NEWS LIVE: This report contains news live as it develops and is being updated continuously. Bookmark and refresh the page periodically for updates. Last update: 9:40 p.m.
ST. GEORGE – Travel between St. George and Las Vegas on Interstate 15 is not possible in light of Interstate 15 being closed Monday due to flooding that washed out portions of the road between Nevada mile markers 64-112 north of Las Vegas between Glendale and Mesquite in Clark County, Nevada.
Travel impacts Tuesday
- I-15 northbound and southbound remains closed at Moapa, Nevada, mile markers 64–112.
- I-15 northbound and southbound between Mesquite and St. George is open.
Alternate route through Valley of Fire
UPDATE 11:48 a.m. Nevada Department of Transportation is working on opening up I-15 at Nevada Exit 93 junction with state Route 169 to Logandale and Overton, according to a text message from Arizona Highway Patrol Sgt. John T. Bottoms. This would allow rerouting traffic through the Valley of Fire to reach Las Vegas.
The detour will be available to passenger traffic only, Bottoms said, and no commercial traffic will be permitted to travel south of Mesquite, Nevada. Bottoms said very long delays are expected as all of the traffic stopped in Nevada will proceed on that route. Watch for further updates confirming the Valley of Fire alternate route is open before proceeding.
UPDATE 3:35 p.m. From the St. George Police Department:
We’ve got some good news for residents who need to head to the Las Vegas area! Per Nevada Highway Patrol, drivers can take I-15 southbound to Exit 93, where they will be directed onto SR 169 through the Valley Of Fire, and then brought back around to I-15 southbound. Please take your time and be safe!
UPDATE 9:40 p.m. According to information from the Moapa Tribal Police Department, traffic is flowing both northbound and southbound on the alternate route through the Valley of Fire. Those traveling south to Las Vegas can travel on the alternate route through Valley of Fire and take Exit 75 to reach Las Vegas, but travelers cannot return north that way. Exit 93 is open, so drivers can travel through Logandale and Overton.
To return to Utah from Las Vegas, travelers can exit from northbound I-15 on Exit 64 at Love’s Travel Stop in north Las Vegas and take the back road toward Ely, according to information from the Moapa Tribal Police Department.
Alternate route through Lincoln County
If you must travel to and from Las Vegas, the roads through Lincoln County, Nevada, are open, specifically Nevada Hwy 93, Hwy 319, Utah Hwy 56, Utah Hwy 18, I-15 in Utah.
From St. George to Las Vegas: Take Highway 18 to Utah Highway 56, which becomes Nevada Highway 319 to U.S. Highway 93, to I-15 in Nevada.
Live report from the road – alternate route
Time 10 a.m. MDT – St. George News reporter John Teas left St. George. Traffic on Bluff Street was heavy and rain was coming down hard.
Water running across Highway 18, 2 miles north of Snow Canyon Parkway, with much debris on the road and many semitrailer trucks.
“They’ve got to be very very careful, the road is flooding down by Winchester where it dips down by the golf course,” Dammeron Valley resident Lesa Kesner said at 11 a.m. “We’ve had a little bit of flooding out here, but they haven’t called in first responders yet.”
John Teas travel time from St. George to Veyo was 30 minutes.
At 10:42 a.m., Teas reported from Enterprise that the sun was out and roads were dry.
11:20 a.m. City of St. George: “Even though the storm cell has passed through the area, please avoid accessing any washes in St. George. There are a number of streets impacted by the heavy rainfall and city crews are detouring traffic and beginning clean up.”
At 12:15 p.m. John Teas reported that traffic on Highway 18 had been moving at 15 mph.
At 12:54 p.m. Teas had reached Caliente, three hours since leaving St. George.
There has been a 10-mile traffic backup in all directions at the junction of Nevada Highway 319 and U.S. Highway 93, Teas said. He was dead stopped on Highway 319 5 miles east of Highway 93, north of Caliente.
“Semi trucks nose to tail for miles,” Teas texted.
Teas reported arriving downtown Las Vegas at 4 p.m. MDT, making the drive a six-hour drive St. George to Las Vegas
Refresh for updates
Related posts
- News LIVE: Old Highway 91 closed, flooding in Santa Clara, Ivins; STGnews Photo Gallery
- News LIVE: I-15 to Mesquite reopened; Updated at 10 a.m.
- News LIVE: Northbound I-15 through gorge open; Updated 11 p.m.
- Rains wash out parts of Interstate 15, Nevada
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Twitter: @JoyceKuzmanic
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.
Heavy traffic on the alternate route. Be sure to allow for plenty of extra time when traveling through Lincoln County. It is only a two lane highway, with traffic leading into Panaca, Nevada backed up due to the turn you have to make to get onto Hwy 93.
This route takes about 5 hours from Cedar City to Las Vegas when there is no traffic, it is longer from St. George, may take several hours longer, plan for plenty of time or delay travel would be my advice.
Gas stations in Panaca and Caliente are out of fuel. Traffic backed up for several miles headed into Panaca. traffic northbound is backed up at least through Caliente. Caliente to Panaca (15 miles) reported to take 2.5 hours. Avoid this route.
How many miles is alternet route how long will it take to drive it?
Thanks for the updates!!
I need to get to SLC, so I’m trying to go northbound. Is the traffic on the alternate route as bad going north?
If you’re going to Salt Lake I would wait. Northbound traffic delays are worsening. No fuel is available on this route at this time.
The route via Panaca is about 265 miles from St. George to Las Vegas and in normal conditions takes 4.25 hours one-way. It really would be better to wait until the road is open via Overton and the Valley of Fire. Otherwise you could be on the road for 8-9 hours. Be sure to take water and snacks and blankets.
I would also like to know how many miles it is.
Need to get to Vegas thursday.
Thank you.
Flying out of Las Vegas in the morning. Can anyone tell me how long the drive is via I-15 with the detour through Valley Of Fire?
Brandon, it’s just opened so we haven’t had anyone time it just yet. Highway Patrol said to expect long delays.
ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
I think the caption to the latest map should read “Valley” not “Lake of Fire”. Sounds ominous! But really appreciate the coverage and updates, the most helpful online.
Thank you for catching us on that! Lol. We have corrected that in the captions. You’re right — the lake of fire and brimstone is farther south. 😉 Haha. Thanks again!
Can a 14 foot UHAUL truck be driven through the Valley of fire route? We are moving from St George to Vegas.
Trying to get you an answer on that, Dee – on our first report from Arizona Highway Patrol, giving word of Nevada Department of Transportation’s intention to open that route, Sgt. John Bottoms emphasized it would be for passenger vehicles only. That’s what I can offer you now, but we will make further inquiries to confirm, may take some time.
Joyce
EIC
Dee, I will be reporting an update shortly – but to help you quickly, the answer from Nevada Highway Patrol is NO, that size vehicle will likely be turned away at the Valley of Fire alternate route. Passenger vehicles only. 🙁
Joyce
EIC
No, no uhauls
Can anyone tell me if the alternate route using the Valley of Fire road is open for Northbound (trying to get to Utah from Vegas) and then getting on the I-15 at Exit 93 (Overton Exit) It just mentions people going southbound can use it.
Any updates on traffic moving northbound from Vegas to Utah??
We came up to St. George/Ivins from Las Vegas this afternoon. The road is open if you take the exit at the Native American Smoke Shop on the south end and go through Valley of Fire. You come out at Overton on the north. Plan on about an extra hour for the detour. It is a two lane road so you have to be alert at all times, but there are no trucks. The trip was uneventful and we are so glad to be home! In the Gorge the free way was open on both sides and travel was good.
Lake of Fire? Okaaaaayyyyyyy
Is the alternate route using the Valley of Fire road open to north bound traffic, then going thru Overton on to I-15 at Exit 93? Need to get to Cedar City.
Hi Leanne,
See the 9:40 p.m. update to this story. According to a dispatcher from Moapa Tribal Police, traffic is flowing both northbound and southbound on the alternate route. However, the dispatcher said you can travel into Las Vegas via Exit 93 through Overton but you can’t travel north to Utah that way. It could all change by tomorrow, but as of Tuesday night that’s what we were being told. But he said you can get to Utah taking a back road from north Las Vegas toward Ely (see the update). Best of luck!
Can anyone confirm that you can get to that exit from Mesquite? Need to get to the airport tomorrow….
You wld think that they give better. All they mention is south bound. Im having to search every pice of information to get an update on northbound. News for dummies i guess
Any updates on how long the drive is via I-15 with the detour through the Valley of Fire to Las Vegas?
We left Vegas this morning at 9:40 with all our provisions. We arrived at our home in Washington Utah at 7:10 pm. 8.5 hours driving! Highly discourage this route for now. Caliente to Panaca was the WORST!
I know that the route through the valley of fire is open. I’m wondering how long its taking going that way and if they have opened it up for semi trucks or if they are still being diverted up to caliente?
Last we were told, that alternate route is still only allowing passenger vehicles. We’re also hearing travel is slow through there. Some phone numbers that may help give you updated info:
Moapa Tribal Police Department dispatch: 702-865-282
Nevada Department of Transportation: 775-888-7000
Also, this website: http://www.nvroads.com/
My husband went that way this morning & said it added 40 minutes to his commute. You may want to allow for extra time though, because he went through pretty early this morning when traffic was lighter.
Just did Vegas to st George via the valley of fire route. It was surprisingly smooth ,just a 20 min back up at exit 64 where the trucks exited I-15 for the northern route and a few slow spots on the twisty turns in the park. total drive time with a 30 min stop in the park for a stretch and picnic dinner was 4 hours Glad to be home:)
Very helpful report, North Driver. Thank you! Readers note, North Driver’s comment was given at 11:31 p.m. on Sept. 9.
ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Hi North Driver,
My family and I had plans to go to Zion National Park, but were stuck in Vegas for the past two nights due to the i-15N being closed. But this post gives us hope! Our hotel is in St. George! Any tips??
We have just updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
Thanks North Driver. Which exit did you take to go through the valley of fire? I thought I read that we couldn’t go north that way. Any more information on your route would be very appreciated. Thank you very much.
We have updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
My family member left Las Vegas at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday night. Traffic was slow turning onto the alternate route, after that smooth sailing until about 15 minutes outside of Callente. They have moved about 15 miles in an hour and a half, it is now 11:27 p.m. Family saying that cell service is very spotty. Called Nevada Highway Patrol and they are claiming there was a stalled car and that is what is causing the delay. Nevada Highway Patrol also indicated they are not sure if there is a hotel or store in Panaca. Hope they get a better solution soon this is a tuff situation for those who travel back and forth from Vegas often.
The alternate route to Vegas from Mesquite through St. George, Enterprise, Caliente, Alamo, took me 10 hours to get home today. Left Mesquite at !0:30 am arrived in Vegas at 8:30pm! The traffic was out of control!
Has anyone else heard about the standoff with the police going on between like i-15 and st george
We’ve made inquiries this morning, teajay, and thus far have come up with nothing. If you can provide us more information, time, location, that might help us zero in on it. 🙂
Thank you so much – we’ll keep our radar on search …
ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Found it, teajay – report forthcoming.
JK
EIC
Any updates for 9/10/14? We are heading north trying to get to Zion. We’re in Victorville, ca currently. Just wanting to know what to expect.
Thanks for any and all updates.
Emlissa
Just refresh this page, Melissa. We updated at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday – specifically with more input on northbound access. Let us know how it works for you?
http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/09/news-live-st-george-las-vegas-last-update-1122-m/#.VBBjG2RdWwm
ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
My daughters were heading north from so cal n were turned back from valley of fire passenger car detour to the 93 detour to go north being told it was only for locals
We have updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
I’m in Vegas what route can I take to get to Mesquite
Just refresh this page, Ricky T. We updated at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday – specifically with more input on northbound access. Let us know how it works for you?
http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/09/news-live-st-george-las-vegas-last-update-1122-m/#.VBBjG2RdWwm
ST. GEORGE NEWS | STGnews.com
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Can a 16 ft moving van go through the Valley of Fire detour?
Trying to get you an answer on that, V – on our first report from Arizona Highway Patrol, giving word of Nevada Department of Transportation’s intention to open that route, Sgt. John Bottoms emphasized it would be for passenger vehicles only. That’s what I can offer you now, but we will make further inquiries to confirm, may take some time.
Joyce
EIC
V, I will be reporting an update shortly – but to help you quickly, the answer from Nevada Highway Patrol is NO, that size vehicle will likely be turned away at the Valley of Fire alternate route. Passenger vehicles only. 🙁
Joyce
EIC
I was heading to Salt Lake from Vegas last night the 9th and never made it out of Nevada. It was the worst. 10 hours of driving and had to turn around and cancel my vacation. 93 heading to Coyote Springs to Ely was ok. Hwy 319 to get to Hwy 56 was a 20 mile parking lot. Awful, the worst. Avoid at all cost. I know people had to be running out of gas and stranded and spent the night in their cars. Do not go this way!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for all the updates. Does anyone know if the route toward Ely is the only north bound route from Las Vegas to St George? Is route 167 from Henderson to the Valley of Fire passable?
We have updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
Some clarification please, anyone. Is the major traffic jam being experienced on Wednesday 9/10 for northbound traffic only, or is southbound traffic from St. George experiencing the same major jams? Also, is the traffic as bad going through the Valley of Fire route, versus the Caliente/Alamo route?
Thanks so much for any additional info, and for all the updates.
Supossed to drive up to St. George from Vegas on Friday. Does anyone have any updated travel times? Thanks.
This sentence is very confusing:
“Those traveling south to Las Vegas can travel on the alternate route through Valley of Fire and take Exit 75 to reach Las Vegas, but travelers cannot return north that way.”
I think what you meant to say is that travelers in both directions can bypass the closure on I-15 by taking the Overton/Logandale exit on one side and traveling through the Valley of Fire to I-15 on the other side (or the reverse). It is also possible to reach Henderson or Boulder City by traveling south of Overton through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Both parks are waiving their entrance fees.
Please reverify your information and correct mistakes that could lead people to confusion.
We have just updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
I will be going through the valley of fire detour in couple of hours. Will update shortly.
JJ – I am interested in how long it takes you. If it doesn’t add on too much time, I will be doing the same trip tomorrow at noon. Looking forward to your post.
Joyce, Do you know how long it is taking from I 15 exit to Valley of Fire through Overton to re-commect with I 15 North?
We have just updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
My husband went that way this morning & said it tacked on an additional 40 minutes at the most. He did go through pretty early though, so you might want to allow a little bit of extra time.
What is the latest from Vegas to Utah?
We have just updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
Ok, this is not at all clear to me – what is the best route to get from Vegas to Zion National park at this time? I am trying to map it out, but, as a non-resident of the area it is not clear to me if I need to take Highway 93 or if I can some how use the valley of fire route – is there a site that can give clear directions?
We have just updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
Any updates on how long it takes to get TO vegas From St. George, via the valley of fire route?
Thanks
We have just updated alternate route info here: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2014/09/10/alternate-routes-las-vegas-st-george-updates-restrictions/
My husband went through this morning that way & said it added maybe an extra 40 minutes. He went through pretty early in the morning though, so you may want to allow a little more time than that.
Is there an estimate of when they may have 1 lane open on I15?
I’m trying to do the same as JD. I need to get from St. George to Southern California. Wondering how long the Valley of Fire route is taking now. I will be attempting it tomorrow if it is reasonable. Otherwise, I will have to find an alternate route to the alternate route. This is such a bummer. 🙁
Hi All,
It’s late, but still wanted to give my input. We travelled from San Diego to Zion today. We took valley of fire detour. It added about 1.5 hrs on our drive. It was beautiful. No traffic for us. Wondering if it was due to being a Wednesday, don’t know. We travelled through about noon. Wonderful drive. Beautiful sites. Just wanted to update. Coming home Sunday though I’m worried we won’t be so lucky. Oh well. Hope your travels are as good as ours.
Melissa
I just went through valley of fire route at 10:00 PM from Vegas to St. George. Added about 45 minutes. Watch out for the police. There were at least four patrol cars and the speed is 35 to 45 MPH most of the way.