pop-Tarts, tiny Rugrats figurines, garbage, car titles, candy wrappers, Jack in the Box, and some more garbage. The box sits at the intersection of State Route 375 and Mail Box Road. 

There isn’t any parking here, but you’ll see a turnout where you can pull over and check the thing out. 

Stop 4: Extraterrestrial Highway Sign

On the way to Rachel, you’ll pass by one of the signs welcoming you to the Extraterrestrial Highway. This is the one with all of the stickers plastered all over it.

We were driving north from the direction of Vegas and nearly missed it, so keep your eyes on the prize along this stretch.

Stop 5: Rachel

The next few stops are centered around Rachel, a town that holds most of the lore surrounding UFO activity in Nevada. If there’s an alien town in Nevada, it’s this one.

Fun fact: Rachel is about as close as you’re going to get to Area 51 if you’re looking for the nearest town. Several unpaved roads from here lead to the boundary of the secret base. I’ll say it one more time, though. You should not attempt to visit Area 51.

The town of Rachel was founded as Tempiute Village in 1973. It was then renamed Sand Spring, then renamed again as Rachel in 1978 after the first baby was born here. Sadly, the baby died just two years later. 

The population here hovers around 50 permanent residents. Most of those folks are ranchers, but some cater to the curious travelers who want to get as close as they can to Area 51 from Las Vegas. 

Back in 2019, the town was a popular wild camping destination for people interested in the Area 51 Raid. The raid never materialized, but it did lead to the largest influx of people in Rachel ever recorded.

Stop 6: Alien Cowpoke Gas & General Store

This random spot in Rachel is a good place to stock up on water and gas if the pumps are working. There’s a creepy car with aliens and maybe dead bodies inside. There isn’t much else to do here as the gift shop is pretty sparse. Use the facilities if you need ‘em.

Stop 7: Little A’Le’Inn 

This inn and eatery is your best bet for overnight accommodations and food at the center of it all.

We had Kimmy with us so we didn’t try their World Famous Alien Burger, but they have a full menu of simple comfort foods on top of that for you to indulge in if you’re hungry.

The motel-style accommodations are probably priced a little high for the amenities, but feel a bit more reasonable when you consider where you are. You’re not going to see any other hotels that are this close to the action.

Even if you don’t eat or stay here, the inn is worth a stop. Read the posted signage about military activity in the area and snap photos of a truck that looked like it had suffered its own abduction. Visit the time capsule.

The time capsule was given to the town by the producers of the movie Independence Day. It’s not to be opened until 2050. I imagine the town will do it up for the occasion.

Stop 8: Extraterrestrial Highway Sign #2 

You’ll pass by a few fancy cow signs that make it appear as if you should watch for dancing cows on your way to the endpoint of the ET Highway. The cows do get into the road, by the way, so don’t be zooming around like a maniac just in case.

This is the second Extraterrestrial Highway sign location from the other direction. You can turn around here and head back to Las Vegas or keep the good times going with more unique Nevada attractions.

Fun Stops Near the Extraterrestrial Highway

Travel a short distance in either direction off Nevada 375 and you’ll find quite a few more gems that could make for fun add-ons to your alien Nevada adventure. Stop here if you really can’t stand clowns because it’s going to get real.

Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark

We didn’t make it to this one because it seemed like it would have taken quite a bit of time to get there and back.

The Lunar Crater and Lunar Crater Backcountry Byway are accessed by a 24-mile dirt road. High-clearance vehicles are recommended if you have the time and energy for the hike.

Once you get to the crater, it may feel like you’re on another planet. Scientists believe the 400-acre crater is the result of several volcanic explosions. Its topography is close enough to that of the moon that NASA has used the crater to train Apollo astronauts.

This backcountry is full of unique landscapes like lava beds and extinct volcanoes outside of the Lunar Crater. It’s all free to visit if you have the right ride. 

READ MORE: Love a funky landscape? The Bonneville Salt Flats fit the bill.

Tonopah

Head west along U.S. Route 6 for Tonopah, home to its own oddities and notes of intrigue. Las Vegas to Tonopah is a little over three hours’ worth of driving, just in case you’d like to break your road trip up a bit.

The town used to go by the nickname the Queen of the Silver Camps because of how productive it was in silver mining terms.

Learn about all of that at the Tonopah Historic Mining Park if you’d like.

More intriguingly, the town is known for its quirky accommodations that promise an especially good time for ghost hunters. I’ll get into the even creepier one in a second, but the popular option in central Tonopah is the Mizpah Hotel.

The hotel opened in 1907 during the town’s silver boom. At that time, it was the tallest building in the state. It quickly developed a reputation for generally no-good behavior that included prostitution, assaults, and murder.

The most famous case is that of the “Lady in Red.” She was a prostitute murdered by an ex-lover in a fit of jealous rage in what became a series of rooms. Room 504 is the official Lady in Red-themed room, but both 502 and 503 were part of the original crime scene.

Despite a big renovation effort in 2011, the hotel retains its reputation as one of the spookiest places in the United States. From the view of the red velvet in the room above, they seem to play it up quite a bit, too.

If you’d like to try your luck while you’re in town, pop by the Mizpah Club Casino. It’s adjacent to the hotel, so you can get your gambling on before you get your haunting on.

Note: If you do end up staying here overnight, Tonopah has some of the darkest skies in the country. Apart from UFO spotting, it’s a great place for stargazing, too.

The World Famous Clown Motel

I mentioned an even creepier option for accommodations in Tonopah, so let’s just get it over with.

The World Famous Clown Motel describes itself as the scariest motel in America. It definitely looked a little murdery on our visit to the parking lot alone. Heck if I was staying there after seeing the clowns out front.

The motel sits next to the Tonopah Cemetery, so it’s already set up to freak people out before you get to the clowns. Apparently, a group of miners who died in a mine fire in 1911 haunts the motel when they’re not relaxing in their graves next door.

If you don’t have an issue with clowns, you may be into the decor here. This place has the largest private collection of clown figurines and clown-themed merchandise anywhere. The stuff is in the lobby and in each room.

You’ve been warned.

Goldfield

Watch for Joshua trees on either side of the road as you approach your next quirky desert destination: Goldfield, Nevada. This former boomtown was named as such because of the gold discovered here between 1903 and 1940.

Today, it’s described as a “living ghost town” for its dwindling but stubborn population.

I was definitely getting some Burning Man vibes from our time there thanks to the junkyard treasures found throughout town.

Rocket Bob’s Art Cars

Rocket Bob’s Art Cars, also known as the Goldfield Art Car Park Gallery, is a collection of old cars turned into art thanks to the addition of this, that, and the other thing. I really don’t know how else to describe them.

Speaking of those Burning Man vibes, the cars here are frequent participants in the desert festival. They’re a good taste of what you’ll get on a larger scale at your next stop.

International Car Forest of the Last Church

This open-air car gallery is here thanks to Mark Rippie, a longtime Goldfield resident who wanted to build the world’s largest car forest. With the help of a few artistic friends, the result was more than 40 vehicles tails up in the desert.

There’s some off-roading required once you’re in there, or you can park by the small visitor center and hoof it to get a better view of each piece of car art.

There was nobody there when we visited, but it seemed like tagging was definitely tolerated. Just don’t go inside any of the vehicles, especially if you’re not up to date on all of your shots.

This place reminded me of the Route 66 cars at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, just more chaotic.

Rhyolite

The ghost town of Rhyolite is another example of a boom gone bust. Up to 5,000 people lived here at the height of the gold rush in the region. Today, all that’s left are ruins of the old buildings, including the railroad depot.

Take your time here. This atmospheric place is one of the most photographed ghost towns in the United States.

Goldwell Open Air Museum

Nearby Beatty is also worth your time for the Goldwell Open Air Museum. This outdoor sculpture park is weird but wonderful. The various installations remind you that you’re surrounded by places that are a shadow of what they were in their heyday.

Death Valley National Park

I love fitting national park travel in wherever I am, and alien road trips are no exception. The easiest national park to reach on this itinerary is Death Valley National Park, just under two hours west of Las Vegas.

I have a detailed guide to the best Death Valley hikes and viewpoints for your planning purposes, but if you have limited time, don’t miss out on Zabriskie Point.

You’ll get to see the park’s most vibrant colors here up against the Panamint Range.

READ MORE: Love a good national park? Nevada’s Zion is one of our favorites.

When to Take an ET Highway Road Trip

You can drive the ET Highway whenever you’d like, but I’d avoid summer due to the heat. This is the desert, after all.

If you’re here for UFO activity, the best time of year to visit the Extraterrestrial Highway for UFO sightings is late summer and early fall. Those are generally the best times for stargazing in the region.

You generally want clear, dark nights with minimal light pollution to see stars, so the same is likely true for everything else.

Is it safe to travel the Extraterrestrial Highway at night?

It’s safe to visit the Extraterrestrial Highway at night as long as you’re prepared for driving in the desert in the dark. This part of the state is remote and lacks services, so a full tank of gas is a must.

Cell service can be spotty depending on your carrier, so have your maps downloaded. Watch for wildlife. Respect private property and restricted areas, especially as you get closer to Area 51.

If any of that makes you feel nervous, skip the night drives and ride the highway in the daytime, instead.

If you love a quirky road trip, this one is for you.

What this road trip lacks in total distance is made up for with quirky stops that will delight any UFO enthusiast.

Just because we didn’t see anything weird grace the skies during our road trip doesn’t mean you’ll have the same experience, by the way. The truth is out there!

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