For anyone craving a dose of the supernatural this Halloween, haunted houses and creepy corn mazes may feel like child’s play compared to the eerie, haunted roads found across the United States. These are the real-life scenes of tragic accidents, ghostly sightings, and urban legends that stretch back for centuries. Take a ghostly tour through these spine-chilling highways—but fair warning, you might want to keep the doors locked and your eyes peeled.
Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
One of the most infamous haunted roads, Archer Avenue, is steeped in ghostly history. Decades ago, a young woman named Mary was killed in a tragic hit-and-run accident after a school dance. Since then, drivers report seeing a lone hitchhiker in a party dress who demands to be dropped off at Resurrection Cemetery—only to vanish once she’s let out. The “Resurrection Mary” story has haunted the community for decades, and sightings persist of this silent, spectral figure along the road.
South Burlingame Road, Dragoon, Kansas
In Kansas, South Burlingame Road has a different brand of haunt: The Highwayman. This ghostly thief, killed during an attempted robbery, is said to linger at the road’s intersection with West 189th Street. Many drivers have reported fleeting glimpses of a figure dressed in black—and later found items mysteriously missing from their vehicles, as if the Highwayman himself snatched them right from under their noses.
Owaissa Street, Appleton, Wisconsin
Riverside Cemetery along Owaissa Street is a place of paranormal intrigue. Known for its mourners dressed in vintage attire and ghostly carriages, the cemetery is also home to the legend of Kate Blood, a supposed witch allegedly murdered by her husband. On the anniversary of her death, a river of blood is said to pour from her grave, a sight that terrifies locals and visitors alike.
Bloody Bride Bridge and Boy Scout Lane, Steven’s Point, Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the Bloody Bride Bridge on Highway 66 and the mysterious Boy Scout Lane attract those brave enough to confront their tragic pasts. Many drivers claim to spot a blood-soaked bride in the backseat of their car while crossing the bridge, while Boy Scout Lane echoes with the eerie laughter of a troop that vanished without a trace. These chilling roads keep even the most adventurous travelers on edge.
Selma Highway, Prattville, Alabama
Bear Creek Swamp along Selma Highway isn’t your typical scenic route. Drivers often report gremlin-like shadows darting across the road and encountering sudden, inexplicable car troubles. For the truly daring, a whisper of “We have your baby” is rumored to summon the ghost of a grief-stricken mother, whose haunting screams can be heard in the dead of night.
Roaring Fork Motor Trail, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Amid the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies the Roaring Fork Motor Trail, which harbors a chilling reputation. Visitors who stop to take in the sights sometimes capture more than the stunning mountain vistas in their photos—they claim ghostly apparitions of hikers appear in the frames. Some even report hearing whispers that drift along the mountain mist, an ominous reminder to travel carefully through these ghost-laden woods.
Heartbeat Bridge, Columbus County, North Carolina
This bridge comes with a tale of terror fit for a horror movie. Locals claim that a masked figure haunts Heartbeat Bridge, a spot notorious for its eerie silence. According to urban legend, drivers who slam on their brakes may hear a strange heartbeat that seems to draw closer, inching toward their car as the hairs on the back of their neck stand on end. Some believe this to be the work of the Heartbeat Slasher, a phantom who supposedly preys on young lovers who dare to stop there.
Kelly Road, Ohioville, Pennsylvania
Bordered by dense woods, Kelly Road has long been rumored to have a sinister past involving ancient pagan curses. These legends tell of pets and wildlife suddenly turning aggressive when they cross the road, as if overtaken by an invisible, malevolent force. Those who bring their animals along often find them unnervingly hostile, making the journey across Kelly Road as much a test of courage as of patience.
Clinton Road, West Milford, New Jersey
Widely considered one of the most haunted roads in America, Clinton Road is pitch black, with treacherous turns and ominous bridges. Here, ghostly headlights appear out of nowhere, tailing drivers before vanishing just as quickly. The “Coin Toss Bridge” is said to be haunted by a young boy who drowned. If you dare to toss a coin over, legend has it the ghostly child will throw it back, leaving visitors questioning if they’re truly alone on this stretch of darkness.
Dudley Road, Bedford, Massachusetts
This unassuming road holds chilling echoes from the 1800s, when a suspected witch was said to be leading nuns into dark rituals. Drivers claim to hear strange chants and whispers in the stillness, as if the ghosts of Salem-era witches linger nearby, reciting incantations that chill the blood.
Each of these roads has its own brand of spooky allure. Whether it’s a ghostly hitchhiker, a cursed bridge, or a specter lurking in the shadows, the haunted highways of America offer a unique Halloween thrill that isn’t for the faint of heart. Just remember, if you choose to drive down one of these roads, keep your wits about you and your doors locked—you never know who, or what, might be watching.
