An epic road to Mount Lemmon in Arizona

An epic road to Mount Lemmon in Arizona

Usa, north-america

Length

52.3 km

Elevation

2,792 m

Difficulty

easy

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up for Mount Lemmon Highway, Arizona's epic climb! Just 45 miles north of Tucson, this beauty winds its way up to a whopping 9,159 feet. It's a fave for cyclists, and honestly, anyone who loves a good road with incredible views.

They call it the Catalina Highway Scenic Drive for a reason. Starting near Tucson, you'll be cruising for about 32.5 miles, gaining a massive 7,329 feet in elevation! Yeah, it gets steep – hitting a max grade of 10% in spots. That translates to an average gradient of 4.27%. Translation: prepare for some serious climbing!

This isn't a straight shot, folks. Expect curves, twists, and turns that'll keep you on your toes. HUGE RVs and long trailers might struggle a bit. But trust me, the payoff is worth it. Give yourself 1 to 1.5 hours for the drive, not counting all the stops you'll want to make.

Why stops? Oh, just for the sweeping views, outlandish rock formations, and vistas that'll take your breath away. You'll find plenty of pull-offs to soak it all in.

Heads up: winter can bring the white stuff – like, over 200 inches of snow annually! The peak is significantly cooler than down below, so be prepared for potential closures. But that snow also makes it a super popular escape, even if the road is only open partially. The road to the summit is generally open year round, but winter weather may cause temporary closures.

Where is it?

An epic road to Mount Lemmon in Arizona is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.3917, -97.9626

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
52.3 km
Max Elevation
2,792 m
Difficulty
easy
Coordinates
40.3917, -97.9626

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