Major city · United States
Austin, NevadaAustin
Stop for one night on US-50, not a base: see Stokes Castle and the summit, then drive on. Two nights only if you want the hot springs.
Austin is a near-ghost mining town of about 190 people on US-50, the Loneliest Road in America, at 2,013 m on the west slope of the Toiyabe Range. There is one street of services, one stone tower, a campground and a hot spring. It works as a single overnight between Fallon and Ely, or as a fuel-and-coffee pause on a long drive.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (afternoon heat and monsoon storms), Dec–Mar (snow and ice on the pass)
- Airports
- RNO · LAS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Austin, Nevada911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Austin, Nevada, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime town; the real risks are the drive, the altitude and the heat.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and ambulance · 511 Nevada road conditions (NDOT)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRNO Reno–Tahoe International (About 4 h 30 min by car via US-50 east; the nearest large airport.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a diner breakfast$8–18
- Street or quick mealBurger or plate at a Main Street diner$12–22
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedFree dispersed hot-spring camping, a night, per roomUS$0
- Mid-range bedMotel double room on Main Street, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel double room on Main Street, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RNO Reno–Tahoe International (About 4 h 30 min by car via US-50 east; the nearest large airport.) · LAS Harry Reid International, Las Vegas (About 7 h by car; a long detour unless you are crossing the state.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Mar (7 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Austin, Nevada: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Everything in town is on Main Street, walkable in 10 minutes end to end. The castle is a short uphill walk west of Main Street; the summit and the national forest are a drive. Fuel up in Fallon or Eureka before you commit to this stretch.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Eureka, Nevada
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-50 east over Austin Summit and Pinto Summit, about 70 mi
Better-preserved opera-house main street; a natural next overnight east.
Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
US-50 east, then graded dirt roads south of Gabbs; the last stretch is unpaved
Check road and opening status first; a ghost mill and an ichthyosaur fossil shelter.
Fallon, Nevada
goDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
US-50 west via Middlegate and Sand Springs
The last full-service town west; good place to refuel and eat.
Ely, Nevada
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h 30 min
US-50 east through Eureka
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in Eureka or Ely.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street (US-50)
The only real option: motels, the trading post and the visitor board sit on this one strip.
Bob Scott Campground
US Forest Service site southeast of town on US-50; summer months only, fee per night.
Big Smoky Valley
Rustic hot-spring camping east of town; no services, bring water and a good map or GPS.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room on Main Street1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fuel top-up, one tank1 × US$60 | US$60 |
| Campground fee, one night1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$248 per person per day, bed included | US$495 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; fuel and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a diner breakfast | $8–18 |
| Burger or plate at a Main Street diner | $12–22 |
| Motel double room | $70–160 |
| Campground fee, Bob ScottSummer months only | about $10 |
| Fuel, per gallonHigher in remote stretches | $4–5 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Long gaps between services on US-50: carry water, and fill the tank at every chance.
- Cell coverage is patchy outside town; download offline maps before you leave Fallon or Ely.
- Winter snow and ice close or slow the pass; check state road conditions before driving.
- Hot-spring pools are on open range land with no lifeguard, no shade and no phone signal.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
- Nevada road conditions (NDOT)
- 511
Pocket card
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Austin, NevadaAustin
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Nevada road conditions511
Embassy
No consulates in Austin; nearest consulates-general are in San Francisco and Los Angeles, embassies in Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Drive Fallon → Austin, US-50: about 2 h 30 min, 110 mi
- Drive Austin → Eureka, US-50: about 1 h 30 min, 70 mi
- Drive Austin → Ely, US-50: about 3 h 30 min, 170 mi
Say or show
- Where's the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
- Do you have a room for tonight? — Is there a room for tonight?
- How far to the next town? — How far to the next town?
- Do you take cards? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the road over the pass open? — Is the pass open?
Fuel, food and lodging are limited and seasonal: call ahead before committing to a night here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Austin, Nevada. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (afternoon heat and monsoon storms), Dec–Mar (snow and ice on the pass) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for RNO and LAS: drive times, last fuel stops and a winter-pass fallback.
- Walking cluster on Main Street with verified anchors: Stokes Castle, the visitor board, the trading post, both motels.
- Place pages for Stokes Castle, Austin Summit and Bob Scott Campground with access and season notes.
- Hot-spring and dirt-road fixtures so the Big Smoky Valley option can go green or be cut.