1. State Route 33 – California
Running through the Los Padres National Forest, this road is narrow, winding, and high above the valleys below. Locals in Ojai and surrounding areas describe the night drive as claustrophobic and perilous. With no cell service and almost no lighting, it’s easy to feel completely alone—and very vulnerable. Some even say they’ve heard odd sounds in the woods, like whispering voices or howls that aren’t quite animal.
More practically, the road has a lot of blind curves and falling rock zones. During the rainy season, mudslides and washouts can make parts impassable. Emergency crews have a tough time reaching accidents here due to the terrain. Locals often treat this route like a daytime-only option, and for good reason.
2. U.S. Route 60 – Arizona
Particularly the stretch through the Superstition Mountains, U.S. Route 60 has a long history of strange disappearances and unexplained phenomena. This area is rich in Apache legend and lore, including tales of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine. Some locals believe the land itself resents intrusions, especially at night. Drivers report seeing figures on the roadside who vanish when approached.
Even setting myths aside, the road has major elevation changes and sharp turns. In stormy weather, flash floods can wash out entire sections without warning. It’s also a major truck route, and nighttime traffic can be aggressive and fast-moving. Locals have learned it’s better to take this road under the sun—and leave the legends where they belong.
3. Highway 38 – California
Winding through the San Bernardino Mountains, Highway 38 might be scenic by day, but at night it becomes a different beast. Locals talk about a “black fog” that sometimes rolls in out of nowhere, reducing visibility to near zero. Some say it’s just the mountain weather, others swear there’s something unnatural about it. Whatever the case, those who live nearby often wait until morning to make the drive.
The road itself climbs to over 6,000 feet and is full of sharp turns with no room for error. Black ice in the winter and landslides in the rainy season only add to the danger. Emergency crews struggle to access some of the higher elevations quickly. For mountain residents, no appointment is important enough to risk Highway 38 after dark.
4. U.S. Route 550 – Colorado
Nicknamed the “Million Dollar Highway,” U.S. Route 550 between Ouray and Silverton is one of the most breathtaking—and terrifying—roads in America. It’s carved into the side of a mountain with steep cliffs and no guardrails, making night driving especially harrowing. Local drivers who’ve grown up in the area will tell you they never use it after dark unless absolutely necessary. The stakes are just too high, especially when the weather turns.
Fog, snow, and rockslides are common, and even experienced drivers have misjudged its hairpin turns. One wrong move and you’re tumbling hundreds of feet into a ravine. There’s no margin for error and no shoulder to pull over on. Most locals just wait for daylight—better late than never.
5. Route 129 – North Carolina/Tennessee (The Tail of the Dragon)
Tail of the Dragon is a famous route among motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts, boasting 318 curves in just 11 miles. But while it draws thrill-seekers by day, locals tend to avoid it at night like the plague. It’s not just the difficulty of the road—it’s the danger posed by overconfident drivers pushing their luck. Accidents are common, and fatalities aren’t rare.
At night, visibility is limited and help is far away if something goes wrong. There’s also the occasional black bear wandering onto the road, and not every sharp curve has warning signage. Locals know better than to challenge this dragon in the dark. They leave the road to tourists and pray nothing bad happens.
6. Highway 20 – Oregon
Stretching from Newport to the Idaho border, Highway 20 has a stretch near the Santiam Pass that many locals say gives them the creeps. Accidents here are frequent, particularly at night, and the thick forest surrounding the road makes it feel like you’re driving through a tunnel of shadows. There are rumors of ghost sightings and mysterious lights that follow cars. Though most chalk it up to mist and headlights, some say there’s more to it.
Aside from legends, this stretch of road is objectively risky. Steep inclines, unpredictable weather, and falling rocks make it a dangerous route even in the daytime. In the winter, snowstorms can trap drivers without warning. Locals have learned to plan trips around the daylight for good reason.
7. U.S. Route 93 – Nevada
Running through long, empty stretches of desert, U.S. Route 93 is notorious for fatal crashes and eerie silence. The highway has a grim nickname: the “Highway of Death,” especially near the Arizona-Nevada border. Locals say something just feels off when you’re driving it at night—it’s too quiet, too vast, and too easy to lose your bearings. Some even claim to see unexplained lights in the sky.
Driving fatigue is a big issue here, with hypnotic scenery and long distances between towns. Add in speeding drivers, wandering wildlife, and very little lighting, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Locals only use it at night when there’s absolutely no alternative. Most will tell you it’s safer to sleep in your car until morning.
8. State Route 375 – Nevada (Extraterrestrial Highway)
This isolated stretch skirts the infamous Area 51 and is ground zero for UFO sightings and other bizarre claims. Locals in Rachel, Nevada—what few there are—tend to keep their nighttime driving minimal along Route 375. They report strange electrical interference, odd lights in the sky, and cars that seemingly appear and disappear without explanation. Whether it’s government tech or something else, the road has a heavy, strange vibe after dark.
Even putting alien stories aside, the road is risky at night due to its remoteness and lack of amenities. If your car breaks down, you could be waiting hours—or even overnight—for help. Wildlife collisions are a real risk, and there’s no cell service for miles. Locals prefer to avoid that kind of mystery entirely.
9. Route 666 – New Mexico (Now U.S. 491)
Although it’s been renamed, Route 666 still carries a legacy that freaks out plenty of locals. The number wasn’t just symbolic—accidents and fatalities were unusually high on this highway for decades. People blamed everything from poor engineering to bad luck to something more sinister. Local Navajo folklore even includes stories of Skinwalkers stalking drivers along the route.
Nowadays it’s called U.S. Route 491, but many people in the Four Corners area still won’t drive it at night. The crash rate remains concerning, especially in poorly lit areas. Some drivers say their cars act up mysteriously, with lights flickering and GPS devices glitching. Whether it’s psychological or something real, locals still give it a wide berth after sundown.
10. State Route 87 – Arizona
Known as the Beeline Highway, this road connects Phoenix to Payson and becomes especially sketchy at night through the Tonto National Forest. Locals report sharp drop-offs, erratic wildlife crossings, and fast-moving trucks that make the drive nerve-wracking. There’s a particular section where fog settles thick and low, almost like it’s waiting for you. Even seasoned drivers white-knuckle it through there after dark.
Accidents are common and tend to be serious due to the high speeds allowed on the road. Cell service is spotty, and deer or elk can dart out with no warning. Drivers unfamiliar with the road often take corners too fast, leading to rollovers. Locals who know the risks usually opt to stay put until morning.
11. Route 2A – Massachusetts
Locals around the town of Ayer whisper about Route 2A like it’s a haunted trail out of a ghost story. It winds through dense forest, past the eerie remnants of Fort Devens, a former military base with a long and murky history. People claim to see ghostly figures dart across the road or appear in rearview mirrors late at night. Whether it’s urban legend or something more, many nearby residents make a point to take the long way home.
Even without the paranormal rumors, Route 2A is a narrow, twisting road with poor lighting and sudden curves that can sneak up on unsuspecting drivers. Deer are a constant hazard, and in the colder months, black ice is all too common. Emergency response times in this remote stretch aren’t great, so a night breakdown could turn into a real ordeal. Between the ghost stories and practical dangers, it’s not hard to see why locals steer clear after dark.
12. U.S. Route 191 – Arizona
U.S. Route 191, particularly the stretch through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, is a road of many names—and one of them is “The Devil’s Highway.” That’s because it used to be called U.S. Route 666, a designation that naturally sparked plenty of eerie associations. Though the number changed, locals still report a strange unease on this isolated road, especially after sunset. Stories range from phantom hitchhikers to vehicles mysteriously shutting off without warning.
But even if you don’t believe in the supernatural, this is a treacherous road at night. Hairpin turns, sheer drop-offs, and minimal guardrails make it a nightmare for the unfamiliar. There are also long stretches without cell service, so any mechanical trouble means you’re really on your own. Locals know better—they avoid it once the sun dips below the mountains.
This post 12 Highways Locals Refuse to Drive After Sunset (And Won’t Say Why) was first published on American Charm.
