Top 10 Tallest and Fastest Roller Coasters in the World

Top 10 Tallest and Fastest Roller Coasters in the World

Roller coasters have long pushed the boundaries of speed, height, and adrenaline, thrilling millions of riders around the world. As technology and engineering continue to advance, amusement parks race to build taller, faster, and more extreme rides.

From towering giants that pierce the sky to lightning-fast coasters that leave your heart pounding, these rides redefine what it means to seek a thrill.

In this list, we’ll explore the Top 10 Tallest and Fastest Roller Coasters in the World, showcasing the record-breakers that offer the ultimate roller coaster experience.

#10. Intimidator 305

• Height: 305 feet
• Location: Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, USA

Intimidator 305 is a high-thrill giga coaster located at Kings Dominion, a sister park to Cedar Point. True to its name, the coaster reaches towering heights—305 feet, to be exact—and is known for delivering extreme speed and powerful positive G-forces that truly live up to the “Intimidator” title.

Unlike some modern coasters, it doesn’t rely on gimmicks like inversions, hydraulic launches, or onboard audio. Instead, its sheer scale and forceful layout provide a raw, adrenaline-fueled ride experience focused on intense speed and physical intensity.

#9. Leviathan

• Height: 287 feet
• Top Speed: 92 mph
• Location: Maple, Ontario

Leviathan is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada, located at Canada’s Wonderland in the Medieval Faire section of the park.

Standing at a towering 306 feet with a steep 80-degree drop, it reaches a top speed of 92 mph, making it one of the most intense rides in the country.

The coaster spans 5,486 feet of track and delivers an exhilarating out-and-back layout filled with powerful airtime hills and sharp twists, though it features no inversions.

With a ride time of about three and a half minutes, Leviathan is a standout among the park’s impressive lineup of 17 roller coasters.

#8. Steel Dragon 2000

• Height: 318 feet
• Top Speed: 95 mph
• Location: Kuwana, Japan

Steel Dragon 2000 is a record-breaking steel roller coaster located at Nagashima Spa Land in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Manufactured by D. H. Morgan Manufacturing, it opened on August 1, 2000, and was named after the dragon from the Chinese zodiac, as 2000 was the Year of the Dragon.

Upon its debut, Steel Dragon 2000 set multiple world records—it became the longest roller coaster in the world with a track length of 2,479 meters (8,133 feet), and also held the titles for the tallest and fastest complete-circuit coaster at the time.

#7. Millennium Force

• Height: 305 feet
• Top Speed: 93 mph
• Location: Sandusky, Ohio

Millennium Force is a legendary steel roller coaster located at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Opened in 2000, it was the world’s first giga coaster, boasting a 310-foot-tall cable lift hill and a 300-foot drop.

With a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h), the ride includes two tunnels, three overbanked turns, and three airtime hills, offering a thrilling yet smooth experience.

Known for its innovative design and enduring popularity, Millennium Force has earned the title of #1 steel roller coaster ten times in Amusement Today’s annual Golden Ticket Awards, making it a standout in coaster history.

#6. Fury 325

• Height: 325 feet
• Top Speed: 95 mph
• Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Fury 325 is a giga coaster at Carowinds amusement park, debuting in 2015. Known for its towering 325-foot height, it stands as one of the tallest roller coasters in the world.

The coaster utilizes a traditional lift hill to ascend, followed by a staggering 81-degree drop and a top speed of 95 mph.

Fury 325 is renowned for its smooth ride, high-speed thrills, and intense airtime, making it a favorite among coaster enthusiasts.

It even crosses under a pathway at the park's entrance, adding to its spectacle. Since its opening, Fury 325 has earned accolades as one of the world's best roller coasters.

#5. Red Force

• Height: 367 feet
• Top Speed: 112 mph
• Location: Tarragona, Spain

Red Force is a steel-launched giga roller coaster located at Ferrari Land within PortAventura World in Salou, Catalonia, Spain.

Manufactured by Intamin, the coaster opened on April 7, 2017. Standing at an impressive 112 meters (367 feet), it holds the title of the tallest operating roller coaster in the world as of November 2024, following the closure of Kingda Ka.

Red Force reaches a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph), making it one of the fastest coasters globally. Notably, it is also Europe's only giga coaster, offering a thrilling, high-speed experience in the heart of Ferrari Land.

#4. Superman: Escape From Krypton

• Height: 415 feet
• Top Speed: 100 mph
• Location: Santa Clarita, California

SUPERMAN: Escape From Krypton is a thrilling steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California.

This intense ride launches 14 passengers backward from 0 to 100 mph in just seven seconds, making for an exhilarating start.

The train then ascends a 415-foot-tall tower at a 90-degree angle, where riders experience a 6.5-second vertical hang at the top.

After this, the coaster shoots back toward the starting tunnel at 92 mph, offering a heart-pounding, high-speed experience that lasts just 28 seconds but leaves a lasting impression on thrill-seekers.

#3. Top Thrill 2

• Height: 367 feet
• Top Speed: 120 mph
• Location: Sandusky, Ohio

Top Thrill 2 is a launched roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Originally opening in 2003 as Top Thrill Dragster, it made a groundbreaking debut as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world.

At the time, it became the first-ever strata coaster, a term for coasters exceeding 400 feet in height. Designed by Werner Stengel and built by Intamin, the coaster initially stood at 420 feet tall and could accelerate from 0 to 120 mph (190 km/h) in just 3.8 seconds.

Known for its intense launch and breathtaking height, Top Thrill Dragster set the bar for high-speed coasters, with the ride providing a brief but exhilarating experience.

#2. Kingda Ka

• Height: 456 feet
• Top Speed: 128 mph
• Location: Jackson Township, New Jersey

Kingda Ka is a hydraulically launched steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, USA.

Known for its extreme stats, it is the fastest roller coaster in the United States and was the fastest in the world until recently, now holding the position of second-fastest globally.

It also holds a Guinness World Record as the tallest roller coaster in the world, towering over the competition.

On this tiger-themed ride, passengers are launched from 0 to 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds, propelling them to jaw-dropping heights and offering one of the most intense thrills in coaster history.

#1. Formula Rossa

• Top Speed: 149.1 mph
• Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Formula Rossa is a steel roller coaster launched at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Built by Intamin, it opened on November 4, 2010, and set a world record as the fastest roller coaster in the world, reaching an incredible top speed of 240 km/h (149.1 mph).

This high-speed ride surpassed the previous record-holder, Kingda Ka, and simulates the feeling of driving a Formula One car.

Due to its extreme velocity, all riders are required to wear safety goggles during the ride.