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
extremeSmith Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Smith Peak in California's Plumas National Forest is calling your name, but this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a climb to 7,677 feet (2,340m) up a seriously rugged, gravelly road. Think rocky, bumpy, and guaranteed to keep you on your toes! If unpaved mountain roads make you sweat, maybe skip this one. A 4x4 is practically mandatory, and if heights aren't your thing, you might want to reconsider. It's a pretty steep climb, and if it's been raining? Muddy conditions could turn this into a real challenge. But, oh, the views! And at the top? A fire lookout awaits! So, if you're up for a bit of an adrenaline rush and some killer scenery, Smith Peak might just be your next unforgettable adventure.
moderateBaja Highway 1 (Transpeninsular Highway)
🇲🇽 Mexico
# Baja Highway 1: The Ultimate Peninsula Adventure Picture this: a legendary 1,711-kilometer road trip down the spine of Baja California, stretching from the US border at Tijuana all the way to Cabo San Lucas. When this route finally got paved in 1973, it completely transformed what had been one of North America's last untouched frontiers into an accessible paradise for road trippers. What makes this drive absolutely unforgettable is the scenery. You're cruising through some genuinely otherworldly desert landscapes—think towering cardón cacti (seriously, they're the largest cacti in the world) piercing a vast, empty sky, and these surreal boulder fields in the Central Desert that look like they're from another planet. The wine region around Valle de Guadalupe is a surprisingly charming detour if you need to shake things up. But here's the best part: you're never far from amazing side adventures. Want to catch some world-class waves? The Pacific coast is calling. Into history and archaeology? Check out the ancient cave paintings hidden in the Sierra de San Francisco. Or head to the lagoons near Guerrero Negro during winter to watch grey whales with their calves—it's genuinely magical. If the Sea of Cortez side appeals to you more, you'll find pristine beaches and some of the planet's best sport fishing waiting there instead.
extremeSawyer Ridge
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Sawyer Ridge in Idaho County, Idaho! This ain't your Sunday drive. We're talking a proper 4WD gravel track, known as NF-444A, that climbs to a whopping 7,309 feet above sea level within the Nez Perce National Forest. Now, a word of caution: Mother Nature calls the shots up here. Keep a close eye on the weather! Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real possibilities, not to mention the sneaky ice patches that can appear out of nowhere. The track itself can get a bit rocky and muddy, so come prepared. But hey, the reward is worth the effort! At the summit, you'll find the Sawyer Ridge Lookout, built way back in '49. The views? Totally Instagrammable. Trust me, this is one for the bucket list!
hardThe road to Workman Creek Falls in Arizona is pure adventure
🇺🇸 Usa
Just a short hop from the 288-Globe Young Highway in Arizona's Gila County, awaits the amazing 200 ft Workman Creek Falls! But heads-up, this ain't your average Sunday drive. Forest Service Road 487 (AKA Workman Creek Road) stretches just over 3 miles, and it's unpaved the whole way. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle, and forget about it if it's wet. You can usually make it to the Falls in 2WD (weather permitting), but beyond that, things get real. We're talking steep, narrow paths clinging to the side of cliffs – not for the faint of heart! It winds up to Aztec Peak lookout, a whopping 7,746 feet above sea level. The final stretch is a single-track forest road that can be a bit rocky. If the gate's open, you can drive all the way to the top. Keep in mind, this road above the Falls Recreation Site is usually closed during the winter months (mid-December to end of March) due to snow. The views, though? Absolutely stunning! You're in the Tonto National Forest, smack-dab in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness, home to diverse wildlife and plants. Oh, and one more thing: this area has naturally occurring uranium and radium-266, and was mined in the 50's! There are signs posted, but be aware of the potential for low-level radiation. And seriously, DO NOT enter any of the old mines – some have dangerously high radiation levels.