Nevada State Route 375, better known as the Extraterrestrial Highway, runs nearly 100 miles through the remote desert between Warm Springs and Crystal Springs. It was officially renamed in 1996, leaning into its reputation as a hotspot for UFO sightings and its close proximity to the infamous Area 51.
This isn’t just a road—it’s a myth baked into the asphalt.
Location and Layout
- Begins near Warm Springs (at the junction with US 6)
- Passes through the tiny town of Rachel
- Ends near Crystal Springs, connecting with US 93
The highway cuts through high desert terrain, surrounded by mountains, open range, and the eerie stillness you only get in this part of Nevada. It’s a perfect stretch of blacktop for the dreamers, the conspiracy theorists, and anyone who just wants to see something weird.
What You’ll Find Along the Way
Extraterrestrial Highway Signs
Sticker-covered and heavily photographed, these are a rite of passage. Take your photo, leave your mark, and move on.
Alien Research Center
A metal Quonset hut shaped like a giant alien head. Inside is a small gift shop packed with themed merch, from t-shirts to supposed alien artifacts.
E.T. Fresh Jerky
In the tiny town of Hiko, this place serves up snacks, cold drinks, and alien-themed humor. Also your last real gas stop before Rachel.
Rachel, Nevada
Population around 50, home to the iconic Little A’Le’Inn. They’ve got food, cheap motel rooms, and plenty of UFO stories. Rachel is also the closest town to the border of Area 51.
The Black Mailbox
Formerly a meeting point for UFO hunters, this mailbox became a symbol of alien encounters. It’s now a painted box on a dirt turnout, but the lore lives on.
The Drive Itself
The road is desolate. You’ll likely go long stretches without seeing another car. The scenery is haunting—sunbaked dirt, scrub brush, distant mountains, and the kind of sky that makes you feel like you’re on another planet.
At night, it gets pitch black. If you’re brave enough to pull over and look up, the stars are jaw-dropping—and maybe, just maybe, you’ll see something else.
Travel Tips
- Fill up your gas tank before starting. There are no stations between Ash Springs and Tonopah.
- Bring water, food, and a spare tire. You’re on your own out there.
- Cell service is minimal to nonexistent.
- Don’t trespass on Area 51’s boundaries. They are well-marked, and law enforcement takes it seriously.
- The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon for cooler temps and dramatic lighting.
Why It’s Worth It
The ET Highway is part of that old American magic—when the road promised more than a destination. Whether you believe in aliens or not, there’s something undeniably special about driving through this alien-obsessed, wide-open stretch of land.
You don’t need flashing lights in the sky to feel the mystery. Just roll your windows down, stare at the endless desert, and listen to the quiet.
