The Alien Research Center Quonset hut gift shop, Little A'Le'Inn cafe, and the sticker-covered “Extraterrestrial Highway” sign are popular pit stops along the route. Many people visit on US road trips or day trips from Las Vegas. If you want to keep your eyes out for UFOs instead of on the road, choose a guided tour with round trip transportation from Las Vegas. Along the way, learn about the history of Area 51 and alleged UFO sightings.
The Extraterrestrial Highway begins in the ghost town of Crystal Springs, 109 miles (175 kilometers) north of Las Vegas on State Route 318. Visitors coming from the west can begin the drive in Warm Springs on US Route 6. You can visit on a day trip from Las Vegas or by joining an Area 51 tour.
Due to extreme heat in the summer and cold winters, spring and fall are the best seasons to make the drive. Many enthusiasts choose to visit at night to increase the chances of spotting UFOs.
The state of Nevada designated State Route 375 as the Extraterrestrial Highway in 1996 because of the attention the area had garnered for a high number of stories about aliens and UFO sightings. The mysterious sights are attributed to Area 51, a military base where testing and training takes place. Some believe the base generates noises and flying objects thought to be from outer space. Others claim it’s the site of interactions with extraterrestrials.
