Don’t Let a Beautiful Road Ruin Your RV Adventure

One of the biggest surprises for new RV owners is learning that the shortest route isn’t always the safest one.

A road that looks perfectly normal on Google Maps can suddenly turn into a steep mountain pass, a series of hairpin turns, or a tunnel your RV simply won’t fit through. Unfortunately, GPS apps don’t always know you’re driving a 35-foot Class A motorhome, towing a fifth wheel, or hauling a travel trailer.

The good news? With a little planning, you can avoid most of these stressful situations before you ever put your RV in gear.

Before we begin, it’s important to point out that none of these roads are “impossible.” Every year, experienced RVers safely travel many of them. The difference is that they know what to expect, they prepare in advance, and they understand when it’s wiser to take an alternate route.

If you’re new to RVing, these are ten roads you’ll want to research before adding them to your travel plans.

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1. Million Dollar Highway (US-550) – Colorado

Often called one of the most beautiful highways in America, the Million Dollar Highway connects the mountain towns of Ouray and Silverton through the San Juan Mountains.

The views are breathtaking.

So are the drop-offs.

Why RVers Struggle

• Narrow mountain lanes
• Tight switchbacks
• Very steep grades
• Few guardrails
• Heavy seasonal traffic

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: Colorado

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

😰 Stress Level: 9/10

🚐 Best For: Camper vans, Class B motorhomes, experienced drivers in short Class C RVs

🚫 Not Recommended For: Large Class A motorhomes, fifth wheels, inexperienced RV drivers

✅ Safer Alternative: US-160 or I-70, depending on your destination

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2. Tail of the Dragon (US-129) – Tennessee & North Carolina

With an incredible 318 curves packed into just 11 miles, this road has become legendary among motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts.

For most RV drivers, however, it’s more exhausting than enjoyable.

Why RVers Struggle

• Nearly nonstop sharp curves
• Narrow lanes
• Limited passing opportunities
• Busy recreational traffic
• Few places to pull over

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: Tennessee/North Carolina

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

😰 Stress Level: 10/10

🚐 Best For: Passenger vehicles and motorcycles

🚫 Not Recommended For: Nearly all motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth wheels

✅ Safer Alternative: US-74

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3. Needles Highway – South Dakota

Located in the beautiful Black Hills, Needles Highway is famous for its granite formations, winding roads, and incredibly narrow rock tunnels.

Some RVs simply won’t fit.

Why RVers Struggle

• Extremely narrow tunnels
• Tight curves
• Low clearances
• Heavy tourist traffic
• Limited room for error

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: South Dakota

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

😰 Stress Level: 10/10

🚐 Best For: Passenger vehicles and small camper vans

🚫 Not Recommended For: Most Class A, Class C, travel trailers, and fifth wheels

✅ Safer Alternative: US-16A

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4. Going-to-the-Sun Road – Glacier National Park, Montana

This spectacular drive belongs on almost every travel bucket list.

Unfortunately, many RVs don’t belong on the road itself.

Vehicle size restrictions prevent many larger RVs from using portions of the highway.

Why RVers Struggle

• Vehicle length restrictions
• Height and width limitations
• Narrow mountain roads
• Heavy seasonal traffic
• Limited parking

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: Montana

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

😰 Stress Level: 8/10

🚐 Best For: Cars, small camper vans, park shuttle users

🚫 Not Recommended For: Large motorhomes and towables exceeding park limits

✅ Safer Alternative: Park outside the restricted area and use Glacier National Park’s shuttle system

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5. Beartooth Highway – Montana & Wyoming

Beartooth Highway climbs to nearly 11,000 feet and is considered one of America’s greatest scenic drives.

Its beauty comes with serious mountain driving.

Why RVers Struggle

• High elevations
• Long climbs
• Steep descents
• Sudden weather changes
• Numerous switchbacks

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: Montana/Wyoming

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

😰 Stress Level: 8/10

🚐 Best For: Experienced RV drivers in smaller rigs

🚫 Not Recommended For: Beginners towing large trailers or driving large Class A coaches

✅ Safer Alternative: Leave your RV at camp and explore with your tow vehicle if possible

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6. California Highway 1 (Big Sur)

Driving along California’s Pacific Coast is unforgettable.

But for RVers, it can quickly become one of the most demanding drives in the country.

Why RVers Struggle

• Narrow coastal lanes
• Sharp curves
• Rockslides
• Heavy tourist traffic
• Limited pull-offs

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: California

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

😰 Stress Level: 7/10

🚐 Best For: Smaller RVs and experienced drivers

🚫 Not Recommended For: Very large Class A coaches and long fifth wheels

✅ Safer Alternative: US-101 for a more relaxed drive

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7. Ebbetts Pass (California Highway 4)

Many navigation apps recommend this route.

Many experienced RVers recommend avoiding it.

Why RVers Struggle

• Extremely narrow roadway
• Tight hairpin turns
• No shoulders
• Difficult passing situations
• Limited recovery areas

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: California

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

😰 Stress Level: 9/10

🚐 Best For: Passenger vehicles and camper vans

🚫 Not Recommended For: Most RVs over 25 feet

✅ Safer Alternative: Interstate 80 or Highway 50, depending on your route

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8. US-14A – Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming

This mountain highway is known for its long, steep descent through the Bighorn Mountains.

While the scenery is spectacular, many RV drivers underestimate just how demanding an extended downhill drive can be.

Why RVers Struggle

• Long downhill grades
• Sharp curves
• Limited places to stop
• Mountain weather can change quickly
• Challenging for first-time mountain drivers

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: Wyoming

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

😰 Stress Level: 8/10

🚐 Best For: Experienced RV drivers comfortable with mountain travel

🚫 Not Recommended For: Beginners or anyone uncomfortable driving long mountain descents

✅ Safer Alternative: Interstate 90 or another lower-elevation route when practical

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9. Scenic Byway 12 – Utah

Utah Scenic Byway 12 offers incredible red rock views and unforgettable landscapes.

It also includes sections that can feel intimidating for RV drivers because of steep drop-offs and winding mountain roads.

Why RVers Struggle

• Narrow ridge sections
• Sharp curves
• Steep grades
• Strong crosswinds
• Limited shoulders

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: Utah

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

😰 Stress Level: 8/10

🚐 Best For: Experienced RVers and smaller rigs

🚫 Not Recommended For: Nervous drivers or very large RV combinations

✅ Safer Alternative: Depending on your destination, use nearby state highways that avoid the steepest ridge sections

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10. Highway 89A Through Jerome, Arizona

The historic mining town of Jerome is well worth visiting.

Getting there with a large RV?

That’s another story.

Why RVers Struggle

• Tight switchbacks
• Steep mountain grades
• Narrow streets
• Heavy tourist traffic
• Limited parking for larger RVs

RV Ready or Not Quick Look

📍 Location: Arizona

🌄 Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

😰 Stress Level: 8/10

🚐 Best For: Passenger vehicles, camper vans, and smaller motorhomes

🚫 Not Recommended For: Large Class A motorhomes, long travel trailers, and fifth wheels

✅ Safer Alternative: Stay at a nearby RV park and visit Jerome in your tow vehicle or towed car

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How to Spot a Challenging Road Before You Turn Onto It

One of the smartest habits you can develop as an RVer is taking a few extra minutes to research your route before you leave the campground.

Keep an eye out for warning signs such as:

• Grades steeper than 6%–8%
• Signs reading “Trucks Use Low Gear”
• Hairpin curve warnings
• Vehicle length restrictions
• Tunnel height or width limits
• Roads marked “Not Advised for Vehicles Over XX Feet”
• Satellite maps showing repeated switchbacks or cliffside roads

Remember, your GPS is designed to find the fastest route—not necessarily the safest one for your RV.

Whenever possible, use an RV-specific GPS or trip-planning app that takes your vehicle’s height, weight, and length into account.

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Final Thoughts

One of the best lessons experienced RVers learn is that there’s no prize for taking the hardest road.

Sometimes the safest route adds a few extra miles. Sometimes it takes an extra hour. But arriving at your destination relaxed, with your RV in one piece and your nerves intact, is always worth it.

Beautiful roads will always be there waiting for you. The key is choosing the ones that match both your experience level and your RV.

Safe travels—and remember, the journey should be just as enjoyable as the destination.

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We’d Love to Hear From You!

Have you driven any of these roads? Would you add another one to the list? Share your experiences, tips, or favorite scenic drives in the comments below. Your advice could help fellow RVers avoid an unpleasant surprise!

And if you enjoyed this article, be sure to explore more beginner-friendly RV tips, travel guides, and practical advice here at RV Ready or Not. Whether you’re shopping for your first RV or planning your next adventure, we’re here to help you travel smarter and with confidence.

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