When was the Dalton Highway built?

When was the Dalton Highway built?

Usa, north-america

Length

666 km

Elevation

1,444 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Ready for the ultimate road trip? The Dalton Highway (Alaska Route 11) stretches 414 miles from just north of Fairbanks to Deadhorse, near Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean. Originally built to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, it's now your gateway to Alaska's untouched wilderness.

This isn't your average Sunday drive. The Dalton is mostly a two-lane gravel road, with only 109 miles paved. Expect steep grades up to 16% at Atigun Pass, which sits at 4,739 feet. Giant trucks are the main traffic, so always give them the right of way!

Fuel is scarce – only three places to fill up along the entire route. Headlights are a must, day and night. The landscape? Unforgettable! You'll cruise through forests, tundra, cross the mighty Yukon River, and scale the Brooks Range.

But be warned: this road is isolated. Pack survival gear and know how to use it. Trucks kick up rocks and dust, reducing visibility. The "loneliest road on earth" will test you – but the reward is a journey unlike any other.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
666 km
Max Elevation
1,444 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in north-america

Cameron Mountain Passextreme

Cameron Mountain Pass

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're in Chaffee County, Colorado and craving a serious off-road thrill, you HAVE to check out Cameron Mountain Pass. We're talking a lung-busting 9,940 feet above sea level! County Road 175 is your ticket to the top, but fair warning: this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking a 4WD-only gravel track that gets rocky and muddy in spots. And listen, Mother Nature calls the shots up here. Don't even THINK about it if the weather looks sketchy. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real possibilities, and those icy patches? No joke. But if you're prepared and the conditions are right, the views are absolutely epic. Get ready for some serious mountain scenery!

Where is Resolution Mountain?moderate

Where is Resolution Mountain?

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright, adventure junkies, let's talk Resolution Mountain! This peak sits pretty high up in central Colorado, smack-dab in the White River National Forest. We're talking some serious elevation! Now, getting to the top? Forget your sedan. This is strictly 4x4 territory! The road's a rough and rugged unpaved track. The climb's around [length] miles, and get this: you'll be gaining [elevation gain] in elevation. That's an average grade of [percentage]! Talk about a workout for your rig (and your nerves!). Heads up, though: this road is typically closed during the winter months. But when it's open? Epic views! Get ready for some serious bragging rights.

Forest Road 1877, an epic enthralling drivehard

Forest Road 1877, an epic enthralling drive

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trip fans, let me tell you about Forest Road 1877 in New Mexico! This isn't just any scenic drive; it's a high-altitude adventure in Taos County, tucked away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains within the Carson National Forest. First things first: this is a dirt road, all the way. We're talking about 4.7 miles of unpaved glory, and it's usually only open during the summer months because snow can linger well into June or even July. Get ready for some serious elevation! You'll climb to a breathtaking 10,193 feet above sea level. Starting from Santa Barbara Road, it's a steep climb, gaining 1,722 vertical feet with an average gradient of almost 7%. Translation? You'll definitely want a 4x4 with high clearance to tackle this one. But hey, the views from up there? Totally worth it!

Exploring the Breathtaking Beartooth Highway: A Scenic Adventuremoderate

Exploring the Breathtaking Beartooth Highway: A Scenic Adventure

🇺🇸 Usa

# The Beartooth Highway If you're looking for one of the most spectacular drives in America, the Beartooth Highway is calling your name. This 67-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 212 winds through the heart of the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains, straddling the Montana-Wyoming border and serving as the perfect gateway to Yellowstone's northeast entrance. Get ready for some serious elevation—this road climbs to a jaw-dropping 10,964 feet at Beartooth Pass, making it the highest highway in both Wyoming and Montana. The entire route is paved, but don't let that fool you. You'll navigate a series of thrilling switchbacks and tight corners that'll keep you on your toes, especially if you're a motorcyclist or cyclist (and trust us, plenty of adrenaline junkies make the pilgrimage here for exactly that reason). The scenery? Absolutely unreal. You're surrounded by 20 peaks towering over 12,000 feet, 10,000 pristine mountain lakes, cascading waterfalls, and a dramatic shift from dense forest to stark alpine tundra in just a few miles. It's earned the nickname "the most beautiful drive in America," and once you experience it, you'll understand why. Plan for 3-4 hours if you're just passing through, but honestly? Set aside a half-day. You'll want to stop constantly for photos and to soak in the views. The road typically opens mid-May through mid-October, but come prepared for anything—surprise snowstorms, fierce winds, and intense thunderstorms can strike even in summer. Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime.