Take a fast-paced ride through southern Nevada as we head north from the desert outskirts of Henderson into the bright lights and sprawling energy of Las Vegas along Interstate 11. This 6-mile stretch, formerly known as Interstate 515, marks a key connection between U.S. Highway 93 and the Las Vegas Beltway—and gives us a front-row seat to the evolution of one of America’s newest Interstates.
Our journey begins just south of Henderson at the former southern terminus of I-515, where it joins U.S. Route 93 and U.S. Route 95 near Railroad Pass. At the time of filming, this segment still bore the older I-515 designation, and the modern interchange with U.S. 93 was still under construction. Even so, signs of progress were everywhere. As we accelerate onto the freeway, the landscape opens up to wide views of the Eldorado Valley—a stark and beautiful stretch of Mojave desert, dotted with rocky outcroppings and the occasional Joshua tree. It’s a reminder that, despite its urban sprawl, Las Vegas is still cradled in the wild heart of the American Southwest.
Heading north into Henderson, the highway quickly transitions from desert edge to booming suburb. Residential neighborhoods and commercial centers rise on either side of the road, framed by the Spring Mountains in the distance. This area has seen massive growth in recent decades, and I-11 plays a vital role in moving both commuters and tourists efficiently through the southeast quadrant of the Las Vegas Valley. We pass over major surface arteries like Horizon Drive and College Drive, and if you look closely, you’ll spot the Las Vegas Wash cutting through the terrain to the west—a reminder of the valley’s hidden watercourses that sustain this desert city.
As we close in on the interchange with Interstate 215—known locally as the Bruce Woodbury Beltway—the scale of the city starts to assert itself. Multiple-lane ramps sweep in and out of view, and the soundscape changes as more vehicles merge into the flow of traffic. This junction serves as a gateway: from here, the Beltway loops west toward McCarran International Airport and Summerlin, while I-11 continues its transformation into the urban expressway system that threads through downtown Las Vegas. Though short, this drive showcases the region’s layered transportation history—once a two-lane desert road, now a vital freeway corridor shaped by decades of development.
As our ride ends at the transition into the 215 Beltway, it’s clear that Interstate 11 represents more than a route—it’s part of a broader vision to connect Las Vegas more directly with Phoenix, bypassing the older and less efficient alignments of U.S. 93. What was once Interstate 515 is now becoming a strategic spine through southern Nevada, blending past and future in concrete and steel. Whether you’re commuting through Henderson or charting a course across the Southwest, this route carries the pulse of a region that never stops building.
🗺️ Route Map
0 Comments