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You’ve heard of ghost towns, haunted houses, spooky cemeteries, spirit-filled ships, creepy abandoned zoos, and even haunted hayrides. As the most haunted state in the U.S., California boasts a lot of haunted spots. But have you heard of haunted roads?
A new study from SIXT Magazine has named California’s Route 66 the second most haunted road in the entire world, proving that the Golden State’s ghostly reputation doesn’t stop at its haunted hotels or spooky mansions. It also haunts the highways!
👻 Why is Route 66 so haunted?
According to the study by SIXT, California’s legendary Route 66 ranked high thanks to countless ghost stories, eerie encounters, and its history as a once-bustling lifeline for travelers crossing the country. Stretching across desolate desert landscapes, Route 66 is a time capsule of Americana and, apparently, of restless spirits.
Ghostly legends tied to the route include phantom hitchhikers, mysterious lights, and whispers from long-deserted roadside diners. Whether it’s the lingering souls of travelers who never reached their destinations or the energy of the countless lives that passed through, Route 66 has earned its haunted reputation.
Courtesy of SIXT Magazine. 👻 Other spooky roads that made the list
While Route 66 takes second place, Clinton Road in New Jersey claimed the top spot as the most haunted road in the U.S. Drivers report seeing the Jersey Devil or the spirit of a boy who returns your loose change.
Other haunted highways from around the world include:
- Karak Highway (Malaysia) – Known for ghostly hitchhikers and a mysterious yellow Volkswagen that vanishes without a trace.
- A75 Kinmont Straight (Scotland) – Dubbed “Scotland’s Ghost Road” for its phantom pedestrians and spectral animals.
- Tuen Mun Road (Hong Kong) – A hotspot for paranormal car accidents and unexplained figures appearing in the mist.
👻How was the study conducted?
To uncover the world’s most haunted roads, SIXT analyzed data from multiple spooky sources:
- Google search trends – Tracking how often each road was searched alongside ghostly keywords like “haunted,” “ghost,” and “paranormal.”
- TikTok search data – Measuring which haunted highways and ghost stories are going viral around the world.
- Ghosts of America – Reviewing which U.S. states reported the highest number of roadside ghost sightings.
All data was collected and analyzed as of July 11, 2025, revealing the eeriest roads where drivers are most likely to encounter something supernatural.
Is it time for a ghostly road trip this Halloween weekend?👻