Nicknamed the "loneliest road in America" in 1986, a 287-mile stretch of U.S. Route 50 was once the opposite: a booming thruway of the 1850s Gold Rush. In 2019, photographer Mathias Svold drove the highway, documenting life in the small towns along the way: https://on.natgeo.com/4kwZINO | National Geographic Science

U.S. Route 50 (US 50) stretches from West Sacramento, California, to Ocean City, Maryland! The portion of highway that passes through Nevada & crosses through the center of the state was named "The Loneliest Road in America" by Life magazine in July 1986. The name originates from there being, “no places of interest,” with large desolate areas traversed by the route and few or no signs of civilization. This particular section is close to Parkdale, Colorado, where the highway runs alongside the Ar

Authorities are investigating after a pedestrian was struck on U.S. Route 50. | LOCAL 12, WKRC-TV

U.S. Highway 50, Colorado. U.S. Route 50 in Colorado is a significant east-west highway, traversing the state's middle and southern regions. Known as "America's Backbone," it's part of a coast-to-coast route and passes through diverse landscapes, from deserts and mountains to plains. The highway offers scenic drives, including views of Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and passes through towns like Delta, Montrose, and Gunnison. Please note all photos, videos and reels on