Most visitors see Las Vegas through a windshield for about four minutes at a time, stuck between stoplights on Las Vegas Boulevard. That is a waste of a good car. Within an hour of the Strip there are some of the best driving landscapes in the Southwest, and an exotic car is the right tool for them.
Here is a practical guide to the three drives we hear about most, and how to match each one to your rental.
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop
Red Rock Canyon is the easiest place to start. The Scenic Loop is a roughly 13-mile circuit that begins and ends at the Visitor Center, and the road is paved with gentle grades, so you can enjoy it without any special preparation.
What the drive is like
Expect sweeping views of the layered red and cream sandstone of the Calico Hills and the Wilson Cliffs. The pace is relaxed rather than aggressive, which is exactly why it suits a Ferrari or Lamborghini: you can hear the engine, take in the scenery and pull over at the viewpoints without rushing.
Tips for visiting
Go early if you can. Morning light on the rock is the best you will get, and the road is quieter. Check the park's current entry and timing requirements before you set out, since those can change.
Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire sits just under an hour from Las Vegas and is known for its fiery red Aztec sandstone. The drive through the park is about 18 miles and takes around 45 minutes without stops, but nobody does it without stops.
Why it suits a supercar
The road winds through narrow canyons and past wind-sculpted formations, with plenty of pull-offs. It is a photographer's drive as much as a driver's drive. A McLaren or Lamborghini in a contrasting color against the red rock makes the picture almost compose itself.
Plan the timing
Because the park is about an hour out and the drive through it takes close to another hour once you stop for photos, this is a half-day outing at minimum. Leave margin for the drive back.
Lake Mead and Lakeshore Road
Lake Mead's Lakeshore Road is regularly recommended as a good road for sports cars. It follows the water around the lake, with open stretches and views that change with every curve.
Combining it with another stop
If you are doing a longer day, Lake Mead pairs well with Valley of Fire on the same route, so you are not backtracking.
Choosing the Right Car for the Route
The cars in our Las Vegas fleet each suit a different kind of day:
Ferrari and Lamborghini: the classic canyon-road experience, with the sound and the looks to match the scenery.
McLaren: a driver-focused choice if you want to feel the road through the wheel.
Porsche: a great all-rounder if you want something sharp but easy to live with.
Rolls-Royce or G-Wagon: the comfortable pick if you are bringing passengers or want a quieter, more relaxed trip.
Match the Drive to Your Rental Block
Supercar Experience rents by the 3-hour block, the 5-hour block or the full day, and the drives above fit those blocks differently:
3-hour block: Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop with time for photo stops.
5-hour block: a round trip to Valley of Fire with unhurried stops along the way.
Full day: Red Rock, Valley of Fire or Lake Mead, or a loop that links two of them with a proper lunch in the middle.
If you are not sure which fits your plans, ask the Supercar Experience team in Las Vegas when you book. They can help you pick a route and a block that suit the car and your schedule.
Before You Go
Fill up before heading into the desert. Fuel stops thin out once you leave town.
Bring water, sunglasses and a charged phone. Desert heat builds quickly.
Keep your photos simple: pull completely off the road at designated viewpoints.
Las Vegas puts on a show every night, but the best drive in town is usually the one that gets you out of it.
