Las Vegas sits about 120 miles from Death Valley, a 2–2.5 hour desert drive that varies with route, traffic, and your stops.
Las Vegas To Death Valley Distance And Drive Time
If you have ever typed “how far is las vegas from death valley?” into a search bar, you are mostly asking about the distance between Las Vegas and Furnace Creek, the main hub inside the park. For most travelers, that drive is about 120 miles one way and takes around two to two and a half hours in normal conditions.
The exact Las Vegas to Death Valley distance depends on where you start in the city and which highway you choose. Most visitors either follow NV-160 through Pahrump and then local roads into the park, or head north on US-95 and cut down toward Death Valley Junction. Both routes are paved and scenic, but they differ slightly in mileage, time, and services along the way.
The table below gives a quick side-by-side summary of typical distances and drive times from the Las Vegas Strip area to popular entry points and areas near the middle of the park. Use it as a starting point when you sketch your day trip or decide whether you prefer a one-day visit or an overnight stay.
| Route Or Destination | Approx. One-Way Distance | Typical Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Strip To Furnace Creek (Via NV-160 & CA-190) | ~120 miles / 190 km | 2–2.5 hours |
| Las Vegas Strip To Furnace Creek (Via US-95 & NV-373) | ~145 miles / 233 km | 2.5–3 hours |
| Las Vegas Strip To Death Valley Junction | ~130 miles / 209 km | 2.25–2.75 hours |
| Harry Reid International Airport To Furnace Creek | ~125 miles / 201 km | 2–2.5 hours |
| Downtown Las Vegas To Furnace Creek | ~130 miles / 209 km | 2.25–2.75 hours |
| Las Vegas Strip To Badwater Basin | ~135 miles / 217 km | 2.5–3 hours |
| Las Vegas Strip To Dante’s View | ~135 miles / 217 km | 2.5–3 hours |
How Far Is Las Vegas From Death Valley? Distance By Route
On paper the drive looks simple, yet the answer to that distance question shifts slightly with each route. Here is how the main options compare when you break them down step by step.
Route Via Pahrump And Death Valley Junction (NV-160 And CA-190)
Most visitors choose the Pahrump route because it feels direct and puts you on desert highways soon after leaving the Strip. From the south or west side of Las Vegas, you follow I-15 briefly, then take NV-160 past the Red Rock area and over Mountain Springs Summit toward Pahrump. After a fuel or snack stop in town, you can continue on Bell Vista Avenue, which becomes State Line Road and then meets CA-190 near Death Valley Junction.
From Death Valley Junction, CA-190 leads straight into the park and down to Furnace Creek. In total, this route lands close to 120 miles one way to the visitor center, with drive times that usually sit in the 2–2.5 hour range when traffic is light and weather is calm.
Route Via US-95 And NV-373 Through Amargosa Valley
The US-95 and NV-373 combination suits travelers who start on the north side of Las Vegas or who want a straightforward highway run. From central Las Vegas you follow US-95 north, then turn left on NV-373, which becomes CA-127 at the state line. A short distance later, a right turn on CA-190 brings you into the park and down toward Furnace Creek.
The National Park Service lists this route at about 145 miles one way and around two and a half hours of drive time to the visitor center when conditions are normal. It adds a little distance compared with the Pahrump drive, yet some drivers prefer steady highway speeds and gentler grades.
Route Via US-95 And Beatty (Ghost Town Option)
For travelers with extra time and an interest in old mining towns, a third option heads north on US-95 past Amargosa Valley and then west on NV-374 through Beatty. This loop comes in at around 160 miles one way to Furnace Creek and usually takes about three hours, yet it adds a glimpse of a classic Nevada desert town and access to Rhyolite ghost town before you drop into the valley.
Planning Your Las Vegas To Death Valley Day Trip
Once you know the Las Vegas to Death Valley distance, the next step is to decide how to fit the drive into your day. Because the desert heats up fast, many visitors leave Las Vegas around sunrise, reach Furnace Creek by mid-morning, then spend the hottest hours of the day driving scenic overlooks or relaxing in shaded areas instead of hiking hard trails.
The season shapes your plan. From late spring through early autumn, daylight runs long but daytime temperatures soar, so an early start and short walks near your car usually work best. During the cooler months, you can afford a slightly later departure and schedule more hikes, yet you still want to watch daylight, since driving back to Las Vegas in the dark can feel tiring after a full day outside.
Before you leave the city, check current road and weather conditions. Death Valley can see flash flooding that washes out pavement or closes major roads for long stretches, which changes how far you can drive in a day and which stops you can reach. The Death Valley National Park safety advice page includes current alerts, seasonal advice, and reminders about heat, flooding, and remote driving.
It also helps to study the park map and the official routes from Las Vegas diagram before you drive. That way you know where fuel, food, and visitor centers sit along your chosen path, and you can build in time for photo stops without cutting your day short.
Driving Conditions And Safety On The Way To Death Valley
The mileage between Las Vegas and Death Valley might not sound long, yet the terrain makes the drive feel remote. Once you pass the last suburbs outside Las Vegas, services thin out quickly. Expect long stretches with no cell signal, limited fuel options, and few shaded places to rest. Plan for this ahead of time so the distance feels comfortable instead of stressful.
Fill your tank in Las Vegas or Pahrump, carry extra water for everyone in the car, and bring snacks or a light meal. Heat inside the car can spike fast when you stop, even during shoulder seasons, so drinks and sun protection matter as much as your odometer reading. When you reach the park, follow posted speed limits and any temporary restrictions, since recent storms can leave debris, potholes, or washed-out shoulders along the road.
During peak heat, park rangers often advise visitors to keep longer hikes for early morning or late afternoon and to stay near their vehicles during the middle of the day. If your main question started with that distance query, it helps to add another one: how prepared is your vehicle and your group for a remote desert drive. A little planning turns those two hours on the road into a pleasant part of the trip, not just a commute between sights.
Distances Inside Death Valley Once You Arrive
The Las Vegas to Death Valley distance only tells half the story. Once you roll past the park entrance sign, the valley opens up and the distances between scenic stops start to matter just as much as the miles you drove from Nevada. The main hub at Furnace Creek sits near the middle of many classic viewpoints, yet each one still requires a short drive.
From Furnace Creek, Badwater Basin lies about 17–18 miles to the south along Badwater Road, while Zabriskie Point sits roughly 5–6 miles to the east along CA-190. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are around 22–24 miles northwest of Furnace Creek, and the spur road to Dante’s View branches off CA-190 a bit farther south, climbing to a high overlook more than 20 miles from the visitor center. These stretches add up, so plan time for them when you decide how far you want to push your day.
The table below gives a simple snapshot of driving distances from Furnace Creek to a few of the most popular spots, along with the usual time you spend behind the wheel for each link.
| From Furnace Creek To | Approx. One-Way Distance | Typical Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Badwater Basin | ~17–18 miles / 27–29 km | 25–35 minutes |
| Zabriskie Point | ~5–6 miles / 8–10 km | 10–15 minutes |
| Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes | ~22–24 miles / 35–39 km | 30–35 minutes |
| Dante’s View Parking Area | ~24–25 miles / 39–40 km | 35–45 minutes |
| Artist Drive Turnoff | ~10 miles / 16 km | 15–20 minutes |
| Golden Canyon Trailhead | ~4 miles / 6 km | 5–10 minutes |
| Stovepipe Wells Village | ~24–25 miles / 39–40 km | 30–40 minutes |
These short hops make it easy to string several scenic stops together in one day. A common loop starts at Furnace Creek, heads south to Badwater Basin with side stops at Natural Bridge and Artist Drive, then swings back past Golden Canyon and Zabriskie Point. Another popular pattern sends you northwest to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Stovepipe Wells in the morning before returning toward Furnace Creek for sunset at Dante’s View or Zabriskie Point.
Final Tips For Your Las Vegas And Death Valley Trip
For many travelers, the real sweet spot sits in the mix: start early, treat the two to three hour drive as part of the adventure, and leave room for slow photo stops and rest breaks. The question “how far is las vegas from death valley?” then turns from a simple distance check into an easy way to frame a relaxed desert day. You end the day tired, sun-kissed, and glad you made time for the drive out there.