Death Valley sits about 120–140 miles from Las Vegas, and the drive to Furnace Creek usually takes 2–2.5 hours by car.
How Far Is Death Valley From Las Vegas? Quick Distance Overview
Most visitors asking how far is death valley from las vegas? are thinking about the drive to Furnace Creek, the main visitor hub of Death Valley National Park.
From the Las Vegas Strip to Furnace Creek, the distance ranges from roughly 120 to 145 miles, depending on which highway you choose and where in the city you start.
For a typical trip, plan on 2 to 2.5 hours of driving each way. That puts Death Valley within comfortable day trip range, as long as you start early and respect the heat and daylight hours.
Once you cross the Nevada–California state line, the straight desert highways and wide basins make the distance feel shorter than the number on the odometer.
The table below sums up the main driving options from Las Vegas to popular Death Valley spots so you can compare distances and times at a glance.
| Route And Destination | Approximate Distance From Las Vegas | Typical One-Way Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| NV-160 & CA-190 To Furnace Creek Visitor Center | 120–125 miles | 2–2.25 hours |
| US-95 & NV-373 Via Amargosa Valley To Furnace Creek | 140–145 miles | 2.5–3 hours |
| NV-160 To Pahrump, Then CA-178 To Shoshone Entrance | 115–130 miles | 2–2.5 hours |
| Furnace Creek To Badwater Basin (After Reaching The Park) | 17 miles | 25–35 minutes |
| Furnace Creek To Zabriskie Point | 7 miles | 10–15 minutes |
| Furnace Creek To Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (Near Stovepipe Wells) | 24 miles | 30–40 minutes |
| Furnace Creek To Dante’s View Overlook | 26 miles | 45–60 minutes |
In short, the raw distance from Las Vegas to the park is not huge, yet the side trips between viewpoints add plenty of extra miles.
If you want time for photos and short walks, build those extra miles into your day.
Main Driving Routes And What To Expect
Once you know how far is death valley from las vegas?, the next step is choosing the route that fits your timing and style.
Two main corridors connect the city and the park: NV-160 through Pahrump and US-95 through Amargosa Valley.
Both are fully paved and fine for standard rental cars in normal conditions.
NV-160 And CA-190 Via Pahrump
This route leaves Las Vegas on NV-160, climbs over the Spring Mountains, drops into Pahrump, then continues on CA-190 into the heart of Death Valley.
Many travelers pick it because it feels direct and has services at Pahrump for fuel, snacks, and restrooms.
From the Strip area, you can expect roughly 120 miles to Furnace Creek with a drive time just over two hours in light traffic.
Once you pass Pahrump, services thin out, so top up the tank and water there if you plan a long day in the park.
US-95 And NV-373 Via Amargosa Valley
The northern route follows US-95 out of Las Vegas, then cuts south at Amargosa Valley on NV-373 before joining CA-127 and CA-190 into Death Valley.
This line on the map adds a little more distance, around 140 to 145 miles in total, yet it gives a different set of desert views and access to Beatty or Rhyolite ghost town with small detours.
Driving time usually sits around 2.5 to 3 hours one way.
It suits travelers staying on the north side of Las Vegas or anyone linking Death Valley with Nevada desert sights along US-95.
Southern Access Via Shoshone
Another option uses NV-160 to Pahrump, then CA-178 through Shoshone and along the southern edge of the park.
The distance is similar to the Pahrump–CA-190 route, though the feel of the drive changes as you pass through smaller desert towns and broad open valleys.
This line works best if you are looping through other California desert stops or heading toward the southern part of Death Valley near Badwater Basin first.
Driving Conditions And Road Checks
These highways are simple to drive in dry weather, with long straight stretches and gentle grades.
Heavy rain can wash debris onto the road or close certain sections, and summer heat puts extra stress on vehicles and drivers.
Short daylight hours in winter mean part of your drive may be in the dark.
Before you leave Las Vegas, check the official
Death Valley National Park driving directions and road alerts.
The park updates this page with closures, construction, and any access changes that might affect your route.
Mobile data can drop in the more remote sections, so download offline maps or carry written directions once you leave the metro area.
Keep a close eye on the fuel gauge; driving distances inside the park add up, and gas stations are limited.
Is Death Valley A Day Trip From Las Vegas?
With a 2–2.5 hour drive each way, Death Valley fits into a long day trip from Las Vegas for many visitors.
You can leave the Strip just after sunrise, reach Furnace Creek by midmorning, see a handful of headline spots, and return to the city in the evening.
A realistic one-day loop might include Zabriskie Point, Furnace Creek, Badwater Basin, and Artist’s Drive.
That keeps you mainly near the central part of the park, limits backtracking, and still leaves time for lunch and short walks.
If you want to add Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes or Dante’s View, expect more miles and a later return.
When An Overnight Stay Works Better
If you love lingering at viewpoints, photography, or stargazing, a night in or near Death Valley makes the distance from Las Vegas feel far more relaxed.
With two days, you can cover the central highlights on day one and then branch out to dunes, canyons, or high viewpoints on day two without rushing from place to place.
Overnight stays also help in summer when midday heat makes long walks risky.
You can drive from Las Vegas in the early morning, rest during the hottest hours, then return to short sunset stops once the sun drops lower in the sky.
Best Time Of Year For The Drive
Distance alone does not define how far Death Valley feels from Las Vegas.
Season, daylight, and temperature change the character of the trip more than a few extra miles on the odometer.
Spring And Autumn
Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant mix of daytime warmth and cooler nights.
Roads are usually clear, and you have plenty of daylight hours to cover the drive from Las Vegas and still see several viewpoints in the park.
Occasional storms roll through, so always check road updates before setting off.
Winter
Winter brings cooler air and mild daytime temperatures on the valley floor.
The drive distance stays the same, yet short days mean you should plan your route carefully if you want to avoid driving mountain stretches in the dark.
Early starts from the city and punctual departures from the park keep the trip comfortable.
Summer Heat
Summer is when the miles from Las Vegas to Death Valley feel longest.
Temperatures in the park often climb well above 110°F, and the dry desert air drains water from your body faster than many visitors expect.
Before planning a summer drive, read the park’s
official heat and safety guidance.
Rangers strongly discourage low-elevation hiking after midmorning and stress the need for large amounts of drinking water and frequent shade breaks.
In very hot spells, you may decide that the distance from Las Vegas is better tackled in a guided tour coach with air conditioning and an experienced driver rather than in your own rental car.
Practical Tips For The Las Vegas To Death Valley Drive
Knowing how far Death Valley is from Las Vegas, and how long the drive takes, is only part of planning.
A few simple habits make the trip smoother and far more pleasant, no matter which route you choose.
Fuel, Food, And Water
- Fill the tank in Las Vegas and top up again in Pahrump, Beatty, or Amargosa Valley, depending on your route.
- Carry several liters of water per person in the car, not just small bottles for short sips.
- Pack salty snacks and a proper meal, since food options inside the park are limited and may close early.
These basics add almost no time to the overall distance from Las Vegas yet greatly reduce stress once you are out on long stretches of highway with little traffic.
Car Readiness And Navigation
- Check tire pressure in the city, as hot desert pavement puts extra strain on worn tires.
- Bring a physical map or downloaded offline maps in case your phone loses signal between towns.
- Keep an eye on the thermometer and engine gauges; if anything looks off, slow down and find a safe place to stop.
Sample Itineraries By Distance
The sample plans below show how far you might drive in a day when starting and ending in Las Vegas.
These distances are approximate, yet they give a helpful sense of what you can fit into one trip.
| Trip Style | Approximate Total Driving Distance | Suggested Time In The Park |
|---|---|---|
| Central Highlights Day Trip (Zabriskie, Furnace Creek, Badwater) | 320–340 miles | 6–8 hours |
| Central Highlights Plus Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes | 360–380 miles | 7–9 hours |
| Overnight Trip With Two Half Days In The Park | 260–320 miles spread over two days | 12–16 hours |
| Photography-Focused Visit With Sunset And Sunrise Stops | 280–340 miles spread over two days | 14–18 hours |
Timing Your Departure From Las Vegas
For a day trip, leaving Las Vegas between 5:30 and 7:00 a.m. works well.
You beat most city traffic, arrive in Death Valley while the air is still relatively cool, and have hours of daylight for short walks and scenic drives inside the park.
When you plan the return, back your timing off sunset by at least an hour so you have daylight on the more remote stretches of highway.
That way, the distance between Death Valley and Las Vegas feels calm and unrushed at the end of a full day.