
When was the Zion Mount Carmel Highway built?
Usa, north-america
40 km
4 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for a seriously stunning road trip on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway! This 25-mile (40 km) stretch of road, also known as State Route 9 or HWY 9, carves its way through Zion National Park, connecting Springdale to Mount Carmel Junction.
Built way back in the late 20s, this fully paved road serves up gentle curves and incredible views of the Utah landscape. Picture this: you're cruising along, slickrock formations rise around you, and seasonal waterfalls cascade down the rocks. It's a photographer's dream! Trust me, you'll want to hit this road early to beat the crowds and soak it all in.
Now, let's talk about the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, a 1.1-mile (1.77 km) marvel that opened in 1930. It’s an experience just driving through it! The tunnel is pretty narrow, so larger vehicles need to arrange an escort. Keep in mind that vehicles over 13 feet 1 inch tall, semi-trucks, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, vehicles weighing more than 50,000 pounds, single vehicles over 40 feet long, combined vehicles over 50 feet long, all bicycles, and pedestrians are not allowed through the tunnel. But don't let that deter you. The views from the windows carved into the tunnel walls are simply breathtaking. It’s a drive you won't soon forget!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 40 km
- Max Elevation
- 4 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhat is the route to North Schell Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Ready for an off-road adventure in eastern Nevada? Let's talk North Schell Peak! This beast of a mountain, towering at 9,104 feet, is hidden away in White Pine County within the Schell Creek Range. To get there, you'll jump on NF-425, also known as Timber Creek Road, just east of McGill off White Pine County Road 29. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The 4.9-mile dirt track climbs steadily, promising some serious elevation gain. The first stretch is a washboard dirt road – bumpy but manageable in most vehicles. You'll pass the Timber Creek Campground, and that's where things get real. The road shrinks to a single lane, strewn with rocks, demanding moderate clearance. If you're planning on conquering the final, steeper sections, a 4x4 is non-negotiable! We're talking about gaining 1,906 feet in just under 5 miles, so yeah, it's steep. The upper parts can be rocky, tippy, and bumpy, testing your off-road skills. And if it's wet? Forget about it! The dirt turns to slick mud, making it a challenge even for seasoned pros. The drivable part ends shortly past the Timber Creek Campground at an unmarked trailhead with a couple of campsites and plenty of parking. You'll hit 9,104 feet at this point! If you're dreaming of bagging the actual summit of North Schell Peak, you'll have to finish the journey on foot. Heads up: this road is usually open from late May through September, depending on how much snow Mother Nature decides to dump. Heavy snow makes it impassable during the colder months. So, if you're itching for a challenging drive with insane views, North Schell Peak is calling your name! Just remember, come prepared with a 4x4, a sense of adventure, and maybe a good chiropractor for afterwards. If narrow, unpaved mountain roads and heights make you queasy, stick to the lower sections of the creek and enjoy the scenery.
Driving the iconic Pacific Coast Highway in California
🇺🇸 Usa
# California's Pacific Coast Highway: The Ultimate Coastal Drive The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is basically the road trip of your dreams—a stunning 620-mile stretch of fully paved State Route 1 that hugs California's coastline from Los Angeles all the way up to San Francisco. Completed back in 1930, this legendary route has become one of America's most iconic drives and for good reason. ## What to Expect Prepare yourself for breathtaking coastal views that just keep getting better as you travel north. You'll wind along dramatic cliffs, zoom over incredible bridges like the famous Bixby Bridge (which towers 280 feet above Bixby Creek Gorge), and experience some serious hairpin turns with narrow shoulders and steep drop-offs straight into the Pacific. The scenery is absolutely worth it, but this isn't a drive for the faint-hearted—there are stretches with minimal guardrails, so you'll need to stay sharp and keep both hands on the wheel. ## Planning Your Trip Ideally, drive north to south so you're on the ocean side of the highway for those killer views and easier pulloffs. The full drive takes about ten hours at a relaxed pace, but honestly? You'll want way more time to stop and explore. Skip the summer rush (July and August get crazy crowded) and definitely avoid major holidays if you can. Winter brings mudslide risks, so always check local conditions beforehand. The highway thoughtfully provides plenty of vista points so you can safely pull over and soak in those views instead of gawking while driving. Do yourself a favor and hit the brakes regularly—hit up Big Sur's majestic redwoods, catch sea otters playing in Monterey Bay, check out the Elephant Seal Rookery, or grab lunch at one of the charming coastal towns. ## Pro Tips Gas stations get sparse the further north you go (seriously sparse in Big Sur), so keep your tank topped up. Slow drivers stopped on the highway to admire views can be hazardous, so use those designated pullouts. And if heights make you nervous? You might want to reconsider—those ocean drop-offs are real and they're spectacular. This is the American road trip bucket-list classic for a reason. Don't miss it.
moderatePhantom Canyon Road is a scenic drive in Colorado
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for an unforgettable Colorado adventure on Phantom Canyon Road! This historic and scenic dirt road winds between Cañon City and Victor, climbing from 5,500 to 9,500 feet through the heart of Phantom Canyon. Located in the central part of Colorado, crossing Fremont and Teller counties, this route follows the old Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad line, dating back to 1894. Clocking in at just under 30 miles, this Gold Belt Scenic Byway features hand-cut stone tunnels and three old-school steel and wooden bridges. This road steadily climbs, offering views and thrills. Mountain bikers and off-roaders love this area. Keep in mind, this is a narrow, unpaved road, so nothing over 25 feet long. Prepare for rough-hewn, one-way tunnels, tight squeezes carved into the mountainside, and a cool curved bridge. The dirt road isn't too challenging but can be a bit nerve-wracking. Expect some "hairy" spots where the road feels like a single lane with huge drop-offs and towering rock walls. The road carves through boulders with stunning canyon views. Topping out at 9,744 feet, winter maintenance is limited. It's a well-maintained dirt road but narrow, with some one-car-wide sections. Regular vehicles (no trailers) are fine if you take it easy and watch for rocks. Allow around 2 hours for the drive. This scenic byway is full of photo opportunities. Weekends can be busy and dusty. The road and narrow bridges encourage slow speeds. The route provides a chance to see a wide range of plants and wildlife.
extremeWhat’s the Old Cascade Tunnel?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip fans, buckle up for a seriously spooky spot! Just east of Everett, Washington, in King County, lurks the Old Cascade Tunnel. We're talking major creep factor. This abandoned Great Northern Railway tunnel, hidden away in the Cascades, was built way back in 1900 to ditch some gnarly switchbacks. Clocking in at 2.6 miles long with a 1.7% grade, this tunnel, also known as the Stevens Pass Tunnel, is NOT your average scenic route. Forget exploring! This place is collapsing and seriously unstable. I'm talking major cave-in potential. A huge failure occurred in 2006, creating a debris dam and a creepy little lake inside. The lining is cracked, and another collapse could happen any minute. Seriously, DO NOT ENTER. They've built a safe viewpoint at the west end so you can peek, but that's it. Oh, and did I mention it's supposedly haunted? Legend says the ghosts of the 1910 Wellington avalanche, which tragically killed 96 people, still roam these tunnels. So, you know, extra spooky vibes.