How to Get to Death Valley: Airports, Access, and Transportation
Death Valley stretches across California and Nevada, about 149 miles from Las Vegas and 286 miles from Los Angeles. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS) is the most convenient place to land. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. No public transportation serves the park. You need a car.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Eastern Sierra Regional Airport BIH · 91 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Harry Reid International Airport LAS · 114 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Mammoth Yosemite Airport MMH · 122 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Meadows Field BFL · 130 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Boulder City Municipal Airport BLD · 132 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Fly: Which Airport for Death Valley
The Closest Airport
There is no commercial airport in the park or immediately nearby. The closest option is Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS), about 149 miles from Furnace Creek. This is the airport we recommend first. You'll find a wide choice of rental car companies, direct flights from Paris during the high season, and a well-marked route into the park.
A lesser-known alternative on the California side is Bakersfield Meadows Field (BFL), about 180 miles away. It has fewer direct flights from Europe, but it's convenient if you're combining Death Valley with Sequoia or Kings Canyon.
Major International Hubs
For an intercontinental flight from France, two hubs handle most connections.
Las Vegas (LAS) is 149 miles from Furnace Creek, a 2.5-hour drive. Air France operates seasonal direct flights from Paris-CDG, with a flight time of about 11 hours. Outside the season, you'll need to connect, usually in New York or Los Angeles.
Los Angeles International (LAX) is about 286 miles from Furnace Creek, a 4.5-hour drive. Air France, Corsair, and several other airlines offer direct flights year-round. It's a solid option if you're planning to combine the West Coast with the park.
Getting to Death Valley from France: Direct Flight or Connecting Flight
From Paris-Charles de Gaulle, you have two main options.
Flights to Las Vegas (LAS): Air France operates seasonal direct flights in spring and fall. This is the easiest option for Death Valley. Land, pick up your car, and you'll be in the park by early afternoon.
Flights to Los Angeles (LAX): Air France, Corsair, and sometimes other airlines offer direct flights year-round. From LAX, the most common route follows I-15 north and then SR-127 to Death Valley Junction, before taking SR-190 to Furnace Creek. You can also take SR-14 and US-395 if you'd like to travel along the Sierra Nevada, with a possible overnight stop in Lone Pine. Plan on about 5.5 hours for this route.
For other airlines, including Delta, United, and American, common connections are in New York (JFK, EWR), Houston (IAH), or Chicago (ORD).
Our Death Valley seasonal guide will help you line up flights and weather. October through April remains the most comfortable window for getting around the valley.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Cities
| Starting city | Distance | Estimated drive time | Main route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | 149 miles | 2.5 hours | US-95 N, then SR-190 W |
| Los Angeles, CA | 286 miles | 4.5 hours | I-15 N, SR-127 N, SR-190 W |
| Lone Pine, CA | 103 miles | 2 hours | SR-136 E, then SR-190 E |
| Bakersfield, CA | 180 miles | 3 hours | SR-58 E, SR-14 N, US-395 N, SR-190 E |
| Pahrump, NV | 81 miles | 1.5 hours | SR-160 W, then SR-190 W |
| Beatty, NV | 59 miles | 1 hour | SR-374 W (Daylight Pass Road) |
A standard rental car with two-wheel drive is enough for all paved roads in the park. You'll need a high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle as soon as you leave the pavement for places such as Racetrack Playa, Titus Canyon, or Warm Springs Canyon.
Death Valley Entrances
The park is open seven days a week, year-round, with no set hours. Five main corridors lead into the park.
Northeast entrance via Beatty (NV): SR-374 (Daylight Pass Road) crosses Daylight Pass at 5,150 feet before dropping into the valley. It's a spectacular route, but it sometimes closes in winter after heavy snowfall. Check conditions on the NPS website before you leave.
East entrance via Death Valley Junction: This is the most direct route from Las Vegas. Follow SR-190 across the desert plains to Furnace Creek. This is the entrance we use on a first visit.
West entrance via Panamint Springs: Take SR-190 from Lone Pine. You'll cross Towne Pass at 4,950 feet and descend directly into the valley. It's an ideal route for travelers arriving from LAX.
South entrance via Trona Road: From Ridgecrest, take Trona-Wildrose Road. This isolated route is partly unpaved, so avoid it after rain or if your vehicle doesn't have enough ground clearance.
North entrance via Scotty's Castle Road: From US-95 on the Nevada side, take Grapevine Road downhill. The Scotty's Castle area has remained partly closed since the 2015 floods. Check NPS alerts before choosing this route.
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, valid for seven consecutive days. The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers all federal recreation sites for one year and quickly pays for itself if you'll visit at least three of them. Our Fees and Passes page explains entrance fees and passes.
Getting Around Death Valley
Death Valley has no public shuttle, and its sites are spread across 5,325 square miles. You need a car once you're in the park. Our Death Valley driving guide covers park roads, backcountry routes, and places to refuel.
Other Options: Tours and Public Transportation
There is no bus or train service to Death Valley from the surrounding towns. A car remains essential.
A few tour operators based in Las Vegas offer day trips by minibus. It's a fallback option. The round trip takes more than five hours, leaving little time in the park. We don't recommend it for a first visit because you'll spend about as much time on the bus as in the park. If you really want to see the park without driving, a two-day tour with an overnight stay in Furnace Creek is more reasonable.
In Summary: The Best Route Based on Your Starting Point
From France: Fly to Las Vegas (LAS), rent a car there, and reach the park via US-95 and SR-190, a 2.5-hour drive. It's the most direct and least tiring route after your flight.
From the American West Coast: Choose Los Angeles (LAX), or Lone Pine if you're already on US-395. Set aside a full day for the drive and aim to arrive in the late afternoon to enjoy the valley's low-angle light.
If you're visiting several parks: A classic loop from Las Vegas includes Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Death Valley in 10 to 12 days. Our Road Trip guide offers detailed itineraries for this kind of circuit.
Our complete Death Valley guide brings together everything you need to plan your visit from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport should you fly into to visit Death Valley?
Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS) is the most convenient airport for reaching Death Valley, about 149 miles and a 2.5-hour drive from Furnace Creek. Los Angeles International (LAX) is a good alternative at about 4.5 hours away, especially if you're arriving from the West Coast.
When is the best time to visit Death Valley?
The best time to visit Death Valley is from October through April, when the valley's heat is more manageable. Our When to Go page compares every month in detail, season by season.
How much is the entrance fee for Death Valley?
The Death Valley entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for seven days. The $80 America the Beautiful pass provides access to all federal recreation sites for one year. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees and Passes page.
Where should you stay to visit Death Valley?
Lodging inside the park is limited: The Ranch at Death Valley and The Inn at Death Valley in Furnace Creek, plus Stovepipe Wells Village. For a full overview of your options, see our Death Valley lodging guide.