Getting Chased at Area 51
If you’ve been following along with our Vegas series, you already know we don’t sit still very well. Pool days are great. Casino hopping is fun. But every once in a while, you need to point the car toward the middle of nowhere and see what happens.
Vegas Day 4 was that day.
We left the neon glow of the Strip behind and headed north into the Nevada desert with one goal in mind: Area 51. Or at least… as close as you can legally get. Check out our first trip to Area 51 here
The Drive: From Bright Lights to Empty Highways
There’s something surreal about how quickly Las Vegas disappears in your rearview mirror. One minute it’s luxury resorts and traffic. Thirty minutes later it’s wide-open desert, long stretches of highway, and more Joshua trees than people.
We made our way toward the Extraterrestrial Highway (Nevada State Route 375) — the famous stretch of road known for UFO lore and alien sightings. It’s one of those bucket list drives that feels completely different from your typical Vegas itinerary.
No slot machines.
No cocktail servers.
Just silence and sky.
And honestly? It was awesome.
Rachel, Nevada – Population: Tiny
Eventually we rolled into Rachel, Nevada, the closest town to Area 51. And when I say town… I mean it in the loosest possible way.
Blink and you’ll miss it.
Rachel is home to the legendary Little A’Le’Inn, the alien-themed roadside stop that has fully embraced the UFO reputation. Stickers. Alien statues. Conspiracy chatter. It’s kitschy in the best possible way.
We grabbed some food, wandered around, and soaked in the weirdness. Places like this are why road trips are worth it. You just don’t get this kind of experience staying on the Strip.
The “Chase” Near Area 51
Alright. Let’s talk about the title.
After leaving Rachel, we pushed a little farther down the dirt roads toward the Area 51 boundary — as close as you can go without making some very bad life choices.
You’ll see warning signs. Serious ones. The kind that make you rethink your curiosity real quick.
And then… we noticed we weren’t alone.
An unmarked truck in the distance.
Watching.
Waiting.
Now, did we technically get “chased”? I’ll let you decide after watching the video (linked up above). But let’s just say we didn’t stick around long enough to find out how that conversation would go.
Out there, you’re reminded pretty quickly that this isn’t just a tourist attraction — it’s an active military installation. And they take that seriously.
Very seriously.
Was It Worth It?
Absolutely.
This was one of those days that reminded me why we travel the way we do. Anyone can walk through a casino. Not everyone drives two hours into the desert just to see what’s out there.
The contrast between Las Vegas and the emptiness near Area 51 makes the experience even better. It’s strange. It’s quiet. It’s a little eerie. And it’s something you’ll remember way longer than another spin at a slot machine.
Tips If You Go
If you’re thinking about making the drive yourself, here are a few quick tips:
- Fill up your gas tank before leaving Vegas. There’s not much out there.
- Bring water. More than you think you’ll need.
- Respect the warning signs. Don’t cross posted boundaries.
- Download offline maps — cell service is spotty at best.
- Go during daylight unless you really enjoy horror-movie vibes.
Vegas will always be one of our favorite places, but getting off the Strip and exploring the surrounding desert adds a whole different layer to the trip.
If you haven’t watched the full adventure yet, check out the video and decide for yourself…
Did we actually get chased near Area 51?
Or did the desert just mess with us?
Either way — it made for one unforgettable Vegas Day 4.
