Driving Haunted Roads This Halloween: A Safety-First Guide

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Every October, more people go looking for haunted roads. Some of the most famous legends on this site belong to a stretch of pavement: a vanishing hitchhiker, a ghostly car, a figure in the headlights that is gone when you look again. Driving one of these roads after dark can be a thrill. It can also be dangerous if you forget that these are real roads, with real traffic and real neighbors. This guide shows you how to enjoy a haunted road trip this Halloween and get home safely.

Pick your road wisely

Choose a road you can drive legally

Some haunted roads are busy highways, like the I-65 “Haunted Highway” in Alabama. Others are narrow country lanes or private drives. Check maps before you go, and skip any road that is closed, gated or marked private.

Read the legend first

Knowing the story makes the drive far more fun. Before you go, read up on the road: what people say they have seen, where, and when. Our posts on Clinton Road in New Jersey and Archer Avenue in Illinois are good places to start.

Do it in daylight first

Drive the route once while it is light. You’ll learn the curves, find safe places to pull over and spot anything you’d rather not discover in the dark.

Safety on the road

• The driver drives. Let a passenger do the watching, reading and filming.
• Never stop in a lane or on a blind curve. Pull over only where it is safe and legal, such as a lot or a wide shoulder well off the road.
• Keep your headlights on and your hazard lights for real emergencies.
• Don’t flash or block other drivers. People live on these roads and are trying to get home.
• Watch for wildlife. Deer are very active on autumn nights.
• Stay sober. Save the Halloween party for after the drive.

Respect the neighbors

Many haunted roads run past homes and farms. The people who live there have heard the stories, and many are tired of cars idling outside their windows at midnight. Keep noise down, don’t trespass, never leave trash and don’t knock on doors asking about ghosts. If a property owner asks you to move along, do it.

What to bring

• A fully charged phone and a car charger.
• A paper map in case you lose signal.
• A flashlight and a first-aid kit.
• Warm layers and water.
• A good ghost story book for the passengers. America’s Most Haunted Road Trip is made for this kind of trip, and A Haunted Road Atlas adds stops along the way.

Make it a road trip

Plan stops along the way

Pair a haunted road with a historic town, a diner, a museum or a ghost walk. In California, a drive near Prospectors Road can be paired with a visit to Gold Rush country by day.

Tell the stories in the car

Take turns reading the legends aloud as you drive. Truckers have some of the best road ghost stories of all; Trucker Ghost Stories is full of them.

Keep a log

Note the time, weather and anything odd you see or hear. It’s fun to compare notes afterward.

A word about the stories

Road legends travel. The same vanishing hitchhiker or phantom car turns up on highways all over the country, with local names and details added. That doesn’t make them less fun. Enjoy them as folklore and part of the history of the places you drive through.

When to skip it

If the weather turns bad, if you are tired or if anyone in the car is uneasy, call it a night. The legend will be there next year. And never go looking for a haunted road alone.

FAQ

What is the most haunted road in America?

Clinton Road in New Jersey is often named, but every region has its own candidates. Browse our posts by region to find one near you.

Is it legal to drive haunted roads at night?

Public roads are open to everyone, but stopping, parking and trespassing rules still apply. Some roads close at night or are private.

Should I bring kids?

Older kids may love it with an adult driving and an early finish. Keep the stories age-appropriate.

Can I film my drive?

A passenger can, or use a mounted dash camera. Never handle a phone while driving.