When did Route 66 start?
Usa, north-america
3,200 km
1,082 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Route 66, the "Mother Road," stretching over 2,000 miles of pure Americana from the Windy City all the way to sunny Santa Monica. This legendary highway cuts a diagonal path through the heart of the US, taking you through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
The highest point sits at 3,550 feet above sea level.
Now, give yourself around 13 days to soak it all in. Don't expect an easy ride — signage can be sparse and it's not on your standard map.
You'll be cruising on the same road that Easy Rider made famous. Get ready for an epic adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 3,200 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,082 m
- Difficulty
- easy
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Sawmill Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk Sawmill Pass in New Mexico! This beauty sits high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, clocking in at a cool 10,344 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in New Mexico. Find it north of Ranchos de Taos, nestled in the northern part of the state near the Carson National Forest. Now, fair warning: this isn't your Sunday cruise kind of road. We're talking nine miles of unpaved glory, also known as Forest Road 597, that stays entirely above 8,858 feet. Expect some seriously steep sections—maximum gradient!—as you climb from Talpa heading south to north. Keep in mind, Old Man Winter has his say here. Sawmill Pass is usually closed from late fall due to snow. Even when it's open, watch out for unstable conditions. But, if you're up for a rugged drive and breathtaking scenery, Sawmill Pass is calling your name!
moderateA Scenic Drive to San Cristobal de la Barranca in Jalisco
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, so you’re near Guadalajara and itching for a seriously gorgeous drive? Head north and check out the road to San Cristóbal de la Barranca in Jalisco, Mexico! This fully paved gem, also known as Mexico 23, hugs a stunning canyon, running parallel to Mexico 54. Starting near García de La Cadena, this 44 km (27-ish miles) adventure packs a punch. Get ready for steep climbs, hairpin turns galore, and views for days! Picture this: you’re winding through a canyon in central-western Mexico, with breathtaking panoramas of towering canyon walls and lush greenery. You'll be driving through ever-changing landscapes, from semi-tropical rainforest to cacti-studded terrain. Trust me, you will want to stop and take in the view!
moderateA delightful yet crowded road to Bear Lake in CO
🇺🇸 Usa
Bear Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.890m (9,481ft) above the sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road is usually crowded during peak tourist season. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO paved? Set high in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the road to the summit is and navigable by all passenger vehicles. It’s called Bear Lake Road. Starting at US-36, the drive is 15.12km (9.4 miles) long. It's a dazzling little drive, with a few hairpin turns. The road was constructed in 1928. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO open? Access to the lake is typically , with the occasional closure in winters due to dangerous weather conditions. At 2.890m (9,481ft), Bear Lake freezes in the winter. Is the road to Bear Lake in CO worth it? The drive is very scenic. It’s said to be one of the most famous roads in Rocky Mountain National Park . It has an estimated 2 million visitors each year. Traffic can be heavy especially in summer and on fall weekends and the Bear Lake parking lot often fills up by noon on busy summer days. It can be congested. Is the road to Bear Lake steep? The road to the summit is steep, hitting a 9% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at US-36, the ascent is 15.12km (9.4 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 385 meters. The average gradient is 2.54%. 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.
moderateThe Road to Maligne Lake in Alberta is Well Worth the Drive
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, picture this: You're in Alberta, Canada, ready to explore Jasper National Park. Buckle up, because Maligne Lake Road is calling your name! This fully paved beauty winds its way up to Maligne Lake, a high-altitude gem sitting pretty at 5,610 feet. Maligne Lake itself is a showstopper. At 22 kilometers long, it's one of the largest glacier-fed lakes *in the world*. Seriously, the water color is unreal, and you'll spot three glaciers clinging to the surrounding peaks. Oh, and don't forget Spirit Island, that iconic little islet you've probably seen in a million photos! The drive? Let's just say it's 43.6 kilometers of pure Canadian Rockies magic. Starting north of Jasper from the Trans-Canada Highway, you'll climb and curve through a landscape of snow-capped mountains. It's a bit of a challenging drive, but trust me, the views are worth it. Keep your eyes peeled, especially around Medicine Lake – you might just spot some bighorn sheep hanging out. Get ready for a road trip you won't soon forget!