Where is the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway?
Usa, north-america
207 km
2,860 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway in Arizona – it's a wild ride! This section of U.S. Route 191 (once known as "The Devil's Highway") carves through southeastern Arizona, hugging the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests on its way from Apache County to Greenlee County. Named after explorer Coronado, who searched for the mythical Seven Cities of Cíbola, this paved road stretches for 129 miles between Springerville and Clifton, a historic copper town.
What makes it so thrilling? Try 460 curves! This narrow, winding road is a real driver's dream, dipping and diving with amazing views at every turn. It's not super crowded, so you can really enjoy the experience. Be warned, though: there are some serious drop-offs and very little shoulder in places, so maybe not the best choice for beginner drivers.
The Coronado Trail tops out at a cool 9,383 feet, south of Hannagan Meadow, in the White Mountains. It's generally open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather! Snow and ice are common in winter and during the shoulder seasons. Weekday snowplowing is usually in effect from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Allow 4-5 hours to drive the whole thing, but you'll definitely want to stop for photos and to soak it all in. Expect snowy mountains, lush valleys, tons of wildlife, and scenery that'll blow you away. Just a heads-up: fill up your gas tank in Alpine, as there are no gas stations along the way!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 207 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,860 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Yvonne Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Yvonne Pass! This beast of a road sits way up high in southwestern Colorado, straddling the border between Hinsdale and San Juan counties, south of the legendary US 550. We're talking serious altitude here! Views from the top? Absolutely mind-blowing! Now, let's be real: this isn't your Sunday drive. The whole thing is unpaved and seriously rugged. You'll NEED a high-clearance 4x4 with a short wheelbase to even think about tackling this. We're talking crazy steep sections, with grades hitting a wild 20% in places. The pass stretches for about 4.2 miles, climbing over 2,200 feet. That gives you an average gradient of around 10%, but those steeper pitches will have you gripping the wheel! And a heads up: like many of Colorado's high-altitude roads, Yvonne Pass is typically closed from late October until late June or early July, thanks to the snow. Plan your trip accordingly!
extremeWhere is Smith Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Smith Mountain in western Idaho's Payette National Forest is calling your name, but getting to the top is no walk in the park. We're talking about a 6.21-mile unpaved climb to a summit elevation of 8,011 feet! You'll gain 2,290 feet along the way, so yeah, it's steep. The average gradient is 13.3%, but trust me, it feels even steeper near the top. Forget your RV, trailer, or anything low-clearance. You absolutely need 4x4, especially if you plan on making it past the "no trailers" sign posted 5.1 miles in. The last two miles? Buckle up because they're the roughest – steeper, bumpier, and sometimes tilted at a crazy angle. Turning around gets tricky up there, too! But oh, the views! Prepare for some seriously broad, panoramic scenery. At the summit, you'll find the historic Smith Mountain Lookout, originally established in 1908 and rebuilt a few times since. The current structure, a 1963 concrete base with a 16x16' cab, is sometimes available for rent. Heads up: cell service is pretty much non-existent up here. Keep an eye on the weather, especially for lightning. Spring runoff can make things interesting, and fallen trees sometimes block the path, though maintenance in 2023 left it in pretty good shape. Also, there are no restrooms so prepare accordingly. Trail and weather conditions are subject to change rapidly, so it's essential to be prepared. So, if you're up for a challenge and crave insane views, Smith Mountain awaits. Just remember to respect Mother Nature and bring your A-game (and a 4x4!).
hardMount Washington Auto Road
🇺🇸 United States
# Mount Washington Auto Road: A Classic New England Adventure Ready for one of America's most iconic drives? The Mount Washington Auto Road is a wild 12-kilometer ride up New Hampshire's Presidential Range to the 1,917-meter summit—and trust me, it's an unforgettable experience. This gem has been drawing adventurers since 1861, when it first opened as a carriage road. That makes it one of the oldest tourist attractions in the US, and for good reason. The road doesn't mess around: you're looking at an average grade of 12% with some sections hitting a brutal 22%. By the time you reach the top, you'll have climbed over 1,400 meters of pure elevation gain. Here's where it gets wild: Mount Washington holds the world record for the highest wind speed ever directly measured on Earth—a bonkers 372 km/h recorded way back in April 1934. Even on supposedly "nice" summer days, you'll feel why this mountain demands respect. The real drama kicks in above the 1,200-meter mark, where you break through the treeline into the alpine zone. Conditions up here can flip in minutes—literally. But when the weather cooperates? The summit views are absolutely spectacular, stretching across four states, Quebec, and all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. This drive is equal parts adrenaline rush and scenic masterpiece.
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!