Durango-Mazatlan Highway: the road with 115 bridges and 61 tunnels
Mexico, north-america
211 km
1,880 m
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for the Autopista Durango-Mazatlán (Mexico 40D), an incredible 211km (131 miles) shot through the western Sierra Madre! Forget the old Espinazo del Diablo, this route is a masterpiece of engineering. Think 115 bridges and 61 tunnels carving their way through mind-blowing landscapes.
Starting high in Durango (1,880 meters / 6,168 feet), you'll wind your way down to the beach vibes of Mazatlán on the Pacific coast, experiencing a crazy mix of tropical forests, pine trees, and even desert scenery along the way.
Word of caution: This fully paved road can throw a few curveballs. Watch out for landslides, potholes, the odd blocked tunnel, and some rough asphalt in places. Opened in 2013, the route climbs to almost 9,000 feet, so winter can bring ice and snow closures – keep an eye on the forecast!
The highlights? Prepare to be amazed by the sheer number of bridges and tunnels. Don’t miss the Tunel el Sinaloense, a whopping 1.7 miles long! But the real showstopper is the Baluarte Bridge. This isn’t just any bridge, it's the highest cable-stayed bridge on Earth (and the highest in the Americas!), stretching 1,124 meters across a canyon 403 meters below. Seriously epic views!
Where is it?
Durango-Mazatlan Highway: the road with 115 bridges and 61 tunnels is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 24.8810, -101.2654
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 211 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,880 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 24.8810, -101.2654
Related Roads in north-america
hardA rough 4x4 road to Saddle Mountain in the Bitterroot Range
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: You're in southwestern Montana, ready for an off-road adventure in the Bitterroot Range. Saddle Mountain Road is calling your name! This unpaved track climbs to a whopping 8,287 feet. You'll need a 4x4 to tackle this one, trust me. Starting near the bottom, it's about 5.9 miles to the top, gaining 1,430 feet along the way. Expect some seriously steep sections, maxing out around a 9% grade – hold on tight! The average incline is around 4.58%, so it's a steady climb. Oh, and a heads-up: this road is usually snowed in during the winter months, so plan accordingly. The views? Absolutely incredible. Think rugged mountain scenery as far as the eye can see. Definitely one for the bucket list!
moderateWhere Is Mount Lassen?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, picture this: Lassen Peak! It's a legit high-altitude mountain pass in northern California, smack-dab in Lassen Volcanic National Park. We're talking a fully paved, winding road called Lassen Volcanic National Highway (part of California State Route 89), with curves and twists galore as you climb high! Word of warning, though, RVers, maybe skip this one if you're rockin' anything over about 40 feet. The route, runs northwest-southwest from CA-44 (Manzanita Lake), . Keep an eye out for wildlife, falling rocks, and be ready to tackle some switchbacks in the southern section. Oh, and heads up — no guardrails here, so take it slow and steady. Fair warning, the road closes up tight in winter due to snow, usually from , but they gotta plow that main park road like crazy to get it open again. Plus, the weather can be a bit unpredictable up here, so it might close again even after it's opened. Be sure to check conditions before you go!
hardSitgreaves Pass in Arizona is a fabulous road if you are not scared of heights
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Wanna ditch the boring interstate and inject some serious adrenaline into your next road trip? Then point your GPS towards Sitgreaves Pass in Arizona's Black Mountains! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about Oatman Road (aka Historic U.S. 66 W), a twisty, turning, 22-mile stretch of pure driving bliss (and maybe a little terror, if you're honest). Nestled between Kingman and Oatman, it's a climb to 3,595 feet with views that'll make your jaw drop... literally. The road itself? Let's just say it's intimate. Narrow lanes, hairpin turns that’ll test your steering skills, and zero shoulder to forgive mistakes. Oh, and those guardrails? Scarce! You'll be clinging to the side of the mountain with nothing but a few wooden posts and a flimsy chain between you and a serious drop. Keep an eye out for the rusted-out car wrecks serving as a warning for those who took a turn too hot. Expect a slow and steady pace. Some sections will have you crawling at 20mph, especially with that 12% gradient kicking in. Normal cars are fine, but big RVs? Proceed with EXTREME caution. Seriously, this isn't the place for them. And definitely skip it if the weather's dodgy or the sun's gone down. Allow at least 45 minutes without stops, but let's be real, you'll want to stop. There are plenty of pull-offs begging for photo ops, with glimpses of old mining ruins to add some historical flavor to the scenery. Just please, keep your eyes on the road while you're actually driving! Trust me, the white-knuckle drive is totally worth it for the bragging rights (and the incredible views). Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on Sitgreaves Pass!
hardWoodchuck Pass
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk Woodchuck Pass! This beast sits way up in Sheridan County, Wyoming, clocking in at a cool 9,636 feet above sea level. Forget your sedan, you'll need a 4x4 to tackle Forest Road 226. It's a gravel road, and not exactly smooth sailing. Think rocky terrain, seriously steep inclines, and a handful of creek crossings (we're talking ankle-deep, but one's so murky you won't see the bottom!). Oh, and did I mention the gates? You'll need to hop out and open (and close!) three of them along the way. Given its elevation, snow can shut this beauty down without warning, so check conditions before you go. But trust me, the views are worth the adventure.