For those who had been driving by the Mojave Desert and noticed a cracked, four-mile stretch of sun-bleached pavement, you most likely wouldn’t suppose twice about it. It appears like another forgotten highway in the midst of nowhere. However this one’s totally different. As soon as upon a time, it was the longest driveway in America.
Not solely that—it was constructed by one lady’s cussed resistance to the federal authorities and later used for high-octane, 200 mph pace assessments by automobile magazines. That stretch of asphalt was Bonnie Orcutt’s driveway.
Bonnie Orcutt didn’t got down to make historical past. The truth is, she simply didn’t need the federal government operating a freeway by her land. After her husband handed in 1953, she moved west to a bit of house in Newberry Springs, California.
Nevertheless, years later, she discovered that the Interstate 40 enlargement would minimize straight by her property. Officers tried to purchase her out however Bonnie stated no. Then she began writing letters. A lot of them.
Tales say she wrote them to President Lyndon Johnson, First Woman Woman Hen Johnson, and the governor of California. Ultimately, her persistence paid off, and in 1965, the state agreed to spend $100,000 to construct her a brand new driveway—4 full miles of pavement main from her home to the closest public highway.
No twists. No turns. Only a straight, flat stretch by the desert. A degree for Bonnie, and one very lengthy driveway for the historical past books.
Years later, reporters from Automobile and Driver journal stumbled throughout what would develop into referred to as America’s longest driveway whereas searching for a spot to push automobiles to their limits. Racetracks had been too quick. Public roads? Not an choice. However Bonnie’s previous driveway was good.
With no visitors and no interruptions, they might simply hit 200 mph, check new efficiency upgrades, and chase top-speed desires in full isolation. There have been tales of oil spills, blown tires, and even fireballs stretching 50 toes. For a quick, wild time, America’s longest driveway doubled as certainly one of its most daring check tracks.
Sadly, the property fell into disrepair after Bonnie handed away in 1986. Time, warmth, and climate have turned the once-pristine stretch of highway right into a crumbling path of potholes and light glory. However even in its ruined state, America’s longest driveway stays a novel chapter in each automotive historical past and particular person defiance.
America’s longest driveway wasn’t constructed for automobiles. It was constructed for precept. And by sheer probability—and a bit of little bit of automobile tradition magic—it ended up internet hosting a number of the quickest automobiles within the nation. America is filled with historic places like this—together with the key lab the place the US examined atomic bombs, and the most nuclear contaminated place in America.
