Adrenaline Junkie? Here Are the 20 Best Roller Coasters in the US

There's a natural high that you can only experience on a roller coaster — you're strapped in tight, have your hands in the air, and are screaming while riding high above the ground. Waiting hours in line for that two-minute adrenaline rush leaves a feeling so great, you'll find yourself running back in line to do it all over again.

With such a range of wild rides in the US — from Kingda Ka, which goes from zero to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds, to the Big Apple Coaster in Las Vegas that lets you get married on it in Las Vegas, the possibilities for fun are endless (and all over the place). Keep reading for our favorite roller coasters in the US, and get ready to start checking them off your list this Summer.

01

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Studios (Orlando, FL)

The newest addition to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is guided by Hagrid himself. Riders will go into the depths of the Forbidden Forest on Hagrid's infamous motorbike with a few magical surprises along the way.

02

The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino (Las Vegas)

Sitting right on the Las Vegas strip, this roller coaster is the world's first to feature a 180-degree "heartline" twist and dive maneuver reaching speeds up to 67 mph. No surprise here since it's in Vegas, the ride offers a wedding package to actually get married on the coaster.

03

Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom (Orlando, FL)

Heading through the Himalayan peaks surrounded by lifelike scenery, riders soar into total darkness while trying to escape from the mythical Yeti. Will they make it? Special features such as a twisted track set the scene.

04

Great Bear at Hersheypark (Hershey, PA)

One of Hersheypark's 13 roller coasters, Great Bear, is definitely a fan favorite. With your feet dangling at 90 feet above the ground, riders will spin into more than two minutes of drops, loops, corkscrews, and a zero-g roll with plenty of amazing views of the park.

05

Twisted Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA)

Making roller coaster history, this hybrid coaster is a mix of wood and steel. What was originally the iconic Woodie returns with a literal twist, as riders feel the mechanics of a wooden roller coaster merged with state-of-the-art technology.

06

Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson Township, NJ)

This is the tallest coaster in the world and the fastest in North America. Standing at 456 feet high (that's 45 stories), riders will go from zero to 128 mph in a matter of 3.5 seconds. Going 90 degrees up into the sky, the ride concludes by barreling down a 270-degree spiral. Talk about a thrill!

07

Millennium Force at Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH)

This coaster's name is fitting because it opened in 2000. And when it did open, it was so large that a new roller coaster category had to be created — the giga-coaster. It debuted as the tallest coaster, having the longest drop and fastest speed topping at 93 mph. Park attendees find it hard to miss as Cedar Point's hero attraction.

08

Fury 325 at Carowinds (Charlotte, NC)

North America's longest steel coaster at over 1.25 miles long, the fury really is felt on the world's tallest and fastest giga-coaster (it took over Millennium Force's title when it opened in 2015). With a height of 325 feet and a 81-degree drop, this ride calls for only the brave.

09

Lightning Rod at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN)

Don't be fooled by the butterfly in Dollywood's logo, because this coaster packs a punch. Inspired by the 1950s-era hot rod, this coaster reaches a top speed of 73 mph, the fastest speed for a wooden roller coaster in the world.

10

Skyrush at Hersheypark (Hershey, PA)

With a ride time of just over a minute, this coaster is worth the wait. Climbing 200 feet into the air before plummeting at 75 mph, this attraction boasts the highest drop in Hersheypark.

11

Space Mountain at Disney's Magic Kingdom (Orlando, FL)

Originally opened in January 1975, this indoor attraction is the oldest operating roller coaster in Florida. Taking riders through the blackness of the galaxy filled with shooting stars and orbs of light, this dual-tracked coaster is definitely out of this world.

12

Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Santa Cruz, CA)

First opening in 1924, this coaster is more than 90 years old. With more than 66 million visitors as the main attraction at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, it has been featured in movies such as Sudden Impact and The Lost Boys.

13

Steel Force at Dorney Park (Allentown, PA)

From a 205-foot drop to traveling through two tunnels, you'll definitely be winded on this maze-like coaster reaching speeds up to 75 mph. Featuring numerous drops throughout the ride, eating anything beforehand wouldn't be so wise.

14

Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson Township, NJ)

This "hypercoaster" is, well, worth the hype because of everything from its speed and airtime to its epic drops. From the top of the 215-foot drop, you can even see Philadelphia. Traveling at a high of 80 mph, this coaster is totally worth the wait with plenty of airtime, unlike other coasters that only last upwards of 60 seconds.

15

Mako at Seaworld (Orlando, FL)

While animal life is the main attraction at Seaworld, parkgoers can also get a thrill on this coaster named after one of the fastest known sharks, Mako. Exploring a shipwrecked reef, this coaster is the tallest, longest, and fastest in Orlando, FL.

16

El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson Township, NJ)

Who knew bull-taming could translate into one of the best wooden coasters in the world? "El Toro," which translates to "The Bull," takes riders up nearly 19 stories for a 176-foot drop reaching a high of 70 mph. With the jagged turns and clicking of a wooden roller coaster, this one isn't to be missed.

17

X² at Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, CA)

Formerly known as X and pronounced as "X two," this is the world's first fourth-dimension coaster. Special effects include a sound system and even a pair of flame throwers. What's unique about this coaster is the 360-degree seats moving forwards or backwards independent of the main car.

18

Apollo’s Chariot at Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, VA)

Creating a "free-flight" with its elevated seats, this hypercoaster is a fan favorite. Reaching speeds up to 73 mph on a two-minute track, this is definitely a coaster riders are going to want to do over and over again.

19

Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH)

Frontier-inspired by outlaws, the creation of this coaster created a new category: the hyper-hybrid. Packing almost 30 seconds of airtime, it breaks all records for any hyper-hybrid coaster in the world, and includes a 200-foot drop at 90 degrees.

20

Maverick at Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH)

This is more than the average rodeo, filled with twists, tunnels, upside-down corkscrews, and more. There's nothing wilder than getting launched 400 feet in a matter of three seconds!