How Wide Is Nevada? Total Distance from East to West

Nevada has one of the most recognizable shapes of any state in the United States. It starts out wide, like a box on its northern part, but then comes together to make a point near the southern portion. There are a few scattered parts that go out on the southern part as well. Inside these boarders are some incredibly fun places in the world, most notably Las Vegas. Even up north, there are places such as Lake Tahoe and Reno. Given the unique layout of the state, it’s natural to wonder just how wide Nevada is.

How Wide is Nevada?

From east to west, the widest part of Nevada is 322 miles. This is 170 miles shorter than how tall Nevada is, which is 492 miles. Even though it’s only 322 miles across from how the crow flies, if you were to want to drive from Reno to West Wendover, which is the quickest way to go east to west in northern Nevada, it ends up being 396 miles. This would end up taking you about five and a half hours, with no traffic. The shortest route in Nevada is from California, through Las Vegas, to Arizona. This distance is 124 miles, taking just under two hours without traffic.

How Did Nevada Become Part of the United States?

Before becoming a state, Nevada was part of the Utah Territory. People first came to the state when silver was found, making Nevada a booming economy. There were also countless small towns that remind you of the wild west in Nevada. In 1864, right before the presidential election, Nevada became a state. This was huge because before this, you had to have a population of at least 60,000 to be considered. Nevada broke that rule, with a population of only 40,000. The governor at the time of Nevada was so persistent in his efforts that the government admitted Nevada. Another reason they became a state is because it helped Abraham Lincoln keep his position as the president.

Geography of Nevada

Nevada is known for having two extremely different types of landscape and scenery. In the southern part of the state, there’s Las Vegas, which is known for extreme heat. Las Vegas is also home to Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, which provides electricity and water to all of Las Vegas, and parts of California and Arizona. If you go north, you’ll come across Lake Tahoe and Reno. These places are known for their four seasons type of weather. There are countless parks and mountain ranges in Nevada. There are also some of the most open land areas, as the drive from Las Vegas to Reno takes six hours, but there’s only one major town between the two.

Overall Size of Nevada

Nevada is one of the largest states in terms of size. With a total area of 110,000 square miles, Nevada comes in at seventh overall in terms of area in the United States. Even though lots of Nevada is considered to be desert, there’s still almost 800 square miles of Nevada that’s covered in water. Some of the most notable people to come from Nevada are Bryce Harper, Imagine Dragons, Matthew Gray Gubler, and movie director Curtis Hanson.

Wildlife in Nevada

Along with diverse land, Nevada has plenty of different types of wildlife. In the southern desert, you can find snakes, scorpions, coyotes, and many different types of birds. Going north, you’ll find animals like bears, deer, cougars, and antelopes. It truly depends on which part of the state you’re in at that moment to see what animals you’ll see. There are also countless different fish species in each of the lakes and rivers in Nevada. Make sure you’re always aware of your surroundings when you’re hiking or fishing in Nevada, because of all the wild animals that call Nevada home.

Final Thoughts

Nevada is known for being beautiful, diverse, and having something for everyone. If you live in Nevada, you’re giving yourself access to some of the best beaches in California, while also staying near amazing skiing and mountain towns. The history of Nevada speaks for itself and is still seen through the countless casinos spread throughout the state. The views and animals the state has to offer are truly second to none. It’s a great place to unwind at Lake Tahoe, or in the heat of the desert.