Extreme Roller Coasters Across America

by Donald Wood
Last updated:: 7:00 AM ET, Mon July 15, 2019

PHOTO: Roller coasters at Cedar Point. (photo via AWelshLad/iStock Unreleased)

PHOTO: Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. (photo via Flickr/Jeremy Thompson)

PHOTO: Superman: Escape From Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain. (photo via Flickr/Prayitno)

PHOTO: Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. (photo via Flickr/Jeremy Thompson)

PHOTO: Cannibal at Lagoon Amusement Park. (photo via Flickr/Ben P L)

PHOTO: Lightning Rod at Dollywood. (photo via Flickr/Martin Lewison)

PHOTO: Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City. (photo via Flickr/Jeremy Thompson)

PHOTO: X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain. (photo via Flickr/Jeremy Thompson)

PHOTO: Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. (photo via Flickr/daveynin)

PHOTO: Fury 325 at Carowinds. (photo via Wikimedia Commons/Ronwen1)

PHOTO: Millennium Force at Cedar Point. (photo via Flickr/cryogenic666)

Coast to Coast Thrills

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Theme park enthusiasts know the United States is the king of extreme roller coasters, with many of the biggest and fastest rides emanating from coast to coast in America. For the travelers who seek thrills on their vacation, here are the most extreme roller coasters across the U.S.

Kingda Ka: Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey

2/11

Looking to ride the tallest roller coaster in the world and the fastest roller coaster in North America? Look no further than steel accelerator coaster Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The ride accelerates from zero to 128 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds and reaches a height of 456 feet.

Superman: Escape from Krypton: Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California

3/11

With tops speeds of 104 miles per hour reached in seven seconds and heights towering at 415 feet tall, Superman: Escape from Krypton coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain is a must-add to any roller coaster enthusiast's wish list. The steel shuttle coaster was refurbished and reopened in 2011 with new backward launching cars, which makes the ride even wilder.

Top Thrill Dragster: Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio

4/11

Cedar Point is known as the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World," and the crown jewel of the park's arsenal is the steel accelerator coaster, Top Thrill Dragster. The ride makes travelers feel like they're riding a race car, reaching top speeds of 120 miles per hour in just four seconds and topping out at 420 feet tall.

Cannibal: Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, Utah

5/11

One of the wildest attractions in the theme park world is the Cannibal steel roller coaster at Lagoon Amusement Park in Utah, which features four inversions, the steepest drop in North America and a G-Force of 4.2. In addition, Cannibal holds the world record for the tallest beyond-vertical drop on a coaster.

Lightning Rod: Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

6/11

For those who want more of the auto-themed experience on their roller coaster, the Lightning Rod at Dollywood in Tennessee markets itself as the world's first launched wooden coaster and has the feel of a hot rod car from the 1950s. Soar through the hills of Tennessee on the ride at 73 miles per hour.

Outlaw Run: Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri

7/11

Another coaster to experience is Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City in Missouri, which became the first wooden roller coaster with multiple inversions when it opened in 2013. With a top speed of 68 miles per hour, the attraction is also the sixth-fastest wooden coaster in the world.

X2: Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California

8/11

Six Flags Magic Mountain holds the world record for most roller coasters in a theme park with 19, but one of the park's most underrated coasters is X2. The ride uses a chain lift to carry passengers to a 215-foot drop and reaches a top speed of 76 miles per hour with two inversions.

Intimidator 305: Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia

9/11

Standing at 305 feet tall and reaching speeds of 90 miles per hour, Intimidator 305 is themed after late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. It was the second Giga Coaster to be built in North America and reaches an astounding length of 5,100 feet long.

Fury 325: Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina

10/11

On paper, there are few roller coasters as awe-inspiring as Fury 325 at Carowinds in North Carolina. The attraction reaches a height of 325 feet, tops out at 95 miles per hour and is 6,602-feet long. In addition, Fury 325 was also voted the world's best steel coaster for three consecutive years in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.

Millennium Force: Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio

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When Millennium Force opened at Cedar Point in 2000, it broke six world records and was the world's first Giga coaster. The ride reaches a height of 310 feet, excels to 93 miles per hour and measures 6,595 feet in length. With a G-Force of 4.5, it is one of the wildest rides in the world.

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Donald Wood

Managing Editor

Donald Wood is TravelPulse’s Managing Editor, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to the desk. He currently lives outside Philadelphia with his wife and two children.