Steep highways

[Snagglefoot]

Next week I get to go down a long steep mountain pass on highway 3 north of the the US border going west. It’s the downward grade of the Kootenay pass. It’s 14 miles of an average 4.9 % grade, dropping 3720 ft. I thought of it because I changed out my brake master cylinder and bled by brakes last month. The local trucking driver training school ( Rocky Mountain Pro Drivers) has a mountain driving course and truckers take a full load down this hill to be able to get their certification. What other notable slopes have you driven down?

 

[fsdork]

This is a good one - Highway 24 (BC) between Little Fort and the Interlakes area. This Strava segment shows it as being an average of 7.5%. Descending it with a motor home or travel trailer definitely calls for low gear. There are plenty of runaway lanes just in case.

https://www.strava.com/segments/5082606

And no, I don't claim to have climbed it on my road bike.

 

[CrashFix]

There's a few steep pass's in BC/Alberta. Here's a good site that lists them. Take it easy & enjoy the view!

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...tion/routes-and-driving-conditions/elevations

 

[mattwithcats]

US 33 outside Harrisonburg, Virginia, through George Washington Forest, then up Shenandoah Mountain, into West Virginia, then down...

Very pretty...

 

[mattwithcats]

Before Interstate 64 was completed East of Beckley, West Virginia, you had to use US 60 between the incomplete sections...

Lots of fun....

 

[bbhero]

True indeed ^^^^^

Interstate 64 ended at US rte 60 in West Virginia for a long time. It was not until the very late 1980s into the very early 1990s it was finally completed across the New River to Beckley.

Another road here in VA that is tough... US Rte 250 northwest of Staunton....

And Rte 16 in southwest Va that crosses 3 mountain ridges from Tazewell to Marion.

 

[Chris142]

4.9% lol! I can see Cajon pass from my front door. 6% I believe. Hwy 18 behind my house that leads to Big hear,Ca is 16%.

Of course a video does not show the grade very well.

 

[mattwithcats]

Coquihalla Highway....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Highway_5

Watch a few episodes of “Highway To Hell” to understand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_Thru_Hell

 

[Oillover]

Coquihalla Highway....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Highway_5

Watch a few episodes of “Highway To Hell” to understand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_Thru_Hell

Yup, seen many terrible things on that stretch - in winter.

 

[spasm3]

Black Mountain NC has a grade of about 6% for 5 miles. Not long but i've pulled my travel trailer 7000lbs with my avalanche twice, its a work out.

 

[Malo83]

Notorious I-5 Tejon Pass/Grapevine.

 

[Snagglefoot]

4.9% lol! I can see Cajon pass from my front door. 6% I believe. Hwy 18 behind my house that leads to Big hear,Ca is 16%.

Of course a video does not show the grade very well.

Yes, but 14 continuous miles of it averaging 4.9 %. There’s plenty off 8 % grades around year but none are 14 miles long.

 

[JC1]

Steepest I've driven was I-70 west of Denver into the Rockies. When going up of you are not familiar with it you will slow down and the locals will be zipping past you.

When you descend I-70 east into Denver there are warning signs saying you are not down at the bottom.

There are a few of those run off lanes with gravel for truck runoffs.

 

[ls1mike]

Vantage is 10 miles in the Washington desert so hot in the summer. It is average about 4 to 5 percent with some bigger grades through out. I have done it about 10 times with the truck and the trailer. 4th of Jul Pass, Lookout Pass and Continental divide all over I-90 are some big ones i did with the truck and trailer.

 

[opus1]

Steepest I've driven was I-70 west of Denver into the Rockies. When going up of you are not familiar with it you will slow down and the locals will be zipping past you.

When you descend I-70 east into Denver there are warning signs saying you are not down at the bottom.

There are a few of those run off lanes with gravel for truck runoffs.

I love mountain-driving. Last time I was in CO I was traveling from Grand Junction back to Denver and made it a point to loop back over Loveland Pass to have some fun. I even had the bonus of seeing what I believe were Buick Regal test mules heading into the mountains as I came into the Dillon/Silverthorne area. I always chuckled when I saw this sign:

 

[JC1]

I love mountain-driving. Last time I was in CO I was traveling from Grand Junction back to Denver and made it a point to loop back over Loveland Pass to have some fun. I even had the bonus of seeing what I believe were Buick Regal test mules heading into the mountains as I came into the Dillon/Silverthorne area. I always chuckled when I saw this sign:
View attachment 54954

Yes I recall seeing those signs. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Dave Hess]

Coquihalla Highway....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Highway_5

Watch a few episodes of “Highway To Hell” to understand
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_Thru_Hell

I get stressed out just watching the show. LOL.

Great TV show.

 

[y_p_w]

There's Old Priest Grade from Moccasin to Priest, which used to be part of California State Route 120 until it was replaced by the current longer and windier Priest Grade. The newer one is in purple here, while the original (and still open road) in in red. It's only 1.8 miles, but it's notorious for hitting a max 20% grade. And it's really odd seeing trucks and buses taking the newer road.

https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/9240-old-priest-grade-road.html

 

[PimTac]

Deadman’s Pass outside of Pendleton Oregon is not very high but has a 6% grade along with hairpin turns all on a Interstate Highway. (I-84). People get killed on that stretch every year so the name fits.

 

[1uz_4me]

This thread made me realize I've only driven the CA grades in v8 cars. Tejon & Cajon Pass in a stock 93 Mustang. Both of those in the same car with an aluminum headed & nicely cammed stroker. Both of those again in my GS400. My mom's supercharged Buick had no issues either. Effortless travels .