McCarthy Road is a drive you'll never forget in Alaska
Usa, north-america
95 km
73 m
hard
Year-round
Deep in Alaska's Valdez-Cordova area lies McCarthy Road, an unforgettable 59-mile (95 km) adventure! This unpaved route, carved from an old mining railway (originally built in 1909!), winds its way west-east from Chitina (at the end of Edgerton Highway) to the remote town of McCarthy, within the breathtaking Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
Forget smooth sailing – this road throws some curveballs! Expect potholes, mud after heavy rains, and the occasional sharp rock lurking to give you a flat tire. While the state keeps it maintained, narrow bridges (some just one lane) can be tricky, especially for larger vehicles. Keep an eye out for remnants of the old railroad – like rogue railroad ties and spikes!
Most cars can handle it during normal summer conditions, but come prepared with a spare tire (or two!) and a good jack. The speed limit's a chill 35mph, and large RVs might want to reconsider. It's wide enough for two lanes most of the way, but stay alert for oncoming traffic on narrower sections.
Budget about 2 to 2.5 hours for this winding drive. It's a gateway to mind-blowing scenery, vast wilderness, and adventure galore! You'll be treated to incredible geology, plus opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping. And of course, the charming historic communities of McCarthy and Kennecott await.
Remember, this area is remote. Cell service is spotty, and there's no fuel in Chitina. This road is for the adventurous!
One of the highlights is definitely crossing the Kuskulana River Bridge. This historic 775-foot-long steel deck truss bridge, built in 1910, towers 238 feet above a gorge. It's the ultimate thrill ride!
So, if you're craving an authentic Alaskan experience, McCarthy Road is calling your name! Just remember to embrace the wild, be prepared, and enjoy the ride!
Where is it?
McCarthy Road is a drive you'll never forget in Alaska is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.1414, -97.6062
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 95 km
- Max Elevation
- 73 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 39.1414, -97.6062
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere are the 11 Steepest Streets in the USA? See the Ranking, including Waipio Valley's 45% Descent
🇺🇸 Usa
# America's Most Insanely Steep Streets: A Jaw-Dropping Road Trip Ready to experience some seriously wild driving? The USA is absolutely packed with some of the planet's steepest paved urban roads, and we're talking legitimately bonkers gradients. At the top of our list sits Hawaii's mind-blowing Waipio Valley Road, dropping at a jaw-dropping 45% – seriously, you'll feel like you're descending into another dimension. Here's where it gets interesting: California is basically the steep-street capital of America. Eight out of the eleven most extreme slopes are scattered across the Golden State, with LA and San Francisco being the absolute hotspots for these gravity-defying stretches. We're not talking about quirky Instagram fodder here – roads steeper than 30% are serious business. Your standard vehicle will struggle big time, many require four-wheel drive to even attempt, and during rain or snow? Most are straight-up closed to traffic. Want to explore these legendary routes yourself? Check out our interactive map and dive into the most incredible roads across the globe. Whether you're a thrill-seeking driver or just curious about these extreme landscapes, there's something awe-inspiring waiting for you. Got a road in mind that should be on everyone's bucket list? We've got our eyes on over 13,000 cataloged routes, and we're always hunting for the next legendary stretch. Think you know a hidden gem that deserves the spotlight? Drop us a line – you might just help us feature the next great discovery.
moderateWhere is Kennaday Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through Carbon County, Wyoming, itching for a view that'll knock your socks off. Kennaday Peak is calling your name! Perched way up high at 10,826 feet, this beauty's nestled east of Saratoga, deep inside the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Getting there is half the adventure. Forest Road 215, your path to glory, is a rugged dirt track. We're talking steep climbs and some seriously rough patches, so a high-clearance vehicle is your best friend. Four-wheel drive? Probably not necessary unless you're tackling it early in the season or after a storm – and honestly, maybe skip it then. The road itself? A 6.5-mile climb from NFSR 100, gaining over 2,100 feet in elevation. That's an average gradient of around 6%, but be ready for some ramps that hit over 11%! At the summit, you'll find a fire lookout, a 1960's flattop structure sitting atop a concrete foundation. There's a small interpretive area at the base, but the real star is the 360-degree view. Seriously, it's unreal – mountains for days and the Platte River Valley stretching out below. Keep in mind this is high country! The road is usually open from June/July through September/October. Summer days might be warm, but nights can get chilly, and those afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast. High winds are a common occurrence too, so pack accordingly and get ready for an unforgettable Wyoming experience.
moderateWhere is Chrome Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Chrome Mountain in Montana's Sweet Grass County is calling your name! This ain't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a 28.1-mile unpaved beast of a road – Picket Pin Creek Road – that climbs to a whopping 10,098 feet! Located west of Fishtail in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, this route is strictly for those who love to get down and dirty. Expect some serious off-road action as you navigate through ATV trails and old mining roads. You'll probably need a high-clearance vehicle (4x4 recommended!) and make sure you have that permit sorted before you go. Keep in mind, this road is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan your trip accordingly! But trust me, the views from the top are worth every bump and bruise. Get ready for some killer panoramic scenery that’ll make your Instagram followers drool!
easyPacific Coast Highway
🇺🇸 United States
# Pacific Coast Highway: California's Greatest Road Trip The Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1) is basically the ultimate coastal drive, stretching a jaw-dropping 1,055 kilometers along California's edge. If you're looking for one of the most stunning road trips on the planet, this is it. The real star of the show? Big Sur. This absolutely breathtaking 145-kilometer section between Carmel and San Simeon is where the Santa Lucia Mountains practically tumble straight into the Pacific Ocean. It's dramatic, it's rugged, and it's endlessly photogenic. You've probably seen pictures of the Bixby Creek Bridge—that stunning concrete arch spanning a deep coastal canyon—because it's basically the most Instagrammed bridge in California for good reason. Here's a fun fact: construction on this road started in the 1920s, but it took decades to finish, with the Big Sur section alone taking eighteen years (completed in 1937, using prison labor no less). Building a road along crumbling cliffs and over deep canyons in an area that's literally always shifting and eroding? Yeah, that's not easy. Landslides still regularly force closures that can last months, so check conditions before you go. Beyond Big Sur, the highway transforms as it rolls past some seriously iconic California spots. Starting down south near Dana Point, you'll cruise through legendary surf towns like Huntington Beach and Malibu, past dramatic Santa Barbara sea cliffs, through the agricultural Central Coast, and up into the misty redwood forests north of San Francisco. There are endless opportunities to stop at beaches, tide pools, lighthouses, and charming little coastal towns. You could technically drive the whole thing in two or three days, but honestly? Plan for at least a week. You'll want the time to actually soak it all in.