What roads are not safe for RV travel in the US?

In this blog post, we will answer the question: “What roads are not safe for RV travel in the US?” We will describe these roads along with their reasons for not being safe. We will also touch up a few alternative routes that are available for some routes. At the end of this post, you will learn what routes to avoid while traveling in an RV in the US.

What roads are not safe for RV travel in the US?

The roads that are not safe for RV travel in the US are described below.

• The Million Dollar Highway

• Old Fall River Road

• Highway 17

• Interstate 10

• Sonora Pass

• State Route 190

• Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway

• Teton Pass Highway

• Tail of the Dragon

• Highway 249

The Million Dollar Highway

• The Million Dollar Highway is one of those roads that are not safe for RV travel in the US. The Million Dollar Highway is on Route 550, Colorado, and is one of those scary routes for kinds of vehicles, especially RVs. One of the biggest issues with this route is the elevation.

• The road can turn up to 11,000 feet with multiple twists and turns that stretch out for more than 25 miles. Three passes are particularly dangerous due to the high altitude. These areas can receive snow even during summer.

• Some of the areas have rockslides, and there are no guardrails which makes it more dangerous. The Million Dollar Highway was built in the 1880s and has beautiful views, but it is dangerous with cliffs and high-mountain passes.

Old Fall River Road

• The Old Fall River Road runs through the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Due to the dangerous terrain and wind speeds, this road has a speed limit of only 15 miles per hour. The Old Fall River Road is a nine-mile gravel road with an elevation of over 11,000 feet.

• No guardrails are on this road, and you can even touch the trees from your vehicle. Many RV owners have reported several scratches on their vehicle’s bodies. The Old Fall River Road was established in 1920 and is a one-way connection into the high county.

• It is advised to avoid this route since it is one of those roads unsafe for RV travel in the US. The alternative option would be to take Trail Ridge Road back down, which is not as scary as Old Fall River Road.

Highway 17

• Highway 17 is one of those beautiful roads with long stretches, but it is considered pretty scary. This road is dangerous since it is more like a rollercoaster ride that goes up and down. Maintaining control of the RV is pretty hard, especially if you are driving fast.

• The make it worse, the lanes are pretty narrow, and there are several blind curves. On the other hand, you might encounter wild animals on the road. Highway 17 is in Beaufort County, South Carolina, and no alternatives exist.

• Another disadvantage is that you might not get reception in some areas, which can be a major issue in a vehicle breakdown. It is also advised not to travel on Highway 17 alone.

Interstate 10

• Running from Phoenix to the border of California, Interstate 10 is known to be one of those dangerous routes. This route has beautiful views of mountains and other terrain, but it passes through the middle of a desert that can be hot.

• Due to the tough climatic conditions, hardly any people are around, and it is one of those remote passes. Most RV enthusiasts ensure to stock up on extra food, water, and spare tires while taking the Interstate 10.

• It is advised to avoid Interstate 10, especially during summer. Traveling at night can also be dangerous since you might not come across any vehicle for miles together. It is also advised not to travel on this route alone.

Sonora Pass

• The Sonora Pass connects Highway 108 to Highway 395. This route heads to the small town of Sonora in the foothills of the Sierra. This route has a 26 percent grade, and there are plenty of steep curves, which makes it hard to navigate.

• RVs, trailers, and motorhomes over 25 feet are not recommended to take the Sonora Pass since it can be extremely dangerous and cause accidents. It is advised to test the route with a small vehicle before taking a trailer along.

• It is also important to note that the Sonora Pass can be closed during winter, and it can remain closed for a while.

State Route 190

• State Route 190 in California is one of the roads unsafe for RV travel in the US. One of the main reasons is due to the extreme heat. It is always advised to avoid State Route 190 from May to September.

• The land is dry with rocks and rough terrain. This makes it hard to survive, and there are no such trees except for some shrubs. It is also hard to deal with a flat tire in the middle of this route in the extreme heat.

• Finding a mechanic is nearly impossible, and you might be required to wait for hours together until help arrives.

Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway

• If you want to travel alone for most of your journey and avoid human contact, the Ebbetts Pass is one of the routes to take. Few people are found on this route, making it dangerous for RV enthusiasts.

• Adding to the danger is the steep hairpin curves, which can be a major challenge for large RVs or travel trailers.  The Ebbetts Pass is a beautiful route with lots of trees, lakes, and stunning views. However, traveling on this route with a large RV is not recommended.

• RV owners take the alternate route, which is State Route 12 into Yosemite or Highway 50, which is located near Lake Tahoe. The Ebbertts Pass is a two-lane road that can be challenging for two large vehicles to pass at narrow curves.

Teton Pass Highway

• The Teton Pass Highway is one of those top dangerous routes for RV driving. The Teton Pass is also known as Highway 22, and it is one of the dangerous routes that have a narrow two-road lane. This is a steep route with twins and dangerous curves.

• Driving in a large RV can be crucial, especially at the curves. It is also advised to consider the climatic conditions before travel. The Teton Pass Highway can be covered with snowfall, and plenty of Moose run across the road during travel.

• The Teton Pass Highway runs from Swan Valley in Idaho through Jackson, Wyoming. It is one of the best routes in terms of beauty and nature.

Tail of the Dragon

• The Tail of the Dragon, also known as the US Route 129, can be dangerous for RV enthusiasts. This is one route where you need to be extra cautious, especially if you are driving in a big rig. This route restricts trailers and motorhomes that are more than 30 feet.

• There are more than 300 curves despite being only 11 miles. Hence, it is known as the “Tail of the Dragon.” The speed limit on this route is only 30 miles per hour, and it is more suitable for motorcycles than RVs and big rigs.

Needles Highway

• Needles Highway is one of those rods that are not safe to travel for various reasons. This highway is just 14 miles long, but it is not recommended for an RV or if you plan on towing any vehicle. One of the main reasons is the narrow tunnels known as “needles.”

• It has a 25-mile hour speed and is not recommended for huge rigs since roads can also be windy. It is also worth noting that the route gets shut down during winter.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have answered the question: “What roads are not safe for RV travel in the US?” We have described these roads along with their reasons for not being safe. We have also touched up a few alternative routes that are available for some routes. Have you traveled on any of these dangerous roads? Let us know in the comments section below.

Citations

Avoid These 10 Dangerous Routes In Your Big Rig

https://blog.cheapism.com/dangerous-rv-roads/#slide=3

https://mobilerving.com/blog/roads-to-avoid-while-rving-in-the-us

Alternate RV Routes for Colorado’s Most Dangerous Roads

Is It Safe to RV in America?

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-safe-is-an-rv-road-trip

https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/north-america/united-states/automobiles-and-vehicular-traffic-usa-road-safety