There’s nothing like the rush of a well-designed, faster-than-lightning roller coaster. Are you all about adrenaline and in search of your next joyride? Here are the best rollercoasters in the USA in reverse order.
photo credit: Kelly Verdeck / Flickr
10. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida
Harry Potter fanatics rejoice! Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure takes its riders on an exhilarating journey through the Forbidden Forest on the grounds of Hogwarts Castle. The ride was designed by Universal in collaboration with the Harry Potter film production designer and art director. Brace yourself for Florida’s longest rollercoaster at 5,053 feet, featuring seven launches as well as a 17 feet free-fall drop.
9. Millennium Force – Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
This steel roller coaster at Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio broke five world records upon opening in 2000. The ride achieves speeds of up to 93 miles per hour. Lasting for a thrilling two minutes, the ride was notoriously dubbed the world’s first ‘giga coaster’ by Cedar Point, who coined the term to refer to roller coasters that exceed heights of 300 feet.
8. The Voyage – Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana
The Voyage is one of the world’s longest and fastest wooden roller coasters, boasting five underground tunnels and one of the steepest drops on a wooden coaster.
7. Montu – Busch Gardens Tampa in Tampa, Florida
A coaster for those who love the stomach-crunching feeling of being upside down. Montu is renowned for its loops and inversions, being the first coaster to attempt a loop and roll at the same time. The ride gets to speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and features a 104-feet tall loop!
6. Steel Vengeance – Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
This hybrid coaster has broken multiple world records as the world’s tallest and fastest roller coaster of its kind, with the steepest drop. It turns riders Saddle up for the ride of your life if you’re ready to drop 200 feet at 90 degrees and survive four stomach-in-throat inversions.
photo credit: Jason / Flickr
5. Lightning Rod – Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
This 1950’s themed coaster launches its riders from zero to 45 miles per hour, exceeding speeds of 70 miles per hour. Lightning Rod was initially marketed as the first wooden coaster of its kind, although it was later modified for the 2021 season, and over half of its wooden Topper Track was replaced with a steel I-Box track.
4. Fury 325 – Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina
If you’re up for a challenge, this coaster is for you. Fury claims the title of the world’s tallest and fastest ‘giga coaster’, launching its riders down a 325-feet drop at speeds of up to 95 miles per hour. The journey includes a gut-wrenching dive into a tunnel beneath the park’s entrance path.
3. Phoenix – Knoebels in Elysburg, Pennsylvania
Restored in 1985, this classic wooden roller coaster proves that newer, shinier and faster isn’t always better. Phoenix has consistently been voted among the best wooden roller coasters in the USA, operating at speeds of 45 miles per hour. Riders are greeted by panoramic views of the surrounding scenery and sent off with four back-to-back bunny hills, each providing exceptional ejector air time.
2. Phantom’s Revenge – Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
This ride is considered to be a terrain roller coaster, offering various elevation changes throughout the rider’s journey. In a unique twist, Phantom Revenge’s second drop is longer than the first. The coaster drops through Thunderbolt’s structure, situated at the bottom of a hill in a ravine.
1. Mako – SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida
Adrenaline junkies unite at Mako in SeaWorld Orlando, one of the park’s newest, tallest, longest and fastest roller coasters. Appropriately named after the fastest species of shark, the ride doesn’t disappoint thrill seekers, reaching speeds of 73 miles per hour. Don’t forget this money-saving promo code.
