
How long is the Sterling Highway?
Usa, north-america
222 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
Cruising the Sterling Highway in south-central Alaska is an absolute must-do! This beauty, part of Alaska Highway 1, carves its way for 138 miles through the western Kenai Peninsula.
Starting from the Seward Highway at Tern Lake Junction (south of Anchorage), it winds down to Homer, a cool little town on Kachemak Bay. And get this – it's named after Hawley Sterling, an engineer who worked on the Alaska Road Commission back in the day.
This paved two-lane road opened in 1950 and is generally open year-round, but watch out for winter closures due to the weather. The curves can be tricky when it’s wet or snowy. Summer is super busy, so plan accordingly.
Trust me, though, it's worth it! The views are insane – think epic mountains, shimmering lakes, rivers fed by glaciers, and those incredible coastal inlets. Prepare to be wowed!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 222 km
- Difficulty
- easy
Related Roads in north-america
Route 66 Historic Highway
🇺🇸 United States
# Route 66: America's Most Iconic Road Trip The legendary "Mother Road" once stretched an impressive 3,940 kilometers from Chicago all the way to Santa Monica, cutting right through eight states and three time zones. Sure, it got officially retired back in 1985 when the Interstate Highway System took over, but here's the cool part—huge chunks of the original route are still out there, weaving through state highways, county roads, and forgotten stretches waiting to be rediscovered. Cruising the surviving sections is like stepping into a time capsule of American pop culture and roadside nostalgia. You'll roll through dramatically different landscapes—endless flat farmlands rolling across Illinois and Oklahoma, then suddenly you're surrounded by those stunning red mesas in the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico, before finally hitting the wide-open Mojave Desert as you approach California. The real magic? The stops along the way. Picture yourself pulling up to vintage neon-signed motels, sliding into classic diners, and discovering those wonderfully weird roadside attractions that somehow still exist. Ghost towns dot the landscape like time forgot about them, and towns like Amarillo, Tucumcari, Gallup, and Kingman have basically become living museums of mid-century Americana. These places have held onto their Route 66 identity like it's gold, and honestly, experiencing that authentic Americana feels pretty special.
moderateWhere is Onion Valley Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Nestled in California's Inyo County, Onion Valley Road is a must-drive for those seeking a thrilling ascent! Picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Owens Valley, right between the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains and the vast Nevada landscape. This 13-mile stretch, formerly known as California State Route 180, kicks off from Independence on US 395 and winds its way westward to Onion Valley Campground. Typically open from May to November, Mother Nature dictates the schedule with snow conditions. Prepare for a climb! They say this is one of the toughest cycling routes in California, and it's no joke. The road gains serious altitude as you go, hitting an average grade of almost 8% over the last ten miles. Starting at around 3,937ft, you'll climb over 5,200 feet in elevation to reach a staggering 9,219ft near the top. The fully paved road features nine switchbacks, offering killer views of the Owens Valley. Keep an eye out for bears, as they're known to frequent the area! The scenery is simply breathtaking, with panoramic vistas of the Owens Valley and the Sierras.
easyWhat is the Dempster Highway?
🇨🇦 Canada
Cruising through the wild Canadian Arctic, the Dempster Highway is your ticket to crossing the Arctic Circle in any season. What's the Dempster Highway? It's a road trip you won't soon forget – stunning, a little wild, and maybe a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If escaping the crowds is your thing, this is your road. Where does it run? Starting east of Dawson City in the Yukon and winding up in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, on the Mackenzie River delta, it covers 736 km (457 mi). And the adventure doesn't stop there! As of late 2017, you can tack on another 147 km (91 miles) on NWT Highway 10 to Tuktoyaktuk – the "first all-weather road to Canada's Arctic Coast," taking you from Inuvik, through the tundra, and right to the Arctic Ocean. Note that seasonal ferry service and ice bridges are necessary to cross the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers. What's the road like? This isn't your average highway. Known as Yukon Highway 5 and Northwest Territories Highway 8, it's a well-kept gravel and crushed stone road. Conditions can be unpredictable as you carve your way through the Ogilvie and Richardson Mountains, cross the Continental Divide three times, and venture into the Arctic Circle, tracing old dog-sled routes. Expect dust in the summer, and make sure you're in a vehicle with good clearance and a spare tire. When did they build it? Construction started way back in 1959, wrapping up in 1978, and it officially opened in 1979. It follows a path used by Indigenous people for millennia and is named after Inspector William John Duncan Dempster. Is it safe? A great trip requires some planning. Pack those spare tires, do some basic vehicle checks, and bring jackets, water, and an emergency kit. Check road conditions in Dawson City or at the Klondike River Lodge before you head out. Services are sparse: you'll find gas, diesel, and repairs at Eagle Plains, Ft. McPherson, and Inuvik. Give those big trucks plenty of space, especially when it's dusty. Drive smart, stick to the 90 km/hour speed limit when you can, and be prepared for limited facilities. A full-size spare tire, extra water, and gas are a must. Traffic is light, so come prepared. In winter, add a shovel, sleeping bag, stove, matches, emergency snacks, and cold-weather gear. A satellite phone is a good idea since cell service can be spotty. When is it open? This mountain road peaks at North Fork Pass Summit, 1.328m (4,356ft) above sea level. The road is generally open from June 10 to October 14 in the summer, and December 15 to April 30 in the winter. How long does it take? You'll need at least two days for this adventure. Plan on 12 to 16 hours each way, depending on road conditions and how often you stop to soak it all in. When is the best time to go? This is an out-of-this-world experience. For summer vibes, aim for late June to early August, when you can enjoy 24-hour sunlight. For an autumn adventure, early August to early September is your window. Get ready to explore one of northern Canada's best-kept secrets: incredible scenery, vast open spaces, and untouched beauty. This remote route takes you through the Yukon, the rugged Ogilvie and Richardson Mountains, stunted spruce and alder "forests" in the Eagle Plains region, high tundra, and the Mackenzie River delta.
moderateWhere is Abajo Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a spot you NEED to add to your Utah bucket list: Abajo Peak! Perched way up high in San Juan County, near the Colorado border in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, this peak hits an elevation of 11,318 feet! What awaits you at the top? Well, besides a bunch of communication towers, you get absolutely jaw-dropping views! Think panoramic vistas stretching across southeastern Utah, Colorado, and even a glimpse of the Four Corners where Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico all high-five. To get there, you'll be cruising on Forest Road 0087 (aka Abajo Peak Road) for about 12.7 miles, starting near Monticello. Fair warning: it's all unpaved, and you'll be climbing 4,196 feet in elevation, so the average gradient is a respectable 6.26%. Most of the road is in pretty good shape, but things get a bit rugged towards the very end. Seriously, you'll want a 4x4 for this one! Keep in mind, Mother Nature dictates the schedule here. Generally, you can hit this road from late June through October, depending on the snow. The Abajo Mountains, locally known as the Blue Mountains, are calling! Trust me, the views are SO worth the drive.