10 Of The Most Haunted Roads In The U.S. And The Ghostly Tales Behind Them

While driving alone at night can be relaxing, certain stretches of road are almost guaranteed to give you the shivers. The global car rental comparison site DiscoverCars.com has put together this list of 10 of the most ghost-ridden lanes in the country. From phantom vehicles and faceless hitchhikers to inexplicable happenings, these haunted highways have unnerved drivers for decades! Here are some of the most notoriously spooky routes, so you know where to avoid after dark.

Note: All images in this article were created using AI.

Route 2A, Maine

Running through the woodland of Haynesville Woods, Route 2A has been nicknamed “the most haunted road in Maine.” This stretch of road may have gotten its ghastly reputation from the several horrifying ghosts that are believed to haunt this area and the surrounding woodlands.

Drivers have reported a woman in white stalking the roadside. Legend has it a couple of newlyweds were driving down this road on their wedding night and got into a fatal car accident. The bride is said to wander the side of the road disheveled and distraught, looking for her husband who died alongside her.

The ghosts of two young girls are said to roam through the area, appearing and vanishing into thin air and leaving behind an overwhelming feeling of dread and sadness. The spirits are believed to be those of two girls who tragically died after being hit by a truck on this road in 1967.

Clinton Road, New Jersey

Known as “the most haunted street in America,” Clinton Road has a terrifying history that makes it easy to see how it earned the title. The most well-known story is that of a young ghostly boy who haunts the bridge at Dead Man's Curve. Legend has it that if you toss a coin into the water, it’ll be tossed right back!

A spectral girl is said to weave through the trees at night, and she's not the only apparition lurking here. Sightings of unidentifiable creatures and hellhounds are common along this stretch of road, and local folklore even warns of bloodthirsty cannibals stalking the tree line, preying on lost travelers.

There are some phantom vehicles reported to haunt this road, notably a black Camaro that drivers have reported seeing in their rearview mirror coming uncomfortably close to their car. Suddenly, the Camaro vanishes from sight, as if it were never there. Many believe this is the ghost of a young man who died in a car accident here and is stuck in a time loop, recreating his final moments before tragedy.

Highway 666, “The Devil’s Highway,” Utah

Named after the “number of the beast”, Highway 666 earned its reputation as “The Devil's Highway” thanks to the sinister history and superstition. The road’s infamous name caused panic and even led to road sign theft, causing officials to rename it to Route 491 in 2003.

Route 491 is notorious for its high number of fatal accidents and vehicle breakdowns, leading many to believe that this stretch of road is cursed. A black sedan is said to haunt this stretch, racing menacingly with its headlights blaring, only to vanish into thin air. Some believe this hallucination is caused by the Utah desert and the evil that allegedly resides on this road.

One of the most popular urban legends about this road involves the “Hounds of Hell”, a pack of dogs that are said to have razor-sharp teeth and impossible speed. These hounds are believed to have jumped through car windows, attacking drivers and causing collisions. In addition to the hellhounds, travelers have also reported sightings of a pale ghost girl standing eerily along the shoulder in a long white gown.

Dead Man’s Curve, Cleveland, Ohio

Dead Man’s Curve is a notoriously haunted stretch of road in Ohio. Those driving down this road face a sharp 90-degree turn, which has caused many accidents and fatalities over the years. One of these accidents was in 1969, when several teenagers tragically passed away in a car crash.

The most chilling legend associated with this road is sightings of a faceless hitchhiker who is believed to have died here. An eyewitness to the crash reported, “I noticed a man’s shape on the side of the road. It turned like it was hitchhiking, with an arm sticking up.” They revealed that they saw “a blank, flat surface where the face should have been. We looked back. There was nobody there.”

The faceless hitchhiker is said to be most active between 1:20 and 1:40 AM, and allegedly appears in the middle of the road, attempting to hitch a ride or chasing cars that speed past. Other witnesses have reported rocks being thrown at their windshields by an unknown force; could it be the phantom hitchhiker trying to lure them out?

Zombie Road, Missouri

Passing through Wildwood near historic Route 66, Zombie Road is widely considered Missouri’s most haunted stretch of asphalt. It gets its name from a terrifying legend about a serial killer in the 1950s turned zombie. Legend has it that an outpatient of a nearby psychiatric ward escaped and found himself in the surrounding woods. It’s said he hid out in a decrepit shack, waiting for unsuspecting teenagers to pass by as they headed to the local hangout spot. After his death, he allegedly haunts Zombie Road, killing innocent people beyond the grave.

Adding to the horror, this trail is allegedly cursed as it crosses an ancient Native American burial ground. Over the years, travelers have reported a wide array of paranormal encounters, from ghost sightings of groups of children and Confederate rebels to Native American spirits haunting the area. There are reports of disembodied cries and unexplainable cold spots, which are enough to cement Zombie Road’s eerie reputation.

Bray Road, Wisconsin

Bray Road is home to one of Wisconsin’s most famous legends, “The Beast of Bray Road.” Running through rural Wisconsin, this 17-mile stretch of road became notorious in the 1980s and 1990s after multiple sightings of a huge, werewolf-like creature lurking along the tree line were reported, though whispers of the creature date back as far as the 1930s. The road is so infamous that it even inspired a 2005 movie and several documentaries.

Witnesses have reported a massive 800-pound, six-to-seven-foot-tall beast covered in dark fur, complete with glowing red or orange eyes. The beast has been seen running on two legs or scampering on all fours. There have been reports of the beast scratching cars and dragging its claws into passing vehicles. In one terrifying account, a driver who thought she had struck an animal pulled over to investigate, only to see a pair of blazing eyes staring back at her. She was chased back to her car, and the beast left claw marks on the side of her vehicle as she fled.

Skeptics argue the beast is just a large gray wolf, feral dog or even a bear. Either way, it’s certainly not something you’d want to encounter driving down this rural road at night!

The Devil’s Promenade, Hornet, Oklahoma/Missouri

This old dirt road harbors a longstanding mystery. If you happen to find yourself on The Devil’s Promenade at night, you may encounter the Spook Light, an orange glowing orb that has puzzled people since its first recorded sighting in 1881.

Between the hours of 10 PM and midnight, drivers have reported a basketball-sized glowing orb eerily hovering down the road; it defies the laws of physics by remaining ablaze even during torrential downpours. It sometimes rises high above the treeline, and swings back and forth like a handheld lantern. Legend has it that the orb is the lantern of the ghost of a decapitated miner, who wanders the area looking for his lost wife.

Skeptics claim that the orbs are balls of gas or reflections of car lights. However, the first documented sighting predates cars, leaving the latter theory dead in the water. Is this orb an inexplicable natural phenomenon, or is something truly paranormal at work?

The Devil’s Crossroads, intersection of Highway 61 & 49, Clarksdale, Mississippi

This crossroads is said to have been walked upon by the devil himself. It’s here that legendary blues artist Robert Johnson allegedly made a deal with the devil after his brief disappearance around 1930. Legend has it that Johnson came face-to-face with the devil at midnight, trading extraordinary musical talent for his soul. In the years that followed, Johnson became an iconic figure in American music, recording classics such as “Cross Road Blues” and “Sweet Home Chicago”.

What gives this story an eerie undertone are the mysterious circumstances of his death. Johnson passed away under unexplained conditions at just 27 years old, later making him one of the earliest figures linked to the tragic “27 Club”: an uncanny pattern of legendary artists who died at that exact age.

Boy Scout Lane, Wisconsin

This quiet stretch of road in Linwood is home to one of Wisconsin’s most chilling legends. It’s said that sometime in the 1950s or 1960s, a group of Boy Scouts was tragically killed in a fire on this road, and now their restless spirits haunt the area. There are a few versions of the story; some say the troop’s Scoutmaster was behind the murder, while others believe it was the bus driver who drove them to the campsite.

Locals have reported eerie phenomena on the road, from phantom footsteps passing by to shadowy figures weaving through the treeline. Many describe an unnerving feeling of being watched, accompanied by a sudden rush of dread. It’s certainly not a place you’d want to accidentally stumble upon after dark.

Kelly Road, Pennsylvania

Winding through a dense Pennsylvania forest is Kelly Road, one of the state's most haunted stretches of asphalt. Legend has it that this road emits a dark and terrifying aura, one that causes drivers and animals to fly into sudden, violent rages. Over the years, drivers have reported disembodied cries for help, which are thought to echo the tragic demise of a couple whose carriage overturned here, trapping the husband underneath the wreckage.

What’s more, there are long-standing rumors of occult activity and Pagan rituals held in the surrounding woodland. Drivers passing through here frequently report strange shadows shifting between the trees and inexplicable vehicle breakdowns. All of this combined is more than enough to give Kelly Road its haunting reputation.

We hope you enjoyed this spooky roundup of some of the most haunted roads across the U.S. If you’re planning a road trip this Halloween, we hope you consider booking with us. We were the most visited global car rental comparison site in February 2026 and can help you find the perfect rental car in 164 countries around the world.

Top related locations

Here are some other destinations in the US to explore on a spooky October trip:

• Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles Airport): Explore Hollywood Forever Cemetery and the abandoned Old Zoo in Griffith Park, where eerie ruins and local ghost stories create an unsettling atmosphere.
• San Diego, California (San Diego Airport): Visit the historic Whaley House in Old Town, widely known for its ghost stories and reputation as one of America's most haunted houses.
• San Francisco, California (San Francisco Airport): Take a trip to Alcatraz Island, where the abandoned prison cells and stories of former inmates make for an unsettling experience.
• San Jose, California (San Jose Airport): Discover the Winchester Mystery House, famous for its strange architecture, staircases leading nowhere, and legends of restless spirits.
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Fort Lauderdale Airport): The historic Stranahan House is associated with several ghost stories, offering a spooky glimpse into the city's past.
• Miami, Florida (Miami Airport): Explore the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, where legends of ghostly guests and mysterious encounters have circulated for decades.
• Orlando, Florida (Orlando Airport): Beyond the theme parks, downtown Orlando has historic buildings, old cemeteries, and local ghost stories to discover.
• Tampa, Florida (Tampa Airport): The historic Tampa Theatre and buildings in Ybor City are associated with eerie legends and reports of unexplained activity.
• Honolulu, Hawaii (Honolulu Airport): Drive toward the misty Nuʻuanu Pali, an area associated with Hawaiian legends of the Night Marchers, supernatural warriors said to travel after dark.
• Kahului, Hawaii (Kahului Airport): Discover the dramatic scenery of ʻĪao Valley, where mist-covered mountains and a history of fierce battles create an atmospheric setting.
• Austin, Texas (Austin-Bergstrom Airport): The historic Driskill Hotel is famous for stories of ghostly guests, unexplained noises, and mysterious encounters.
• Dallas, Texas (Dallas Fort Worth Airport): Take a detour to the Old Alton Bridge near Denton, better known as Goatman's Bridge, where local folklore tells of a terrifying supernatural creature.
• Houston, Texas (Houston Airport): Explore the city's historic neighborhoods and take a trip to nearby Galveston, known for its haunted hotels and ghost stories.
• New Orleans, Louisiana (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport): From the haunted mansions of the French Quarter to atmospheric aboveground cemeteries, New Orleans is one of America's best-known destinations for ghost stories.
• Boston, Massachusetts (Logan International Airport): Explore the city's historic burial grounds or drive to nearby Salem, famous for its 1692 witch trials and chilling history.
• Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta Airport): Wander through Oakland Cemetery, where elaborate Victorian monuments and historic mausoleums create a suitably spooky atmosphere.
• New York City, New York (John F. Kennedy International Airport): Discover the ruins of the former smallpox hospital on Roosevelt Island and the unsettling legends surrounding some of Manhattan's oldest buildings.
• Chicago, Illinois (Chicago O'Hare Airport): Explore the city's haunted history, from the infamous Congress Plaza Hotel to the eerie legends surrounding Bachelor's Grove Cemetery.
• Charleston, South Carolina (Charleston International Airport): The city's historic streets, centuries-old graveyards, and former Old City Jail provide plenty of inspiration for a ghost-themed getaway.
• Nashville, Tennessee (Nashville International Airport): The historic Ryman Auditorium is associated with ghostly legends, offering a supernatural twist on Nashville's famous musical heritage.