12 Helpful Tips for Driving in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is one of the most impressive national parks in the United States but visiting can be a bit intimidating. Located in the Mojave Desert, not only is it huge, it’s the lowest place in North America, it’s hot and dry most of the year, plus, it contains 1400 miles of roads – more than any other national park.

Just driving through Death Valley can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re doing or what to expect. Add in the remoteness and lack of services and you can see why it’s important to be prepared. These tips for driving in Death Valley National Park will help you plan ahead and avoid some common mistakes.

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Driving in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a favorite destination for road trippers coming from Las Vegas and southern California. But despite its popularity, you can’t just treat it like an ordinary scenic drive.

With the right preparation, driving in Death Valley can be both safe and fun. The tips below focus on what makes this park different so you can navigate confidently and spend more time enjoying the landscape instead of worrying about logistics.

1. Check the Weather

Death Valley is one of the driest places in North America but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t rain happen. Strong thunderstorms, flash floods, high winds and even rare snowfall can quickly impact road conditions and travel safety. Checking both the weather forecast and current road conditions is crucial before driving in Death Valley National Park.

The park typically receives less than two inches of rain annually but when a powerful storm with heavy precipitation hits – especially during late summer monsoon season – roads, washes and canyons can flood rapidly. Entire sections of road can become impassable with little warning and vehicles can easily get trapped or damaged.

Monsoon is when rain is expected but hazardous weather can occur any time of year – as we’ve seen in the last few winters. Always stay alert, use your preferred weather apps when you have cell service (coverage is limited in much of the park) and check in with rangers for the most up-to-date conditions before heading deeper into the park.

2. Make Sure Your Vehicle is in Good Condition

Death Valley’s extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable – it can be tough on vehicles. Temperatures can easily reach 120–130°F. The combination of hot pavement, long distances and rugged backroads creates conditions cars aren’t used to. Even park signs advise drivers to turn off their air conditioners on steep grades to prevent overheating.

Before heading into the park, make sure your vehicle is in excellent working order. Check your fluids, battery health and tire pressure. Verify that your tires are in good condition for both scorching asphalt and the many gravel roads found throughout the park. Also, confirm that your spare tire is usable and that you have all the tools you need to change it

It’s also smart to carry a few extras for desert driving: a tire gauge, a can of fix-a-flat and a compact jump box – especially one that can both jump-start a car and air up a tire – come in handy when help may be far away. And in addition to drinking water, keep water on hand in case your vehicle overheats.

For a more thorough pre-trip vehicle checklist, check out my full guide: Things to Check on Your Vehicle Before a Road Trip. Being well-prepared ensures a safe, stress-free and enjoyable visit

3. Pick Up a Death Valley Map

With thousands of miles of roads – many of them unpaved – navigating Death Valley can be tricky. The last thing you want is to wander onto a high-clearance, or 4WD road. One of the simplest ways to make driving in Death Valley easier and safer is utilizing a Death Valley National Park.

Download a map at nps.com or pick one up at the visitor center. The National Park Service updates the maps regularly and they identify the road types in the park: paved roads, graded/unpaved roads, high-clearance routes, and 4WD-only roads. Knowing the difference in those roads makes a big difference in a park where conditions can change quickly.

If you’re planning on exploring more remote parts of the park, pick up the Backcountry & Wilderness Access Map, which includes details on road suitability and dispersed camping guidelines. And for anyone venturing farther off the beaten path, a large, waterproof area map – like the National Geographic Trails Illustrated version – is a worthwhile backup

4. GPS Might be Unreliable

GPS is so useful in most places – but Death Valley isn’t one of them. The reason is because GPS often relies on outdated or incomplete map data. Death Valley is full of old mining roads and closed routes that may still appear on digital maps even though they’re no longer drivable. If your GPS routes you onto one of those roads, you could end up in a dangerous situation.

There have been real cases where visitors followed incorrect directions and got stuck on impassable roads. This in turn lead to search-and-rescue efforts – and even a few tragedies. The National Park Service continues to work with mapping companies to correct these errors but as I mentioned Death Valley is is huge and updates take time.

The safest approach? Use a physical map to navigate, especially if you’re exploring unpaved or backcountry routes. Your GPS can be a helpful reference, but it shouldn’t be your only guide in Death Valley

5. Drive Defensively and Carefully

Many of the roads in Death Valley are narrow and winding, with steep drop-offs, blind curves and limited visibility in some places. On Highway 190, certain sections feature steep grades ranging to 10%. Even blowing sand and other conditions can be an issue driving in Death Valley National Park.

It’s important to pay attention, drive defensively and be aware of your surroundings at all times. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, desert bighorn sheep and snakes. Watch for animals on the roads and drive cautiously, particularly at dawn and dusk.

6. Fuel Up Often When Driving in Death Valley

The availability of gas stations in the remote areas of the western United States might be a little different than what you are used to where you live. Since they’re fewer and far between, it’s always a good idea to top off your tank frequently. Running out of gas is one of the mistakes you definitely want to avoid on a road trip.

When driving in Death Valley National Park, it’s smart to fill up before you arrive. Since you’ll be covering a lot of ground once you’re inside the park, it’s helpful to know that you can refuel at Panamint Springs, Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells. Prices are higher inside the park but definitely cheaper than a tow or service call.

7. Let Someone Know Your Plans

When you’re exploring a park like Death Valley it’s crucial to let someone know your plans. Even more so if your plans include driving lesser-traveled and backcountry roads. Share your route, where you expect to be and when you plan to return with a family member, friend or even a ranger.

Check in whenever you can. Cell service is spotty, so updates may be limited but even occasional communication helps ensure someone knows where you are in case you run into trouble. It’s peace of mind for both you and the people who care about you.

8. Have an Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit when you road trip is important but it’s imperative when driving in an isolated place like Death Valley. Keeping a some supplies in your vehicle can get you through a few hours, and even a night or two, in case of a breakdown.

Your kit doesn’t need to be overly complicated. What’s important is that it keep you comfortable long enough for help to arrive. Pre-made emergency kits that includes basic medical supplies and packaged food like MREs can be purchased or you can easily build your own.

Just pack a storage bin, or some kind of container, with food and snacks, basic first-aid items, solar or battery-powered lights, warm clothes, or a blanket, if you end up waiting for help after dark and plenty of water. A refillable water cube, or refillable bags that can be frozen and then then pack down when empty are super useful.

9. Stay on the Established Roads

With so many unpaved roads in Death Valley, you might be tempted to go off-road. But if you’re in a car and aren’t equipped for those road conditions then you might be setting yourself up for a expensive tow bill. Most of the unpaved roads to remote areas in Death Valley are designed for high-clearance and 4-wheel drive vehicles only.

It’s best to avoid driving off-road in Death Valley National Park in a car. The terrain in some places is rugged and can damage not only your vehicle but the fragile desert environment if you don’t know what you’re doing. Again, familiarizing yourself with the type of roads in Death Valley can help you avoid catastrophe.

If you have the urge to drive some of the backcountry roads like Titus Canyon, Jeeps are available to rent in Furnace Creek. However, if you aren’t experienced driving off-roads then it’s best to stay on the paved roads and the safe, well maintained unpaved roads. Especially in the hot summer months.

10. Don’t Leave Your Car if You Have Trouble

Cell service is extremely limited in Death Valley National Park beyond Highway 190. If your car breaks down or you’re involved in an accident, you may not be able to call for help. If that were to happen, the National Park Service strongly recommends staying with your vehicle instead of trying to walk for assistance.

Your car provides shade, visibility and a safer place to wait until another driver or a ranger comes by. This is exactly why carrying an emergency kit and – I can’t say it enough – extra water is so important. You want to be prepared to wait comfortably and safely until help arrives.

11. Upgrade to a Satellite Phone

Because cell service is so limited in Death Valley National Park – and in many other remote parks – some travelers choose to carry satellite devices for added safety. Satellite phones and messengers allow you to make calls or send texts even when you’re not close to a cell tower – which can be invaluable in an emergency.

If you travel frequently in remote areas, a satellite phone is a good investment, since it works almost anywhere in the world where use isn’t restricted. They are a bit expensive but a more affordable alternative is a satellite messenger, like the highly rated Zoleo, which allows you to send texts and emails only.

12. Leave No Trace

No matter which national park or public lands you’re visiting, practicing Leave No Trace principles is very important – that includes how and where you drive in Death Valley. “LNT” is an outdoor ethics program that encourages visitors to enjoy natural spaces while minimizing their impact on the environment.

In the desert, this is critical because the desert might look rugged but the ecosystem is incredibly fragile and more difficult to restore. Walking off-trail or driving where you shouldn’t can destroy cryptobiotic soil, vegetation and animal habitat. In a desert climate damage can take years or decades to recover.

Leaving nature as you found it and staying on marked trails, pullouts and roads protects the landscape, the wildlife and the experience for everyone else who visits after you. And truly, isn’t that something we all want?

When to Go to Death Valley

Death Valley National Park is open year-round but some seasons make driving and visiting far more comfortable – and much safer. If you want the most low-stress driving experience in the park, aim for the cooler months whenever possible.

Winter and early spring (December through March) offer the most manageable temperatures for road trips. Cooler weather means less strain on your vehicle, easier hiking add-ons and a better experience overall.

Spring (March–April) can also be a beautiful time to visit, especially if wildflowers make an appearance. Just keep in mind that temperatures can start climbing quickly by late April and early May.

Summer and early fall (May–October) bring extreme heat, with temperatures regularly soaring well above 110°F – and sometimes past 120°F. You can drive in Death Valley during these months, it requires extra caution: more water, more planning and more awareness of your vehicle’s limits.

How to Get to Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park has three main entrances and is very accessible from California on the western side of the park or Nevada on the eastern side.

From California, take Highway 395 north to Highway 190 near Olancha, California to enter the park near Panamint Springs.

From Las Vegas, take Nevada Highway 160 to Pahrump and Death Valley Junction to highway Highway 190 into the park. Or drive Highway 95 northwest from Las Vegas to Beatty, Nevada, aka the Gateway to Death Valley to enter the park via Highway 374.

Beatty is also a great place to overnight if you don’t plan on staying in the park.

Driving in Death Valley FAQ

Is it okay to drive through Death Valley?

Yes definitely! Hwy 190 passes through the park east to west and is the Death Valley Scenic Byway. It begins approximately 13 miles west of Death Valley Junction on Highway 190 at the entrance to Death Valley National Park. The end of the byway is the western boundary of the park. Of course, you can also drive it west to east.

How much does it cost to enter Death Valley?

It’s $30 USD for cars to enter Death Valley National Park or $15 for motorcycles. An annual pass is $55 USD. Entrance is free with an America the Beautiful Park Pass. Find out more about this super useful purchase and how it can save you money at over 2k other public lands in this article I wrote.

Do you need all wheel drive to drive in Death Valley National Park?

No. Even though Death Valley National Park has a high number of unpaved and gravel roads, there are plenty of road and experiences for regular passenger cars. The National Park Service’s map has a road legend to help you know which roads to avoid.

Tips For Driving in Death Valley

Besides all the helpful information and tips for navigating the park available from the park service at nps.gov, I highly recommend picking up a guidebook about the park. Moon Travel Guides have always been my go-to guidebooks for all destinations. This Death Valley National Park guide is a must for everyone.

With a little planning, and an understanding of the conditions, driving in Death Valley is much less scary. Once you know how to navigate it safely – preparing your vehicle, respecting the desert environment and keeping an eye on weather and road conditions – you’ll feel more confident to enjoy everything this extraordinary park offers.

See you on the road!