A steep paved road to Tejon Pass in California
Usa, north-america
122 km
1,268 m
hard
Year-round
Cruising through California and looking for an epic drive? Check out Tejon Pass! Nestled in Kern County, this high mountain pass tops out at 4,160 feet. The Spanish even named it after a badger ("Tejón") way back in 1806, thanks to a chance encounter with one.
Located in Southern California, it's your main artery between the Central Valley and Los Angeles. You'll be rolling on Interstate 5 the whole way, the main north-south drag. This gateway offers some seriously steep sections. For truckers, there are even a couple of runaway ramps near the top—just in case!
Locals often call this stretch "the Grapevine," especially the gnarly 5 1/2-mile section with a 6% grade. From the summit heading north, prepare for a 2,613-foot descent over 11.6 miles! Going southbound, it's about 22 miles of rolling hills before you hit the 5-mile grade, dropping 1,603 feet over 7.5 miles. The whole shebang runs for about 76 miles between Bakersfield and Santa Clarita.
Word to the wise: the weather can be a real wildcard. Sunny skies can turn snowy in a flash. Winter can bring closures, and even when it's open, watch out for ice—especially with those steep grades and holiday traffic. But, overall, it's a must-do for anyone who loves hitting the open road and seeing some awesome views.
Where is it?
A steep paved road to Tejon Pass in California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.3146, -99.5849
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 122 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,268 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 40.3146, -99.5849
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