Anyone driven US Route 50 in Nevada?

I'm thinking of driving The Loneliest Road in America from Reno, NV to Ely, NV. I've researched some of the things I should carry along with me for this "remote and lonely" road trip. I had a few questions though, from folks who have done this drive: 1. I wanted to test the straight line speed of my car on a lonely stretch (Just for a few seconds). Any thoughts on where (between which towns) I can do that? Any advice? 2. How can I get past the front license plate issue? What's your experience in Nevada? Should I fix it before I go? 3. What's the road condition like along US 50? Will I get bugged by the road noise (18" sport classic wheels with Bridgestone pole position tires) ? 4. Finally, any recommendations for stops / detours ? I promise some pics when I'm back! The weather looks like it's going to bright and sunny!

Can't vouch for the road condition as it's been six years since I drove across Nevada in our new (to us) '88 951. It's the perfect place to stretch your cars legs. As you descend out of each little range into the next basin you can almost see all the way across it. There's many of these basin/range transitions. I'll bet you can identify a trooper 5 miles away. My son and I spent 4 hours going between 90 and 130 virtually non-stop. I envy you.

I would pass Reno and go to South Lake Tahoe. Much better scenery, casinos, resorts and everything else. It's only like 30 mins past Reno. 50 is an amazing road on the way up to Tahoe from the Bay area. It's so much smoother than 80 and the curvy two lane roads make it fun. I go up there a lot to take big pots off stupid tourists. Helps pay for mods.

Thanks bowMann, I've been on both US50 and I80 from the Bay Area several times (to the ski resorts). I was thinking of staying the night in Reno and taking a whole day to travel across NV on US 50.

When I purchased my car, I took 80 all the way from Chicago Illinois to the Bay Area in California. I would have to say in Nevada, the only thing that stopped me from going to the cars limit was the worry of spent tire treads in the middle of the road or a random rabbit hopping onto the road (not that I ever saw an animal anywhere during the whole trip). If you must know, I took my car up to 143 in Utah, and 153 in Nevada (both on straightaways where I could see nothing but straight clean road with no one else as far as the eye could see). At 153 it felt like my front end was floating smoothly, but floating none the less, and the ride itself felt like I was on water (kind of like a fluid motion) rather than the stiffness and exactness of being on a road (with a 2000 911 C2; unmodified as far as I know). One note, my radar detector found the patrols quite effectively, and typically before I could see them as there were hills to blind them from view. I did not have any licesne plates and did not get pulled over once during the whole trip. The only problem I've ever had with my front license plate is the meter maids love to ticket me for not having them (2 tickets in the last year; Palo Alto ~$75, Capitola ~$23). I reserve my 5th amendment rights as this could all be false.

I have heard from those that have lived in that area or have driven Route 50 that it is always patrolled by NHP. Perhaps, ironically, I-80 is less heavily patrolled and may be better for your top speed test, that is if a 18-wheeler doesn't get in your way. The "Lonliest Hwy ..." designation is a misnomer.

Regarding #2. I just moved from Vegas last fall, I lived there full time for three years. During that time I drove cars with limo tint around and no front license plate...IF you do get pulled over on your trip those items are most likely going to be "add-ons" to you speeding ticket. And, in many cases you can hire a service to have the ticket reduced.