7 Roller Coasters to Hit on Your Summer Road Trip ...

1. Tallest Roller Coaster

Name: Kingda Ka
Location: Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey

Kingda Ka is the world’s tallest roller coaster, reaching a height of 456 feet! In about 3.5 seconds this coaster goes from 0 to 128 MPH, making it the fastest in the US. You will drop down through a 270 degree spiral, sure to make your breath catch in your throat! This is one coaster that definitely needs to be on your list of roller coasters for summer!

2. Longest Roller Coaster in the US

Name: Millennium Force
Location: Cedar Point in Ohio

Millennium Force has been ranked the #1 Steel Roller Coaster in the World 7 times in the past 12 years and any year that it was not #1, it never dropped below #2! This makes this coaster a MUST-ride for any coaster connoisseur! This awesome coaster is 6,595 feet long, which is the longest in the US. If you’re outside the United States, there are 3 coasters that are a bit longer; Fujiyama and Steel Dragon 2000 in Japan are 6,709 feet and 8,133 feet respectively, leaving Steel Dragon 2000 as the longest in the world. The Ultimate in England is the runner up at 7,442 feet.

3. Steepest Coaster in North America

Name: Steel Hawg
Location: Indiana Beach – Indiana

The 111 degree drop of the Steel Hawg is enough to make you feel like your internal organs are all rising up into your throat! I’m still getting used to roller coasters, so this is a little out of my league at the moment, but for all of you who just can’t get enough, this is the steepest drop you can find on the continent! For the steepest in the world, you’ll have to travel to Japan where they have Takabisha with an overwhelming 121 degree drop!

4. Underground Coaster

Name: Hades 360
Location: Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park – Wisconsin

Face your fears of crashing to the earth as your coaster dips down. This wooden roller coaster takes you from a height of 140 feet and drops you at a 65 degree angle right into an underground tunnel! You go inside the tunnel twice, both times you are lifted off of your seat by the valleys and hills in the track. If this isn’t enough for you, there is a 360 degree barrel roll as you come out of the darkness. All of this and more from a wooden roller coaster! Usually wooden coasters are milder, but while this one does only reach 60 MPH, it makes up for a lack of top speed with unique twists, turns, and darkness!

5. Spinner

Name: Sierra Sidewinder
Location: Knott’s Berry Farm – California

While this roller coaster isn’t very fast at all and doesn’t have the enormous drops that all of the other coasters have, it does have something that is a rarity among the other coasters in the world. It is one of the very few coasters that features spinning seats! Imagine going over all of those highs and lows while spinning 360 degrees! In my opinion, this more than makes up for the lack of speed and thrill.

6. Insanity

Name: Vertical Velocity
Location: Six Flags Great America – Illinois

This roller coaster is unlike other coasters with their constant loops and drops. The Vertical Velocity is a U-shaped track with two vertical spikes that stick up 185 feet in the air. One is corkscrewed, causing you to twist and turn as you go up and down, while the other is straight and your coaster car sends you into a straight free fall. If fast and steep is your cup of tea, this is the coaster for you!

7. Intense

Name: Bizarro
Location: Six Flags New England – Massachusetts

If you want a coaster that gives you as many elements as possible, Bizarro is it! This ride takes you through fog filled mini-tunnels, sets of shield shaped rings and some serious twists and turns. If that’s not enough to scare you, the ride is floorless and nearly wall-less so you have very little to hold onto or comfort you.

I hope you give some of these coasters a try. If none of them are near you, there’s bound to be some adrenaline rush-inducing rides worth traveling to around your location! Plan a mini-trip with your friends and hit as many parks as you can! What’s the most amazing coaster you’ve ever been on?