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US 191 aka Devil's hwy in AZ (formally Rt 666) is a 90 mile stretch with elevation going from 3,000' at the South end to 9,400 in the North. Very few trees to spoil the spectacular views, but if you're the driver, keep your eyes and the car on the road. Between the hairpin turns and the 500' dropoffs with no guardrails, you could be lost for weeks. Speaking of weeks, during the week on my last trip, I only saw 5 cars the entire distance. It gets busy on weekends.
Why I posted this, is to get an idea of how the Tail of the Dragon compares. I just want to know if going 200 miles out of my way on my East coast trip would be worth hitting the Dragon. Here's a video taken from a bike from the bottom up and another in a car going top down.
US 191 aka Devil's hwy in AZ (formally Rt 666) is a 90 mile stretch with elevation going from 3,000' at the South end to 9,400 in the North. Very few trees to spoil the spectacular views, but if you're the driver, keep your eyes and the car on the road. Between the hairpin turns and the 500' dropoffs with no guardrails, you could be lost for weeks. Speaking of weeks, during the week on my last trip, I only saw 5 cars the entire distance. It gets busy on weekends.
Why I posted this, is to get an idea of how the Tail of the Dragon compares. I just want to know if going 200 miles out of my way on my East coast trip would be worth hitting the Dragon. Here's a video taken from a bike from the bottom up and another in a car going top down.
If you have the time do not miss the Dragon. Just did it with my son and we had a blast went up and down it twice. Professional photo folks post their pictures on line so you can have memories and they are inexpensive. It's one more off the Bucket List along with Key West. But now you have given me another place to do a road trip. Thanks.
HOXXY,,,, I've done the 666 drive 9 times, north to south route, and have enjoyed all of those trips except for some of the other cars attending the drive having issues. (out of cell phone range up there)
One of our lady car club drivers also did the Tail of the Dragon. In her words, the Dragon was short, and more like pre-school training compared to the Devil's Highway aggressive, daring, driving experience.
By all means, go 200 miles out of the way to drive the Dragon.
It is MUCH different than US191. I have not driven 191, but from the videos, 191 is much faster and less curvy than the Dragon. It looks like a great road to drive, and I plan on putting it on my list of roads to try.
The Dragon is only 11 miles long, with 318 curves. It seems like most of the curves are 180 degrees, but you don't have time to do much except start to turn again. It's really tight.
Here is a pic of my wife and I in my Lotus 7 replica at the Dragon. Note there are about 6 or 7 car lengths between the turns, and look at the upper right corner to see 3 more turns. ( Pic by Killboy.com)
On the weekends, it gets a bit crowded, and the Harley 3 wheelers, and the other slow driving tourists mean you can't drive it to your car's or bike's potential. Except for the crotch rockets.... when you hear them behind you, just let them by, don't let them put you in a non-safe position. (Pic by Killboy.com)
The Dragon's Tail reminds me of the Road to Hana, on Maui. It is 52 miles from Kahalui to Hana, and it takes you 2 1/2 hours to drive it. There are 620 curves, and 57 bridges, of which 46 are one lane. The most beautiful drive anywhere.
HOXXY,,,, I've done the 666 drive 9 times, north to south route, and have enjoyed all of those trips except for some of the other cars attending the drive having issues. (out of cell phone range up there)
One of our lady car club drivers also did the Tail of the Dragon. In her words, the Dragon was short, and more like pre-school training compared to the Devil's Highway aggressive, daring, driving experience.
So,,,would I go 200 miles out of my way? No.
Who is she? Danika Patrick. If you are close do it and then decide for yourself.
HOXXY,,,, I've done the 666 drive 9 times, north to south route, and have enjoyed all of those trips except for some of the other cars attending the drive having issues. (out of cell phone range up there)
One of our lady car club drivers also did the Tail of the Dragon. In her words, the Dragon was short, and more like pre-school training compared to the Devil's Highway aggressive, daring, driving experience.
So,,,would I go 200 miles out of my way? No.
I've done 'em both on Harleys and the Tail on a BMW. I druther do the Devil's Hwy; better views, by far. Both are challenging and will kill you and others if you don't pay attention.
The dragon is nice, don't get me wrong, but the hype is a little overboard. I've driven on numerous mountain roads that were just as challenging.
It would depend on how much time you have for a side trip.
I've not done Devils Highway, but I have done the "tail". The tail is a fun drive, but is short compared to the 'devil'. You have to be on your toes on the TOD. The TOD has almost NO elevation change, just lots of turns, twists and cut backs. We enjoyed the Cherohala Skyway, much less technically challanging, but a nice drive. Would I say the TOD is a must do? If you are there, I'd say do it. We drove 1100 miles to do the TOD.
I've done 'em both on Harleys and the Tail on a BMW. I druther do the Devil's Hwy; better views, by far. Both are challenging and will kill you and others if you don't pay attention.
Pilgrim
I recognized that when I watched a few videos of the Dragon. I did see a couple spots to pull off in what I assume was a viewing opportunity. My wife calls those roads "tree walls", since it's like a video game that has walls on both sides of the road. Being closed in like that gives a greater sensation of speed. On one full length video with 3 Vettes, I calculated they averaged about 37 MPH, but it sure looked a lot faster.
My daughter and I did the Dragon a couple of weeks ago. The time to go is during the week. The posted speed limit is 30 or 35. You can do a lot faster than that if no traffic. Watch the motorcycles and the bikes. We encountered several bicyclists. Trees on the downhill side and mostly rock on the uphill side, no shoulders. If you make a mistake, you will pay. See the Tree of Shame at Deal's Gap. Be aware of cops. Some people will warn oncoming drivers of a cop presence. Usually there are some photogs there taking pictures. They have websites that you can browse for the day and time you went through and purchase some picts. Usually they will have six to ten picts to choose from. Starting at Deal's Gap is a road referred to as Hellbender 28. Kinda like the Dragon only a little straighter and faster. We drove the Scenic 360, the Cherohala Skyway, the Dragon and Hellbender 28. BTW, the food is really good at Deal's Gap.
The Scenic 360 is a two-land road that winds through some lake-filled, rolling meadow valleys. Many picturesque views. The Cherohala Skyway is a highway with many pullouts for some spectacular views of the Smokey Mountains. It was a delightful and well-spent six hours driving most of the 120 mile loop.
The first segment of your video trailing Mr. Safety doing 30-35 mph on his motorcycle was putting me to sleep. Haha. But wow, what a scenic drive. Where exactly does this route begin if one were coming in from Tucson area?
In all of my 13 years of being in AZ, I've never heard of this location and am interested to check it out.
If you are ever in Tucson, set aside about 3+ hours and check out Mount Lemmon. Nothing but twisties stretching across 30 miles from 1200 ASL up to 8500 ASL. Very scenic, and well worth the time.
On a AZ map,,,look for Springerville, AZ (NE, upper side of the state)
Originally named U.S. 666, but later changed to U.S. Highway 191 .... you are around 9800 foot elevation near Springerville when you begin to 'go down the Devil'. Around 110 miles, 1000's of turns and hundreds of tight radius switchbacks, dropping to the desert floor at Clifton-Morenci, AZ. No guardrails along the road with drop-outs going 400-500 feet straight down This is not for the weak of heart or inexperienced driver.....unless you go it at the posted speed limits [10 to 25 mph]. There is one flat plateau area that is about 5 miles long and you can see 10 miles ahead if there are any on-coming cars > this is the area to test Wide-Open-Throttle into triple digit MPH, if you wish. Usually, there is very little traffic on this road...you might see 10 other cars over several hours of driving,,unless other car clubs or motorcycle clubs are also doing this run. If you can accomplish 45 to 65 mph (cars) constantly through the tight turns and switchbacks,,,you are one helluva driver and living on the edge
Devil's hwy AZ
This is not for the weak of heart or inexperienced driver.....unless you go it at the posted speed limits [10 to 25 mph]. There is one flat plateau area that is about 5 miles long and you can see 10 miles ahead if there are any on-coming cars > this is the area to test Wide-Open-Throttle into triple digit MPH, if you wish. Usually, there is very little traffic on this road...you might see 10 other cars over several hours of driving,,unless other car clubs or motorcycle clubs are also doing this run. If you can accomplish 45 to 65 mph (cars) constantly through the tight turns and switchbacks,,,you are one helluva driver and living on the edge 
