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Highway 190: Furnace Creek Wash, Death Valley, California
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0

Drives California The Mojave and Death Valley

Highway 190: Furnace Creek Wash

Highway 190, Death Valley Scenic Byway · Death Valley Junction → Furnace Creek

Leisurely30 mi40 min1,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,100 ftOne way
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The drive

Highway 190 enters Death Valley National Park at Death Valley Junction and runs west across the desert to Furnace Creek. It is one of the park's paved entrances from the east. The road climbs to about 3,100 feet, then follows Furnace Creek Wash down to the valley floor, mostly in long gentle curves.

Along the way are the turnoff for Dante's View Road and Zabriskie Point, about a 15-minute drive east of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. From the parking lot a quarter-mile paved trail climbs to a view of yellow and brown badlands, salt flats in the distance and Manly Beacon, an 823-foot peak. The drive ends in Furnace Creek, where Highway 190: Death Valley picks up and runs on west.

Along the way

  1. Death Valley Junction
  2. Zabriskie Point
  3. Furnace Creek
Elevation
1,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,100 ft
Death Valley JunctionFurnace Creek
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Death Valley JunctionFurnace Creek
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Services are far apart. Furnace Creek has gas and diesel, and there is no cell service along most park roads.
  • The park entrance fee applies; it can be paid by card at Furnace Creek, and no reservation is needed.
  • Furnace Creek Wash is flash-flood country, so check the road conditions page after storms.
  • Summer heat is severe; carry extra water.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Death Valley National Park: road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 190 from Death Valley Junction to Furnace Creek take?

It is 29.5 miles and takes about 40 minutes without stops. Allow extra for Zabriskie Point.

Is Highway 190 through Furnace Creek Wash twisty?

No. It is a Leisurely drive of mostly gentle curves, here for the badlands and valley scenery.

Where is Zabriskie Point?

Zabriskie Point is on Highway 190, about a 15-minute drive east of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. A quarter-mile paved uphill walk leads from the lot to the viewpoint.

Is there gas on Highway 190 in Death Valley?

Yes, but only at a few places. The Oasis at Furnace Creek sells gasoline and diesel, at the end of this stretch.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 190: Furnace Creek Wash, from Death Valley Junction to Furnace Creek