SLC West

[crappie1]

I'm flying to Salt Lake City in early April renting a car and heading to NV. Looks like 3-4 hours to Wells, Elko, Battle Mountain.
Just wanting  everyone's opinions on the drive out, speed traps, bad areas, or even some sightseeing stops to break up the drive
Thanks

[Dr. Who]

Speed limit is mostly 75-80mph on I-80 between SLC and Battle Mountain.  I usually don't go over 5mph above the speed limit and I've never had any problems.  There are rest areas along I-80 too, if you need to make a pit stop.  The drive itself is pretty scenic, especially for those of us who aren't from areas with mountains, etc ...LOL.  I haven't had time to do much sightseeing, so others may be able to provide more info.

Wendover is about the half way point between SLC/Elko and there are a few hotel/casinos, gas stations, restaurants, etc. just off the highway.  The Peppermill has a presence there too.  It's usually one of my pit stop along the way to/from Elko.

[GracePreston]

More than anything else, I'm most looking forward to the scenery!!  I live right around where the foothills of Appalachia begin-- so while I do have some hills, I don't have any mountains.. and even the mountains in Appalachia don't compare to some of the pictures I've seen of that part of the country!!

[ChicagoBob]

If you stop in Wendover, drive out the West exit and stop at the top of the hill. Get out of your car and look back east toward the salt flats.  You can actually see the curvature of the Earth! 

[crappie1]

Thanks, I'm a flatlander myself so I'm sure to appreciate the views. Haven't been West of CO since I got out of school.

[Mr jewels]

very great information bob.... I been driving threw area all my adult life and had no clue  ?
  thank you

[Maverick777]

Once your past Wendover keep a vigilant lookout for deer.  I see five or six splattered deer carcass crime scenes every trip.  I won't drive from Wendover to Elko at night unless I have no choice.

[greydog2008]

They now have built 3 deer "overpasses" between Wendover and Wells, so that has cut down on the deer problem on that stretch of I80. I made the trip from Battle Mountain to SLC this past Sunday and didn't see any deer splattered on the road.

Speed limit is 80 from just outside SLC until about 30 or so miles west of Wendover. You shouldn't have too much problem with NHP unless you are going more than 7 or 8 over.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[crappie1]

Great info, thanks everyone

[crappie1]

Made the drive from SLC to Battle Mountain then back to Elko yesterday. Awesome scenery for a flatlander from the Midwest.

ChicagoBob, thanks for the heads up about the Eastward view from Wendover. Lots of wind yesterday kicking up dust and salt
But there was enough visibility to see some of it.

Got into a dust storm, rain, hail, sleet, and finally snow in the high ground West of Wendover.

Even with the 75 & 80 mph speed limits there were still road warriors needing to run 10+ over,  pretty much the same as home.

Watch yourselves in the construction areas especially at Carlin it drops to 55. NHP had cars stopped both times I went through.