CanAm Highway is a sensational drive from Mexico to Canada through the USA
Canada, north-america
3.178 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip dreamers, listen up! The CanAm Highway is calling your name, a true north-south adventure stretching from the sun-baked border of El Paso, Texas, all the way up to La Ronge, a cute little town nestled in the Canadian boreal forest.
We're talking a fully paved, epic 3,178 km (1,975 miles) of pure road trip bliss. You'll cruise through six diverse U.S. states: Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
The CanAm highway is an older route, dating back to the 1920s. The highway comprises U.S. Route 85 and Interstate 25 in the USA; Saskatchewan Highway 35, SK 39, SK 6, SK 3, and SK 2 in Canada and Mexican Federal Highway 45 in Mexico.
So, pack your bags, gas up the car, and get ready to experience the CanAm Highway – a journey you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
CanAm Highway is a sensational drive from Mexico to Canada through the USA is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 55.0022, -110.8253
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 3.178 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 55.0022, -110.8253
Related Roads in north-america
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering the Red Hill Road in NV
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Red Hill Road, nestled in Nevada's Clark County within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive - we're talking a 1.9-mile unpaved 4x4 trail that'll get your heart pumping. Starting from Nevada Telephone Cove Road, this little ripper throws some serious challenges your way, especially after a good rain. Think flash floods turning creek crossings into mini-rapids and mud so slick you'll be doing the sideways shuffle. You'll crest a small ridge (sketchy when wet!) before plunging into a narrow canyon that winds its way down to the lake. Word of caution: this is a single-lane situation in many spots, so keep an eye out. While the canyon section isn't crazy technical, expect some rocky bits to keep you on your toes. The grand finale? You'll end up right at the water's edge, ready to soak in those views. Get ready for a fun ride!
extremeWhere is Grayback Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Grayback Mountain in Colorado's Rio Grande County is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking about a real trek to 3,853 m (12,641 ft) above sea level, where you'll find a radio tower perched on the very top. So, how do you get there? The road, also known as Greyback Mountain, is all dirt. Yep, a completely unpaved single-lane track with a couple of hairpin turns thrown in for good measure. It's not crazy difficult, as it's used for radio equipment maintenance, and you can usually see what's coming, with pullouts to let others pass. The climb starts from Summitville Road and it’s a steep 2.84 km (1.76 mi) to the top. You'll gain 214 meters in elevation, so buckle up for an average gradient of 7.53%. Now, about your ride: A high-clearance 4x4 is your best bet, but experienced off-roaders might be able to tackle it in a 2x4. Leave your low-riding cars at home, this isn't their terrain! Heads up: this area high in the San Juan Mountains is best explored in the summer. Snow typically blocks access until mid-July. The weather here can turn on a dime, so pack layers and rain gear. Morning is the magic hour before afternoon thunderstorms roll in. If you see lightning, hunker down in your car and head down the mountain ASAP. But the views? Oh man, the views. A full 360-degree panorama of the San Juan Mountains that's totally worth the effort. Get ready to be blown away!
moderateWhen is Wapusk Trail built?
🇨🇦 Canada
Located in the geographical heart of Canada, near the tree line on the edge of Hudson Bay, the Wapusk Trail is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest seasonal winter road in the world. Careful preparation for your trip will ensure that if, and when, things do go wrong, you are prepared for the situation. When is Wapusk Trail built? Every January, the road is painstakingly constructed on snow and ice to provide temporary access for a few weeks to remote settlements surrounding Hudson Bay. These settlements, which are typically only reachable by air, rely on this road until the arrival of warmer March weather necessitates its closure. Designed in cold conditions, the road is strategically laid out, following the path of least resistance and traversing natural terrain features like muskeg, lakes, rivers, and creeks. These winter roads play a crucial role in facilitating transportation during the winter, connecting isolated areas where permanent or all-weather roads are absent. Unfortunately, the increasing brevity of the seasons poses significant challenges. It is becoming progressively more arduous to construct reliable ice roads as they are highly dependent on the unpredictable thickness of the ice. As an alternative, air transportation is available, albeit at a considerable cost. How long is Wapusk Trail? The road is 772 km (479 miles) long and stretches west from the communities of Shamattawa and Gillam in Manitoba and east to Peawanuck. In 2011 the road was made a bit longer, arriving to Winisk. The road runs 252 km from Peawanuck to Fort Severn, 234 km from Fort Severn to the Manitoba border, 90 km from the border to Shamattawa, and 196 km from Shamattawa to Gillam. The first 90 km of the road west from Fort Severn is the worst part of the road when the wind is blowing. The number of trucks averages between 30 to 40, with 44 trucks being the record number of trucks in one year, transporting consumer goods, fuel and construction materials. This type of ‘temporary highways’ have a crucial role in enabling goods to be delivered to communities without permanent road access. When was the Wapusk Trail constructed for first time? The winter road system dates back to the 1950’s built by private construction companies to provide a means of transporting freight to isolated northern communities that would be less costly than air transport. The trail has been featured in Ice Road Truckers TV show. How long does it take to drive the Wapusk Trail? It takes about 12 to 17 hours to complete the drive, depending on the conditions. How to prepare to drive the Wapusk Trail? Due to the remoteness of the area, take special care to ensure that your vehicle is ready for the trip. You need to be prepared. In case of a breakdown, there is very little in the way of passing traffic or inhabitants around, and no cell phone service in parts. Winter survival and communication equipment are recommended. Take emergency supplies and extra parts; make sure you know your route. Know where you are and know where you are going. Pic&more info: https://www.tvo.org/article/since-ice-roads-wont-stay-frozen-we-need-to-get-serious-about-building-permanent-roads-in-the-far Saskatchewan Highway 955 is worth the white-knuckle drive Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive: A Comprehensive Travel Guide Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardCarr Canyon Road in Arizona: narrow and steep with no guard rails
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure time! Let's talk about Carr Canyon Road #368 in Cochise County, Arizona. This isn't just any road, it's a historic mining route revamped by the CCC back in the day. Picture this: you're in the southeast corner of Arizona, deep in the Coronado National Forest, ready to tackle 7.8 miles of winding road up the Huachuca Mountains. You'll start on some pavement, but soon you'll be kicking up dust on a dirt road that's mostly good for regular cars. Now, this isn't a Sunday drive. Get ready for narrow sections, hairpin turns that'll have you gripping the wheel, and steep climbs that'll make your engine work. Oh, and did I mention no guardrails? Adds to the thrill, right? If you're rolling in something massive (over 20 feet long) or towing a big trailer (over 12 feet), you'll have to stop at the Carr Canyon Picnic Area. Give yourself about 40 minutes to cruise this road, but trust me, you'll want to stop. This is the only way to get to the top of the Huachuca Range. Pull over at the overlooks, because the views of Sierra Vista, the San Pedro Valley, and all those surrounding mountains are unreal. Up top, you'll find a basic campground and tons of hiking trails. Heads up: this road usually closes for the winter (mid-December to mid-March). The climb is no joke, hitting a max grade of 12% in spots! You'll gain over 2,500 feet from the start, averaging around a 6% grade. Get ready for an epic climb and unforgettable views!