How long is the Haines Highway?
Canada, north-america
245 km
1,012 m
moderate
Year-round
The Haines Highway is hands down one of the most stunning drives in North America, especially if you hit it during fall colors! This incredible route stretches for 152 miles (245 km) from Haines, Alaska, all the way to Haines Junction in the Yukon, Canada. Fun fact: it basically follows an old trail used by the Chilkat/Tinglit First Nations.
You can drive it year-round on a well-maintained, two-lane paved road that's usually clear of snow by May. But if you're planning a trip between September 15th and June 1st, keep an eye on the weather forecast. Built back in 1943 by the U.S. Army, the highway shadows the Chilkat River for over 20 miles.
The road climbs to a peak elevation of 3,320 feet (1,012m), giving you unforgettable views of glaciated mountains. Prepare to be amazed by everything from coastal forests to alpine tundra. The Haines Highway winds its way through the Chilkat River flats before climbing to the summit, eventually dropping down to Haines Junction. One thing to remember: services are limited along this stretch, so stock up on gas and supplies before you set off!
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 245 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,012 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhy is it called Hylan Boulevard?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're hitting up Staten Island, huh? Gotta cruise down Hylan Boulevard. This legendary street stretches a whopping 13.86 miles from Rosebank all the way to the South Shore, making it the longest single-borough street in the whole city. Now, Hylan Boulevard has earned itself a rep. Some folks even call it the "Boulevard of Death." Yeah, it carries a *lot* of traffic – around 44,000 vehicles a day! What makes it so dicey? Well, the road design itself is a bit tricky. You've got a crazy mix of businesses and homes lining the street, which means tons of stop-and-go traffic. Plus, there are entrances and exits popping up all over the place. Stay alert, be prepared for the unexpected, and you should be good to go!
moderateWhy is it called Covington Flat Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Joshua Tree National Park, in sunny California, on Covington Flat Road. This isn't your typical paved paradise; it's a 9.6-mile unpaved adventure into the desert backcountry, split into Lower and Upper sections. Named after some pioneer rancher, Will Covington, this road serves up incredible landscapes, and lets you get up close and personal with the park’s biggest Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines. Grab a map before you go, trust me. The road can get rutted, especially after a storm, so a high-clearance vehicle is your best bet, and 4WD is even better. Starting from La Contenta Road near Yucca Valley, the road winds up to a parking area near the Covington Crest Trailhead, topping out at 5,173 feet. From there, it’s a quick hike to Eureka Peak. Heads up: cell service can be spotty, and the climb gets pretty steep near the end. A smaller road branches off to a peak reaching 4,908ft. But, oh, the views! You'll be treated to panoramas of Palm Springs, the surrounding mountains, and the Morongo Basin. Just be aware that rain or snow can make this drive a real challenge. But if you're prepared, it's totally worth it!
moderateWhere is Christmas Tree Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Christmas Tree Pass is a super cool mountain pass chilling at almost 4,000 feet in Nevada's Clark County. You'll find it in the southern part of the state, not far from Arizona and California. So, why "Christmas Tree Pass?" Well, legend has it there's a tree along the way decked out with Christmas ornaments! The road, Christmas Tree Pass Road (NPS Road 20), is all unpaved gravel, stretching for about 16 miles. It'll take you from just outside Laughlin, right off NV Highway 163, to the little town of Searchlight on US Highway 93. The road cuts through the Newberry Mountains, and while mostly in good shape, there are some steep and rough spots, especially on the eastern side right below the pass. A high-clearance vehicle can be helpful for those occasional deep ruts, but careful driving can usually get a passenger car through. Just watch out for soft, sandy spots and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes! The views are incredible! You'll be cruising through the Nevada desert with amazing mountain scenery. You'll start on the desert floor and then gently climb into the mountains. This is a drive for the journey, with lots of hiking and rock-scrambling spots. Make sure you stop at Grapevine Canyon! You can clamber on granite boulders and check out a crazy amount of ancient rock art. Give yourself about an hour to drive the whole thing without stopping. This scenic drive goes through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and takes you to a huge petroglyph site in Grapevine Canyon. The road winds through a desert landscape that's important to many Native American tribes. Get ready for awesome desert and mountain views as you drive between wilderness areas.
extremeDriving the treacherous Raton Pass in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trippers, listen up! Raton Pass straddles the Colorado-New Mexico border, soaring to a cool 7,841 feet. "Ratón" means "mouse" in Spanish, and this route was a real game-changer back in the day, part of the legendary Santa Fe Trail. The first road snaked through here way back in 1866. You'll cruise between Las Animas County, Colorado and Colfax County, New Mexico. Today, it's all smooth sailing on Interstate 25. The 21.8-mile stretch from Raton, New Mexico to Trinidad, Colorado is in great shape. Just be ready for some climbs! Perched high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this pass is generally open year-round. Winter, though? That's another story. Think wicked winds, slick ice, and blankets of snow. Mother Nature can throw a serious curveball, so keep your wits about you. Expect possible closures when the snow really starts to fly. It's not brutally steep, thankfully. If you're coming from Raton, you'll gain about 1,089 feet over 11.6 miles, a gentle 1.77% average grade. From Trinidad, it’s a bit more of a climb: 1,831 feet over 13.9 miles, with an average grade of 2.49% and a max of 6%. Time to hit the road!