
Is Salmon River Road in California paved?
Usa, north-america
27.68 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Wanna experience a real California hidden gem? Head to Siskiyou County and tackle the legendary Salmon River Road!
This 17.2-mile beauty winds its way from Somes Bar (just off Highway 96) all the way to Forks of Salmon, hugging the Salmon River. Picture this: you're cruising along a paved road, but it's seriously narrow, carved right into the side of a dramatic river canyon. We're talking major cliffs and ledges, with drops of hundreds of feet down to the river below! And, uh, no guardrails. So yeah, maybe skip this one if you're prone to panic attacks.
The weather here can be totally unpredictable thanks to the nearby Pacific. Think sunshine one minute, freezing rain (or even snow!) the next, especially in spring. The road’s mostly a single lane, but it’s two-way, so keep your eyes peeled. Drive slow, be ready to pull over for oncoming cars, and always, ALWAYS use caution. Rockslides are a real thing here, so stay alert! Oh, and leave the RV at home, seriously. This road is NOT RV-friendly.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 27.68 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardHow long is Carretera Federal 1?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: a road trip stretching the entire length of Baja California on Mexico's Carretera Federal 1, aka the Transpeninsular Highway! This bad boy clocks in at a whopping 1,711 km (1,063 miles) from Cabo San Lucas all the way north to Tijuana, where it magically transforms into Interstate 5 once you cross the border into sunny California. They finished building this beauty back in '73, and while it’s paved, don’t expect a super-smooth cruise the whole way. Let's just say it's got a reputation. Think twisty two-lane roads with blind corners and zero shoulder. Yeah, you read that right – often no guardrails separating you from, well, everything. You'll be sharing the road with everything from massive freight trucks to oversized RVs, making those hairpin turns along the coast and through the mountains extra exciting. Accidents happen, and you might spot some guardrails that have seen better days. Keep your eyes peeled, especially around those blind corners, because some drivers like to put the pedal to the metal! But hey, it's not all white-knuckle driving. Get this: between El Médano and Las Barrancas, you'll find one of the longest straight stretches of road on the planet – a mind-blowing 169 km (105 miles) of pure, unadulterated asphalt. So, buckle up, buttercup, and get ready for an unforgettable ride!
moderateWhere is Tehachapi Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading through Southern California and want a cool drive? Check out Tehachapi Pass! This beauty winds through the Tehachapi Mountains, connecting Mojave on the east with Bakersfield to the west. The road, also known as Blue Star Memorial Highway, is totally paved, though the asphalt is a little rough in places. Just a heads-up: this isn't a deserted back road. Expect plenty of other cars and trucks, especially during peak hours. The whole shebang stretches for about 58 miles, climbing to a summit of around 4,071 feet. You'll find the town of Tehachapi right at the top, and some pretty steep grades along the way. Keep your eyes peeled near the top for one of California's biggest wind farms – it’s quite a sight! Normally, you can cruise this pass year-round, but remember, this is a mountain road. Winter can throw curveballs, so check conditions before you go. Chains might be required between Bakersfield and Mojave when the snow flies.
moderateWhy Are There No Roads in Greenland?
🌍 Greenland
Okay, Greenland might be the coolest place you'll never drive across! Seriously, this massive island between the Arctic and Atlantic is all mountains, fjords, and glaciers, so forget road trips between towns – they just don't exist. So, why no roads? Well, imagine trying to build a highway across a landscape that's mostly rock and ice. Greenland's got a tiny population of around 56,000, spread out in little villages along the coast. Plus, throw in an ice cap that covers 80% of the island and permafrost that makes the ground super unstable. It's a builder's nightmare! But get this: there *is* one paved road. Just one! This hidden gem is in southwest Greenland, winding 4.5 km (2.8 mi) from Ivittuut, an old mining town near Cape Desolation, up to Kangilinnguit, which used to be a naval base. It's a short stretch, but expect it to be snowed in and closed during the winter.
easyHow long is US Highway 50?
🇺🇸 Usa
U.S. Route 50 is the name of a major road in the USA. It runs through mostly rural areas in the western part of the country and includes the section through Nevada known as The Loneliest Road in America. How long is US Highway 50? The road is totally paved. It’s 3,000 miles (4,800 km) long. The road was created in 1926. US Highway 50 wasn’t built overnight. The history of US Highway 50 starts almost two hundred years ago. There were no established trails other than pathways left by the Native Americans. Where does US Highway 50 start and end? The road runs east-west from Ocean City (in Maryland on the Atlantic Ocean) to West Sacramento (in California, on the Pacific Ocean) through mostly rural desert and mountains. It passes through a dozen different states (California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland) as well as the District of Columbia) and four state capitals, as well as the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Running coast-to-coast through the heart of America on a 3,000-mile odyssey from sea to shining sea, US-50 From the Atlantic to the Pacific, is how one often describes the coast to coast trip across the United States. Why is Highway 50 called The Loneliest Road in America? The section across Nevada is known as “The Loneliest Road in America”, with few or no signs of civilization along many parts. In Nevada, US 50 crosses several mountain ranges using 17 passes and one tunnel. The road tops out at at an elevation of 7,729 feet (2.356m) above the sea level. There is a stunning absence of people across hundreds of miles of sandy, rocky terrain. The Nevada portion of the route, evokes the feeling of loneliness. You find miles and miles of little more than mountains, sand, hundreds of timeworn small towns, and blue sky. US-50 crosses more than 400 miles of Nevada’s countryside, climbing up mountain ranges while passing through four mining towns and the capital, Carson City. You can still find some old gas stations, motor courts and diners hidden between newer buildings and businesses – a glimpse to another time in America’s past. It runs through mostly rural areas in the western part of the United States. Piilani Highway is a road with bad reputation in Hawaii Mattole Road is a Lost Coastal Scenic Drive 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.