California Highway 120 East has a section affectionately known as “Roller Coaster Road.” As the name suggests, it offers an unforgettable driving experience that some say “thrills and delights.” Nestled in the eastern Sierra Nevada, this stretch of road earned its nickname from its dramatic undulations resembling the peaks and valleys of a roller coaster track.

The history of Highway 120 East dates back to the 19th century, when it served as a vital route for miners, millers, and pioneers venturing into California’s interior. Just south of Mono Lake, 120 cuts east from 395 at Yosemite National Park, through Mono Mills and Benton Hot Springs, and then intersects State Route 6. Over the decades, it has evolved from a rugged road to a well-paved highway linking the Sierra Nevada range and the communities of the Eastern Sierra.

Just north of Mono Lake, you can explore Bodie, a well-preserved ghost town from the Gold Rush era. Below, 120 East cuts through Mono Mills, an old lumber town established in 1881 and abandoned in 1917. Timber was harvested near there and shipped to Bodie via rail. After the Gold Rush quieted, demand for lumber did, too, so the town quietly shut down.

Today, drivers “delight” in the highway’s unique topography. As you cruise along, sharp dips and steep rises create a sensation of weightlessness, much like riding a roller coaster.

One driver, Dale Divers, experienced the roller coaster with his wife back in 2010. He posted about the ride on RoadsAmerica.com: “Highway 120 over the whoop-de-do’s had my wife screaming and laughing with me and we were only doing about 35-45 mph! This was a fun road and I’m sure we’ll do it again!”

Contrastingly, John Metz made the trip across 120 East in 2004 and offered different takeaways: “It’s kind of fun, unless you are like my hayseed snaggletooth NASCAR wanna be Father-in-Law. Then you can go 90MPH, catch air on the rises, and scrape frame on downhill compressions! If you wreck out here, you’re on your own! It’s a road I’m surprised they built, as so few people bother with it. But it’s a good state highway. Dramamine might be advised.”

Besides “Roller Coaster Road,” Highway 120 provides access to some of California’s most beautiful natural attractions. The road winds through stunning landscapes, offering breathtaking views of the Mono Basin and the ancient Mono Lake. There, you’ll see Mono Lake’s tufa towers. These are incredible limestone formations. Further west, the Tioga Pass leads into Yosemite National Park, which is, of course, full of serene meadows peppered with towering granite cliffs.

If you’re road-tripping anywhere near the Roller Coast Road, you might consider traveling it.