Duffey Lake Road (Whistler to Lillooet) is a great summer drive in BC
Canada, north-america
129 km
1,291 m
hard
Year-round
Highway 99, also known as Duffey Lake Road, is your ticket to a seriously stunning and less-traveled road trip through British Columbia.
Snuggled within the Coastal Mountains, this beauty stretches for 129 km (80.1 miles) from Whistler to Lillooet, getting its final coat of asphalt back in '91.
Now, hold on tight! This road's got some serious climbs, hairpin turns that'll test your brakes (and maybe your nerves!), and drop-offs that are, well, massive. Expect single-lane bridges, potential avalanche zones, and the occasional rock fall – it's a mountain road, after all. If heights aren't your thing, maybe focus on the road ahead! Cell service can be spotty, and you won't find any gas stations along the way.
While it's usually open year-round, winter can bring closures due to weather, so summer's your best bet for a smooth ride. The highest point is Cayoosh Pass, sitting at 1,291m (4,235ft) above sea level.
Budget about 2 hours for the drive, not counting stops. And trust me, you'll WANT to stop. The views are incredible. Think switchbacks and single-lane bridges mixed with majestic scenery – it's a drive you won't forget. Motorcycle riders and car enthusiasts alike will be grinning ear to ear.
For an extended adventure, start in Vancouver, cruise the Sea to Sky Highway, pass through Pemberton, onto the Duffey Lake Road and then loop back down the highway for a total journey of 575 km (360 miles), taking about 6-8 hours depending on traffic and your ride. Ideally, spread it over two days, but a single-day blitz is doable too!
Where is it?
Duffey Lake Road (Whistler to Lillooet) is a great summer drive in BC is located in Canada (north-america). Coordinates: 59.4473, -105.1499
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 129 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,291 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 59.4473, -105.1499
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere is Aguereberry Point?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading to Death Valley and want an epic view? You HAVE to check out Aguereberry Point! This overlook sits way up high at 6,433 feet in California's Inyo County. The road up, Aguereberry Point Road, kicks off from a paved road and stretches for about 6.4 miles. Sounds easy, right? Not quite! The entire road is unpaved and can be a bit of a beast. You'll gain 1,316 feet in elevation, so it’s a steady climb with an average gradient of almost 4%. Word to the wise: bring a high-clearance vehicle. There's some rocky terrain about 3.5 miles in, and the last half-mile to the viewpoint is particularly steep and rocky. Regular cars might end up with a scraped undercarriage. Plus, weather can throw a wrench in the works with snow or mud. But trust me, the slightly bumpy ride is SO worth it. The views from up there are absolutely stunning, especially in the afternoon and around sunset – prime photo time! You can see across the Panamint Range, all the way to Mount Charleston, Furnace Creek, and the Badwater Basin salt flats. You'll also pass the remains of Harrisburg, an old mining town, along the way. Just remember, this is a remote area, so drive carefully. Watch out for wildlife (especially the desert tortoise!) and be prepared for anything. Summer means scorching temps, so bring plenty of water and be aware of potential flash floods. It's always a good idea to let someone know your plans before you head out, too. Basically, be smart, be safe, and get ready for some seriously amazing views!
easyHow long is the Silver Thread Byway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for an unforgettable road trip on the Silver Thread Scenic Byway in Colorado! This totally paved beauty stretches for 117 miles along Highway 149, winding through the Rio Grande National Forest and beyond. Starting near Gunnison at US-50, this route takes you all the way to South Fork, on US-160 in Rio Grande County, nestled within the stunning San Juan Mountain Range. You'll cruise through charming towns like Lake City, Creede, and South Fork. Good news, road trippers! This byway is maintained year-round, even in winter when snowplows keep it clear. Just be cautious of potentially tricky conditions during the snowy season. The road peaks at a lofty 11,574 feet above sea level, so be prepared for some serious altitude! While you could technically drive the whole thing in around 3 hours without stopping, trust me, you'll want to budget way more time. This route is packed with panoramic vistas, abundant wildlife (elk, deer, moose, and bighorn sheep!), and a fascinating history of Native Americans, early explorers, and Victorian mining. Prepare to be wowed! The Silver Thread Scenic Byway is a historical route boasting incredible beauty and outdoor adventures. Follow the path of old toll roads and stagecoach lines, and keep an eye out for those marked stopping points offering breathtaking views at every turn. As you go through the area, you will experience the colorful old mining and logging camps along the way offer a wealth of history, while the surrounding Wilderness and National Forest lands serve up a huge dose of scenic beauty. The heights around Creede and Lake City remain strewn with abandoned mining structures, most of them accessible via rugged backcountry roads. You'll also witness sparkling North Clear Creek Falls, the intriguing Slumgullion earth slide, and the distinctive Uncompahgre Peak. Grab a Silver Thread Guide at the Lake City Visitor Center for even more insider tips!
hardOh-My-God Road is a thrilling adventure in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
# Oh-My-God Road Ready for a heart-pounding drive through Colorado's wild side? Oh-My-God Road is calling your name. This thrilling route runs along the border between Clear Creek and Gilpin counties, stretching 12.23 km (7.6 miles) from Idaho Springs (right off I-70) up to the historic gambling town of Central City near Highway 119. Fair warning: this is legitimately intense. The road barely squeezes in two cars side-by-side, and "side-by-side" is being generous. You're looking at a mostly unpaved track with some paved sections appearing sporadically at the top—the county's actually paving about a mile each year, so it's slowly improving. The route splits into two sections: one that's pretty manageable for most vehicles, another that'll definitely get your adrenaline pumping. Good news? You can tackle it in a standard 2-wheel-drive car when conditions are dry. Here's what makes it genuinely nail-biting: 12% grade sections, hairpin switchbacks, zero guardrails, washed-out shoulders, and jaw-dropping cliff drop-offs that'll make your stomach flip. The road's nickname comes from exactly this—it's so narrow and exposed that it earned an exclamation. One day it's smooth sailing; the next, washboard conditions might shake you right toward the edge. Perched at 2,855m (9,366ft) elevation, this high mountain road typically stays open year-round, though winter can sometimes force temporary closures. But here's the magic: you're driving through actual gold rush history. The route passes Russell Gulch, a genuine ghost town, plus roughly a dozen abandoned mines and incredible remnants of 1865 mining camps. These old supply roads once bustled with horse and wagon traffic before the railroad made them obsolete. Epic views of both Central City and Idaho Springs unfold as you climb, painting vivid pictures of those wild mining-era towns. It's history, thrills, and scenery all wrapped into one unforgettable adventure.
hardLake Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk about Lake Mountain in Idaho's Salmon River Mountains! This peak soars to a staggering 9,274 feet, making it one of the highest drives in the state. You'll find it deep within the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Forest Road 389 is your path to the top, but be warned: it's a rugged mix of gravel and rocks. Expect a bumpy, tippy ride that's definitely not for the faint of heart! Winter makes it impassable, so plan accordingly. Experienced off-roaders will find this trail a blast. If unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. Seriously, a 4x4 is a must. It's steep, and wet weather turns the road into a muddy mess. Oh, and if you're afraid of heights... yeah, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you're up for an adventure, the views from the top are absolutely worth it!