Riding on one of the tallest roller coasters in the world is a dream come true for every adrenaline seeker. The stomach-churning twists and turns, along with mind-numbing speed and exhilarating drops, are sure to make you scream with excitement.
Here’s a list of the top 10 tallest roller coasters in the world for a spine-chilling experience. Though currently, Kingda Ka ranks first on the list with an initial drop of 418 feet, it will soon be surpassed by Saudi Arabia’s Falcon Flight.
Opened in 2005, Kingda Ka boasts a jaw-dropping height of 456 feet which makes it top the list. Within a mere 3.5 seconds, the ride rockets from 0 to 128 mph taking riders up to the top in a vertical inclination. It then drops at a 260° angle and proceeds over a camel hump-shaped hill before reaching the station. Also ranked the second-fastest roller coaster on the planet, Kingda Ka offers a thrilling experience during its 50-second ride.
Amusement Park: Six Flags Great Adventure
Height: 456 ft (139 m)
Drop: 418 ft (127 m)
Maximum Speed: 128 mph (206 km/h)
Opened on: 21st May 2005
Duration: 50 seconds
Among the many world-class roller coasters in Cedar Point, Top Thrill Dragster is the tallest. With a total length of 2,800 feet, the steel roller coaster catapults at 112 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds. It reaches a maximum height of 420 feet before plunging 90° straight to the ground. The thrill does not end here as the roller coaster makes another 270° twist before rushing back to the station. The tagline ‘Race for the Sky,’ aptly suits it as the speed with which it transfers riders to a staggering height seems like it is shooting them towards the sky.
Amusement Park: Cedar Point
Height: 420 ft (128 m)
Drop: 400 ft (120 m)
Maximum Speed: 120 mph (190 km/h)
Opened on: 4th May, 2003
Duration: 30 seconds
Besides being the first roller coaster to cross the 300-feet-drop mark, Superman: Escape from Krypton also has a tower that exceeds 400 feet in height. It offers riders a unique and exhilarating experience as it launches them 415 feet right into the sky, stays there for 6 seconds, and drops straight down, all in the reverse direction.
Amusement Park: Six Flags Magic Mountain
Height: 415 ft (126.5 m)
Drop: 328.1 ft (100.0 m)
Maximum Speed: 100 mph (160.9 km/h)
Opened on: 15th March 1997
Duration: 28 seconds
The Ferrari-themed Red Force is the fourth tallest roller coaster in the world and the fastest in Europe. Equipped with magnetic motors, the roller coaster gains a speed of 111 miles per hour within 5 seconds of leaving the station. It launches riders straight to the top at 367 feet after spiraling 90° to the right and descends with a 90° turn to the left.
Amusement Park: Ferrari Land within PortAventura World
Height: 367 ft (112 m)
Drop: 367 ft (112 m)
Maximum Speed: 112 mph (180 km/hr)
Opened on: 7th April 2017
Duration: 39 seconds
Fury 325 is the tallest giga coaster in the world as its height and drop range between 300 to 400 feet. With the help of a traditional chain lift hill, it reaches an insane height of 325 feet and descends 81° as it attains a top speed of 95 mph. It further continues rolling, twisting, and looping, resembling the crazy flight of a furious hornet. The roller coaster also runs along the second longest roller coaster tracks in North America, having a length of 6,602 feet.
Amusement Park: Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina
Height: 325 ft (99 m)
Drop: 320 ft (98 m)
Maximum Speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
Opened on: 28th March 2015
Duration: 3 minutes
Steel Dragon 2000 holds the record for being the world’s longest roller coaster ride. Within 4 minutes, it completes its journey on the 8133 ft long track with a crazy top speed of 153 km/hr. The roller coaster launches riders to the top exceeding the height of 300 feet. While it slowly climbs up using a traditional chain hill, the drop attains the maximum speed and continues to race along, twisting and turning on the way to reach back to the station.
Amusement Park: Nagashima Spa Land
Height: 318 ft (97 m)
Drop: 307 ft (93.5 m)
Maximum Speed: 95 mph (152.9 km/h)
Opened on: 1st August 2000
Duration: 4 minutes
The second tallest in Cedar Point, Millennium Force, is the first giga coaster as it has a height and drop between 300ft and 399 ft. Rather than the traditional chain lift, it uses a cable elevator to accelerate the trains to a mighty height of 310 feet. As it plunges straight from the top, it reaches its maximum speed of 93 mph, which leaves riders lightheaded. Continuing to race along the track, it twists and traverses through tunnels before coming to a halt.
Amusement Park: Cedar Point
Height: 310 ft (94 m)
Drop: 300 ft (91 m)
Maximum Speed: 93 mph (150 km/h)
Opened on: 13th May 2000
Duration: 2 minutes 20 seconds
As its name suggests, Leviathan is a giga roller coaster themed on the sea monster of the same name. While the turquoise tracks resemble the sea, the trains move like a sea monster making a terrific drop of 306 feet at a steep 80° angle. It also makes a hammerhead turn of 115° before finding its way back to the station.
Amusement Park: Canada’s Wonderland
Height: 306 ft (93.27 m)
Drop: 306 ft (93.3 m)
Maximum Speed: 92 mph (148 km/h)
Opened on: 6th May 2012
Duration: 3 minutes
Boasting its height in its name, Intimidator 305 truly offers an intimidating experience perching riders 305 feet atop and dropping 300 feet at an 85° angle. The extreme positive G-forces and an insane speed of 90 mph followed by twists and turns add to the spine-tingling effect.
Amusement Park: King’s Dominion
Height: 305 ft (93 m)
Drop: 300 ft (91.4 m)
Maximum Speed: 90 mph (145 km/h)
Opened on: 2nd April 2010
Duration: 3 minutes
Orion is one of the seven giga roller coasters of the world. With an initial drop of 300 feet, it reaches 91 mph allowing riders to experience a weightless sensation. It then speeds off to seven more hills along the 5,321 feet track.
Amusement Park: Kings Island
Height: 287 ft (87 m)
Drop: 300 ft (91 m)
Maximum Speed: 91 mph (146 km/h)
Opened on: 2nd July 2020
Duration: 3 minutes
Hello there! My name is Jay and I run this website. I'm a full-time traveler and freelance writer. This is where I share travel advice and help people pursue their traveling dreams.
You can learn more about me and my mission on the about me page.
It's nice to have you here :)
