State Route 164
Leaving the California-Nevada state line, eastbound SR 164 (Joshua Tree Highway) ascends toward the pass formed between the McCullough Mountains to the north and New York Mountains to the south. - 04/02/2006
Nevada 164, along with Nipton Road in California, forms an east-west corridor connecting Interstate 15 at Exit 286 with U.S. 95 at Searchlight via Nipton through the Mojave National Preserve. The route is maintained by San Bernardino County in California and by the state of Nevada in Nevada. A locally maintained highway extends east from Searchlight to Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave.
Searchlight was home to 576 people as of the 2000 Census and 445 as of the 2020 Census. The unincorporated town was first explored in 1897 by gold prospector George Frederick Colton; gold was mined in the area between 1907 and 1910. Initially Searchlight was on the main route from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, but this changed when U.S. 91 was routed onto what is now the modern Interstate 15 alignment through Primm. Population declined as mining activity diminished (the last mine closed in 1953), but population has held on with the location on U.S. 95 between Las Vegas and Laughlin and the proximity of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Nevada 164 was formerly part of Nevada 68. The designations were changed as part of a statewide renumbering effort in 1976; signage changed in the years thereafter.
East
Leaving California, Nipton Road transitions from a San Bernardino County-maintained highway into Nevada 164, which carries traffic from the state line east into Nevada. Nevada 164 continues east througt the site of Crescent and continues into the unincorporated community of Searchlight.
04/02/06
While there is no initial reassurance shield for Nevada 164, the highway is identified as the Joshua Tree Highway.
04/02/06
This mileage sign provides the distance to Searchlight (U.S. 95, 18 miles) and Cottonwood Cove at Lake Mohave (within the larger Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 32 miles).
04/02/06
Nevada 164 (Joshua Tree Highway) passes under a set of Southern California Edison power lines. The 500kV power line is part of the massive Path 46 (West of Colorado River) and extends from the Eldorado power substation southwest to the Lugo substation in Hesperia, California.
04/02/06
A second 500kV line leads from the Mohave Generation Station to the Lugo substation; Nevada 164 passes under that line prior to entering Searchlight. South of Lugo, several Southern California Edison 500kV power lines lead south through Cajon Pass/Cajon Summit area (visible from Interstate 15) into Fontana and points south. The two single-circuit 230kV power lines also make the connection from the Lugo to Eldorado substations.
04/02/06
Continuing to gain elevation, Joshua trees start appearing along Nevada 164 (Joshua Tree Highway) east. Crescent Peak rises in the distance to the south of the highway.
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Nevada 164 passes through Crescent and between the two mountain chains.
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Continuing east, Nevada 164 a wealth of Joshua trees populate the landscape along both sides of the highway.
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A Nevada 164 east reassurance shield.
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The next intersection along Nevada 164 east is with Walking Box Ranch Road.
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Continuing east, Nevada 164 sees fewer Joshua trees and more sagebrush. In the distance is the community of Searchlight and the junction with U.S. 95.
04/02/06
Advancing toward the limits of Searchlight, a second 500kV power line (likely owned by Southern California Edison), which is also part of Path 46, connects the Mohave Generation Station near Laughlin to the southeast and Eldorado Substation to the north. Companion 230kV power lines also follow this power corridor.
04/02/06
Two of the companion 230kV are the same power lines that cross Interstate 40 at Water Road in the Mojave Desert. Power lines tend to travel great distances to connect power generating facilities with population areas. These lines are likely to be owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. A third 230kV power line (single circuit, not shown) is likely owned by Nevada Power.
04/02/06
After passing under the power lines, eastbound Nevada 164 reaches the unincorporated town of Searchlight. Most motorist services (food, gas, lodging) are available in Searchlight.
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The speed limit along Nevada 164 east reduces to 35 miles per hour at Searchlight.
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Forthcoming U.S. 95 heads north from Searchlight to Boulder City, Henderson, and Las Vegas. South from SR 164, U.S. 95 connects to Laughlin via SR 163 and continues to Needles, California.
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Cottonwood Cove Road extends east from SR 164 and U.S. 95 to Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave in Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
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Nevada 164 ends at the intersection with U.S. 95. Cross-traffic on U.S. 95 does not stop.
04/02/06
Photo Credits:
- Andy Field: 04/02/06
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Page Updated Saturday February 27, 2010.