Debunking the Myth: Las Vegas’ 15,000 Miles of Neon

Published on: October 2, 2023, 08:04h.

Last updated on: October 1, 2023, 12:03h.

When it comes to Las Vegas, many websites try to attract more traffic by sharing “surprising facts.” One of these widely spread myths claims that Las Vegas has “15,000 miles of neon.” However, this is nothing more than a fabrication.

In fact, it is nearly impossible to determine the actual length of neon tubing in Las Vegas. According to Emily Fellmer, collections manager at the Neon Museum, even they don’t have an accurate count of how much neon exists in the Neon Boneyard. The estimates floating around are nothing more than speculations.

Notably, even experts in the field cannot agree on the length of neon used in specific Las Vegas buildings. Different sources have varying numbers, ranging from four to eight miles for Binion’s Horseshoe during a 1961 renovation.

Origins of the Myth

The myth of 15,000 miles of neon in Las Vegas seems to have originated from a May 2, 2000 article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The article claimed that there are “more than 15,000 miles of neon tubing blazing on all the casinos lining the road,” without providing a credible source. This estimate was then picked up by other publications and has flourished since then.

However, with the rise of LED lighting, much of the neon in Las Vegas has been replaced. For example, the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) removed “15,000 linear feet of neon” from the Bellagio and replaced it with LED lighting in 2018.