1. Tail of the Dragon – Tennessee to North Carolina
Tail of the Dragon, officially U.S. Route 129, is a thrill ride with 318 curves in just 11 miles. It’s a magnet for motorcyclists and sports car lovers, but not everyone finds it fun. The lack of intersections or driveways means pure, unrelenting curves through thick forest. If you’re alone, the twisting road can get overwhelming fast, according to Robert C. Congdon from Rider Magazine.
Accidents happen here often, and emergency services are pretty spread out. Some drivers have reported feeling disoriented by the constant turning. It’s exciting, but it demands your full attention—and honestly, a good copilot. One wrong turn and you’re in a ditch—or worse.
2. Pacific Coast Highway – California’s Cliffhanger
The Pacific Coast Highway, or California State Route 1, offers jaw-dropping ocean views and winding cliffside roads. It’s one of the most scenic drives in America, no doubt about it. But those curves? They’re no joke—especially the Big Sur stretch, according to Arash Law.
Landslides, sharp turns, and the lack of guardrails in places make this drive downright nerve-wracking. One wrong move and you’re looking at a very long drop. Many solo drivers have admitted they white-knuckled their way through. It’s stunning, but you’ll want someone else there to share the stress—and the view.
3. The Million Dollar Highway – Colorado’s Dizzying Beauty
U.S. Route 550, also known as the Million Dollar Highway, runs through the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. It’s breathtakingly gorgeous, with views of snow-capped peaks and deep gorges. But the road itself is full of switchbacks, narrow lanes, and no guardrails for miles. That combo makes it both amazing and terrifying, according to Evie Carrick from Travel + Leisure.
Avalanches and sudden weather shifts are common here, especially between Ouray and Silverton. Some say the “million dollar” name comes from how much it would take to pay someone to drive it solo. Even experienced drivers get rattled. This road turns beauty into an adrenaline rush.
4. Route 2 – The Haunted Stretch in Maine
Route 2 in Maine is surrounded by dense forests, and it’s earned a spooky reputation over the years, according to Buzz Bradley from B98.5. Many locals whisper about the ghost of a young woman in a prom dress who appears near the Haynesville Woods section. This story is so well-known that it inspired a country song—“A Tombstone Every Mile.” Beautiful? Absolutely. But the legends are enough to make you want a buddy in the passenger seat.
Besides its eerie folklore, the road can be treacherous during bad weather. In the winter, ice and fog make visibility almost nonexistent. Even truckers have been known to avoid it unless they absolutely have to. It’s a mix of haunting beauty and chilling danger.
5. Route 66 – Arizona’s Deserted Sections
While Route 66 is nostalgic and iconic, some stretches in Arizona feel eerily deserted. The long, flat roads through the desert can mess with your sense of time and direction. There’s little cell reception, and gas stations are few and far between. It’s not hard to see why some folks get anxious driving it alone.
Add to that the occasional broken-down car or abandoned town, and it starts to feel like a scene from a horror movie. The beauty of the wide-open desert sky is undeniable, though. At sunset, it looks like another planet. But you’ll feel safer sharing the experience—and keeping an eye out together.
6. Going-to-the-Sun Road – Montana’s Glacier Wonderland
This road slices through Glacier National Park and offers postcard-worthy views of alpine lakes and rugged mountains. It’s narrow, winding, and clings to the side of cliffs at terrifying heights. The drop-offs can be so extreme that people get vertigo just looking out the window. It’s beautiful, but it tests your nerves.
Because of snow, the road is only open a few months a year, and conditions can change rapidly. Rockslides and wildlife crossings aren’t unusual. Some visitors turn back halfway through because they can’t handle it. If you’re going to brave this road, bring a friend to take turns driving—or at least to hold your hand.
7. Route 191 – Utah’s Lonely Path Through the Desert
Route 191 cuts through some of Utah’s most breathtaking but remote desert landscapes. You’ll see red rock canyons, towering buttes, and endless sky. But you’ll also feel how utterly alone you are. In some stretches, there’s no sign of civilization for hours.
Car trouble here could be a serious issue, with little help nearby. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are real dangers if you’re not prepared. And the silence can be almost unnerving, especially at dusk. It’s a place where the land is stunning—but the solitude is intimidating.
8. Highway 17 – South Carolina’s Ghostly Marshes
This coastal highway winds through South Carolina’s hauntingly beautiful Lowcountry. Spanish moss drips from ancient trees, and fog often rolls across the road in thick waves. Locals say ghost sightings are common, especially near the old rice plantations. It’s romantic, but it’s also pretty creepy when you’re alone.
The road can be slippery in wet weather and hard to navigate at night. Wildlife often crosses unexpectedly, including deer and even alligators in some areas. It’s not uncommon for solo drivers to feel a sudden chill—even when it’s warm. This road whispers stories from the past, and sometimes it feels like they whisper back.
9. Dalton Highway – Alaska’s Arctic Adventure
Stretching 414 miles from Fairbanks to the Arctic Ocean, the Dalton Highway is one of the most remote roads in America. Originally built to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, it’s mostly gravel and can be brutal on vehicles. There are only three towns along the entire stretch. And gas stations? Practically nonexistent.
If you get stuck here, you’re on your own for a long while. The scenery—snowy mountains, open tundra, and frozen rivers—is surreal. But blizzards, ice, and truck traffic can make it deadly. This is not a road you tackle without backup.
10. Highway 550 – New Mexico’s Illusion of Safety
Not to be confused with Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway, New Mexico’s stretch of 550 seems tame at first. It’s wide and straight, with great visibility and little traffic. But many accidents happen here because of deceptive dips and rises that create dangerous illusions. Drivers misjudge speed or distance and lose control.
Locals have dubbed it one of the most dangerous roads in the state. Despite its calm appearance, it has a surprisingly high fatality rate. Combine that with the haunting quiet of the desert, and it’s not a solo road trip you’ll soon forget. It lulls you into a false sense of security—until it doesn’t.
11. Highway 12 – Utah’s Scenic (and Scary) Byway
This All-American Road runs between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, passing through red rock country like something out of a dream. But the “Hogsback” section is where things get dicey. It’s a razor-thin stretch of highway with steep drop-offs on both sides and no guardrails. One mistake and you’re toast.
The views are spectacular—towering sandstone cliffs, endless sky—but they’re also distracting. Some drivers report feeling dizzy or light-headed from the altitude and sharp descents. When you’re up that high and that exposed, every curve feels like a gamble. Better to have someone with you for support, both emotional and navigational.
12. Blue Ridge Parkway – The Fog Zone
Stretching through Virginia and North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is famed for its fall colors and mountain views. But those same mountains generate sudden, thick fog—so thick, you sometimes can’t see the car in front of you. Combine that with steep grades and sharp turns, and things get stressful quick. It’s beautiful, but also pretty unpredictable.
Wildlife is another hazard—bears, deer, and even the occasional turkey. With no streetlights and limited signage, night driving here can feel like flying blind. It’s the kind of road that’s better enjoyed with a navigator. Or at least someone to share your amazement—and anxiety.
13. Route 93 – Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway
Also known as the “Extraterrestrial Highway,” this stretch of U.S. Route 93 near Area 51 is both strange and serene. The landscape is wide open, otherworldly, and oddly quiet. UFO enthusiasts come for the mystery, but others find the isolation unsettling. Cell service? Forget it.
At night, the stars are incredible—but the silence is almost too much. Combine that with the occasional strange light in the sky, and your imagination might run wild. Add to that the real risk of hitting a cow or coyote, and it’s no wonder people prefer to drive it in pairs. It’s a long, lonely ride, even if the aliens are friendly.
14. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway – Louisiana’s Water World
At nearly 24 miles, this is one of the longest bridges over water in the world. The middle stretch is so far from land that it can feel like you’re floating in limbo. Fog is common, and it can completely obscure the horizon. Some drivers panic and freeze up mid-bridge.
The causeway has its own police to escort drivers who can’t continue alone. With nothing but water on all sides, it can trigger serious anxiety or claustrophobia. It’s an engineering marvel, sure—but not everyone can handle the mental challenge solo. Having company helps calm those nerves.
15. U.S. Route 50 – Nevada’s “Loneliest Road in America”
U.S. Route 50 earned its nickname because it passes through miles of empty desert with almost no services. It’s scenic in a stark, minimalist way—mountains in the distance, open plains, and endless sky. But it can also be deeply unsettling, especially if your mind starts to wander. There’s a reason survival kits are recommended.
Some towns along the route have fewer than 50 residents. You can go hours without seeing another car, which can be peaceful or terrifying depending on your outlook. Mechanical problems or medical emergencies out here are no joke. If you’re taking on Route 50, make sure someone’s in the passenger seat—if only to help keep you sane.
