Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway is a road trip unlike any other lined with quirky alien-themed attractions. Read on for a list of places you cannot miss on this lonely stretch of desert road!
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, Nevada State Route 375 may seem like an ordinary stretch of road, but for those who believe in alien life, this is a pilgrimage site better known as the Extraterrestrial Highway!
Located in south-central Nevada, State Route 375 spans a total of 98 miles between the towns of Warm Springs and Crystal Springs and it is punctuated by desert landscapes, empty roads, and a few quirky attractions worth a visit.
We started our drive from Alamo, where we had spent the previous night and after fueling up at a station with a giant green dinosaur (I thought we were looking for aliens here!), we began the journey north along the Great Basin Highway.
This blog post is going to share some of the attractions we visited along the Extraterrestrial Highway as well as some travel tips for anyone want to do the same drive.
👽 If you want to experience the ET Highway but you don’t want to drive yourself, you can join this Full-Day tour from Las Vegas that will take you to all the alien-themed attractions!
Extraterrestrial Highway Attractions
So let’s dive right into this Nevada road trip itinerary by looking at the various Extraterrestrial Highway attractions you’ll encounter along the way! And yes, they’re all alien-themed.
ET Fresh Jerky
Our first stop on the Extraterrestrial Highway was ET Fresh Jerky.
This is a snack and restroom stop with a sense of humour. The first thing that caught my eye was the giant billboard inviting you to, “Drop your toxic waste in the cleanest restrooms in Area 51”!
Inside we found an array of alien-themed snacks, including bottles of Martian soda, but we eventually settled for a pack of mango slices coated in chilli pepper and some Teriyaki Time Travel jerky. Other flavours included Most Wanted Cowboy, Hell Hole Hot, and Buffalo Blitzkrieg.
After paying for our purchases, we chatted with the lady who runs the shop and she told us all about the international travellers she’s met. We were her first Canadians of the day, and like all guests who pass through here, we were invited to sign her wall and leave a message for aliens.
Out front, we snapped some photos by the alien-themed mural. Judging by the looks of it, aliens like to blend in as cowboys around these parts!
Address: 12600 US-93, Hiko, NV 89017
Extraterrestrial Highway Sign
Loaded with snacks to last us the drive, we continued to our next stop of the day.
If you’re driving the Extraterrestrial Highway and you want some photographic evidence to prove you’ve done so, you’ll want to plan a quick stop at the ET Highway route marker.
There are a handful of these signs scattered along the drive, but the most famous of them all is at the intersection of US-375 and US-318 on the way to the Alien Research Center.
This sign has been covered in stickers to the point where you can barely make out the word ‘Extraterrestrial’ but it’s a classic roadside attraction.
You’ll also find a nice little picnic stop underneath the trees here, where you can enjoy your spoils from ET Fresh Jerky.
Address: At the split between US-375 and US-318
Alien Research Center
From there we continued to the Alien Research Centre which is hard to miss! Just look out for an airplane hangar with a towering, silver alien out front.
Unfortunately, the Alien Research Centre and the Area 51 container right next to it, were both closed on the day we visited so we can’t really tell you what you might find or what alien stories you might hear, but we tried peeking through the glass doors and it looks to be an eccentric souvenir shop with alien-themed gifts.
The hours listed online say the Alien Research Center is closed Monday and Tuesday, and open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Address: 100 Extraterrestrial Hwy, Hiko, NV 89017
The Black Mailbox
Once upon a time, the Extraterrestrial Highway was home to a mysterious mailbox that listed the names of two recipients: one large box for local rancher Steve Medlin, and one smaller box for Alien.
Then someone went ahead and stole it!
While the original mailbox is long gone, alien enthusiasts have created a shrine of sorts where the original black mailbox once stood.
Today you’ll find a smaller black mailbox where people have stuffed letters, mementoes, and scraps of paper with home addresses…perhaps expecting an alien visit?
Other random items at the site include a folding metal chair, a farmer’s hat, beer bottles, bracelets and coins.
Some visitors have even gone as far as using pebbles to outline alien faces in the surrounding landscape.
Address: Mail Box Rd, Alamo, NV 89001
Little A’le’inn
We then hit the road again and continued towards Rachel, a tiny town whose claim to fame is the Little A’le’inn – a.k.a. the Little Alien, get it?
The establishment is part motel, part bar and part restaurant, and it draws quite a few intrepid alien seekers considering its remote location.
As is to be expected, the Little A’le’inn has some serious alien-themed decor both inside and outside.
Out front, we spotted a UFO-towing pick-up truck and a green alien welcoming earthlings, while inside we were surrounded by Area 51 warning signs and all sorts of alien-themed souvenirs.
Address: 9631 Old Mill Rd, Rachel, NV 89001
Can you visit Area 51?
Area 51 is the one destination along Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway that is strictly off-limits!
In case you’ve never heard of it (though I doubt it since this is the worst kept secret in the US!), Area 51 is a United States Air Force facility and what goes on in there is highly classified.
The base’s real purpose is publicly unknown; the general consensus is that they test experimental aircraft but there are also plenty of conspiracy theories surrounding aliens.
No one can enter the facility and there are no tours for visitors, but that doesn’t stop people from driving the 12-mile dirt road to the gates (which is as far as anyone can go).
We did not drive towards Area 51 since we knew all we’d find were signs stating that neither drones nor photography is allowed and that “use of deadly force is authorized” if anyone dares trespass, so I would suggest you save yourself the trouble.
Address: Dirt road between mile marker 11 and 12 leads to back gate
Tips for driving the ET Highway
Now some final words of advice for driving the Extraterrestrial Highway:
- Stay hydrated: The dry, hot climate can lead to dehydration quickly so always carry plenty of water.
- Fuel up: This is a road trip across rural Nevada and you can drive long distances without seeing much along the way, so fuel up at a gas stop when you see one.
- Avoid peak heat hours: I wouldn’t recommend driving the ET Highway in the summer (I think spring and autumn are better times), but if you must, try not to drive during the hottest part of the day, typically between 12 PM and 3 PM.
- Talk to the locals: They are full of stories and strange alien tales and are more than happy to share!
Plan Your Extraterrestrial Highway Adventure
Before you point your headlights toward Nevada State Route 375, it helps to set expectations: this is a lonely road dotted with a handful of delightfully odd stops and vast stretches of silence in between. That’s the charm—big skies, bigger horizons, and plenty of kitsch. We drove it as part of a longer Nevada loop, but it also works as a (long) day trip from Vegas if you’re disciplined with time.
When to Go & How Long
- Spring & fall = best overall mix of temps, light, and visibility.
- Summer = early starts, siestas, and sunset missions; bring electrolytes.
- Winter = quiet roads and brilliant skies; dress for sub-zero nights.
- Day trip works, but an overnight means stars + sunrise in the desert.
- Build a buffer hour—everything takes longer when you keep stopping for UFO selfies.
Season Cheat Sheet
| Season | Day/Night Comfort | Crowds | Best Perks | Watch Outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar–May | Mild days, cool nights | Low | Wildflowers, clear air | Wind gusts can kick up sand |
| Jun–Aug | Hot days, warm nights | Low–Med | Long daylight, Milky Way core | Extreme heat midday |
| Sep–Nov | Pleasant days, crisp nights | Low | Golden light, calm weather | Early sunsets |
| Dec–Feb | Cold days, very cold nights | Very Low | Zero light pollution feels extra magic | Black ice, short days |
Route, Driving Times & Fuel Strategy
- Fuel up before leaving US-93; don’t count on gas along 375.
- Expect spotty cell coverage; download maps offline.
- Pace yourself with micro-legs (jerky stop → sign → souvenir shop → lunch).
- Watch for open range cattle—they wander onto the road at dusk.
- Give yourself extra daylight if continuing beyond Warm Springs.
Sample Driving Legs
| Leg | Distance | Drive Time* | Stop Idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo → ET Fresh Jerky (Hiko/US-93) | ~35 mi | 35–40 min | Snacks + bathrooms |
| Hiko → ET Hwy Sign (US-375/US-318 split) | ~5 mi | 5–10 min | Sticker photo op |
| Sign → Alien Research Center (Hiko) | ~1–2 mi | 3–5 min | Souvenirs (check hours) |
| ARC → Black Mailbox site | ~25–35 min | 25–40 min | Quick shrine visit |
| Black Mailbox → Rachel / Little A’le’inn | ~20–30 min | 25–35 min | Lunch + leg stretch |
| Rachel → Warm Springs (west end) | ~60 mi | 1–1.25 hr | Long, lonely, gorgeous |
Where to Sleep & What to Eat (Beyond Jerky)
- Book lodging ahead on weekends and around desert events.
- Rachel = themed, friendly, limited rooms; book early.
- Carry a cooler with cold drinks, fruit, and salty snacks.
- Eat on a “now or wait a while” schedule—kitchens close early.
- Coffee lovers: stash an aero-press or grab a thermos in Alamo.
Overnight Bases
| Base | Vibe | Food Nearby | Good For | Booking Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo / Ash Springs | Small-town, convenient | Gas, diner basics | Late arrival, early start | Same-day is possible midweek |
| Rachel | Quirky, themed, tiny | Little A’le’inn | Full ET immersion | Reserve well in advance |
| Tonopah (west) | Historic mining town | More options | Longer loop | Combine with starry night at the Clown free sky… if you dare |
Easy Itinerary You Can Consider
If you’re short on time, treat the ET Highway like a string of pearls: drive, stop, snack, repeat. If you’ve got an overnight, slow it down and make darkness the main event. We’ve built both versions so you can pick your pace and go.
- One-Day Hit: Las Vegas → Alamo → ET Jerky → ET Sign → Alien Research Center → Black Mailbox → Little A’le’inn lunch → Backtrack to US-93 → Vegas.
- Overnighter: Base in Alamo or Rachel, catch sunset + Milky Way, sleep, sunrise photos on 375, leisurely return.
- Start early to own the road; finish before wildlife hour.
- Build in 20–30 minutes per stop—photos + browsing add up.
- Keep a snack cadence: small bites = steady energy.
- Sample Timetable
| Stop | One-Day (from Las Vegas) | Overnighter |
|---|---|---|
| Depart Las Vegas | 07:00 | Day 1 – 10:00 |
| Fuel & coffee (Alamo) | 09:00 | 12:00 |
| ET Fresh Jerky | 09:45 | 12:45 |
| ET Highway Sign + ARC | 10:15–11:00 | 13:15–14:00 |
| Black Mailbox | 11:40 | 14:40 |
| Little A’le’inn (lunch) | 12:30–13:30 | 15:30 (early dinner) |
| Sunset/stargazing | — (head back) | 19:30–22:00 |
| Sleep | Vegas by ~18:30–19:30 | Rachel/Alamo |
| Sunrise photos | — | Day 2 – 06:00 |
| Leisurely return | — | 10:00–13:00 |
Final thoughts on driving the ET Highway
That concludes our little adventure along the Extraterrestrial Highway!
This is hands down the quirkiest and one of the most memorable road trips Sam and I have ever been on, and we had so much fun experiencing a side of Nevada that we didn’t know existed.
If you enjoy going off the beaten path and exploring quirky attractions, this road trip definitely fits the bill!
You can technically do this on a day trip from Las Vegas since it’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes to the starting point of this drive, but we were happy to tack it on as part of a bigger Nevada road trip.
Read more about Nevada:
- 5 Nevada Nature Escapes
- Visiting Valley of Fire
- Driving Luxury Cars in Nevada
- Las Vegas 3-Day Weekend Itinerary
This post is a result of the Nevada blog trip created and managed by iambassador in partnership with Expedia and TravelNevada. As always, I maintain full editorial control of the content published here.
So many extraterrestrial things on that highway 🙂 Area 51 is so mysterious no one knows what secrets are kept there… Thanks for sharing that journey with us.
Funny article on the “extraterrestrial highway”. This road trip is completely off the beaten path and atypical. Thanks for sharing!
We almost ran out of gas on this highway. If you go, fill up first. Oh and watch out for the free range cattle. If you accidently hit one you have to not only pay to fix your car but also pay for the cow!