If you thought the previous ten terrifying thoroughfares had already drained your courage, buckle up—10 more roads are ready to yank the fear out of you. This roundup leans heavily on reader suggestions from the comments, so expect fresh chills, eerie bridges, and ghostly legends you haven’t yet braved.
Why These 10 More Roads Are So Scary
10 Ghormley Road
This stretch snags the number ten slot for a handful of reasons, chief among them my personal bias. I dropped by the night before writing this piece and the place felt downright unsettling. The road winds into an S‑shaped curve that arches over a roaring creek via a creaky bridge – hands down the creepiest crossing I’ve ever set foot on. Cars have met disastrous ends when they barrel through the curve too fast, and local lore whispers of restless spirits haunting the bend. During my visit, I caught odd flickers of movement and my companion swore he heard faint whispering. If you’re an Ohioan craving a good shiver, Ghormley Road should be on your list, even though photographic evidence is scarce, forcing me to rely on a stock image.
9 Pali Highway
Legend has it that any motorist daring enough to cruise this Honolulu route while carrying pork will watch their vehicle sputter to a halt, as if an unseen force were angry over the meat. I’m not sure whether local police actually patrol the highway for this, but the myth persists. Travelers are also warned to avoid the old Pali Road, where a half‑faced ghost girl is said to linger. So, if you’re feeling brave, keep pork out of the trunk – unless you want to tempt a hungry spirit or perhaps the fiery deity Pele herself.
8 Reformatory Road
Two Ohio roads in one list? Yes, you read that right. While the Shawshank Redemption filmed at the Mansfield Reformatory, the surrounding road has its own eerie reputation. Phoebe Wise, an eccentric hermit who inherited a modest fortune, lived alone after her parents died. Rumors of hidden treasure spurred a gang of thieves to break in, tie her up, and even scorch her feet with a torch. Though they fled empty‑handed, Phoebe survived and reportedly still roams Reformatory Road, keeping a vigilant eye out for any would‑be loot seekers.
Her specter is said to patrol the lane, ensuring no one else attempts the same grim robbery. The tale mixes tragedy with a dash of supernatural vigilance, making this stretch a must‑see for thrill‑seekers.
7 Mary Angela Road
Backwoods and bizarre, Mary Angela Road in Memphis leads straight to the infamous Voodoo Village, a compound famed for strange rituals and animal sacrifices. While some locals claim the place is merely misunderstood, the vivid murals, cryptic statues, and Masonic symbols give it an unsettling aura. The founder, Walsh Harris, once belonged to a Masonic lodge, and his artwork reflects that heritage. Visitors who snap photos often anger the residents, who may even block exits with a truck to keep intruders from leaving. So, if you enjoy a good mystery wrapped in colorful, eerie art, Mary Angela Road is your ticket.
6 Pacheco Pass
California’s Pacheco Pass is notorious for deadly accidents and a litany of ghost stories. Drivers report losing time, witnessing strange lights, and even seeing figures dressed in Old West attire or a stagecoach appear out of nowhere. The nearby San Luis Reservoir supposedly hides a mysterious underwater glow. Some travelers claim the road induces a feeling of impending doom, inexplicable sadness, or intense anxiety – one of those claims is a joke, but you’ll have to guess which! Whether you’re after the supernatural or just a scenic drive with a side of shivers, Pacheco Pass delivers.
5 Balete Drive
Balete Drive in the Philippines earned its reputation thanks to the towering balete trees that line the road, believed to attract all manner of specters. Legend says a woman in a flowing white dress, hair streaming, rides along the road – but she has no face. Glancing into your rear‑view mirror may reveal this faceless phantom, turning any drive into a heart‑pounding experience. The road also hosts three haunted mansions, whose former owners supposedly never left. Keep your eyes forward; a quick rear‑view glance could ruin your night.
4 Sweet Hollow Road
Surrounded by dense woods, Sweet Hollow Road in Melville, New York, is steeped in macabre folklore. Three teenage locals, troubled by personal demons, allegedly hanged themselves from an overpass. Some claim their bodies still sway in the night breeze, while a nurse named Mary roams the road attempting futile resuscitations. Adding to the dread, a spectral highway patrol officer – barely alive – watches drivers, his shoulders slick with blood. He never writes tickets; instead, he stares silently, then reveals a gaping wound where a bullet once exited his skull.
3 Lawler Ford Road
Also known as Zombie Road, Lawler Ford Road near St. Louis snakes through two miles of woods before terminating at an abandoned quarry. The narrow path is haunted by a tragic boy who fell from nearby bluffs, a train‑killed man, an irate old lady yelling from her house, Native American spirits, and even Satanic worshippers. The most chilling tale involves a killer dubbed “The Zombie,” who waited in a shack to ambush lovers and party‑goers. Reports of visitors vanishing persist, making this road a hotspot for the unnervingly supernatural.
2 El Camino de la Muerte
Translating to “Road of Death,” Bolivia’s El Camino de la Muerte is a perilous mountain highway with sheer 900‑meter drop‑offs and no guardrails. Buses and trucks barrel along the winding route, dodging debris and loose rocks. While ghost stories circulate, the sheer danger of the road itself makes it the most terrifying entry on this list – keep your eyes on the asphalt, not the specters.
1 Shades of Death Road
Even the name “Shades of Death” screams horror, and the road lives up to the hype. It skirts the infamous Ghost Lake, a mist‑shrouded body of water where a plague once ravaged locals. Legends speak of murderers, violent gangs, and a mysterious epidemic that forced victims onto the roadside in hopes of a traveling doctor’s aid. Some claim a swarm of malaria‑carrying insects once made the area so deadly that bodies were left to die beside the lake. The lake itself is haunted by phantom cabins and occasional glimpses of a murder victim strolling through fog. New Jersey’s eerie legacy earns this road the top spot.