Top 17 'Ghost-Town-Glory' Forgotten Highway Road Trips to visit for a Drive Through America's Past in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
Tired of the monotonous drone of the interstate, where every exit looks the same and the only landmarks are cookie-cutter fast-food signs? There's a different America out there, a quieter, more haunting version hiding just off the beaten path. It exists along the cracked asphalt and gravel stretches of forgotten highways—roads that were once the nation's lifeblood, now bypassed by progress and left to tell their stories to the wind.
These are the roads to 'Ghost-Town-Glory.' They wind through landscapes littered with the skeletal remains of boomtowns, sun-bleached motor courts, and rusting gas pumps that haven't served a customer in fifty years. To drive them is to take a journey through a living museum, where every creaking saloon door and abandoned mine shaft is a portal to the past. This isn't just about sightseeing; it's about feeling the echoes of the dreamers, prospectors, and pioneers who built—and then abandoned—these lonely outposts.
As a travel writer for Goh Ling Yong's blog, I've dedicated countless hours to seeking out these spectral journeys. For 2025, I’ve compiled the ultimate list of forgotten highway road trips that promise more than just a drive; they offer an unforgettable encounter with America's past. So, fill up the tank, grab your camera, and let's hit the road to nowhere special—and everywhere historic.
1. Route 66's Mojave Ghosts (Arizona & California)
The "Mother Road" is legendary, but many of its most authentic sections are the ones the crowds miss. The stretch between Kingman, Arizona, and Barstow, California, is a masterclass in desert decay. After navigating the harrowing switchbacks through the Black Mountains to the living ghost town of Oatman, AZ (watch for the burros!), you’ll drop into the vast, lonely heart of the Mojave Desert.
Here, the ghosts of Route 66 are palpable. You'll find the iconic, semi-abandoned Roy's Motel & Café in Amboy, California, a perfect symbol of mid-century hope slowly fading under the desert sun. Further on, crumbling gas stations and roadside cafes stand as solitary monuments to a bygone era of travel. This isn't the kitschy, restored Route 66; this is the real, gritty survivor.
Pro-Tip: Make a stop at the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, CA, the quirky filming location for the cult classic film. Pack extra water and be prepared for limited cell service; you're truly off the grid here.
2. US-50: The Loneliest Road in America (Nevada)
Life Magazine gave this 287-mile stretch of US-50 its ominous moniker in 1986, and it still holds true. Crossing the basin-and-range topography of central Nevada, this highway connects a series of "living ghost towns" like Austin and Eureka—towns that cling to life despite the silver boom ending over a century ago. The real treasures, however, lie just off the main road.
The drive itself is a meditative experience, with vast, empty valleys giving way to rugged mountain passes. The sheer scale of the landscape makes the remnants of human endeavor—an abandoned Pony Express station, a forgotten mining headframe—seem all the more poignant. It’s a journey that forces you to confront silence and solitude in a way few other places can.
Pro-Tip: Pick up an official "I Survived The Loneliest Road" passport in Ely or Fernley and get it stamped in the five main towns along the route. It's a great souvenir of your journey into the void.
3. US-395: The Eastern Sierra's Spectral Spine (California)
Hugging the dramatic eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada, US-395 is arguably one of the most scenic drives in the country. But it's also a corridor to some of America's most fascinating historical specters. The main attraction is the turnoff for Bodie State Historic Park, a perfectly preserved ghost town kept in a state of "arrested decay."
Beyond Bodie, the highway is littered with history. You'll pass near Manzanar National Historic Site, a somber reminder of Japanese-American internment during WWII. Further south, the ruins of mining operations and dusty, forgotten towns dot the landscape, all set against the backdrop of the jagged, snow-capped Sierras. Capturing the stark beauty of a place like Bodie is a challenge that my colleague, Goh Ling Yong, a keen photographer himself, would relish.
Pro-Tip: Plan your trip for early fall. The summer crowds have vanished, the autumn colors in the high country are breathtaking, and the crisp air adds to the ghostly atmosphere.
4. The Million Dollar Highway (US-550, Colorado)
Carved into the side of the San Juan Mountains, this stretch of US-550 between Silverton and Ouray is not for the faint of heart. It’s a white-knuckle drive with sheer drop-offs and no guardrails. The reward? Access to a treasure trove of 19th-century mining history and some of the most spectacular alpine scenery on the continent.
The towns of Silverton and Ouray are beautifully preserved Victorian-era mining communities, but the real ghost-town glory is found on the dirt roads spiderwebbing off the main highway. Here you can discover places like the Animas Forks, a true high-elevation ghost town, and countless abandoned mine structures clinging precariously to the mountainsides.
Pro-Tip: A 4WD, high-clearance vehicle is essential if you plan to explore the ghost towns off the main paved highway. The road to Animas Forks is a popular and relatively easy off-road adventure.
5. The Salton Sea's Surreal Shore (California State Route 111)
This is a different kind of ghost town trip. The Salton Sea was a booming resort destination in the 1950s, the "California Riviera." But rising salinity and agricultural runoff turned the dream sour, leaving behind a string of bizarre, post-apocalyptic ghost towns along its shores.
Driving State Route 111, you’ll encounter places like Bombay Beach, where rusted-out cars and decaying bungalows sink into the salt-encrusted sand. It's a surreal, strangely beautiful landscape of decay, attracting artists and photographers who see beauty in the ruins. The air is thick with the smell of salt and the silence of broken dreams.
Pro-Tip: Visit Salvation Mountain and East Jesus near Niland, two stunningly bizarre folk art installations that add another layer of surrealism to this unique corner of the California desert.
6. The Vigilante Trail (Montana Route 287)
Follow the bloody path of gold prospectors and the vigilantes who brought them to justice through Montana's stunning Ruby Valley. This route connects the incredibly preserved towns of Virginia City and Nevada City, where the Old West feels shockingly alive. These aren't ruins; they are meticulously maintained time capsules.
The drive itself meanders through rolling ranchland and cottonwood-lined rivers where gold was first discovered. While the main towns are tourist destinations, the spirit of the era is everywhere. You can still pan for gold, ride a steam train, and imagine the harsh realities of life and death during the 1860s gold rush.
Pro-Tip: In Virginia City, be sure to check out the Boot Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of five vigilante-hanged outlaws.
7. The Big Bend Backroads (Texas)
The area around Big Bend National Park is one of the most remote and desolate in the Lower 48. The premier ghost town here is Terlingua, a former mercury-mining town that now hosts a world-famous chili cook-off and is home to a quirky community of desert dwellers.
Exploring the dusty roads around Terlingua reveals the ruins of the Chisos Mining Company, an old cemetery, and decaying adobe structures. The entire region, with its stark landscapes and endless sky, feels like a trip back in time. The isolation is profound, and the history of boom, bust, and survival is written on the land itself.
Pro-Tip: Grab a drink and a bite at the Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Saloon in the Terlingua Ghost Town. It's built within the ruins of the old movie theater and is the social hub of this strange and wonderful place.
8. The Copper Country Byway (US-41, Michigan)
America’s ghost towns aren't just in the West. Michigan's rugged Upper Peninsula was the site of a massive copper boom in the 19th century, which left behind a legacy of towering mine hoists and grand company towns that are now slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Drive US-41 through the Keweenaw Peninsula to see the haunting industrial skeletons of the Quincy Mine in Hancock or the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. Explore the near-empty streets of towns with once-grand opera houses and company stores. It’s a story of industrial might and immigrant labor, set against the beautiful, moody backdrop of Lake Superior.
Pro-Tip: Take a guided tour of the Quincy Mine to go deep underground and get a real sense of the dangerous work that built this region.
9. The Apache Trail Historic Road (Arizona State Route 88)
This is a rugged, mostly unpaved road that follows an old stagecoach route through the Superstition Mountains. It's a challenging drive, but it rewards the adventurous with stunning canyon views, ancient cliff dwellings, and a palpable sense of the Old West.
Along the way, you’ll pass Goldfield Ghost Town, a reconstructed tourist town on the site of an 1890s gold camp. The real allure, however, is the raw, untamed wilderness and the feeling of traveling a path that has changed little in 150 years. You’ll pass by Canyon Lake and Apache Lake, man-made oases in the harsh desert landscape.
Pro-Tip: This road is not recommended for RVs or large trailers. Check road conditions before you go, as storms can cause closures. A high-clearance vehicle is advised.
10. The High Plains Haunts of US-2 (Montana)
Stretching across the northern tier of Montana, US-2 parallels the Great Northern Railway and is known as the "Hi-Line." As agriculture became more industrialized and centralized, the small farming towns that sprung up every 7-10 miles (the distance a steam engine needed for water) began to wither.
Today, driving the Hi-Line is a journey through agricultural ghosts. You'll see dozens of majestic, decaying grain elevators, abandoned homesteads, and towns with more boarded-up storefronts than open ones. It’s a subtly haunting landscape that speaks to a different kind of American dream—one tied to the land and the railroad.
Pro-Tip: Embrace the slow pace. Stop in a small-town diner in a place like Malta or Glasgow and talk to the locals to hear the stories of these resilient communities.
11. Pennsylvania's Route 6 & The Burning Town
Once a major east-west artery, PA Route 6 was largely forgotten with the construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-80. It now offers a scenic, slower-paced drive through the state's beautiful northern tier, passing through quaint villages and forgotten industrial towns.
The most compelling detour for any ghost town enthusiast is a visit to Centralia. This former coal-mining town was abandoned due to an underground mine fire that has been burning since 1962. Today, only a few homes remain. Driving the cracked, steaming streets of the "Graffiti Highway" (now mostly covered with dirt) is a uniquely eerie and unforgettable experience.
Pro-Tip: While in the area, visit the nearby Eckley Miners' Village, a preserved company coal town that offers a stark contrast to Centralia's fate.
12. The Gold Rush Trail (California Highway 49)
Named for the '49ers of the Gold Rush, this highway winds its way through the Sierra Nevada foothills, connecting a string of historic mining towns. While many, like Sutter Creek and Nevada City, are thriving tourist destinations, the road is still your best path to ghost-town glory.
Between the bustling towns, you'll find the quiet ruins of lesser-known camps and mining operations. The real magic is in the sense of discovery—pulling over to explore an old stamp mill foundation or wandering through a pioneer cemetery. It’s a route where history is layered, from preserved main streets to forgotten foundations just off the roadside.
Pro-Tip: Make a side trip to the Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley to see one of the oldest, largest, and richest hard-rock gold mines in California.
13. The Extraterrestrial Highway (Nevada State Route 375)
Famous for its proximity to Area 51, this isolated highway offers more than just UFO lore. The sheer emptiness of the Sand Spring Valley gives the entire drive a ghostly feel. Services are nearly non-existent, and you can drive for an hour without seeing another car.
The town of Rachel (population: around 50) is the unofficial hub, but it feels like a town on the brink, a ghost town in the making. The real history here isn't of aliens, but of the hardy folks who tried to tame this unforgiving landscape. The abandoned ranches and mining claims tell a more terrestrial, but no less fascinating, story.
Pro-Tip: Fuel up in Tonopah or Alamo before starting. The only gas station on the 100-mile route is in Rachel, and its hours can be unpredictable.
14. The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway (Arkansas)
Deep in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas, this byway winds through a dense, rugged landscape. The "ghosts" here aren't of boomtowns, but of the isolated homesteads and small communities of "hill folk" who settled this tough terrain and were later forced out by the creation of the National Forest.
As you drive, look for old stone walls, crumbling chimneys, and forgotten cemeteries hidden just inside the tree line. These are the subtle but powerful remnants of a lost way of life. The drive is especially beautiful—and spooky—in the fall when the leaves are turning and fog settles in the hollows.
Pro-Tip: Stop at the Oark General Store, founded in 1890. It's one of the oldest continuously operated stores in the country and a true link to the region's past.
15. The Old Dixie Highway (Florida & Georgia)
Before I-75 and I-95, the Dixie Highway was the primary route for snowbirds heading south. Today, you can find fragments of the original road running parallel to the modern interstates. Driving these sections is like stepping into a time warp.
Look for abandoned, vine-covered motor courts with their empty swimming pools, faded billboards for attractions that closed decades ago, and small towns that time seems to have forgotten. It’s a quest to find the ghosts of the great American road trip itself, a world of roadside kitsch and mom-and-pop businesses lost to the age of the interstate.
Pro-Tip: A great section to explore is US-17 in Georgia, which was part of the original Dixie Highway. It passes through historic towns and coastal marshes, offering a much more scenic alternative to I-95.
16. South Dakota's Black Hills Backroads
While Mount Rushmore and Deadwood draw the crowds, the winding backroads of the Black Hills hide the region's true mining past. The area is dotted with ghost towns and old mining camps that saw their fortunes rise and fall with the price of gold.
Take a drive on roads like the Needles Highway (part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway) and then venture off onto gravel roads to find places like Rochford, a near-ghost town with a legendary tavern, the Moonshine Gulch Saloon. The dense forests and granite spires create a mysterious atmosphere perfect for hunting historical haunts.
Pro-Tip: Grab a Forest Service map of the Black Hills National Forest. Many of the most interesting ghost town sites, like Spokane, require navigating unpaved forest service roads.
17. The Beartooth Highway's Ghostly Gateway (US-212, Montana/Wyoming)
Often called the most beautiful drive in America, the Beartooth Highway climbs to nearly 11,000 feet. But before you even begin the dramatic ascent from the Montana side, you pass through a region steeped in mining history.
The towns of Red Lodge, Cooke City, and Silver Gate serve as gateways to the pass and Yellowstone, but they retain their rugged, end-of-the-road character. The surrounding mountains are filled with abandoned mines from the late 19th century. Driving the access roads in the late spring or early fall, when the main pass might be closed, allows you to focus on this ghostly history without the summer tourist rush.
Pro-Tip: The road is only open from roughly Memorial Day to mid-October, weather permitting. Always check the MDT and WYDOT websites for the current road status before you go.
Your Own Journey into the Past Awaits
The interstate will get you there faster, but a forgotten highway will give you a story to tell. These roads are more than just asphalt; they are archives of ambition, failure, and resilience. They remind us that the American landscape is constantly changing, and that progress always leaves something behind.
So in 2025, make a pledge to take the slow road. Choose a route from this list, or find your own stretch of forgotten pavement, and go for a drive. You might just find that the most memorable destinations are the ones that are no longer on the map.
Now it's your turn! What are your favorite ghost-town-glory road trips? Share your stories and hidden gems in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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