When was Cadillac Summit Road built?
Usa, north-america
5.31 km
457 m
moderate
Year-round
Craving epic views? Head to Cadillac Mountain in Maine's Acadia National Park! This beauty is the highest point on the U.S. East Coast, clocking in at 1,499 feet.
The scenic Cadillac Summit Road, a fully paved 3.3-mile ribbon of asphalt, winds up from Park Loop Road, gaining about 945 feet in elevation at an average grade of 5.42%. Note that RVs and trailers over 21 feet are a no-go on this road. It’s typically open from late April to December, weather permitting, so plan accordingly.
Trust me, the views are worth the trip! You'll find panoramic vistas all along the way, with plenty of spots to pull over and soak it all in. The summit is a popular spot for catching the sunrise (though it's only the "first" sunrise during fall and winter!). Up top, you'll find a parking lot, restrooms, and even a gift shop. Word to the wise: summer can get *crowded*, so reservations are required during peak season (May to October). On a clear day, you might even glimpse Mount Katahdin way off in the distance.
A few heads-ups: drive slowly and keep your eyes on the road. The cliffs can be steep, and it's easy to get distracted by the scenery. This road gets packed, so be patient and watch out for other cars and pedestrians. Speed limit is 25 mph, which you'll want to heed!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 5.31 km
- Max Elevation
- 457 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Big Indian Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in western Nevada, near [ ], lies Big Indian Mountain, and getting to its peak is a serious off-road experience! Forget pavement, this is a 12.5-mile dirt track that climbs like crazy. We're talking a staggering 4,927 feet of elevation gain, with some sections hitting a wild 16.5% grade! That's an average gradient of 7.46%, so prepare for a workout! The road is narrow, and passing other vehicles can be tricky, so keep your eyes peeled. You'll definitely need a high-clearance 4x4 to conquer this beast. Heads up: this road is typically snowed in from late October until sometime between late June and early July, so plan your trip accordingly. But if you're after rugged beauty and a true off-road challenge, Big Indian Mountain is calling your name!
moderateWhere is Monitor Pass in California?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk Monitor Pass! This stunner sits way up high in east-central California, practically kissing the Nevada border, right where Alpine and Mono counties meet. Think wide-open spaces and that "I'm the only one here" feeling because traffic is usually super light. The road itself, officially CA-89 (aka Robert M. Jackson Memorial Highway), was carved out in the early 50s and named after the old silver mining town, Monitor. We're talking about a 17.6-mile stretch of pure, paved goodness connecting Alpine State Highway south of Markleeville to US-395 north of Coleville, southeast of Lake Tahoe. Word to the wise: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Expect a seasonal closure from late November to early April due to snow. Speaking of high, we're talking an elevation of 8,343 feet! And if you're feeling extra adventurous, there's a smaller gravel road near the top that climbs even higher to 8,942ft. Hold on tight, because this road isn't shy about its steepness! You'll find yourself tackling gradients up to 13% in spots. The eastern side, heading towards US-395, is particularly punchy, so gear down and be prepared for a serious climb if you're heading back up. Give yourself about 30 minutes to cruise this pass without stopping to soak it all in (but you *totally* should stop!).
hardWhere is Burr Trail?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for the Burr Trail, a 66-mile (106 km) scenic backway straddling Kane and Garfield counties in south-central Utah. You'll cruise through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Capitol Reef National Park, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Starting from Bullfrog (Highway 276) near Lake Powell, you'll wind your way to the mountain town of Boulder (Utah Scenic Byway 12). Most of the road is pretty quiet. The western part, from Boulder to Capitol Reef, is paved. But inside the park, it turns into a graded dirt road that can get seriously washboarded – so gas up in Bullfrog, Ticaboo, or Boulder! Named after Mormon settler John Atlantic Burr, this trail can be tricky. While cars can usually handle it in dry weather (spring and fall are ideal!), rain can make it impassable, even for 4WDs. Check conditions with rangers before you go. Cell service is spotty, so pack plenty of water and supplies. The highlight? The Burr Trail Switchbacks – a super steep series of hairpin turns that climb 800 feet (244 m) in just half a mile (0.8 km). Talk about a test! The road's open year-round, but flash floods can happen anytime. Leave the RVs and trailers at home! Budget 2.5–3 hours for the drive, but plan for longer – you'll be stopping constantly. Think painted rocks, Henry Mountains views, contorted landscapes like The Gulch and Waterpocket Fold, red Circle Cliffs, and Long Canyon. Seriously, get ready for some epic hiking and side trips!
easyIs Hwy 40 in Alberta paved?
🇨🇦 Canada
Highway 40 in Alberta? Oh, you HAVE to drive it! This epic road, also called the Bighorn Highway or Kananaskis Trail, stretches for 1,021 km (634 miles) from Coleman, nestled in the southwest Alberta Rockies, all the way up to Grande Prairie in the northwest. Now, here's the thing: it's a mix of paved and gravel, so be prepared for a bit of everything. And keep an eye on road closures – winter weather can shut it down, especially between Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Hwy 541 (usually closed December 1 to June 14). But trust me, the views are worth it! This road winds through the Canadian Rockies, peaking at a whopping 2,217m (7,273ft). That's the highest highway elevation in the whole country! You'll be cruising near the treeline, where you might even spot some lingering snow in summer. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife – bears, elk, moose, mountain goats, coyotes... it's a nature lover's paradise! Seriously, if you want a scenic day trip to explore Canada and southern Alberta, this is it. Breathtaking views guaranteed!