Summary

  • Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge in Nevada/Arizona is considered one of the scariest bridges with high winds and congestion, adding to the headache.
  • The Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida is eerie due to its high winds, tumultuous past, and connection to suicide, making it scary to navigate.
  • The Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado is extremely tall, sitting 956 feet over the Arkansas River, and may be nerve-wracking for those who fear heights.

Taking a road trip across the United States makes for great adventures and memorable moments, especially if one is traveling with friends and family. However, no matter what state travelers want to pass through, they will encounter bridges of all kinds. From cantilever bridges to mighty suspension bridges, there is no shortage of them across the country. While some are relatively easy and enjoyable to drive through, there are others that offer a more…intimidating experience. Whether it’s due to being incredibly tall or as a sight for creepy paranormal encounters, these nine bridges in America are scary for a reason.

UPDATE: 2023/07/10 23:20 EST BY NOAH STAATS

There Are Two More Bridges To Check Out For Thrill-Seekers

This article has been refreshed with two new bridges to travel to if people aren't scared of heights or lore, as well as tips and warnings for the respective locations. Remember to drive safely, and don't be afraid to pull over if conditions get too treacherous to finish the journey. It gets windy up there!

Related: These Are The Longest Bridges That Exist In The World Today

14 Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

The Hoover Dam in Boulder City, Nevada
Photo by Ethan on Unsplash
The Hoover Dam in Boulder City, Nevada

One of the scary bridges to drive across while in Nevada is the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. This bridge has 886 feet of clearance below, which can make navigating it intimidating to drivers. This is an arch bridge in the United States that spans the Colorado River between the states of Arizona and Nevada, where many travelers check out before arriving in fabulous Las Vegas. However, the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is often regarded as one of the scariest in the area, as drivers frequently notice high winds and difficult conditions. It's also worth mentioning that this bridge is four lanes, so it can become congested.

  • Location: Nevada/Arizona
  • Why It's Scary: Four-lane bridge with 886 feet underneath. The bridge is known for high winds and congestion during peak times, adding to the headache.

13 The Sunshine Skyway Bridge

sunshine skyway bridge
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Sunshine Skyway Bridge connecting St Petersburg to Terra Ceia

One nerve-wracking bridge to drive on is the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, often referred to as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, consists of a pair of long-beam bridges as tall as 430 feet. This connects St. Petersburg, Florida, to Terra Ceia and is one of the more popular sights in the area. Furthermore, those heading from Southwest Florida to the Tampa Airport will take this bridge, so it's inevitable for some. What makes this bridge eerie is that over the years, it's become a popular place for people to jump, often taking their lives. Recently, the state of Florida has had to install barriers along the sides and help phones for those contemplating a final leap. For that reason, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge holds many unfinished stories.

  • Location: Florida
  • Why It's Scary: The high winds, tumultuous past, and length of this bridge make it scary to navigate.

The winds can pick up while people drive across this bridge, often feeling strong enough to pick up entire cars. Although this doesn't ever happen, the conditions towards the center of this bridge can be intimidating.

12 The Royal Gorge Bridge

Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado
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Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado
  • Location: Colorado
  • Why It’s Scary: Extremely tall height

Made from 1,257 wood planks and 4,100 steel cables, America’s highest suspension bridge sits 956 feet over the Arkansas River. Road trippers weary of tall heights may not enjoy crossing this bridge; Despite its nerve-wracking nature, this incredible bridge overlooks the scenic landscapes of Southern Colorado. Adventurous tourists enjoy activities nearby the bridge, including ziplining and cliff climbing.

11 Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Sunrise view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Sandy Point State Park, in Annapolis, Maryland
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Sunrise view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Sandy Point State Park, in Annapolis, Maryland
  • Location: Maryland and Virginia
  • Why It’s Scary: Narrow lanes, frequent congestion

This four-mile bridge is often busy, which may be more of a nuisance than a scary fact for many commuters. However, this massive bridge-tunnel is also situated over the Chesapeake Bay. Thus, it’s a tad scary to drive across it, knowing there’s nothing but water on either side of the bridge! However, like many things in life, the best course of action is to keep moving when driving through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (and avoid looking down).

10 The Gold Brook Covered Bridge

Stowe Pinnacle, Vermont, USA
Photo by Clay Kaufmann on Unsplash
Stowe Pinnacle, Vermont, USA
  • Location: Stowe
  • Why It’s Scary: Paranormal Activity

Also known as Stowe Hollow Bridge; there’s a reason why it’s also called Emily’s Bridge. This 50-foot-long bridge is the setting of a spooky urban legend. In the 1850s, Emily was a teenager who wanted to elope with a wealthy young man in town. Agreeing to meet each other on the Stowe Hollow Bridge at midnight, Emily was distraught when she was jilted as the man failed to show up. Stricken with grief, young Emily took her life on the bridge, prompting locals to believe that her vengeful spirit haunts the grounds to this day. Besides its spooky reputation, this bridge is considered historical according to the National Register of Historic Places.

9 Seven Mile Bridge

Aerial view of Seven Mile Bridge, Key West
Photo by Chase Baker on Unsplash
Aerial view of Seven Mile Bridge, Key West
  • Location: Florida Keys, Florida
  • Why It’s Scary: Ocean views on both sides

Located in the beautiful state of Florida, the Seven Mile Bridge offers incredible views of the Florida Keys, with nothing but ocean blue water surrounding the driver on each side of the bridge. Completed in 1982, the bridge's original structure required a driver to be absolutely concentrated and cautious due to its narrow nature. Today, the bridge is far less intimidating but can still make stomachs churn since this bridge sits over deep ocean waters.

RELATED: Pigeon Key Might Be Florida's Most Fascinating Ghost Town (Or Rather, Island)

8 Deception Pass Bridge

A river flowing under the Deception Pass bridge in Washington 
Photo by Brian Beckwith on Unsplash
A river flowing under the Deception Pass bridge in Washington 
  • Location: Oak Harbor, Washington State
  • Why It’s Scary: Prone to foggy conditions

This two-lane bridge gives road-trippers incredible views of Washington’s natural landscapes. Connecting the Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, this cantilever bridge is robust yet subject to the occasional fog, which can impact the road’s visibility. Either wait for the fog to pass or drive carefully when driving through this massive bridge. The most important thing to bring, though, would be self-confidence.

7 Old Alton Bridge

Goatman's Bridge Texas
PixelsyndicateCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Goatman's Bridge in Lantana, Texas
  • Location: Lantana, Texas
  • Why It’s Scary: Urban Legend of the Goatman

Those who are passionate non-believers of the paranormal will have no problems passing this bridge, even at the strike of midnight. On the other hand, avid ghost hunters and dedicated believers of the supernatural may feel differently about Lantana’s Old Alton Bridge, also known as Goatman’s Bridge. The legend goes that Goatman, a former farmer named Oscar Washburn, was unjustly murdered on the Old Alton Bridge, haunting it until this day. It's said that those crossing the bridge at night without headlights would encounter his ghost and other creepy activity.

RELATED: Bugarach: A French Village With A Strange 'UFO' History

6 Golden Gate Bridge

A cyclist taking a photo near the Golden Gate Bridge in SF
Photo by Guido Coppa on Unsplash
A cyclist taking a photo near the Golden Gate Bridge in SF
  • Location: San Francisco, California
  • Why It’s Scary: Prone to foggy conditions, frequent congestion

There are a lot of interesting facts about the Golden Gate Bridge, many of which make this architectural marvel even more fascinating. Unfortunately, this iconic San Francisco bridge can experience the occasional fog and frequent traffic congestion, making the driving experience a little more scary (or annoying, depending on the driver)! Don’t fret, though, as careful, assertive driving is the key to navigating this massive bridge.

5 Captain William Moore Bridge

View of Skagway, Alaska
Pixabay
View of Skagway, Alaska
  • Location: Skagway, Alaska
  • Why It’s Scary: Built over an active earthquake.

Spanning 300 feet (or 91 m), the Captain William Moore Bridge is part of the famous Klondike Highway, which overlooks the Moore Creek Gorge. This historic bridge is adorned with anchor-like cables and conveniently sits on the gorge, which happens to be an ideal location for earthquake activity. Because of this, the bridge’s design was made in a way that only one side of it was properly secured. Getting over this scary fact, drivers and passengers alike driving through this amazing bridge only need to glimpse outside their car window to see why this bridge is scary yet drive-worthy!

4 Witches Bridge

A view of Bear Creek Falls
Photo by Devin L on Unsplash
A view of Bear Creek Falls
  • Location: Bear Creek, Illinois
  • Why It’s Scary: Paranormal Activity and local urban legends

Built-in the early 20th century, this bridge looks fairly simple, spanning about 104 feet (or approximately 32 m) long over Bear Creek. However, this quiet bridge holds a dark urban legend. One story claims that in the 1800s, a woman was killed in the area due to claims of her being a witch. Moreover, this bridge is just a stone’s throw away from a local cemetery!

3 New River Gorge Bridge

A bridge near a rock in New River Gorge, West Virginia
Photo by EJ Strat on Unsplash
A bridge near a rock in New River Gorge, West Virginia

What makes New River Gorge Bridge unique in West Virginia is that has an official Bridge Day. Every year the bridge hosts West Virginia's largest single-day festival and one of the world's most hair-raising sports. It is only on this day that people are allowed to jump off the bridge 876 feet down into the Gorge.

  • Location: New River Gorge, West Virginia
  • Why It’s Scary: Jump Of The Bridge Once A Year

2 Mackinac Bridge

Mackinac Bridge Night Lights, St. Ignace, Michigan
Shutterstock
Mackinac Bridge Night Lights, St. Ignace, Michigan

Michigan's Mackinac Bridge is nicknamed "Big Mac" and "Mighty Mac" and is famous for being the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the USA (or anywhere in the Western Hemisphere). The bridge links Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas and was first opened in 1957. The massive bridge was envisioned as early as the 1880s, but it proved a massive undertaking to actually build.

  • Location: Straights Of Mackinac, Michigan
  • Why It’s Scary: America's Longest Suspension Bridge

1 Brooklyn Bridge

The River Cafe under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, USA
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The River Cafe under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, USA, one of the best restaurants in the US with the best views

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the top attractions when visiting New York City. It is a very historic bridge and significant to the development of the city. It is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge that links the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The bridge first opened in 1883 and was the first fixed crossing of the East River. When it was first built, it was the world's longest suspension bridge.

  • Location: East River, NYC
  • Why It’s Scary: America's Most Famous East Coast Bridge