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U.S. 95 continues northwest of downtown Las Vegas as a freeway, carrying tremendous traffic counts especially near downtown. It also carries traffic from the Summerlin community to the west as well as travelers from the northwest, emanating from places such as Hawthorne, Tonopah, Reno, and Northern California.
For more, go to the U.S. 95 page.
 
Interstate 215 and Clark County Route 215 form the Las Vegas Beltway, which extends from Henderson south of the Strip and west through unincorporated Clark County. It turns north just west of Durango Drive, then provides a bypass of the newly developing areas of the west valley. The beltway turns back east to rejoin Interstate 15 near Nellis Air Force Base. Not all of the beltway is freeway; a good portion of it is still expressway or even frontage road. Full freeway completion is expected in 2013.
For more, go to the Interstate 215 page.
Desert Inn Road Superarterial
The Desert Inn Road Superarterial is a quick way to traverse Las Vegas in an east-west fashion without having to wait at a traffic light at the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard). This route was designed to connect the east and west parts of Las Vegas with minimal waiting, and it has largely succeeded through traffic signal interconnects and overpasses. It is not a state facility, as it was constructed by Clark County.
| Desert Inn Road Superarterial west |
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Begin westbound Wilbur Clark Desert Inn Superarterial. Photo taken 11/00. |
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Westbound Desert Inn Road. This is not part of the Superarterial itself. The road is below ground level for this stretch, avoiding the strip and Interstate 15. It is not a state highway, as it was built by Clark County. Clark County 215 is another example of the county highway department's work. Photo taken 11/00. |
Nevada 146 - Saint Rose Parkway
Nevada 146 is Saint Rose Parkway, which connects Interstate 15 south of the metropolitan area with Interstate 215. Prior to 2002, Nevada 146 continued east, cosigned with Interstate 215 to connect with Interstate 515. Nevada 146 used to continue along Lake Mead Drive to connect with Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but that segment of Nevada 146 east of Interstate 515 is now Nevada 564. Officially, Nevada 146 ends at Junction Interstate 215, but some shields from when it was cosigned may remain on the concurrent stretch with Interstate 215.
The photos below show the former section of Nevada 146 (Lake Mead Drive) between Interstate 515 and Stephanie Street. This section is all part of Interstate 215 today.
| Former Nevada 146/Lake Mead Drive west |
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Former Nevada 146 west (now Nevada 564 west) used to meet Interstate 515 at this overpass; today, this area is the location of the Interstate 215/515 interchange. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
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This view shows former Nevada 146/Lake Mead Drive west approaching the Interstate 215 freeway between Interstate 515 and Gibson Road. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
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Prior to the completion of the Interstate 215 freeway, this view showed former Nevada 146 west approaching Gibson Road. The beginnings of the limited access freeway that becomes Interstate 215 is visible just beyond the Gibson Road traffic light. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
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Former Nevada 146 used to meet Gibson Road at this traffic signal, which was eliminated once Interstate 215 was connected directly to Interstate 515. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
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A final view shows former Nevada 146 west after the former Gibson Road interchange as Lake Mead Drive transitioned directly onto Interstate 215 westbound. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
Nevada 147 - Lake Mead Boulevard
Nevada 147 is Lake Mead Boulevard, which connects Interstate 15 in the city of North Las Vegas with Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
| Nevada 147/Lake Mead Boulevard west |
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After the intersection with Nevada 604/Las Vegas Boulevard, westbound Nevada 147/Lake Mead Boulevard approaches its junction with Interstate 15. Note the lane allocations: The two right lanes provide high-speed access onto Interstate 15, while the left lane continues west on Lake Mead Boulevard. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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Westbound Nevada 147/Lake Mead Boulevard splits into two carriageways briefly before intersecting the Interstate 15 freeway, hence the curve to the right after the overhead sign seen in the previous photo. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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This traffic signal is posted on westbound Nevada 147/Lake Mead Boulevard at 5th Street. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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An overhead sign is posted at the west end of Nevada 147. The left lane continues west on Lake Mead Boulevard, while the right two lanes connect to Interstate 15. With the coming reconstruction of Interstate 15 north of U.S. 95 and Interstate 515, it is not clear if this interchange will retain its existing configuration. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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Now on the transition ramp from Nevada 147/Lake Mead Boulevard west to Interstate 15, the left lane connects to Interstate 15 south to the Strip and the right lane connects to Interstate 15 north to Mesquite and Salt Lake City. Photos taken 04/02/06. |
Nevada 160 - Blue Diamond Road
Nevada 160, which begins at U.S. 95 west of Mercury, heads south into Pahrump in Nye County, then turns east to enter the Las Vegas metropolitan area via Blue Mountain Road and Mountain Springs Summit (elevation 5,502 feet), passing south of Red Rocks en route to meeting Interstate 15 and Nevada 604 south of the Strip. The section of Nevada 160 immediately west of Interstate 15 was reconstructed in the mid-2000s.
| Nevada 160/Blue Diamond Road east |
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Advance trailblazer signage on Nevada 160 east points the way to northbound Interstate 15; it is a right exit, with a loop ramp onto Interstate 15 north. Photo taken 01/16/04. |
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To reach Nevada 604/Las Vegas Boulevard, continue straight ahead on eastbound Nevada 160; for the fastest route to downtown Las Vegas, and even the Las Vegas Strip, use Interstate 15 north. Photo taken 01/16/04. |
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Eastbound Nevada 160 at the ramp to northbound Interstate 15. Nevada 160 comes to its eastern terminus at the traffic signal in the distance (at Las Vegas Boulevard/Nevada 160). Photo taken 01/16/04. |
Nevada 171 - McCarran Airport Connector
Nevada 171 is the McCarran/Las Vegas International Airport Connector, a short freeway from Interstate 215 north under the airport in a tunnel to connect with Paradise and Tropicana Roads on the northside. It has one exit to Sunset Road. Nevada 171 is not signed in any fashion, even though it goes for a couple of miles.
| Nevada 171 north |
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Northbound Nevada 171 approaching Sunset Road. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
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Northbound Nevada 171 at Sunset Road. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
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Northbound Nevada 171 at the entrance to the airport tunnel. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
Nevada 562 - Sunset Road
| Nevada 562/Sunset Road west |
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An end sign lies along Nevada 562 (Sunset Road) westbound for the end of its eastern segment. Nevada 562 begins at Nevada 582 (Boulder Highway) and ends at Gibson Road adjacent to Interstate 515 & U.S. 93-95. The state highway resumes at Annie Oakley Drive and ends again at Nevada 604 (Las Vegas Boulevard). Photo taken 10/19/04. |
Nevada 573 - Craig Road
Craig Road is Nevada 573, an east-west road across the northern end of the Las Vegas Valley. It connects with U.S. 95, Interstate 15, and Nevada 604 near Nellis Air Force Base.
| Nevada 573/Craig Road east |
| Eastbound Nevada 573/Craig Road approaching Junction Interstate 15. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
| Eastbound Nevada 573/Craig Road at Junction Interstate 15 (Exit 48). Toward the left of this picture, you can see a blooper in the distance: whited out shields on the overhead sign. Photo taken 11/12/00. |
| Nevada 573/Craig Road east connects to Interstate 15 and U.S. 93 north. Photo taken 02/16/04. |
| Nevada 573/Craig Road west |
| Westbound Nevada 573/Craig Road approaches its junction with Interstate 15 and U.S. 93. Photo taken 02/16/04. |
| Some distance west of the Interstate 15 interchange, Nevada 573/Craig Road meets U.S. 95/Oran K. Gragson Highway. This traffic signal is the connection from westbound Craig Road to southbound U.S. 95. Photo taken 03/29/08. |
Nevada 592 - Flamingo Road
| Nevada 592/Flamingo Road east |
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Flamingo Road is designated as Nevada 592 from Nevada 595/Rainbow Boulevard east to Nevada 582/Boulder Highway. This reassurance shield is posted on eastbound Nevada 592/Flamingo Road after the intersection with Nevada 604 (Las Vegas Boulevard). Photo taken 04/01/06. |
| Nevada 592/Flamingo Road west |
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Prior to the intersection with Las Vegas Boulevard, this view shows westbound Nevada 592/Flamingo Road as the state highway passes by Bally's resort on the south and the Flamingo resort on the north. Caesar's Palace is located on the northwestern corner of this intersection. Photo taken 04/01/06. |
Nevada 593 - Tropicana Avenue
For photos, see the Nevada 593 page.
Nevada 596 - Jones Boulevard
| Nevada 596/Jones Boulevard |
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This view shows a begin Nevada 596 shield along Jones Boulevard. Photo taken by Nick Christensen (2001). |
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Nevada 596 approaches Junction U.S. 95, Las Vegas Expressway. Note that the overhead signage has, in narrow font, the words "Las Vegas Expressway" rather than a U.S. 95 shield. Photo taken by Nick Christensen (2001). |
Nevada 604 - Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas Boulevard is generally Nevada 604, although a significant section through the Las Vegas Strip is not state maintained. See Nevada 604/Las Vegas Boulevard for photos and a guide.
Former Nevada 605 - Paradise Road
Paradise Road extends from McCarran International Airport north to Sahara Avenue (Nevada 589) and Las Vegas Boulevard. The section of Paradise Road between Naples Drive and the northern entrance to the airport is one-way southbound. Paradise Road was formerly designated as Nevada 605, but that was eliminated in 2001.
| Paradise Road (Former Nevada 605) north |
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We begin our journey on northbound Paradise Road (former Nevada 605) at the intersection with Corporate Drive, just north of the intersection with Flamingo Road (Nevada 592). Paradise Road travels due north toward the city of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Hilton and the Stratosphere are visible ahead. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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The next major intersection along Paradise Road (former Nevada 605) north is with Twain Avenue, which travels east toward the Boulevard Mall. To the west, Twain Avenue directly transitions into Sands Avenue, which in turn transitions onto Spring Mountain Road west of Las Vegas Boulevard. Spring Mountain Road and Interstate 15 interchange at Exit 39. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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The Las Vegas Monorail, which connects the MGM Grand Resort (intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Nevada 593/Tropicana Avenue) with the Sahara resort (intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Nevada 589/Sahara Avenue), uses airspace above Paradise Road between Country Club Lane and the Las Vegas Hilton. The 3.9-mile monorail is an excellent connection between most of the Strip resorts and southern edge of the city of Las Vegas, including the popular Stratosphere. It opened initially between Bally's resort and the MGM Grand in 1995, and the renovated extension to the Sahara resort opened on July 15, 2004. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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Paradise Road narrows to two lanes in each direction, and the center median is occupied by a jersey barrier and poles that support the monorail tracks. Each pole is numbered in descending order heading north. Plans call for the monorail to extend 2.3 miles north along Main Street to downtown Las Vegas and south underground to McCarran International Airport. The airport extension is the more likely to be constructed. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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Northbound Paradise Road approaches Edison Circle. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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Shortly thereafter, the next traffic signal on Paradise Road north is with Sierra Vista Drive. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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The Las Vegas Monorail peels away from Paradise Road north to serve its next station at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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Paradise Road next intersects Desert Inn Road, a major east-west connector that provides a fast route across the Strip toward parts of Las Vegas and unincorporated Spring Valley west of Interstate 15. To the east, Desert Inn Road passes under the mammoth Las Vegas Convention Center before connecting with Swenson Street and Maryland Parkway. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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The next intersection along northbound Paradise Road is with Convention Center Drive. Turn right to the convention center parking lot. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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The monorail again peels off to its next station at the Las Vegas Hilton. Note the train approaching us on the overhead monorail. The giant Las Vegas Hilton marquee, which has stood sentry at this location for years, comes into view on northbound. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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The next intersection along Paradise Road north is with Riviera Drive. The Stratosphere tower dominates the view straight ahead. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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The Stratosphere Las Vegas and the Sahara resort both dominate the view on northbound Paradise Road. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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After the traffic signal intersection with Karen Avenue, the final northbound monorail station comes into view on the east side of Paradise Road. Riders must walk the final three blocks to the Stratosphere from this station. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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Northbound Paradise Road leaves unincorporated Clark County and enters the city of Las Vegas at the traffic signal with Nevada 589/Sahara Avenue. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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This section of Paradise Road looks differently than the section in unincorporated Clark County, partially due to the different design of street lights and the lack of a monorail system through this area. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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At East St. Louis Avenue, Paradise Road ends. All through traffic turns left onto East St. Louis Avenue, which travels for one block until meeting Las Vegas Boulevard and Main Street. Photo taken 04/02/06. |
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East St. Louis Avenue quickly ends at Las Vegas Boulevard. Turn right to downtown Las Vegas and left to the Stratosphere (only one block south). Photo taken 04/02/06. |
Summerlin Parkway
The Summerlin Parkway was constructed by a developer to connects its new community in the west valley with downtown and the Strip. Since it was privately constructed, it is not part of the state highway system. Its ultimate western terminus is at the Las Vegas Beltway (Clark County Route 215).
For photos, see the Summerlin Parkway page.
State Routes in the Las Vegas Region
Over the past several years, the state of Nevada, Clark County, and the City of Las Vegas have been considering shifting control of some, if not many, of the state routes in the Las Vegas metropolitan area to local (county and city) control. An additional decommissioning of routes occurred in the mid-2000s.
In August 2000, the City of Las Vegas requested that the state remand control of certain state routes within the city limits to Las Vegas. This was one of the Las Vegas City Council's three priorities for the 2001 session of the Legislature. One would raise the impact fee on all new homes costing more than $100,000; another would give the city more power to annex unincorporated land within city limits; and the third would give the city control over certain streets within its borders that are now controlled by the state.
This third priority would allow the city to take control of certain highways and streets now owned and maintained by the state. According to the article "Mayor yields bid to invest in downtown: Oscar Goodman gives up his quest to change a state law as the council drafts three bill proposals" from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, dated Tuesday, August 8, 2000, streets such as Rainbow Boulevard, Tropicana Avenue and Sahara Avenue, which are now designated as state highways, would be controlled by the city.
In case you're wondering about the article's title, the issue that Mayor Oscar Goodman backed off of was not the city taking control of certain state highways within Las Vegas. The issue was about the mayor planning to recommend a change in a state law that bars elected officials from investing in redevelopment districts. He decided not to pursue that plan after protests from the City Council.
The 2001 Nevada State Legislature may act to decommission some state highways in the City of Las Vegas (and possibly other urban areas in Nevada). An article from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, dated Friday, January 12, 2001, entitled "STATE VS. LOCAL: Entities to take back streets - Officials seek to turn state routes into city streets," by Michael Squires indicates that decommissioning of urban state routes in and around Las Vegas may become reality, starting with a portion of Paradise Road. The route log above does not reflect this decommissioning. At the beginning of 2001, 2.87 miles of Paradise between Tropicana and Sahara Avenues were taken off the state logs. Governor Guinn seems to prefer that the local jurisdiction take over many urban streets, with the obvious exception of the freeways. Among the valley's major arterial streets the state is considering relinquishing are Las Vegas Boulevard, Charleston Boulevard, Cheyenne Avenue, Nellis Boulevard, Craig Road, Rainbow Boulevard and Jones Boulevard.
The article provides an example, Nevada 604, Las Vegas Boulevard. "While legally a state-owned road, Clark County maintains the landscaping in the medians and the sidewalk and pedestrian walkways, regulates sidewalk vendors and news racks and handles traffic enforcement. The state's only involvement on its road is to take care of the pavement itself and add another layer of regulation. Utility companies and contractors are required to get permits from both the county and the state to work in the area and Clark County must also obtain permits from the state to perform any of its work on the roadway."
 
Like most Western cities, a few dead U.S. routes were previously located in Las Vegas. U.S. 91 is the original designation for Interstate 15 through most of San Bernardino County in California and Clark County in Nevada. It was decommissioned when Interstate 15 was completed, with the California section removed in 1964. For more, visit U.S. 91 Nevada. U.S. 466, meanwhile, was completely cosigned for its entire route through Nevada. Starting in Kingman, U.S. 466 followed U.S. 93 northwest to Las Vegas and U.S. 91 southwest to Barstow. U.S. 466 was completely gone by 1972 from both California and Nevada.
Page Updated May 4, 2008.
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