Where does Route 666 start and end?
Usa, north-america
321 km
2,743 m
extreme
Year-round
So, you want to tackle "The Devil's Highway," huh? Okay, buckle up for a wild ride! Officially known as US Route 491 these days (they changed the name from 666 for obvious reasons!), this almost 200-mile stretch of road cuts through some seriously stunning and seriously remote desert wilderness.
We're talking New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah all in one go, running roughly north-south from Monticello, Utah, down to Gallup, New Mexico. You'll cruise through Navajo Nation, past Shiprock, and hop over the Colorado border.
Word to the wise: this is DESERT driving. Pack extra water and snacks, and keep a close eye on that gas gauge. Fuel stops can be few and far between – easily 100 miles apart.
And pro tip: skip this one in the winter. Those high elevations (we're talking up to 9000 feet!) combined with snow, black ice, and the middle-of-nowhere factor, make for a potentially dicey situation.
But if you're up for an adventure with a side of eerie vibes, this road delivers. Just be prepared for some seriously epic scenery and maybe a ghost story or two... after all, there's a reason it used to be called "The Highway to Hell"!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 321 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,743 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in north-america
hardSignal Peak: Ultimate 4wd destination in NM
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about Signal Peak! This baby sits pretty in Grant County, New Mexico, smack-dab in the Gila National Forest. We're talking serious altitude here – 9,002 feet (2,744m)! The road up, Signal Peak Road (aka Forest Road 154), is a 6.7-mile unpaved path north of Silver City. Translation? Leave your low riders at home! You'll want something with some clearance to tackle this steep climb. Trust me, the views are worth it. Starting near a *ahem* let's say "challenging" area, you'll ascend 517 meters, with an average gradient of 4.79%. The prize? A fire lookout at the top! From there, you can feast your eyes on most of southwestern New Mexico, the vast Chihuahuan Desert to the south, and the rugged Gila Wilderness to the north. It’s panorama perfection!
extremeIs the road to Storm Mountain in Colorado unpaved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Storm Mountain in Colorado is calling your name. This bad boy tops out at a whopping 9,862 feet! Forget pavement – you'll be kicking up dust on Storm Mountain Road (aka Cedar Park Road) from the get-go. The start's a bit twisty, so ease into it. The trail is narrow, making passing a bit of an adventure. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. Keep your eyes peeled for fallen trees trying to block your path! The adventure starts near Drake, off US Highway 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon. From there, it's about 13.1 miles of pure uphill fun, climbing over 3,600 feet. That's an average incline of around 5%, so get ready for a good climb! Heads up: this road is seasonal, usually open from mid-June until the snow flies around December 1st. But is it worth it? Absolutely! You're cruising through prime wildlife territory in the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests. Keep an eye out for deer, elk, moose, and even bears! And the views from the top? Unbelievable. You'll get a killer, unobstructed panorama of the front range cities and Estes Park.
moderateHow long is the Kolob Canyons Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for a quick but stunning detour through Utah's Zion National Park! We're talking about Kolob Canyons Road, a paved 5.4-mile ribbon of asphalt that climbs from the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center (off Old Highway 91) up to the Kolob Canyons Overlook. It's a short and sweet drive – only about 11 minutes without stops – but trust me, you'll want to budget at least 30 minutes to soak it all in. This little gem packs a punch, gaining a hefty 1,100 feet as it climbs, so expect a pretty consistent uphill grade. The views are absolutely worth it, though. Think vibrant red canyons, crazy cool rock formations, and photo ops galore. Keep an eye out for wildlife and definitely take advantage of the turnouts to stretch your legs and snag some pics. Heads up: being high in Zion, this road can close in winter due to snow and ice, so check conditions before you go. You'll top out at 6,243 feet, so breathe in that crisp mountain air and enjoy the ride!
moderateDriving the scenic Howland Hill Road in California
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Del Norte County, California, on Howland Hill Road. This isn't just any drive; it's a total redwood immersion, plus it's famous for its role in "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi!" This 6.8-mile stretch connects Crescent City and Hiouchi, climbing to a modest 643 feet. Don't let that fool you, though! Winter storms can make parts impassable, and you might hit some resurfacing work in late spring/early summer. But the views? Totally worth it. You'll spend about 35-45 minutes winding through some of the most stunning scenery in Redwood National and State Parks. Stout Grove is an absolute must-see, with redwoods that'll leave you speechless. Built way back in 1887 as a stagecoach route, it's a pretty narrow road. Big rigs and RVs might want to sit this one out. And pro tip: pack your mosquito repellent for summer visits! The road's come a long way from its plank road days and is now suitable for regular cars. The surface is a mixed bag, with some smooth gravel and some sections with potholes, so be ready for a bit of an adventure!