The western terminus of the Valley of Fire Road is at the Interstate 15 (I-15) exit 75, located at the former Crystal townsite within the Moapa River Indian Reservation approximately 33 miles (53 km) northeast of downtown Las Vegas.

From there, the two-lane highway travels southeasterly about seven miles (11 km) through open desert terrain towards the Muddy Mountains.

Beyond the fee station, Valley of Fire Road traverses the southern reaches of the state park, passing nearby to various campgrounds, trails, the visitor center, and other points of interest.

Valley of Fire Road spends roughly ten miles (16 km) in the park before passing the east entrance station near Elephant Rock, where the scenic byway designation ends.

[11] A 10.5-mile (16.9 km) section of the Valley of Fire Road—the portion between the west and east entrances to the state park—was designated a Nevada Scenic Byway on June 30, 1995.