Ridge Route, highway in California
Ridge Route is a historic road spanning about 60 miles through mountain passes connecting Los Angeles County and Kern County. The route follows elevated terrain with curves and changing elevations that link the Central Valley to Southern California.
Ridge Route was built in the 1910s to create a safe road passage over difficult mountain terrain that previously lacked reliable transportation. It marked a major advancement in connecting Northern and Southern California and fueled regional economic growth.
Driving Ridge Route requires attention to its many curves and elevation changes, especially during poor weather conditions. Plan ahead with a full tank of fuel since services and rest stops are sparse along the route.
Ridge Route was an early engineering marvel with extreme grades and tight curves that made it one of the most challenging roads of its era. Many original bridges and curved sections from that period remain intact today and show how engineers approached mountain driving in the early automobile age.
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