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
hardBloody Basin Road is a classic Arizona drive
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for an epic Arizona adventure on Bloody Basin Road, located near Black Canyon City! This 42-mile dirt road (aka FR 269) winds through the Agua Fria National Monument and Tonto National Forest, offering a wild ride steeped in history. The name comes from a grim event – the Battle of Turret Peak in 1873. Legend says the army stormed the camp at night, and in the chaos, some met their end jumping from the cliffs. Just north of Phoenix in Yavapai County, this well-maintained road runs from Antelope Creek Road down to the Verde River and the iconic Sheep Bridge. This 476-foot suspension footbridge, originally built in 1943 and rebuilt in 1989, is a must-see! While 4WD isn't usually required, high clearance is a good idea. Some sections get rocky and rutted, especially the final stretch down to Sheep Bridge. Passenger cars can make it, but expect a slow, bumpy ride. Watch out for semi-blind curves and be prepared for intense summer heat. Heavy rains can also wash out sections of the road. Set aside around 6 hours to soak in the spectacular, remote scenery east of the Agua Fria River. The road climbs to 4,993ft, rewarding you with incredible views on a clear day. There are tons of places to pull over for photos, lunch breaks, or camping. Don't forget to check out the archaeological sites and petroglyphs along the way!
hardHow to Get to the Lookout at Eureka Mountain by Car
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! You NEED to check out Eureka Mountain in British Columbia, Canada. This beast tops out at a whopping 1,968m (6,456ft), offering killer views that'll blow your mind. You'll find this gem nestled near Cherryville, in the heart of Central Kootenay. The peak itself is home to the Eureka Mountain Fire Lookout, a rad tower built way back in '57 to help keep an eye on those sneaky wildfires. Now, getting up there is half the fun. Back in the day, it was just a horse trail, but they carved out a road in '53. Don't expect a smooth ride, though! This 7.9 km (4.90 miles) stretch is all unpaved and seriously steep, gaining 739m in elevation. We're talking an average gradient of 9.35%! Seriously, a 4x4 with some serious ground clearance is a MUST. Those steep inclines are no joke, and your brakes will be screaming on the way down. The views from the top, set in the Monashee Mountains, are totally worth the white-knuckle drive. Keep in mind, this road is usually only open in the summer. Snow makes it a no-go zone the rest of the year. Get ready for an epic adventure!
hardCoronado Trail Scenic Byway is the road with 460 turns in Arizona
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, thrill-seekers! I've just conquered the legendary Coronado Trail Scenic Byway in Arizona, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride! This isn't just a road; it's an adventure carved into the southeastern Arizona landscape, near the New Mexico border, right on the edge of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Think of it as your gateway to Canyon de Chelly National Monument, with a hefty dose of adrenaline thrown in! They call it the Coronado Trail, named after that Spanish explorer who was chasing the Seven Cities of CÃbola way back when. This route used to be known as "The Devil's Highway," which should give you a hint about what's in store! Stretching for 129 miles from Springerville down to the old copper mining town of Clifton, this fully paved road is all about the twists and turns – a mind-boggling 460 of them! Seriously, it's a rollercoaster for cars! The scenery is epic, and you’ll likely have the road practically to yourself. But fair warning: this mountain road is narrow, winding, and clings to steep cliffs with little to no shoulder in many spots. Newbies might want to sit this one out. You'll climb to a breathtaking 9,383 feet above sea level, just south of Hannagan Meadow in the heavily wooded White Mountains. The views? Unforgettable! Generally, the road's open year-round, but winter, spring and fall can bring ice and snow. Pro-tip: snow isn't plowed on weekends or at night during winter, just weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm. Plan for a solid 4-5 hours of driving, but that's *without* stopping. And trust me, you'll want to stop. Snowy mountains, grassy valleys, wildlife galore, heart-pumping driving, and views that will blow your mind – this road has it all. Just remember to fill up your gas tank in Alpine. There aren't any stations along the way!
moderateWhere is Red Mountain Number 3?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Red Mountain Number 3 in Colorado's San Juan County is calling your name! This beast of a peak clocks in at a whopping 12,900 feet, and the views? Forget about it! You're looking at a jaw-dropping panorama of endless, jagged peaks stretching in every direction. You'll find the turnoff just east of the legendary Million Dollar Highway, nestled deep within the San Juan National Forest. Now, this isn't your Sunday drive. The 2.7-mile road to the top is a rugged, unpaved old mining route that demands a 4x4. Get ready for some serious climbing, with an average grade of almost 13% and some spots hitting over 20%! We're talking a 1,824-foot elevation gain in just a few miles. Keep in mind, this high-altitude haven is really only accessible during the summer months. Expect the snow to stick around until late June or even July. But trust me, once you conquer this climb and soak in those views, you'll know it was worth every bump and grind! There is also a small communication structure.