Hi everyone,
My kids love what we call "roller coaster" roads... ones with sharp inclines/declines and plenty of curves. We are planning a road trip, and it got me to thinking about planning a slightly longer trip to get off the beaten path and have some fun on a hilly road or two. I didn't see any past topics on this, so I thought it would be fun to start one. What are your favorite roller coaster roads?
I'll start: my kids and I enjoy driving on Wisconsin Highway 65 between St Croix Falls and New Richmond, WI.
I-24 between Monteagle and Kimball, TN. Truck speed limit of 40 mph, 6 percent grade. Plenty of turns, 3 lanes each way, 4 miles of road.
CA 245, almost constant curves and little traffic in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The original two-lane US-522 just south of the West Virginia border seemed like the best "roller coaster". Typical of VDOT, those lanes remained after completion of the parallel lanes, but I think they have since been reconstructed.
CA 49, I would love to drive that route someday.
Any repavement job completed by the city of Chesapeake, VA.
Forks of the Credit Road in Caledon, Ontario.
There are 2 I can think of.
Bluff Rd in Romeoville and Lemont, IL - https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6817164,-88.0357972,15z?hl=en
Between Joliet Rd and Lemont Rd, this road has a huge incline and decline as it goes under I-355 and very sharp S curve that you need to slow to 10-15 to make.
Hwy A, Tichora Rd, Hwy N near Markesan, WI - https://www.google.com/maps/@43.7416299,-88.9652601,13z?hl=en, https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6937844,-88.9554883,3a,75y,1.3h,82.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdGZr5q2VqLVmDIChKeaBrA!2e0!7i3328!8i1664?hl=en
Between Hwy I and Hwy K, as you start on Hwy A, you go downhill to the Grand River and Hwy S. Follow Tichora Rd ahead when A swings northeast to find several hills will deep drops on the country road. As you cross Hwy 44, Tichora becomes Hwy N and continues with the hills all the way to just south of Green Lake at Hwy K.
I haven't driven it myself (yet), but for decades Car and Driver magazine has used a 13-mile loop along OH-56, OH-374, and OH-664 in Ohio's Hocking Hills area for a lot of vehicle testing. South Bloomingville is the westernmost point of the loop.
Road to Hana in Maui, Hi scenic and meets the thread criteria.
The one that immediately comes to mind is somewhere north of San Antonio... I think it's Ammann Road (https://www.google.com/maps/@29.7699877,-98.5826026,3a,37.5y,86.21h,83.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9AMMhfVrxjUD2HGVwWGyVQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1) between Boerne and US 281. My memory isn't quite vivid enough to confirm with 100% certainty, but you can see in the Street View link that there's a lot of small rises and dips that you can get air from, so I think that's it. A fun ride that will have your stomach jumping. Not a lot of curves, though.
Quote from: twinsfan87 on March 21, 2021, 01:30:34 PM
Hi everyone,
My kids love what we call "roller coaster" roads... ones with sharp inclines/declines and plenty of curves. We are planning a road trip, and it got me to thinking about planning a slightly longer trip to get off the beaten path and have some fun on a hilly road or two. I didn't see any past topics on this, so I thought it would be fun to start one. What are your favorite roller coaster roads?
I'll start: my kids and I enjoy driving on Wisconsin Highway 65 between St Croix Falls and New Richmond, WI.
You are lucky. My six-year-old gets carsick on any road that's curvy and hilly, and I live in Vermont :rolleyes:
I'll second US 522 in northern Virginia; that one is fun. It also gets you to the northern Blue Ridge Parkway, which is another great roller coaster road.
I'm thinking something in Missouri should be in the higher tiers - perhaps parts (https://goo.gl/maps/W9SnSr3eAvc2atof7) of US 160? (https://goo.gl/maps/QLu2sNTEMXHwmm3m6)
US-95 in California, from between the Nevada Border and I-40 ..... this should NOT be a roller-coaster. It is fairly flat terrain in the desert.
But for whatever reason, California can't even grade the road straight, there are a number of swells and valleys. And it's annoying, especially given the lack relative lack of shoulders and good degree of traffic on a 2-lane road.
Quote from: kenarmy on March 21, 2021, 02:22:39 PM
CA 49, I would love to drive that route someday.
Lots of history on CA 49 but most of it isn't a "roller coaster." Some of the segments that are would include:
- The Merced River Canyon
- North of Placerville through the confluence of the American River to Auburn
- North of Grass Valley over Yuba Pass
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on March 21, 2021, 10:37:27 PM
Quote from: kenarmy on March 21, 2021, 02:22:39 PM
CA 49, I would love to drive that route someday.
Lots of history on CA 49 but most of it isn't a "roller coaster." Some of the segments that are would include:
- The Merced River Canyon
- North of Placerville through the confluence of the American River to Auburn
- North of Grass Valley over Yuba Pass
i should've looked more into that, i was particularly talking about the route north of Placerville.
Probably a little far to drive from Minnesota, but AL-176 and Cherokee County 275 on the west side of Little River Canyon in northeast Alabama. It's not for the squeamish. The pavement quality does leave a little bit to be desired on the county maintained sections. At one point, the pavement switches to grooved concrete due to how steep the road is.
The best one I've ever seen on video was posted a while back on the Georgia thread. Shout out to David Carson for posting this classic from Freewayjim.
Atlanta Toller Coaster https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=204.msg2387968#msg2387968 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=204.msg2387968#msg2387968)
Quote from: Ga293 on March 22, 2021, 05:21:09 AM
Probably a little far to drive from Minnesota, but AL-176 and Cherokee County 275 on the west side of Little River Canyon in northeast Alabama. It's not for the squeamish. The pavement quality does leave a little bit to be desired on the county maintained sections. At one point, the pavement switches to grooved concrete due to how steep the road is.
Found the grooved concrete section: https://goo.gl/maps/J6fahEu8S4aDe7au7 and https://goo.gl/maps/Dg7mudSkJ2XtysKc9
Quote from: Dirt Roads on March 21, 2021, 02:15:27 PM
The original two-lane US-522 just south of the West Virginia border seemed like the best "roller coaster". Typical of VDOT, those lanes remained after completion of the parallel lanes, but I think they have since been reconstructed.
I've been on that road and it's obvious to tell which side was the original at some points (steeper hills, driveways, etc.)
MD 4 between Prince Frederick & Bristol comes to mind...like the US 522 example upthread, it's usually obvious which roadway is the original (here's one example just south of where MD 2 splits off for Annapolis (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6491713,-76.6059336,3a,75y,1.12h,83.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0TlrJCTOOQ2vi-__R7X19g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?hl=en)).
When I saw this thread title I instantly thought of Riverside Dr here in Richmond, especially the portion between US 1/301 and VA 161.
Quote from: Dirt Roads on March 22, 2021, 08:56:08 AM
The best one I've ever seen on video was posted a while back on the Georgia thread. Shout out to David Carson for posting this classic from Freewayjim.
Atlanta Toller Coaster https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=204.msg2387968#msg2387968 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=204.msg2387968#msg2387968)
I want to drive that soooooo bad!! But it isn't EZpass compatible.
US 211 over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.
Quote from: I-55 on March 21, 2021, 01:36:11 PM
I-24 between Monteagle and Kimball, TN. Truck speed limit of 40 mph, 6 percent grade. Plenty of turns, 3 lanes each way, 4 miles of road.
I-70 west of Denver is also similar, plus you have that tunnel along the way.
Within a day of MN, lots of Missouri's lettered secondaries would be good bets, particularly those in the southern half or two-thirds of the state. I drove much of the height of MO on these once and some are, well, roller-coaster-y. MO is hilly, and these are designed to what seems to be a lower standard in terms of geometry, meaning there are tons that would seem to fit the bill. The two-lettered ones (e.g.., TT) are often even more secondary secondaries, so you might have good luck seeking those out.
Quote from: dkblake on March 21, 2021, 09:56:15 PM
You are lucky. My six-year-old gets carsick on any road that's curvy and hilly, and I live in Vermont :rolleyes:
I've been there before. Not as the parent, but as the carsick kid. Thankfully I grew out of it by about that age.
US 322's divided section from Tusseyville to Milroy. Speed limit 55, truck limit 20. Sharp curves, steep incline. Super, super fun drive.
Practically any back road in central and northern PA. Be careful with your suspension.
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 21, 2021, 10:28:14 PM
I'm thinking something in Missouri should be in the higher tiers - perhaps parts (https://goo.gl/maps/W9SnSr3eAvc2atof7) of US 160? (https://goo.gl/maps/QLu2sNTEMXHwmm3m6)
Agreed, especially MO-19 in the Current River region, in addition to MO 125 south of Sparta, which is in the same "White River Hills" region as US-160. However, MoDOT recently started a project to make the so-called "Tecumseh Curves" less curvy (Revive 755's second link).
MN 50 between US 52 and US 61 has the roller coaster effect, but it's a straight shot.
MN 18 in rural Pine County has some of that too.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on March 22, 2021, 08:32:06 PM
MN 50 between US 52 and US 61 has the roller coaster effect, but it's a straight shot.
MN 18 in rural Pine County has some of that too.
MN 1 east of US 53 is pretty damn nice and has lots of curves out in the Iron Ranges.
Many of the town roads and county highways in the hilly Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin would qualify. Most of these roads are built to the lay of the land, with very few road cuts. Some can be straight and hilly, and others are both curvy and hilly. One of my favorites is Holland Rd. in Lafayette County, just west of Darlington. The stretch from CTH Z west to CTH O is probable the best stretch.
https://goo.gl/maps/NjdrQpPUTLgTfjKa9
Another is the aptly named Roller Coaster Rd just southeast of Darlington.
https://goo.gl/maps/JsZVroGAQZdVkaRFA
But just about any county highway or town road in Lafayette, Iowa, or Grant counties in southwest Wisconsin could be considered a roller coaster.
The "Rim of the World Highway" in the San Bernardino Mountains has lots of horizontal curves. And CA-138 between the western junction with CA-18 and CA-2 has lots of vertical curves
Quote from: Frafra Zoomer on March 23, 2021, 12:32:55 AM
The "Rim of the World Highway" in the San Bernardino Mountains has lots of horizontal curves. And CA-138 between the western junction with CA-18 and CA-2 has lots of vertical curves
CA 243/Panoramic Highway and CA 74/Pines to Palms Highway are also worthwhile for the "roller coaster" purpose in the same vicinity.
I've brought this up on similar threads, but Adirondack Drive between Farmingville and Selden, New York has to be on a list like this.
Waterway Drive (https://goo.gl/maps/HJbwBnF7UkMJVeb18) in the Lake Barcroft neighborhood east of Annandale, Virginia. You can't go too fast because it's a residential area, but the divided segment in particular is a fun little roller coaster.
(For those of you who have visited Kings Dominion, Waterway Drive's roller coaster is like the Scooby Doo roller coaster aimed at the younger demographic, whereas some of the other roads named above are more like the Rebel Yell or the Grizzly.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennon_Road (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennon_Road)
Kennon Road has a rollercoaster factor for roads in the Philippines heading to the Baguio city area.
All of the Missouri Ozarks.
122nd Ave in Allegan County, Michigan
Heh. Just thought of the "ski slope" in northern Manhattan, upper east side.
The Breezeway - part of intercounty route C-48 in NW Lower Michigan: http://www.ridethebreezeway.com/
As kids we always liked Egypt Valley Road in Kent County. I'm not sure how many hills it actually has, but I think there were some. At the time it was gravel; we looked out the back of the station wagon (look it up youngsters) to see the dust cloud and said that the butterflies were coughing.
CA 2 in Angeles National Forest.
A few examples of what would likely be considered "roller coaster" roads here in CA: CA 108 over Sonora Pass, the National Park road that is functionally CA 89 through Lassen Park, CA 168 east of US 395 to CA 266 near the NV state line, and one of the most fun SoCal entries, CA 33 from Ojai to CA 166. Except Lassen Park/CA 89 during the summer (in non-COVID years, of course!), most of these roads don't see a huge amount of traffic, so they're pretty enjoyable to drive without having to constantly put up with the whims of your fellow motorists.
Quote from: sparker on March 31, 2021, 05:48:16 PM
A few examples of what would likely be considered "roller coaster" roads here in CA: CA 108 over Sonora Pass, the National Park road that is functionally CA 89 through Lassen Park, CA 168 east of US 395 to CA 266 near the NV state line, and one of the most fun SoCal entries, CA 33 from Ojai to CA 166. Except Lassen Park/CA 89 during the summer (in non-COVID years, of course!), most of these roads don't see a huge amount of traffic, so they're pretty enjoyable to drive without having to constantly put up with the whims of your fellow motorists.
89/Lassen Park Highway was a blast during COVID, hardly a person in sight last year. Some others they come to mind up in that part of the state are; 96, 299 and 36 east of US to I-5.
VA 6, especially west of Scottsville.
US‐550 between Ouray and Durango is full of switchbacks. And I get to drive it regularly for my work!
Granted I have to stick closer to the speed limit than most as my company monitors my speed and harsher cornerings, but it's still a fun drive in my Ford Transit van.
Box Canyon Road east of Coachella, California (former US 60/70 and CA 195) has some good rolling movements. It was built on sandy soil in the days before highway engineering emphasized gradual elevation changes.
Quote from: Occidental Tourist on April 01, 2021, 03:35:33 AM
Box Canyon Road east of Coachella, California (former US 60/70 and CA 195) has some good rolling movements. It was built on sandy soil in the days before highway engineering emphasized gradual elevation changes.
That poor grading is what led to a lot of it being wiped out a couple years ago after it washed away. It was a lot of fun to drive the repaired/resurfaced roadway back in late 2019.
I just got back from a bunch of twisted roads in southeastern Ohio. Particularly memorable was Ohio 565 and other highways in the vicinity of southeastern Noble County, and the gravel roads I was dumped onto after driving Ohio 621 north of Coshocton. Possibly the most Amish area I've ever seen, to boot. Ohio 342 was a really fun road to drive, too.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 01, 2021, 09:49:15 AM
Quote from: Occidental Tourist on April 01, 2021, 03:35:33 AM
Box Canyon Road east of Coachella, California (former US 60/70 and CA 195) has some good rolling movements. It was built on sandy soil in the days before highway engineering emphasized gradual elevation changes.
That poor grading is what led to a lot of it being wiped out a couple years ago after it washed away. It was a lot of fun to drive the repaired/resurfaced roadway back in late 2019.
I haven't driven it in awhile. If they had to do spot repairs due to washouts, I don't imagine my Mustang would handle it very well these days.
Quote from: Occidental Tourist on April 01, 2021, 11:53:54 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on April 01, 2021, 09:49:15 AM
Quote from: Occidental Tourist on April 01, 2021, 03:35:33 AM
Box Canyon Road east of Coachella, California (former US 60/70 and CA 195) has some good rolling movements. It was built on sandy soil in the days before highway engineering emphasized gradual elevation changes.
That poor grading is what led to a lot of it being wiped out a couple years ago after it washed away. It was a lot of fun to drive the repaired/resurfaced roadway back in late 2019.
I haven't driven it in awhile. If they had to do spot repairs due to washouts, I don't imagine my Mustang would handle it very well these days.
It was more of they had rebuild the entire roadway, it was pretty much obliterated.
I-40 between I-81 in Tennessee and I-26 in North Carolina through the Great Smoky Mountains. Lots of curves, not a lot of ups and downs, but there are some steep ones at the start and end of the sections. Tunnels in both directions.
If you're just looking for frequent ups and downs (not many curves) I would suggest I-75 between Lexington and Knoxville.
Quote from: Skye on April 02, 2021, 12:47:38 PM
not a lot of ups and downs
Sounds like a boring roller coaster.
AR 16 just northwest of Searcy had a hill that me and a few family members and relatives called "thrill hill". Before ARDOT (then known as AHTD) realigned 16 and widened it, the hill in question was right after "4 mile hill" and featured a rather abrupt drop. If you timed it just right by laying on the gas and then letting off just before the drop, you would get nice negative G's. Some time in the late 1990's, the hill in question was flattened out and the road straightened.
"4 mile" hill got the same treatment due to it being rather unsafe. You descended down and a sharp 90 degree curve (30 mph!!) to the left greeted you mid way in the hill. When they took out "thrill hill", the 4 mile hill was also realigned. Now, it's a gentle 45-50 mph curve to the left.
Quote from: keithvh on March 21, 2021, 10:34:03 PM
US-95 in California, from between the Nevada Border and I-40 ..... this should NOT be a roller-coaster. It is fairly flat terrain in the desert.
But for whatever reason, California can't even grade the road straight, there are a number of swells and valleys. And it's annoying, especially given the lack relative lack of shoulders and good degree of traffic on a 2-lane road.
I've driven that road before and it was highly unpleasant. To a person that is prone to car sickness, take that Dramamine! It's constant up-down up-down until you get to Nevada where the road is vastly superior!
Quote from: capt.ron on April 02, 2021, 01:48:33 PM
Quote from: keithvh on March 21, 2021, 10:34:03 PM
US-95 in California, from between the Nevada Border and I-40 ..... this should NOT be a roller-coaster. It is fairly flat terrain in the desert.
But for whatever reason, California can't even grade the road straight, there are a number of swells and valleys. And it's annoying, especially given the lack relative lack of shoulders and good degree of traffic on a 2-lane road.
I've driven that road before and it was highly unpleasant. To a person that is prone to car sickness, take that Dramamine! It's constant up-down up-down until you get to Nevada where the road is vastly superior!
Those dips can be a lot of fun rolling along at 65 MPH. I used to regularly take that route on the way from Parker to Laughlin.
I think Roller Coaster Road in Colorado Springs wins. It might not have the most airtime, but it is the best "Roller Coaster Rd" ! /s
For real though, I think the best I've been on is UT-128, from I-70 to the Dewy Bridge. Lots of quick hills that make your stomach float. Great if you aren't carsick, but my sister is, so we had to stop for a bit to let the Dramamine kick in. South of the bridge, it goes into a canyon, which is fairly level, so the hills aren't as sudden.
US 221 in western NC. It follows the blue ridge parkway lower down on the slope. Big fun to drive
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.1072882,-81.7817859,3a,75y,69.75h,85.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sflZKT1cASTqjZSQ8BoW9YA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Deercliff Rd (https://goo.gl/maps/3ew6qu1ZSqquBgVQ7) in Avon, CT. Heads south from US 44 at the top of Avon Mountain (US 44 itself is quite the roller coaster west of there) through the woods and although many have been flattened from when I was a kid, there are still a couple of bumps on there that will let you hit the ceiling should you be riding without a seat belt at high speeds.
Quote from: twinsfan87 on March 21, 2021, 01:30:34 PM
Hi everyone,
My kids love what we call "roller coaster" roads... ones with sharp inclines/declines and plenty of curves. We are planning a road trip, and it got me to thinking about planning a slightly longer trip to get off the beaten path and have some fun on a hilly road or two. I didn't see any past topics on this, so I thought it would be fun to start one. What are your favorite roller coaster roads?
I'll start: my kids and I enjoy driving on Wisconsin Highway 65 between St Croix Falls and New Richmond, WI.
For that kind of a drive, WI 55 through the Menomonee Indian Reservation north of Shawano, WI, especially the part north of WI 47, can't be beat.
Mike
Here's a road built over a landfill that has settled and is called a roller coaster:
Fix finally coming to Everett "˜roller-coaster' road (https://mynorthwest.com/648862/wavy-everett-road-to-get-short-term-fix/)
SE Jennings Ave, between OR 99E/SE McGloughlin Blvd and SE Webster Rd, Jennings Lodge and Gladstone
SE Thiessen Rd, between SE Oatfield Rd and SE Webster Rd, Oak Grove and Milwaukie
SE Hill Rd, between SE Oatfield Rd and SE Thiessen Rd, Oak Grove
NW Germantown Rd, between NW Skyline Rd and Byp US 30/NW Bridge Ave
I'm a fan of Cedar Point Dr in Sandusky, OH, but I don't think that's what you were looking for :-D
(https://i.imgur.com/gMD65tA.png)
GSV (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4556675,-82.6731268,3a,48.8y,350.72h,89.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3FgLIYSrOHY6f7OgEuTOtw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)
1200E in Lehi, UT is very steep (the sign said 16%) and kinda reminded me of a drop and camelback on a B&M Hyper or something. Street View doesn't really do it justice, looks a lot steeper in person. Also, I was kinda curious, so I coasted down the hill without brakes, and I hit like 55 MPH doing that, which is quite a lot considering I was going about 30 (the speed limit) at the top.
(https://i.imgur.com/Qs4uxVf.png)
GSV (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4198423,-111.8304984,3a,49.9y,358.01h,81.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVuxqku8gf1IaDzeV5t91lQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
Okay, I can't believe nobody else thought of this. Pasco County Road 41 and Hernando County Road 541 in West Central Florida.
BUMP
I've been doing a lot of traveling on local roads recently. I was thinking about this very thread for some of it. I found a bunch in Florida, probably one of the places you'd least expect to see... here's a list:
Alabama:
- US-31 near Travis Bridge (5/10) lots of positive-g forces on combined vertical/horizontal curves
- US-84 on much of the 4-lane section, with most being Eastbound between Opp and Elba (4/10)
- US-31 / SR-59 Northbound between Stapleton and Bay Minnette (4/10)
^^ these previous two are 65mph divided highways, but the roller-coaster section in question is clearly a simple resurface of the original 55mph-designed two-lane road
Florida:
- SR-26 between Melrose and it's east terminus, 55mph speed limit with a bunch of sharp hills (3/10)
- SR-21 south of Melrose is similar in this case (3/10)
- US-90 just east of Tallahassee (bonus thrill if you accidentally went on it at full speed after the blizzard...) (3/10)
- Lake County CR-455 near Green Mountain (4/10, but do watch out for the bicycles)
- SR-540 just east of SR-570, 60mph on a suburban typical section with curves usually only seen on lower speed roadways (5/10)
- I-275 in downtown St Pete (off-peak), very generous putting 65 through downtown, definitely evidence of older design standards (3/10)
Tennessee:
-I-24 just west of I-59, recently increased back to 70 and honestly feels like a runaway mine train flying down the mountain, just play some music along with it :awesomeface: (7/10)
-I-40 along the Caney Fork River, better WB than EB due to speed limits (6/10)
I'll probably list some more as I find the time
While roller coasters do have horizontal curves, there are an infinite number of roads that have tons of tight horizontal curves, so I think what's interesting is when they have lots of short vertical curves.
US-95 in CA approaching NV has already been mentioned, but further south, after US-95 is diverted into AZ, CA-78 goes across some very rolling country from Blythe down through the Algodones Dunes. The remaining two-lane part of CA-14 in Inyo County is irritatingly hilly, because it makes it hard to pass. And CA-247 north of Yucca Valley has some really beautiful ups and downs. One of the main thing that happens when they upgrade a two-lane road to a freeway is to push massive amounts of dirt around to cut through the crests and fill up the troughs.
There are also places where roads have settled, and cause very rapid ups and downs. As I write, they're fixing a stretch of the CA-52 freeway that is notorious for that in San Diego. And while someone mentioned Box Canyon Rd near Mecca CA upthread, Imperial County route S-22 in Salton City is pretty brutal too.
I'm not sure why I didn't think of CA 198 west of Coalinga in my original post. That has a bunch of dipping grades through Warthan Canyon.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/151828809@N08/0FxJ653KU2
Most new builds in Texas anymore. They found in the 2010s it was cheaper to just follow terrain rather than cut and fill to level sightlines. So the smooth ride of the 1960s along US 75 North has largely gone the way of the dodo.
Quote from: Road Hog on February 17, 2025, 08:30:22 PMMost new builds in Texas anymore. They found in the 2010s it was cheaper to just follow terrain rather than cut and fill to level sightlines. So the smooth ride of the 1960s along US 75 North has largely gone the way of the dodo.
Speaking of Texas, I once went down a fun one on the outskirts of San Antonio north of Camp Bullis called
Ammann Rd (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nVQTFPXWTWVxShaH6). Unlike some of the others mentioned here, it's fairly straight, but has a lot of small elevation changes that are good for getting air. The lack of curves made it conducive to higher speeds, so it had the same kind of roller coaster effect.
Quote from: webny99 on February 18, 2025, 04:17:31 PMQuote from: Road Hog on February 17, 2025, 08:30:22 PMMost new builds in Texas anymore. They found in the 2010s it was cheaper to just follow terrain rather than cut and fill to level sightlines. So the smooth ride of the 1960s along US 75 North has largely gone the way of the dodo.
Speaking of Texas, my uncle once took us down a fun one on the outskirts of San Antonio north of Camp Bullis called Ammann Rd (https://maps.app.goo.gl/nVQTFPXWTWVxShaH6). Unlike some of the others mentioned here, it's fairly straight, but has a lot of small elevation changes that are good for getting air. The lack of curves made it conducive to higher speeds, so it had the same kind of roller coaster effect.
And also speaking of Texas, I submit 2 in the Panhandle that involve Palo Duro Canyon and the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River. Texas 207 from Claude to Silverton and Texas 70 from Clarendon to Turkey. Those are the only 2 routes between Amarillo and Childress that actually go through the Canyon Valley.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.7687175,-101.1999503,10.32z/data=!5m1!1e4?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Quote from: pderocco on February 17, 2025, 08:01:00 PMWhile roller coasters do have horizontal curves, there are an infinite number of roads that have tons of tight horizontal curves, so I think what's interesting is when they have lots of short vertical curves.
US-95 in CA approaching NV has already been mentioned, but further south, after US-95 is diverted into AZ, CA-78 goes across some very rolling country from Blythe down through the Algodones Dunes.
...
I just drove CA 78 all the way from Blythe to Oceanside last week. That part you're referring to...at one point after going through one of those dipsy doodles (wheee...!!!) at high speed I got an alarm sounding. Looking around to figure out what it was, I realized the G-force on the small drinks cooler I had on the passenger seat had made the seat belt sensor think that thing was actually a passenger, and it wanted the seat belt buckled.
The eastern segment of CA 120 between US 395 and US 6 is a great fit for this. Sharp curves, the wild ups and downs over the natural terrain, and (going eastbound) a steep plunge down to Benton Hot Springs.
California's penchant for building its desert roads over the natural terrain without leveling the grades is mostly frustrating though, as it creates long stretches with a double-yellow center line despite the fact you're on a straight road. Being stuck for five minutes behind a sluggish truck or RV out there in wide-open country, that feels like an eternity.
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 18, 2025, 06:47:24 PMAnd also speaking of Texas, I submit 2 in the Panhandle that involve Palo Duro Canyon and the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River. Texas 207 from Claude to Silverton and Texas 70 from Clarendon to Turkey. Those are the only 2 routes between Amarillo and Childress that actually go through the Canyon Valley.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/@34.7687175,-101.1999503,10.32z/data=!5m1!1e4?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
I drove both of those stretches a few years ago with my boys, on a Caprock Canyons camping trip. I remember both highways having plenty of hills and curves, especially TX-70, but not really roller-coaster-y. Maybe I just wasn't driving fast enough...
Are roller coaster roads similar to Thrill Hills that causes a ticklish sensation in the tummy?
Quote from: XamotCGC on February 18, 2025, 11:35:27 PMAre roller coaster roads similar to Thrill Hills that causes a ticklish sensation in the tummy?
As kids we called those types of rural road unevenness - 'tickle hills'.
:-P
Mike
One side of every divided highway in Virginia (see VA-236 as an example (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.8397012,-77.260943,3a,17.1y,94.76h,87.38t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s07TNzncD6_dVpawj0XxXPQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.6220355074427744%26panoid%3D07TNzncD6_dVpawj0XxXPQ%26yaw%3D94.76111807159911!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)).
GSV makes it seem flatter than it is, but MD-56 (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6332248,-77.9157427,3a,17.1y,273.43h,85.29t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sVkzOl8p39AnwCQUCsRN5jQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D4.708494868956777%26panoid%3DVkzOl8p39AnwCQUCsRN5jQ%26yaw%3D273.42841418766295!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) is a fun drive.
Mt Aetna Rd (https://www.google.com/maps/@39.6090185,-77.6398546,3a,20.3y,274.69h,84.31t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ssubHseCUpyvVMcJQ5z8U6g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D5.68545836841993%26panoid%3DsubHseCUpyvVMcJQ5z8U6g%26yaw%3D274.69415128299266!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) on the other side of Hagerstown is bumpier, but you can't get it going quite as fast.
Dutchess CR-92 (Chelsea Rd) (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5493591,-73.9486032,3a,18.1y,275.01h,88.88t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sqHVRapUeCr0naeb0UqIbcg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D1.1172264833386834%26panoid%3DqHVRapUeCr0naeb0UqIbcg%26yaw%3D275.0072489855898!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) in New York is another fun one.
VA-457 (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.7108425,-79.8039392,3a,89.4y,241.39h,80.72t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sVG4-f1HufrEski5PfQ3r9Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D9.282852024605802%26panoid%3DVG4-f1HufrEski5PfQ3r9Q%26yaw%3D241.39376696957268!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) has a lot of super-superelevated curves that make it seem like a racetrack.
NY-17 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9900007,-75.3380829,3a,18.1y,155.89h,89.45t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sI1U80MunWBqiv5tEE3k0bA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.5475397177785908%26panoid%3DI1U80MunWBqiv5tEE3k0bA%26yaw%3D155.89075866949398!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) between Deposit and Hancock is about the best mix of hills, curves, and high speeds that I have personally experienced though.
US 30's approach to McConnellsburg, PA has to constitute one, at least if hairpin turns count.
The NY 28/NY 30 overlap between Indian Lake and Blue Mountain Lake, and the NY 28N/NY 30 overlap from Blue Mountain Lake to Long Lake, are both pretty great. Curves are gentle enough to take the whole thing at 55 mph, but plenty of them and plenty of ups and downs. Watch out for deer and moose though!