Sitgreaves Pass in Arizona is a fabulous road if you are not scared of heights
Usa, north-america
35.4 km
1,096 m
hard
Year-round
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!
Where is it?
Sitgreaves Pass in Arizona is a fabulous road if you are not scared of heights is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 42.6113, -95.1077
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 35.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,096 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 42.6113, -95.1077
Related Roads in north-america
easyWhy is it called Jenny Lake?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the eastern edge of Jenny Lake, in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. It's the Jenny Lake Loop Road, a super scenic little detour that's totally worth your time. So, who was Jenny? Turns out, she was the wife of one of the first folks to settle here. The loop itself is a smooth, paved one-way stretch that clocks in at just 4 miles. You'll find it branching off the main Teton Park Loop Road, heading southwest, hugging the shoreline, and offering killer views of the Cathedral Group of the Tetons. Budget about 25-30 minutes for the drive so you can soak it all in. Keep in mind that because it sits at the foot of the Tetons, this road is closed for the winter, usually from November 1st to April 30th. As you roll along, you'll be surrounded by the pristine, glacial beauty of Jenny Lake. Seriously, the views are unreal. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and don't forget to use those pull-offs for photos.
easyMismaloya Road
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: You're cruising south of Puerto Vallarta on Highway 200, wind in your hair, heading towards Tomatlán beach. This isn't just any road trip, it's a coastal dream called the Carretera a Mismaloya! Get ready for some seriously stunning views – we're talking panoramic vistas of Banderas Bay dotted with the iconic Los Arcos islands. And the best part? You'll have easy access to some seriously gorgeous, hidden tropical beaches right off the roadside. Trust me, you absolutely HAVE to stick around for sunset here. The location is perfect, and the views as the sun dips into the ocean are unbeatable!
extremeA wild road to Pipestone Pass in MT
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trippers, listen up! I just tackled Pipestone Pass in Montana, and let me tell you, it's a stunner. We're talking a seriously high mountain pass sitting pretty at 6,469 feet. The whole thing's paved, winding its way through the eastern foothills of the Rockies. But don't think it's a Sunday drive! This baby's got curves and some seriously steep sections to keep you on your toes. Plus, Mother Nature can throw some curveballs, especially in winter – think black ice, blizzards, and winds that'll try to blow you off the road. Located in southern Montana's Pioneer Mountains, inside the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, it's about 29 miles of pure driving bliss (and a little bit of white-knuckle action). It connects Butte to Whitehall. Budget around 40-50 minutes to soak it all in – and maybe grab a photo or two! Oh, and keep an eye out for the Mount Patterson radio site. Happy trails!
moderateDriving one of the highest roads of Mexico to La Joya-Iztaccíhuatl hut
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about La Joya! Nestled way up in the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, Mexico State, this mountain hut sits at a whopping 3,977m (13,047ft). Seriously, it's one of the highest roads you can find in Mexico! The road? Totally unpaved, baby! You'll start your journey at Paso de Cortés (already pretty high at 3,692m or 12,112ft) and travel 7.1km (4.41 miles) up. Be prepared for a bit of a climb, with some sections hitting a 9% gradient. You'll gain 306 meters in elevation, so your engine will definitely know it's working! While any vehicle can technically attempt it, I'd seriously recommend a high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicle. Trust me on this. The road gets a little dicey right at the end – a rough cobblestone hill drops about 40 feet, so most people park before reaching La Joya itself. But hey, the rest of the road is generally smooth dirt, so you can still have a blast! If you're feeling extra adventurous, a smaller road north of the summit takes you even higher to La Joyita (4,009m or 13,152ft). Just a heads-up: the road is only open from 8 am to 6 pm. Near the hut, you'll find a parking lot if you want to hike to the Iztaccíhuatl volcano. Get ready for some killer views!