Interstate 80 Road Trip, Stage 2: Nevada

Casino in Elko, NV Photo By Sarah Murray @ Flickr.com CC BY-SA 2.0

Elko is the largest town between Reno and Salt Lake City, and chances are it is the only one along the way with a casino that has a replica polar bear mounted to it. The Commercial Casino keeps the real 10′ 4″ polar bear, named White King, in the coffee shop and he has been greeting gamblers in Elko since the Eisenhower administration. He is alleged to be the world’s largest polar bear ever successfully hunted.

Another Elko claim-to-fame is that it is the home to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering which is a celebration of the American West and the cowboy way of life. Dead polar bears and poetry slams by Marlboro men make Elko a must-visit on I-80. You certainly won’t see that in San Francisco or New York.

Driving Tips:  When you’re traveling along the lonely Nevada highways at night, there are very few cars on the road. So if your night vision is poor, keep it slow and if possible keep a semi-truck in sight as the tail lights will help guide you. Keep a respectable distance so as not to tick off the truck driver by tailgating.

The weather is often volatile in the high desert plateaus, so make sure you pack some emergency supplies and versatile clothing in case of a breakdown. The winds can be ferocious and can jerk the wheel, especially when passing a semi. Keep two hands on at all times.

Wells, NV

Wells is the last outpost before you reach Wendover, which straddles the Nevada/Utah border. Wells was devastated by a 6.0 earthquake in 2008 and has been trying to rebuild since. Governmental help has apparently been insufficient and the residents have thus far resisted attempts by private vultures – um, I mean financiers – to offer assistance at the price of turning over title to their properties.

I’ve always found the hardy folks of Wells to be some of the nicest around. Before the final segment of the drive through Nevada, I frequently stop here to stretch my legs and chat with some of the locals while downing a burger or fueling up.

Wells also boasts some of the darkest night skies on Earth, which is ideal if you’re an amateur star gazer like myself.

Downtown Wells After Earthquake, Photo By Ken Lund @Flickr.com CC BY-SA 2.0

You will leave Nevada in a similar way you entered it: being greeted by the bright neon lights of a border gambling town. West Wendover is essentially Reno Lite, except it’s residents of Utah instead of Californians who come to satisfy the itch and you are now officially in Mountain Standard Time.

Wendover, NV Photo By Jason Riedy @ Flickr.com CC BY 2.0

Wendover is in actuality two cities and two states and have thus far resisted unification. West Wendover is on the Nevada side of the border and just plain Wendover is on the Utah side. No need to wonder where the border is; when the casinos disappear you’re in Utah. If you’re still not sure, Wendover Will here on the left is a good indicator.

There is a nearby Army base and as the soldiers get time off duty, you will often see them in town. One of my more surreal moments in Wendover was being in line at a McDonald’s, standing behind two dozen hungry soldiers in uniform, all armed to the teeth. Cutting in line wasn’t really an option for me.

The longest stretch of highway road in America without services awaits upon departing Wendover. Stopping here for gas, food and lodging is a necessity. On my first Interstate 80 road trip experience, I foolishly passed up Wendover and headed into the Bonneville Salt Flats area at night and already exhausted. The entirely straight and featureless night drive has a hallucinating effect and I still wonder how I made it through without falling asleep. There is a Rainbow Casino Hotel and a Peppermill in town that have reasonable rates. Rest up. The Salt Flats are nearly a world wonder and should be experienced during daylight.

Bonneville Salt Flats, UT Photo By Jotor @ Flickr.com CC BY-ND 2.0

This brings us to the end of Stages 1 & 2 of our Interstate 80 road trip. Please stay tuned at a later date for Stages 3 & 4 as we head through Utah and Wyoming.