Middlegate Station

Out here, the Pony Express relay post that became Middlegate Station is the only structure for a long stretch of central Nevada desert in either direction on US-50 — the road that Life magazine dubbed the Loneliest Road in America in 1986. The building has been serving travelers since the 19th century: first as a Pony Express and Overland Stage stop, then as a bar, café, and gas station after it was restored and reopened in the mid-20th century. Inside, the walls carry Lincoln Highway and Pony Express artifacts, and the ceiling is covered in dollar bills — a tradition that started, according to the owner, because there was no nearby bank, and regulars would pin their names to bills so they'd have spending money on the next visit.

The draw for most riders is the Sagebrush Saloon and the Middlegate Monster Burger: a multi-pound Angus beef stack on sourdough with a full pile of toppings and fries, with a free t-shirt waiting for anyone who finishes the whole thing. Beyond the burger, the station provides gas, food across breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a mini-mart, a motel, and RV spaces — practical services worth noting because the next fuel stop in either direction is a long, open-desert ride away. Riders with specific fuel needs should know that only 87 octane is available at the pumps.