395 From Reno to Death Valley

When I go to Pahrump from near Reno, I take 395 south to 120 east to 6 east. From there you can either follow 6 to 95 south or cut off on 264 south which eventually comes out on 95 north of Beatty.
It is a great route for those who like the road less traveled.

The rest area north of Tonopah is called Millers rest area

Looks like we have a winner! Since this is the end of our trip we will certainly be anxious to get home so I think the route Dick, and others, suggested is the one we will take. Strangely enough, we were coming back from Yosemite, before we bought our trailer, just last year and went through Hawthorne so we may stay there overnight. Many thanks to all who responded with the great info and suggestions.
RichH

monkey44 wrote:
Depends on what you want to look at out the windows while driving too. As i recall it (been a while) 395 is beautiful drive (that's for sure) and 95 is flat and ugly most of the way --

IF you're in a hurry, or want an easy tow, maybe 95, but if not, that back end view of the Sierras definitely treats your eyes.

Actually, this year is quite pretty. Lots of green and wildflowers. Just went through a couple of weeks ago, and comparatively speaking from the last two years, not bad.
Granted, not the beauty of 395, but a little easier drive.

Depends on what you want to look at out the windows while driving too. As i recall it (been a while) 395 is beautiful drive (that's for sure) and 95 is flat and ugly most of the way --

IF you're in a hurry, or want an easy tow, maybe 95, but if not, that back end view of the Sierras definitely treats your eyes.

Ditto again to the 95 south route to Beatty. You can drop down into Death Valley and then go out to Pahrump. Furnace Creek has one campground with some electric hookups, and you will want to run your a/c down there for sure.

dicknellen wrote:
395 to DV is not the easy route. I would take I-80E to Fernley to Alt 50E & 50E to Fallon to 95S and enter DV via Beatty. Along the way there are nice RV parks. Whiskey Flats RV Park in Hawthorne, Sunrise Valley RV in Mini (check to see if open for the season), a NV state rest area 13 mi N of Tonopah that has a special area for RVs to over night, dry camping but they do have a dump & water a casino hotel with RV park in Tonopah and some RV parks also in Beatty. Dick

X 2 on this route. We dry camp at Wells rest area, which is almost exactly 1/2 way between Sparks and LV. Very, very quiet. No semi trucks are allowed, and the rv parking area is off 95 enough to not hear traffic. There is water there if you need it too.
If you need full hookups, Whiskey Flats is a inexpensive, nice park.

395 to DV is not the easy route. I would take I-80E to Fernley to Alt 50E & 50E to Fallon to 95S and enter DV via Beatty. Along the way there are nice RV parks. Whiskey Flats RV Park in Hawthorne, Sunrise Valley RV in Mini (check to see if open for the season), a NV state rest area 13 mi N of Tonopah that has a special area for RVs to over night, dry camping but they do have a dump & water a casino hotel with RV park in Tonopah and some RV parks also in Beatty. Dick

Lots of CG along 395 -- if you cross DV and exit south thru Parumph, you'll miss the worst grade in DV ... some exits will have grades no matter which way you go, DV lowest point is 400 ft below sea level as I recall it.

I'd not miss DV - it's one of our favorites. We travel in a truck camper, so we have no hassle with grades, but don't recall any of them as too bad except the one heading out to Ryolite and Beatty ... That's a tough one.

Its been awhile since we drove this route but if my memory serves me, the drive starts out dammed high at about 9k at one point before dropping down to the valley floor on the back side of Yosimite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon Natl. Parks. There is at least one State park (or used to be) along the route. Its bèen at least 10 years since we last did it. Definitely check the pass conditions and the Death Valley road conditions if you decide to swing that way. Hopefully someone has some more up to date info for you.
Regards and Happy Camping
Bill