In the past, we’ve published list about the tallest and longest roller coasters in each state, but sometimes, you just feel the need, the need for speed. Have you ever wondered about the fastest roller coaster in your state?
Maybe its a familiar coaster to enthusiasts like Top Thrill Dragster or Fury 325. Maybe it’s a kiddie coaster. Maybe your state doesn’t have any coasters at all, which is a bummer. Utilizing RCDB, along with some other sources, we’ve compiled a list of the fastest roller coaster in each state.
In states with a limited coaster portfolio, there may be some overlap of coasters on this list with the tallest and longest in each state. Like previous lists of this nature, we’re not including mountain coasters in the official list. It’s rare that they would top other coasters in the state anyway!
Alabama
Rampage at Alabama Adventure. Top Speed: 56mph
This CCI Wooden Coaster edges out the 2nd fastest coaster in the state, Rollin’ Thunder at The Park at OWA by 0.1 miles per hour!
Alaska
Aftershock at the Alaska State Fairgrounds: Top Speed: 35mph
Debuting at the Alaska State Fair in 2021, Alaska’s first permanent roller coaster is manufactured by Interpark.
Arizona
Desert Storm at Castles N Coasters. Top Speed: 46mph
Opened in 1992, Desert Storm is one of two Hopkins coasters at Castles N’ Coasters (and one of only 5 coasters currently operating made by Hopkins.)
Arkansas
X Coaster at Magic Springs. Top Speed: 65.3mph
X Coaster is the only roller coaster of its type (Maurer Sky Loop) in the United States
California
Superman: Escape From Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Top Speed: 100mph.
The fastest full circuit roller coaster in California is Goliath, also at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It tops out at 85mph. The park operates 8 of the fastest 11 roller coasters in California.
Colorado
(TIE): Twister II at Elitch Gardens and Cyclone at Lakeside Amusement Park. Top Speed: 55 mph
These two coasters are located a short 4.2 mile drive from one another in Denver, Colorado.
Connecticut
Phobia Phear Coaster at Lake Compounce. Top Speed: 62 mph
Phobia Phear Coaster is a Sky Rocket II model from Premier Rides. Unlike the Sky Rocket II’s at Seaworld/Busch Gardens, Phobia Phear Coaster only has 2 cars instead of three.
Delaware
There are no coasters currently operating in Delaware. Sorry, Delawareans!
Florida
Currently: Mako at SeaWorld Orlando. Top Speed: 73mph. Soon: Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa. Top Speed: 76mph.
Mako’s marketing campaign included the tagline #NothingFaster. However, just down the road, once Iron Gwazi officially opens, it will lose that title.
Georgia
Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. Top Speed: 70mph.
The Georgia Goliath is one of seven roller coasters named Goliath at a park either currently owned or once owned by Six Flags.
Hawaii
There are no current operating roller coasters in Hawaii. E kala mai. (That’s “Sorry” in Hawaiian.)
Idaho
Aftershock at Silverwood. Top Speed: 65.6mph
If Aftershock looks familiar to you, you’re not experiencing Déjà vu…well, maybe you are. That was the coaster’s former name at Six Flags Great America.
Illinois
Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America. Top Speed: 78mph
Maxx Force reaches its top speed in just 1.8 seconds, thanks to the coaster’s pneumatic launch.
Indiana
The Voyage at Holiday World. Top Speed: 67mph
Manufactured by The Gravity Group, Holiday World’s late owner, Bill Koch, was listed as a member of the design team for The Voyage.
Iowa
Monster at Adventureland. Top Speed: 65mph
Monster was the first Infinity Coaster manufactured by Gerstlauer to open in the United States.
Kansas
There are six roller coasters currently operating in Kansas. All six are kiddie coasters. There aren’t speeds listed for them on RCDB. We don’t think any of them are particularly fast.
Kentucky
Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom. Top Speed: 55mph
Lightning Run remains the only Hyper GT-X coaster manufactured by Chance Rides.
Louisiana
Ragin Cajun’ at Blue Bayou Dixie Landin’. Top Speed: 47mph.
This Boomerang coaster is the fastest currently operating coaster in Louisiana. However, the SBNO (Standing But Not Operating) Mega Zeph at Six Flags New Orleans had a top speed of 57mph.
Maine
Excalibur at Funtown Splashdown. Top Speed: 55mph
Funtown Splashtown will not open in 2020 due to COVID-19. Excalibur was designed by Larry Bill, who also designed Alabama Adventure’s Rampage and Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce.
Maryland
Superman: Ride of Steel at Six Flags America. Top Speed: 73mph
Superman: Ride of Steel celebrates its 20th Birthday on May 13, 2020.
Massachusetts
Superman: The Ride at Six Flags New England. Top Speed: 77mph
Superman: The Ride at Six Flags New England will also celebrate a 20th birthday this year, 8 days prior to the Six Flags America Superman in Maryland.
Michigan
Shivering Timbers at Michigan’s Adventure. Top Speed: 57mph
Shivering Timbers opened at Michigan’s Adventure in 1998 at a cost of $4.5 Million.
Minnesota
Wild Thing at Valleyfair. Top Speed: 74mph
Wild Thing was designed by Steve Okamoto, who designed every Morgan hyper coaster.
Mississippi
All American Coaster at Brookhaven Exchange Club Park.
The speed for the All-American Coaster wasn’t readily available. However, when you’re the only coaster in the state, kiddie coaster or not. you’re by default the fastest.
Missouri
Mamba at Worlds of Fun. Top Speed: 75mph
Montana
While there may not be in operating roller coasters in Montana, did you know that the state has the largest migratory elk herd in the nation?
Nebraska
Another state with only kiddie coasters within its borders, we’re not sure which the faster Nebraska coaster is between Go Gator or Safari. Neither of them seem very fast.
Nevada
Big Apple Coaster at New York New York Resort. Top Speed: 67mph
Technically, this honor should go Desperado at Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino, which has a top speed of 80mph. However, Desperado may have finally closed for good. This list is for operating coasters.
New Hampshire
Untamed at Canobie Lake. Top Speed: 43.5mph
The Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter opened at Canobie Lake in 2011, one of four Eurofighter coasters to open that year, worldwide.
New Jersey
Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. Top Speed: 128mph
The tallest roller coaster in the United States is also the fastest. It reaches its top speed in just 3.5 seconds with a hydraulic launch.
New Mexico
New Mexico Rattler at Cliff’s Amusement Park. Top Speed: 47mph
Custom Coasters, Inc. (CCI) went bankrupt while building the New Mexico Rattler. Cliff’s Amusement Park finished the construction on their own.
New York
Ride of Steel at Darien Lake. Top Speed: 73mph
Ride of Steel at Darien Lake used to have Superman in its name during the park’s original Six Flags Darien Lake branding. It’s a mirror image of Six Flags America’s Superman.
North Carolina
Fury 325 at Carowinds, Top Speed: 95mph
Fury 325 flies above the main park entryway before diving underneath it. The coaster is a 4-time Golden Ticket Award winner for “Best Steel Coaster.”
North Dakota
Runaway Train at Super Slide Amusement Park.
Another coaster where it doesn’t matter what its speed is. When you’re the only coaster in the state, you’re the fastest. We don’t make the rules.
Ohio
Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, 120mph
Top Thrill Dragster was the world’s first full-circuit strata coaster.
Oklahoma
Silver Bullet at Frontier City. Top Speed: 47.8mph
Silver Bullet is the lone remaining Schwarzkopf Looping Star in the United States.
Oregon
Adrenaline Peak at Oak’s Park. Top Speed: 45mph
Adrenaline Peak is the smallest roller coaster to feature a lighting package from KCL Engineering.
Pennsylvania
Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood. Top Speed: 85mph
Phantom’s Revenge is one of few coasters where its second drop is larger than its first drop, made possible by the use of the terrain at Kennywood.
Rhode Island
While there are currently no operating roller coasters in Rhode Island, there used to be Cyclone, a Schwarzkopf Wildcat, at Rocky Point Park. The speed of the coaster was 37.3mph.
South Carolina
Intimidator at Carowinds. Top Speed: 75mph
While Carowinds has a North Carolina address, Intimidator is located 100% in the Palmetto State. For a true “South Carolina” Park, the fastest coaster is Swamp Fox at Family Kingdom, reaching speeds of 50mph.
South Dakota
Humpty Dumpty’s Great Fall at Storybook Land.
Another solo-state coaster, South Dakota will likely have a new fastest coaster sometime soon. The state recently approved construction plans for an RMC Raptor Coaster at Wild Water West in Sioux Falls.
Tennessee
Lightning Rod at Dollywood. Top Speed: 73mph
Lightning Rod is the world’s first launched wooden coaster.
Texas
Titan at Six Flags Over Texas. Top Speed: 85mph
While Titan may look like a traditional B&M Hyper, the coaster was actually manufactured by Giovanola, and is one of just three coasters manufactured by the company.
Utah
Cannibal at Lagoon. Top Speed: 70mph
Cannibal was built completely in-house by Lagoon, and features a 116-degree, beyond vertical drop.
Vermont
Vermont has no traditional roller coasters, but does have two mountain coasters.
Virginia
Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. Top Speed: 95mph
Intimidator 305 was one of two Dale Earnhardt-themed roller coasters opened in 2010, the second being South Carolina’s tallest coaster: Intimidator.
Washington
(TIE) Classic Coaster at Washington State Fair and Timberhawk: Ride of Prey at Wild Waves. Top Speed: 50mph
Classic Coaster was built in 1935, Timberhawk in 2003. Both wooden coasters have the same top speed.
West Virginia
Big Dipper at Camden Park.
While the speed of Big Dipper isn’t readily available online, it’s the largest coaster at the only amusement park in West Virginia.
Wisconsin
(TIE) Zeus & Hades 360, both at Mt. Olympus Resort. Top Speed: 60mph
Both Zeus and Hades 360 have a top speed of 60mph. Zeus was designed by Custom Coasters International, and Hades 360 was built by Gravity Group.
Wyoming
There are no traditional roller coasters in Wyoming. Its lone Mountain Coaster, Cowboy Coaster has a top speed of 27mph.
Are you surprised by any of these numbers? What’s the fastest roller coaster in your state? Let us know in the comments below!
Pretty cool to see the “tops” all in one place. A bit surprised, being from PA, that Kennywood has a faster coaster than Hershey…but only a bit 😉 Kingda Ka is just pure fear vs excitement. Fury and Intimidator in the same park make a day’s stop at Carowinds almost mandatory for a thrill seeking family driving to Florida from north of Virginia. Thanks coaster101 –