Safe route through Death Valley to Vegas?

I will be driving through death Valley the last week of July.

I will be leaving Ridgecrest, CA at 4-5am, stopping for a few pictures at the most easily accessible spots, and then carrying on to Las Vegas.

Google Maps gives me two comparable routes. One stays on highway 190 all the way through death valley, through Beatty junction. The other takes Daylight pass.

I understand it is very hot this time of the year and want to consider safety in the event of a breakdown (even though my car is in fine working order).

Which route is the road more travelled?
Is there considerable elevation change in either route? It seems like this may be the case for Daylight Pass road. The more up and down, the harder I suspect my engine would work.

Also I would ask which road is more scenic, but apparently there is no room for opinions on this site.

Thanks for any advice!

Best Answer

I drove through Death Valley in August some years ago (1996!) in a modern (for the time) rental car. We had no problems although we did see some other cars that had broken down.

If you like desert scenery I would strongly recommend that you make the journey via Death Valley, even detouring to see Dantes View. We did this and it was well worth seeing.

While you're in the area and if you can make the time I would also strongly recommend checking out Badwater.

Pictures about "Safe route through Death Valley to Vegas?"

Safe route through Death Valley to Vegas? - Snowy road and river in valley among mountains in winter

Safe route through Death Valley to Vegas? - Empty road going through prairie to mountains viewed from car in countryside travel through Mongolia

Safe route through Death Valley to Vegas? - Through glass of empty asphalt road going through valley with mountain slopes against foggy sky

Do you go through Death Valley to get to Vegas?

Located approximately 130 miles from Las Vegas, Death Valley is only about a 2 hour drive from the Strip.

Is it safe to drive through Death Valley?

Is it safe to visit Death Valley in the summer? Yes, but you must be prepared and use common sense. With an air conditioned vehicle you can safely tour many of the main sites in Death Valley. Stay on paved roads in summer, and if your car breaks down, stay with it until help arrives.

Is there a highway through Death Valley?

California Highway 190 crosses Death Valley National Park west to east. This road covers a wide range of elevations and conditions along the way, with speeds as high as 65 miles per hour, the highest in any national park. We cover this road in two sections.

What route goes through Death Valley?

SR 190 is a National Scenic Byway known as the Death Valley Scenic Byway.

Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park Complete Scenic Drive 4K | Las Vegas to California

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