Highway of Secrets

Driving the Extraterrestrial Highway is a curious mix of science, myth, and desert wonder. It winds through one of Nevada’s most serenely beautiful valleys, yet it’s steeped in folklore — the kind usually reserved for Bigfoot sightings.

As we drove the highway, we were reminded of a ’70s rock band named for a bird — the national symbol of America, Mexico, Panama, and several other nations. I’d mention their name, but… copyright and all that. I can’t use the actual lyrics — but they went something like this:

On a cracked roadside highway, dust clouds in the air,
Faded billboards whisper — something once was there.
My radio was flickering, playing songs of despair,
There were motels in the distance — with one empty stare.

And admit it — you just read that exactly the way the original song is sung. The beauty of the Great Basin seems to echo their lyrics more than mine.

Driving north from Kingman, we hit a twelve-mile construction zone (a sincere thank-you to the Arizona Department of Transportation). The repairs were long overdue; the old road had become a knuckle-buster. The highway wraps around Clack Canyon Hill toward the offramp for Highway 93. After a quick rest break, we continued along Highway 93 — a mostly four-lane route winding from the Mojave into the Sonoran Desert.

Crossing into Nevada, the desert stretched wide and quiet — the kind of landscape where a radio crackle feels like company.

Highway 93 eventually narrows to a two-lane ribbon of asphalt that, at first glance, appears utterly ordinary — connecting Crystal Springs to Warm Springs through a landscape of sagebrush, free-roaming cows, and shimmering mirages. Best to take it slow through cow country — they wander like they own the place.

Stay on Highway 93 until you reach Highway 375 — officially the Extraterrestrial Highway, though most travelers know it as the Alien Highway. The first of our alien-related stops was E.T. Fresh Jerky in Hiko, Nevada, famous for its “Alien Jerky” line with flavors like Abducted Cow Teriyaki, Peppered Human Bait, and Area 51 Hot.

They also sell alien-themed souvenirs and cold drinks. It’s the last real convenience stop before the long desert run — and a great photo spot, with a yard full of UFO props. The building is covered in murals of aliens and flying saucers, set against the backdrop of the Pahranagat Valley hills.

It’s the perfect pre-stop before you hit the Alien Research Center and the start of the Extraterrestrial Highway in Crystal Springs.

After turning onto Highway 375, the first confirmation we were on the Alien Highway was — fittingly — the official Extraterrestrial Highway sign. After passing that, our next stop was the Alien Research Center in Crystal Springs, about a mile from E.T. Fresh Jerky.

Mary had been here before and was excited to share the stop with me again. We pulled into the empty parking lot — never a good sign. It was a Monday, but unfortunately, it was the Monday before Veterans Day, and the place was closed.

The center is a big, silver, Quonset-hut-style building with a giant alien statue out front. The statue is enormous — and seems to have been claimed by the local birds. It marks the unofficial gateway to the Extraterrestrial Highway, offering photo ops with the iconic “Extraterrestrial Highway” sign, alien merch, and some fun road-trip lore. There’s a small gift shop, cold drinks, and the occasional food truck. They also sell Alien Head Tequila — yes, in a crystal alien head. Pretty good stuff — though who knows where it comes from.

It was getting late, our eyes were growing heavy, and we decided to stop for the night — you see what I did there. We were hoping to stay at the Sunset View Hotel in Alamo. Unfortunately, it’s permanently closed and for sale — $800K, for any of you investors. It would be a perfect spot for an alien-themed hotel with a beautiful view. I need to find someone to go halvsies with me on it.

With maybe an hour of sunlight left, our only hope for a hotel was in Rachel.

At the midpoint of Route 375 lies the town of Rachel — so small it barely registers as a settlement, with a few dozen permanent residents, a scattering of trailers, and a diner-bar called the Little A’Le’Inn. The last hotel on the highway is attached to the restaurant. You can only book online at least two days ahead — no same-day reservations. The day we arrived was our arrival day, of course. We decided to try our luck and stop by to check for openings, but there weren’t any. Veterans Day weekend, as it turns out, is a bad time to drive the Alien Highway.

Over the years, Rachel has become the social hub of the myth — a gathering place for sky-watchers, journalists, and the occasional true believer. The restaurant serves the Alien Burger, which is supposed to be quite nice. But by then it was getting late, and we didn’t want to hit any free-range cows, so after snapping some photos, we headed out of town.

Driving the Alien Highway is a fun, quirky ride — part science, part desert beauty, part cosmic tall tale that never quite ends. It straddles a place where history, imagination, and commercial storytelling meet in the heat of the Nevada plain.

To drive along Route 375 at twilight, when the mountains turn violet and the first stars appear, is to sense what the desert has always offered: the promise that something — out there, beyond the reach of explanation — might be watching back.

Our next stop would be Tonopah, off Highway 6 — but that’s a story for another night under the desert sky.

Route: The Extraterrestrial Highway (Nevada State Route 375) runs 98 miles between Crystal Springs and Warm Springs, cutting across one of the loneliest and most beautiful valleys in the state. It’s about a two-hour drive north of Las Vegas via Highway 93.

Best Time to Visit:
Spring and fall offer mild days and clear nights — perfect for stargazing. Summer heat can be extreme, and winter brings occasional snow and icy roads.

Don’t Miss:

• E.T. Fresh Jerky (Hiko): Stock up on alien-themed snacks and snap photos with the UFO murals.
  
  

• Alien Research Center (Crystal Springs): Look for the giant silver alien statue — it’s hard to miss.
  
  

• The Little A’Le’Inn (Rachel): Grab an Alien Burger, browse the guest log, and listen to travelers swap UFO stories.
  
  

• Night Sky: Bring a telescope or just a blanket. The desert sky here is one of the darkest in the U.S.
  
  

Where to Stay:

• Little A’Le’Inn, Rachel: Basic but iconic lodging — reserve at least two days ahead.
  
  

• Alamo or Tonopah: Both offer more reliable hotel options, especially on holiday weekends.
  
  

Tips:

• Fuel up before leaving Alamo or Tonopah — there are no gas stations along Highway 375.
  
  

• Cell service is patchy to nonexistent. Download maps offline.
  
  

• Watch for free-range cattle, especially at dusk.
  
  

If you’re a photographer, the golden hour and twilight along Route 375 are unforgettable.