
Is La Ventosa (Mexico 185) Heavily Used?
Mexico, north-america
N/A
230 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so if you're headed through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico, you might find yourself on Mexico 185 near La Ventosa – yeah, the town famous for its crazy winds! It's the main drag for anyone trying to get across this part of Mexico quickly, especially for all those big trucks hauling stuff between the Pacific and the Gulf coast port of Coatzacoalcos. Think of it as a lower-altitude alternative to other routes, topping out at just 755 feet.
Now, fair warning: this road can be a bit wild. We're talking *strong* winds (seriously, they can be intense!), a ton of trucks, and roads that aren't always in the best shape. Plus, there are speed bumps galore! The wind is the real kicker, though. It can literally shove vehicles, especially those big rigs, right into other lanes or even off the road! Sometimes, it's so strong it can even flip a truck over.
Despite the potential hazards, there's a certain stark beauty to the drive. You'll see hundreds of windmills spinning away in the valley, and if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the edge of the tropical jungle. It's not your typical scenic route, but definitely a memorable one!
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 230 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
easyWhere is Park Boulevard?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you absolutely HAVE to drive Park Boulevard if you're visiting Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California! Seriously, if you only have time for one thing, make it this. This amazing paved road snakes for about 34.6 miles through the most gorgeous parts of the park's high desert. It links the north and west entrances, giving you easy access. Keep your eyes peeled and stick to the speed limit. It's not just about avoiding a ticket, lots of wildlife call this place home, so drive carefully! Heads up: avoid this road if the weather is looking rough. Summer brings the heat, strong sun, and super dry air. Storms can pop up out of nowhere, causing flash floods. The road could even get closed if things get really bad. Stay away from canyons and washes when it's raining, and be ready to find higher ground if needed. Watch out for water crossing the road at low points, and remember: turn around, don't drown! And just a general note: rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders live here. Be aware of where you put your hands and feet when you're hiking or climbing.
moderateHow long is the road to Kaiser Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Kaiser Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,803m (9,196ft) above sea level, located in Fresno County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California How long is the road to Kaiser Pass? The narrow, bumpy road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called Kaiser Pass Road. It’s 36.04km (22.4 miles) long, running from CA-168 (near Huntington Lake) to Florence Lake. Is the road to Kaiser Pass dangerous? If you’re scared of driving on narrow mountain roads, where you’ll have to reverse if you meet another vehicle, this road is not for you; better avoid it. It’s a narrow one-lane winding mountain road, so proceed cautiously. In parts, it’s just wide enough to pull over to let others pass. Large vehicles and trailers are not recommended. The road is steep, hitting a 12% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. For most of its length, it feels more like a goat path: 1 1/2 lanes wide, steep, winding, exposed, and full of potholes. There are numerous turnouts along the road, but sometimes when vehicles meet, one vehicle has to back up a little for a turnout; it is usually best to back up past the turnout using only your side mirrors and then drive forward into the turnout. The first 5 miles of the Kaiser Pass road are a nice smooth two-lane highway; then the last 12 miles turn into a rather narrow and curvy more or less one-lane road but paved. You can only drive about 20 MPH. There are only 3 areas that are cliffy. Set high in the central portion of California, the road is closed to vehicular traffic in the winter. It is typically open from late May through mid-November. Winter driving in the Sierra National Forest may require tire chains & cables. Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. How long does it take to drive the Kaiser Pass Road? Located within the Sierra National Forest, it’s a scenic drive through the mountains. Plan 1.5 hours to complete the drive without any stops. This is bear country. Please store food properly and do not feed the bears. Remember to bring mosquito repellent. A great trip to the top of Ophir Pass in Colorado A beautiful alpine drive to Tioga Pass in California 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.
easyWhere is Bear Lake in Colorado?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you HAVE to check out Bear Lake in Colorado! This alpine beauty sits way up high at 9,491 feet in Larimer County. We're talking Rocky Mountain National Park, about 13 miles southwest of Estes Park. Getting there is a breeze on the fully paved Bear Lake Road. They spruced it up back in 2012, widening the lanes and smoothing things out. The road itself is about 9.3 miles long, starting from US-36. You'll climb around 1273 feet, so it's a gentle climb with amazing views. Word of warning, though: this place is POPULAR. Over two million people a year cruise Bear Lake Road, so expect some traffic, especially during the summer. Get there early on weekends 'cause the parking lot fills up FAST. The good news is, the road is usually open year-round, and they keep it plowed, so you can experience the lake even in winter. Just keep an eye on the weather, 'cause things can change quickly up there! Seriously, you don't want to miss this.
extremeTrans-Taiga Road is a very remote drive in Canada
🇨🇦 Canada
Get ready for the ultimate off-the-grid adventure on the Trans-Taiga Road! This 666km (413-mile) wilderness trek in northern Quebec, Canada, connects the James Bay Road to the vast Caniapiscau Reservoir. Picture this: you, your car, and mile after mile of pure, untamed taiga. Starting at km 544 of the James Bay Road, this unpaved beauty runs east-west. We're talking about 582 km (362 miles) to the Brisay generating station, followed by another 84 km (52 miles) hugging the shoreline of the enormous Caniapiscau Reservoir. This is as far from civilization as you can get on wheels in North America. The speed limit varies, generally 80 km/h for the first stretch, then dropping to 70 km/h where the road narrows. Remember to be courteous and yield to oncoming vehicles. Forget about pit stops for snacks or souvenirs – there are zero towns along this route. The only signs of human life are the Hydro Quebec worker settlements, and those are off-limits to the public. The nearest town, Radisson, is a staggering 745 kilometers (463 mi) away! This road is open year-round, but brace yourself for extreme temperatures: bone-chilling -40°C in winter and scorching summer heat. While most cars can handle the gravel surface, the section from Brisay (km 582) to Caniapiscau (km 666) gets pretty gnarly, so a 4x4 is recommended. And seriously, invest in some decent tires! The gravel is super coarse, with large rocks scattered about. Keep an eye out and drive defensively. This isn't a family road trip, folks. Breakdowns out here can be a serious (and expensive) problem. Imagine needing new tires flown in – yikes! Originally built for access to Hydro-Québec's hydroelectric stations, this road is all about function over frills. Don't expect rest areas or campgrounds – they're few and far between, with nothing past km 203. This is a serious journey. Budget 12-15 hours of driving time. The landscape is mostly flat, with endless stretches of spruce and jack pine forest, bogs, rocks, and low hills. Keep your eyes peeled for birds and other wildlife.