Where is Thompson Pass?
Usa, north-america
132 km
841 m
hard
Year-round
Thompson Pass, Alaska: prepare to be wowed! Nestled in the Valdez–Cordova Census Area, this epic pass sits at 2,759 feet above sea level in the heart of the Chugach Mountains, just northeast of Valdez.
This place is legendary, playing a crucial role in the Klondike Gold Rush as prospectors forged their path inland. Later, it became a vital supply route to Valdez during WWII.
The road itself? It's a well-maintained, two-lane paved highway stretching for 82.5 miles between Tonsina and Valdez. Think glaciers, waterfalls, and majestic peaks—the scenery is unreal. Thompson Pass marks the highest point on the road, linking Alaska's interior to the coast.
Heads up: Thompson Pass is notorious for its crazy weather. Being close to the Gulf of Alaska and at a high elevation means heavy snow and avalanches, especially in winter. It's usually open year-round but expect closures when the weather gets wild. This area is the snowiest spot in Alaska, averaging over 46 feet of snow a year! It can be a nail-biter to drive through anytime, so keep your wits about you!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 132 km
- Max Elevation
- 841 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardDead Man's Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're hunting for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in New Mexico, Dead Man's Peak is calling your name. Nestled in Rio Arriba County, inside the Santa Fe National Forest, this bad boy tops out at a cool 8,799 feet. Now, don't expect a smooth Sunday drive. The road is gravel, rocky, and gets pretty dicey in spots – definitely a 4x4-only situation! Plus, the weather up there can flip on a dime, and closures are common, so only tackle this one when it's dry. Trust me, you don't want to get stuck. But the views? Totally worth it! And at the summit, you'll find a cool, old lookout tower built back in '33. Get ready for some serious mountain vibes!
extremeWhy is Lombard Street famous?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in San Francisco, California, and you absolutely HAVE to check out Lombard Street! Nestled in Russian Hill, specifically the block between Hyde and Leavenworth, awaits the "most crooked street in the world!" This isn't your average drive. We're talking eight crazy hairpin turns packed into just one block. Seriously, it's a slow crawl – think 5 mph max – but totally worth it for the experience (and the photos!). Why so twisty? Back in 1922, they realized the natural 27% grade was way too steep for cars, so they zig-zagged it into what we see today. Safety first, but make it fun! As you wind down this one-way street (downhill only!), you'll be surrounded by stunning Victorian mansions, bursting flower boxes, and incredible city views. It's picturesque AF. Word to the wise: expect some bumper-to-bumper action, especially during the summer. But hey, the anticipation just adds to the thrill. Lombard Street is so famous it’s even been featured in movies like ‘Vertigo’ and TV shows like ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Monk’. Whether you’re behind the wheel or just watching from below, Lombard Street is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
extremeGoing-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic marvel of Glacier National Park of Montana
🇺🇸 Usa
# Going-to-the-Sun Road: Montana's Most Iconic Drive If you're looking for one of the most breathtaking drives in the entire country, Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana is absolutely it. This stunning 50-mile stretch stretches from West Glacier to St. Mary and honestly lives up to all the hype—it's been called the crown jewel of scenic Montana drives for good reason. Built between 1921 and 1932, this engineering marvel is a paved two-lane highway that winds its way across Glacier National Park from west to east. Fair warning: it's narrow, twisty, and features some seriously tight hairpin turns with drop-offs that'll make your palms sweat a little. Oversized vehicles aren't welcome here—anything wider than 8 feet (mirrors included) is banned in certain sections, and vehicles taller than 10 feet might struggle on the western approach due to rock overhangs. So basically, dust off that motorcycle—it's one of America's 15 best motorcycling roads, after all. The full drive takes at least 2 hours without stopping, and trust us, you'll want to stop constantly. The scenery is absolutely unreal—you'll traverse everything from glacial lakes and cedar forests in the valleys to windswept alpine tundra near Logan Pass (which sits at an impressive 6,646 feet). The views from one direction are completely different from the other, so it's worth doing it both ways if you can. Here's the catch: the road is only typically open from mid-June through mid-October. Logan Pass can get buried under up to 80 feet of snow, and spring snowplowing here is notoriously brutal—some call it the hardest road in North America to clear. Plus, peak summer now comes with driving restrictions due to overwhelming visitor numbers. This historic route earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and for good reason. It's the only road that crosses the entire park, making it an unforgettable experience that shouldn't be missed.
hardHow long is Carretera Federal 1?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: a road trip stretching the entire length of Baja California on Mexico's Carretera Federal 1, aka the Transpeninsular Highway! This bad boy clocks in at a whopping 1,711 km (1,063 miles) from Cabo San Lucas all the way north to Tijuana, where it magically transforms into Interstate 5 once you cross the border into sunny California. They finished building this beauty back in '73, and while it’s paved, don’t expect a super-smooth cruise the whole way. Let's just say it's got a reputation. Think twisty two-lane roads with blind corners and zero shoulder. Yeah, you read that right – often no guardrails separating you from, well, everything. You'll be sharing the road with everything from massive freight trucks to oversized RVs, making those hairpin turns along the coast and through the mountains extra exciting. Accidents happen, and you might spot some guardrails that have seen better days. Keep your eyes peeled, especially around those blind corners, because some drivers like to put the pedal to the metal! But hey, it's not all white-knuckle driving. Get this: between El Médano and Las Barrancas, you'll find one of the longest straight stretches of road on the planet – a mind-blowing 169 km (105 miles) of pure, unadulterated asphalt. So, buckle up, buttercup, and get ready for an unforgettable ride!