Is the road to Scotts Bluff Summit paved?
Usa, north-america
2.57 km
1,407 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trippers, listen up! You HAVE to add Scotts Bluff Summit Road to your Nebraska itinerary. This scenic little gem sits right on the western edge of the state in Scotts Bluff County.
First things first: yes, the road is paved, so you can leave the off-road tires at home. We're talking about Scotts Bluff Summit Road (aka Summit Road), a historical beauty built way back in the 30s. Fun fact: it's the oldest concrete road in Nebraska AND boasts the state's only three tunnels!
The road is a short but sweet 1.6 miles up to the summit, making it a super accessible adventure. Keep in mind, it's a bit on the narrow side with some tight curves, so oversized vehicles (longer than 25 feet or taller than 11'7") and trailers aren't allowed. Also, Mother Nature sometimes throws a curveball with weather closures or the occasional rock slide, so check ahead. In the summer, you can cruise up between 9 am and 5:30 pm, but you gotta be off the road by 6 pm.
Now, let's talk about the climb! It's a fairly steep 150-meter (almost 500 feet) ascent from the Old Oregon Trail (Highway 92), with an average gradient of around 6%. But trust me, the views are worth the effort! Once you're at the top, you'll find a spacious parking lot and panoramic vistas of the North Platte Valley, plus glimpses of Chimney Rock and Laramie Peak in the distance. Just be aware of the high risk of rock slides. Seriously, though, the views from up there are unreal!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 2.57 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,407 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
easyExploring Skyline Drive: A Scenic Journey Through Shenandoah National Park
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for an epic road trip! Skyline Drive is a total stunner, winding along the Blue Ridge Mountains right through the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. This beauty is paved the whole way, your only public access road snaking through the park. Keep it slow and steady at 35 mph (56 kmh) — the park rangers mean business with that speed limit, and it's there to protect the critters. Speaking of, keep your eyes peeled for deer, bears, and all sorts of wildlife darting across the road. RVs and trailers are welcome, but be ready to downshift on those climbs. One thing to note: Marys Rock Tunnel at mile 32.2 has a clearance of 12'8", so mind your height! Clocking in at 105 miles (169 km), this stretch of Virginia State Route 48 runs north-south from I-64 (near Afton) up to US-340 (near Front Royal). Usually, you can cruise it any time, day or night, but keep an eye on the weather – winter storms can shut it down. Being up in the mountains, it takes a while to clear after snow and ice. Non-stop, it's a 3-4 hour drive, but trust me, you'll want to pull over. Campsites and visitor centers dot the route, and the views are unreal. We're talking mountains, valleys, wildflowers, and wildlife galore. Mileposts on the west side of the road guide your way to points of interest. Don't forget to wind down those windows and breathe in that mountain air! There are 75 overlooks offering views stretching out to the Shenandoah Valley or the Piedmont. Fall is a real showstopper here, with the foliage blazing from late September to mid-November. Spring's no slouch either, with wildflowers and mountain laurel exploding with color. Skyline Drive's a popular spot, drawing over 1.2 million visitors yearly.
hardIs Corral Canyon Road in Malibu paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, Malibu dreamin'? You HAVE to check out Corral Canyon Road! This completely paved ribbon of asphalt winds its way down from the mountains, connecting to the legendary Pacific Coast Highway. Just a hop, skip, and a jump from the ocean, it's a super popular spot, especially on weekends. Fair warning: this baby is STEEP, with grades hitting up to 10% in places. It's a twisty, turny descent, so keep your eyes peeled. Seriously, if you're not comfortable with curves, or if the sun's gone down, maybe skip it for another time. Trust me on this one. But OH. MY. GOODNESS. The views! Absolutely stunning scenery. It's totally worth it just for the photo ops. Clocking in at a decent length, it's the perfect little detour for an unforgettable Malibu adventure. Get ready to make some memories!
moderateWhen was Lands End Observatory built?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in western Colorado, about to hit up Lands End Observatory. This place is perched way up high in Mesa County, at almost 10,000 feet! You'll be cruising along Lands End Road (aka Forest Road 105), which is about 11.5 miles long. It's mostly gravel and paved, so your average car should be fine, especially when the weather's good. Just start from Colorado State Highway 65 (Grand Mesa Scenic Byway). Word to the wise: this road's usually snowed in during the winter, so plan your trip accordingly. Lands End Observatory itself is this cool historic building built way back in the 30s. While the observatory isn't used anymore, the views are totally worth the drive. Seriously, they're insane! You can see the Book Cliffs stretching all the way into Utah. Then, spin around and BAM – the San Juan Mountains and the Uncompahgre Wilderness are right there. You can also spot the Colorado National Monument, Big and Little Dominguez Canyons, Unaweep Canyon, and a bunch of those epic 14,000-foot peaks. Just past Land's End the road begins a harrowing hairpin-turn descent of 6,000 feet to the valley below. Get your camera ready!
extremeForest Road 196
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Forest Road 196, nestled high in Utah's Duchesne County, is a true alpine experience. We're talking serious altitude here, folks – the whole route sits above 10,000 feet! Located inside Ashley National Forest, this 12.9-mile stretch is no Sunday drive. Think gravel, think rocks, and think "bring your 4x4!" Seriously, you'll want the extra clearance and traction for this one. And pro tip: only tackle this road when it's dry. Mother Nature calls the shots here. Forget about it from October to June – it's impassable due to snow. Even in the summer, you might get surprised by a flurry. The highest point tops out at 10,485 feet, so be prepared for extreme weather and brutally cold temperatures, especially as the seasons change. But hey, the views? Totally worth it!