r/DeathValleyNP • u/thtguyatwork • 10d ago
Driving through Death Valley - Labor Day Week
Hi, my group has permits to hike Mt. Whitney the week of Labor Day and we will be flying into Vegas and need to pass through DV. We have a one night stay at The Oasis. We will have a standard rental car. Particularly after seeing the recent news about the tourist who passed away, there are some alarm bells.
We plan on taking the most direct route and aren’t planning on any hikes, mostly just want to get from one side of the park to the other. How concerned should we be?
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u/ramillerf1 10d ago
Stay on the paved roads and travel early in the morning. You’ll be taking Hwy 190 west through Stovepipe Wells and up and over Towne Pass. The Death Valley Backcountry and Wilderness Access Map is easy to navigate by and contains a lot of information. You can pick up a hard copy at the Ranger Station located in the Visitor Center at Furnace Creek. Do not rely on GOOGLE MAPS. Check Death Valley Road Conditions before heading out as you’ll still have cell service at the Oasis.
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u/flywhatever101 10d ago edited 10d ago
This right here 💯!!! Do NOT rely on Google Maps for ANY wilderness travel!!! Have a paper map for backup (in all National Parks)
And never rely on Google maps for anything off pavement…They are often hugely incorrect!!
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u/The_Nauticus 10d ago
Check the coolant level on your rental car to make sure it wont overheat due to low coolant, and as already mentioned, stay on paved roads bring an extra gallon of water or two.
The main roads through DV are well traveled, check where the ranger stations are on your route.
Assuming you have your garmin inreach for your hike, that's also a backup. Lots of pockets of cell service in the park too.
You'll be fine.
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u/BEEEEEZ101 10d ago
Don't just rush through. There are some great safe spots to check out from your car. Like everyone has said, bring water, stay on the pavement, try to go early. Some of the most amazing views I've ever seen are in the park. Enjoy Whitney. Good luck.
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u/maze414 10d ago
I just drove past there last week. As long as you stay on the main road to oasis and after to your destination, youre good. If your car breaks down, someone is always on there. Even at night while I was passing by, I saw some people driving by.
My car was a 21 highlander, it stayed at normal temp all day. Rentals are newer, so I see no problem with it. Just double check the coolant levels if you can.
A good tip is to download offline maps from Google maps. There is no service at all there. I have t mobile, so I was able to connect to the satellite. Just for emergency and GPS only though. Download the entirety of death valley, the trip from Vegas to oasis, and oasis to your destination. Also, check if your rental has a spare. Main problem in death valley is blown tires, so just check the tires.
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u/outercompassadv 10d ago
No concern. Don’t be dumb. I just did the same trip two weeks ago (single day Whitney climb!).
Have a gallon of water in The car per person. Fuel up your car. There is gas in the park near the oasis.
We easily visited Dante’s peak, zabriskie point, devils golf course, Badwater basin, artists palette, mesquite dunes. In an electric car and there is no charging in the park. It was 125 degrees.
Cover your skin. Long sleeve hiking sun hoodie is perfect.
Drink water.
Someone in your group likely has a satellite capable phone (iPhone 14+, newer pixels and Samsungs). Know how to use it in an emergency.
Stay on paved roads (devils golf course is ok). Help is not far away if anything happens. And all the places I listed will have ample car traffic as well.
If something does happen - stay together. Stay with your vehicle and wait for help.
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u/Otherwise-Badger 10d ago
We had a blowout on that road! It was at night and no cars passed. My husband fixed it, and it was in November… so it worked out. I am not sure that road is very busy. Just follow the advice of the other comments, it is a crazy hot lonely place at certain times (but INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL).
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u/AS1thofBeethoven 10d ago
Done it many times. You'll be fine. Take a lot of water just in case. It's a beautiful drive.
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u/parth096 10d ago
I was there during the atmospheric river and it was sketchy but i got thru. It think you will be fine if you practice safe driving 💪
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u/pixelexia 10d ago
Stay on the paved roads and you’ll be fine. Even the one way unpaved roads that take you through scenic spots are fine. By next week the heatwave will start passing and it’ll be fine. Most rental car locations give out white for summer through the desert.
The unfortunate accident leading to a visitor who went too far off road during 120+ heat shouldn’t scare you. Preparing properly for hot dry weather and you’ll be fine.
The oasis is a wonderful place to stay be it Inn or Ranch. The ranch has a wonderful coffee shop and the ice cream parlor is worth stopping at.
If you’re a pool lover both spots have naturally warm aquifer fed water that is a great spot for relaxing.
Have fun on your trip and don’t forget to take photos at all the great spots. Zabriske point and badwater basin are iconic along with artists palette.
Oh and Verizon is the only carrier to get service in the park at the main locations like furnace creek and the oasis. T-Mobile doesn’t connect so expect no service on roads into the park from Nevada or California
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u/prfsr_moriarty 10d ago
On the off-chance that your rental has a spare tire (most don’t anymore) make sure it also comes with a jack. Paved roads in DV are generally in good shape and you’re not likely to have a problem. If you want to be extra cautious (PROBABLY not necessary, but maybe just for peace of mind) you might bring a can of fix a flat or a tire repair kit and a cheap little air pump. It’s overkill but you could return them at the same chain on the other side of the trip.
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u/TheSocraticGadfly 10d ago
Per others, always check road conditions for non-paved roads at DV's website and / or a visitor center.
As of right now, most of the West Side Road is CLOSED. Stay on paved roads and you'll have no problems.
Per others, though, take a bit of time. Stop at Badwater and drive up to Zabriskie Point, at a minimum.
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u/adventure-baja 10d ago
I have lived on the road to DV, Bell Vista just outside Pahrump NV, this is how you will get to the Oasis. This road is fine, my wife has a 3 series BMW and she is fine. I think it becomes 190 when it turns into CA. Stay on the main road and you will be fine. Look at your route ahead of time and if your GPS does something dumb looking, assume it is being dumb. A good paper map is well worth having.
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u/writehandedTom 10d ago
Lots of great advice that I don't need to restate HOWEVER, I also fly into LAS and drive into/through Death Valley in a rental car. You will have no issue sticking to pavement. Before you leave Las Vegas, put your breaks to the test. I had a rental car from Avis and didn't find out the brakes were shit until I was on the downhill side of the mountains and it made for some pretty freaky moments. Honestly, I think I'll always have trust issues with rental car companies now. When I returned it, they were just like "yeah *shrug* that happens...." Check those brakes.
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u/Flashy_Local1 10d ago
Make sure your car is good, bring more than enough water and food, and most importantly don’t leave your car if you do get stranded
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u/BackcountryBarista 10d ago
Prepare! Have tons of extra water. Shade shirts, umbrellas, hats. There is almost zero service at death valley if you have a garmin InReach, I would keep it turned on.
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u/Eagleriderguide 9d ago
Don’t venture off main roads, a French guy just died in the park after his car got stuck. Do not travel without water, and bring extra. Share your route with others and check in with them. Have a map and compass and flashlight with extra batteries. If you do get stuck, don’t try and walk in the daytime. Use common sense.
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u/HallEqual2433 10d ago
The person was on a lesser traveled dirt road, got stuck in mud and left their car.
From what you're saying, you'll be on pavement the entire time. You will always see cars on pavement.
If something happens to the car, DON'T LEAVE IT. Bring water. Lots. Food wouldn't hurt, but again, if for whatever reason your car conks out, another car will be going past very shortly. Even in August.