Driving the dangerous road to Cajon Pass in California

Driving the dangerous road to Cajon Pass in California

Usa, north-america

Length

31.7 km

Elevation

1,186 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because we're hitting Cajon Pass! This epic mountain pass, sitting at a cool 3,891 feet in sunny Southern California's San Bernardino County, is a must-see.

Find it just east of Cajon Junction, nestled between the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains. This route, carved out by the infamous San Andreas Fault (history, people!), has been used for centuries.

The road? Paved perfection! We're talking about a nearly 20-mile stretch of California State Route 138 that winds its way from Cajon Junction to Crestline. Open year-round, this pass can get a bit wild. Expect high winds, swirling fog, and the occasional snow dusting that might shut things down temporarily. The weather can flip from pea-soup fog to crystal-clear skies in a heartbeat, so be prepared for anything.

Now, let's keep it real: this road demands respect. Vegas dreams (or nightmares) can be distracting, and the mix of speedy cars and governed trucks creates a bit of a frenzy. Plus, those steep ramps can hit a gradient of 15%! Still, the views are killer, and the thrill of conquering this iconic pass is totally worth it. Just keep your eyes on the road, and enjoy the ride!

Where is it?

Driving the dangerous road to Cajon Pass in California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 40.0837, -101.7509

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
31.7 km
Max Elevation
1,186 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
40.0837, -101.7509

Related Roads in north-america

Why is the Secret Normandy Road in Middletown Restricted to Civilians?moderate

Why is the Secret Normandy Road in Middletown Restricted to Civilians?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Ever heard of a road so secret, so off-limits, it practically screams "conspiracy theory"? Buckle up, because Normandy Road in Middletown, New Jersey, is that road. Tucked away in northern Monmouth County, hugging the New Jersey coastline, this 15-mile stretch of pavement is strictly for military eyes only. It's the lifeline connecting Mainside and the Waterfront Area of Naval Weapons Station Earle, named after Rear Admiral Ralph Earle (a big shot in WWI). Legend has it, this place might've even been a nuclear weapons storage site back in the day! Here's the kicker: it looks like any other road. Shows up on maps and everything. But don't even think about cruising down it. This baby is patrolled by armed sentries, and civilians aren't welcome. It's that tantalizing mix of accessible and forbidden that makes Normandy Road so darn intriguing.

How to get to the scenic Athabasca Pass Lookout in Alberta?moderate

How to get to the scenic Athabasca Pass Lookout in Alberta?

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada

Okay, so you're cruising through the Canadian Rockies, right? You absolutely HAVE to hit up the Athabasca Pass Lookout! We're talking Jasper National Park vibes, east of majestic Mount Edith Cavell, with a super convenient, big ol' parking lot. The lookout itself sits pretty at 1,277m (that's 4,189ft for my imperial system friends), and yeah, the views are LEGIT. Towering mountains, icy glaciers, lakes so blue they look photoshopped β€” it's the perfect place to just soak it all in. Now, heads up: a big fire ripped through the area in 2024. It changed things, for sure. While it's sad to see some of the greenery gone, the burned landscape has its own kind of haunting beauty. It's a different perspective, and honestly, a powerful one. You'll see the resilience of nature firsthand. Getting there is a breeze. Just hop on the AB-93 (aka the Icefields Parkway), a fully paved road in great condition. It's a 151km (94 mile) stretch running north-south from Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing. Trust me, it's a road trip you won't forget!

Horseshoe Meadow is one of the highest roads of Californiaextreme

Horseshoe Meadow is one of the highest roads of California

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Horseshoe Meadow is seriously high – we're talking 10,072 feet above sea level! You'll find this sub-alpine beauty tucked away in Inyo County, California, inside the Inyo National Forest. It's up there with some of California's highest roads. Horseshoe Meadows Road, formerly Route 190, has been fully paved since the 80s, and it's 22 miles of pure driving adrenaline starting from Whitney Portal Road. Hold on tight, because this road is a beast! You're climbing a super steep mountain, and it's nothing but straight sections linked by crazy hairpin turns. Seriously, this is a white-knuckle experience. It's known as one of the toughest climbs in California, with an average grade of 6.5%. You'll gain altitude super fast, so take it easy if you're not used to the thin air. Switchbacks are constant, so keep your focus. Gear down on the way back, and four-wheel drive definitely helps. Watch out for debris flows β€” they clear rocks at 4 PM daily, which tells you everything! Tucked in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, southwest of Lone Pine, it's a no-go in bad weather. The road shuts down from around November to May because of snow. Allow 45-60 minutes without stops, but honestly, you'll want more time for photos and exploring. Luckily, there are plenty of pull-offs for those perfect shots. Trust me, you won't regret it!

Is New Mexico State Road 126 paved?moderate

Is New Mexico State Road 126 paved?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, road trip fans, let's talk NM-126 in New Mexico's Sandoval County! This isn't just a drive, it's an experience. First, you're cruising on smooth pavement, winding into the mountains – pure bliss! But hold on, things get interesting. For about 8 miles, the road turns into a dirt track, sometimes just wide enough for one car, with hairpin turns galore. We're talking hills, canyons, and maybe a minor washout or two. Seriously, only tackle this stretch when it's dry. Overall, NM-126 clocks in at about 38 miles, connecting NM-4 to Cuba on US-550. The views are incredible, mountain vistas that'll make you want to pull over every five minutes. Just a heads up: keep an eye out for deer and elk, especially at night. This road climbs high, reaching almost 8,800 feet in the Jemez Mountains. A word of caution: the middle part of this route is often closed during winter. Also, be aware that rain can make the dirt section impassable for a few days. So, plan accordingly and get ready for an unforgettable New Mexico adventure!