McCarthy Road

The McCarthy Road is Alaska’s ultimate test of patience — 60 miles of washboard, potholes, and loose planks that will shake your rig apart if you’re not careful. Built on an abandoned railroad bed that once hauled copper ore from the Kennecott mines, this notorious road ends at the Kennecott River where you park and walk across a footbridge to reach McCarthy, one of Alaska’s most authentic frontier towns. The road passes through stunning Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with views of massive glaciers and 16,000-foot peaks.

This is a moderate to difficult drive that destroys rental cars and humbles overconfident drivers. You’ll need high clearance and aggressive tread — this road eats tires. Bring a full-size spare and tire repair kit. Several creek crossings can be tricky during spring runoff. Open roughly May through October, but check conditions first. The reward is stepping back in time to Alaska’s mining era and accessing some of the most spectacular wilderness in North America.