Day Trip: Rachel, Nevada

Location
Rachel, Nevada, on State Route 375 (Extraterrestrial Highway)
From Las Vegas
150 road miles, per the Little A'Le'Inn; I-15 north to US-93, then SR-375
Little A'Le'Inn
9631 Old Mill St, Rachel, NV 89001; (775) 729-2515
Hours
Thu-Mon 8am-10pm; closed Tue and Wed; kitchen closes 1 hour early
Rooms
Motel rooms from $85-$100/night plus taxes and fees; RV and tent sites
Fuel
Last gas before SR-375 is Alamo or Ash Springs; next is 52 miles on

About

Rachel sits on State Route 375, the stretch Nevada officially designated the Extraterrestrial Highway. Travel Nevada says the road runs past the Nevada National Security Sites, including the area known as Area 51. It calls Rachel the only "town" for miles.

The Little A'Le'Inn is Rachel's restaurant, bar, gift shop and motel. It sells Alienstock merchandise, serves an Alien Burger with its own sauce, and keeps a "Blue Book" of sighting reports behind the bar, shown on request.

Travel Nevada suggests making the trip an overnight loop from Las Vegas to Tonopah, about 470 miles in all. It lists the Extraterrestrial Highway sign, the Alien Research Center, the Black Mailbox and the Little A'Le'Inn as stops on SR-375.

What to expect

From Las Vegas, the inn's directions take I-15 north to US-93, through Alamo and Ash Springs, then onto SR-375 past the junction with SR-318. The highway climbs over Hancock Summit and Coyote Summit before reaching Rachel. This is open range country, and the inn asks drivers to watch for cattle, especially at night.

At the Little A'Le'Inn you can eat breakfast until 11am, or have burgers and sandwiches later. You can shop for souvenirs and stay the night in a motel room, RV site or campsite. The inn says its night skies draw sky watchers. Military jets sometimes fly over, and the Perseid, Orionid, Geminid and Ursid meteor showers are visible in season.

Plan the trip

Good to know

  • The Little A'Le'Inn is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • Travel Nevada says Area 51 and other military land are off-limits; trespassers will be caught and prosecuted.
  • Cell service in Rachel works only on Verizon and AT&T, per the inn. Its free Wi-Fi covers only the restaurant, bar, lobby and gift shop.
  • The Little A'Le'Inn cannot charge electric vehicles.
  • Reservations are online only; the inn takes no phone bookings and no same-day online bookings. Walk-ins are first come, first served.
  • Rooms are $100 for up to two guests, plus $5 per extra person per night; most rooms share bathrooms.

Questions about Rachel, Nevada

How far is Rachel from Las Vegas?

The Little A'Le'Inn lists Las Vegas as 150 road miles away. Its directions take I-15 north to US-93 at exit 64, then about 90 miles north to Alamo. About 5 miles past Ash Springs you join SR-375, the Extraterrestrial Highway, and follow it about 40 miles to Rachel. Travel Nevada puts Crystal Springs, where SR-375 begins, about 1.75 hours from Las Vegas.

Can you see Area 51 from Rachel?

Travel Nevada says you cannot visit the base itself. It warns that Area 51 and any military property are off-limits and that trespassers will be caught and prosecuted. The Little A'Le'Inn says visitors may see or hear military aircraft overhead. It keeps a book of sighting reports that guests can ask to read.

What are the Little A'Le'Inn's hours?

The restaurant, bar, gift shop and motel lobby are open Thursday to Monday, 8am to 10pm. They close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The kitchen closes one hour before the building does. Breakfast is served until 11am. The inn is at 9631 Old Mill St and can be reached at (775) 729-2515.

Can I stay overnight in Rachel?

Yes. The Little A'Le'Inn rents motel rooms, RV spaces with 50, 30 and 20 amp power and water, and tent sites. Rooms start at $85 for a single twin and $100 for most others, plus taxes and fees. Travel Nevada notes that the next rooms are 110 miles farther on, in Tonopah.

Where can I get gas on the way to Rachel?

Travel Nevada advises refueling in Alamo or Ash Springs on US-93. After that, it says the next chance is 52 miles away at the Alien Cowpoke in Rachel. The Little A'Le'Inn also tells drivers to carry extra water and paper maps, since mobile signal for GPS can be spotty.