Top 15 Fastest Roller Coasters in the World

For people who love amusement parks, riding a roller coaster is super exciting. These rides, also called scream machines, are made to thrill everyone, even the bravest thrill-seekers from around the world. Over time, they’ve gotten taller, faster, and scarier.

All over the world, there are over 2,500 roller coasters giving exciting rides. Japan is special because it has the second-highest number of roller coasters, with 332 in total. But, the amusement park with the most roller coasters is Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, USA. There, thrill-seekers can find 19 roller coasters to enjoy, making it a top spot for roller coaster fans.

From Kings Island, Ohio, to Ferrari World in the United Arab Emirates, people all over enjoy these exciting rides. Here’s a list of the world’s fastest roller coasters. Each one will make your heart race from start to finish. Are you ready for a thrilling ride? In this article, we’re diving into the Top 15 Fastest Roller Coasters in the World.

Fastest Roller Coasters in the World

From Formula Rossa to the Orion look at the top 15 fastest roller coasters in the world. These roller coasters are the ultimate thrill rides, known for their super-fast speeds that make your heart race and adrenaline pump.

1. Formula Rossa — Ferrari World, United Arab Emirates

Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in the UAE is known as the fastest roller coaster in the world. It’s a special kind of roller coaster that uses a hydraulic launch to get going really fast, up to 149 mph. It looks like a red Ferrari Formula One race car and is all about high speed.

Formula Rossa located at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is considered as the fastest roller coaster in the world with an maximum speed of 240 km/h (149.1 mph) in 4.9 seconds.

Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, blasts you from 0 to 149 mph in 4.9 seconds! This Ferrari-themed rocket ride thrills with loops, inversions, and g-forces, making it a must-try for adrenaline junkies.

• Speed: 149 in 4.9 seconds.
• Height: 456 feet.
• Distance: 3,118 feet.
• Location: Ferrari World, United Arab Emirates
• Launcher: Hydraulic Launch Mechanism.

2. Top Thrill Dragster — Cedar Point, Ohio

Standing as a symbol of speed and thrill, Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, Ohio, is a strata coaster themed around Top Fuel drag racing. Soaring to an impressive height of 420 feet at 120 mph, it held records as the fastest and tallest coaster globally upon its 2003 opening and continues to be a top steel coaster.

Top Thrill Dragster, once the world’s fastest coaster, blasts you from 0 to 120 mph in 4 seconds! It’s pure adrenaline, but currently closed for a future relaunch.

• Speed: 120 in 4 seconds.
• Height: 420 feet.
• Distance: 3,118 feet.
• Location: Cedar Point, Ohio
• Launcher: Hydraulic Launch Mechanism.

3. Kingda Ka — Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey

At the summit of roller coasters, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure is the world’s tallest and North America’s fastest coaster. Launching riders to its 456-foot peak at 128 mph, it’s a must-try for any roller coaster enthusiast. When it was built in 2005, it was the tallest and the fastest roller coaster on Earth.

• Speed: 128 mph in 3.5 seconds.
• Height: 456 feet.
• Distance: 3,118 feet.
• Location: Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey.
• Launcher: Hydraulic Launch Mechanism.

4. Falcon’s Flight —Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Falcon’s Flight is not supposed to open until 2023, we will leave it unranked for now. The impressive ride is not only supposed to hit a top speed north of 155 mph (250+ km/h), but at 525 feet, it would also include the world’s biggest drop. And with an announced length of 4 kilometers (just shy of 2.5 miles and yielding a three-minute journey), it would obliterate the record for the world’s longest coaster. Regardless of the stats, this is one ride for the record books.

• Speed: 155 mph
• Height: 525 ft
• Distance: 4 km
• Location: Riyadh
• Launcher: Magnetic Launcher

5. Red Force — PortAventura World, Spain

Red Force in Ferrari Land at PortAventura is the biggest and fastest roller coaster in Europe. Since 2017, it has been thrilling riders by speeding up to 112 mph. It’s also one of the fastest roller coasters in the world.

• Speed: 180 km/h.
• Height: 112 meters.
• Distance: 880 meters.
• Location: Ferrari Land, Spain.
• Launcher: Magnetic induction roller coaster, Powerful start system.

6. Superman: Escape From Krypton — Six Flags Magic Mountain, California

This ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain is all about Superman, the “Man of Steel.” It’s special because it’s the only coaster in the world where you go backwards really fast. It speeds up to 100 mph and takes you up a 415-foot tower. Then, you drop back down in just seven seconds. It’s one of the fastest roller coasters in the world, giving you a huge thrill.

• Ride: Superman: Escape From Krypton
• Speed: 100 mph
• Height: 415 feet
• Location: Six Flags Magic Mountain, California
• Launcher: Magnetic induction shuttle coaster, Shoots you backwards.

7. Millennium Force — Cedar Point, Ohio

Millennium Force, found in Cedar Point, known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” was the first ever giga coaster when it opened in 2000. It set five world records and is still one of the fastest roller coasters in the world, with a top speed of 93 mph.

• Speed: 93 mph.
• Height: 310 feet.
• Distance: 6,595 feet.
• Location: Cedar Point, Ohio, USA.
• Launcher: Out and back giga coaster, Cable lift system.

8. Intimidator 305 — Kings Dominion, Virginia

The Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion is a big roller coaster that honors racing star Dale Earnhardt. It has a long track of 5,000 feet, with three sharp turns and six spots that make you feel like you’re floating. Going super fast at 90 mph, it’s one of the fastest roller coasters in the world and is really thrilling, not for those who scare easily.

• Speed: 90 mph.
• Height: 305 feet.
• Distance: 5,100 feet.
• Location: Kings Dominion, Virginia, USA.
• Launcher: Out and back giga coaster, uses chain lift.

9. Fury 325 — Carowinds, North Carolina

Fury 325 is the longest steel roller coaster in the U.S. and is at Carowinds in Charlotte. It’s designed to look like a hornet and is one of the fastest roller coasters in the world. This big coaster can go as fast as 95 mph. It has a huge drop of 325 feet, called the “hive dive,” that makes riders feel both scared and excited at the same time.

• Speed: 95 mph.
• Height: 325 feet.
• Distance: 6,602 feet.
• Location: Carowinds, NC/SC border.
• Launcher: Out and back giga coaster, uses a hill.

10. Steel Dragon 2000 — Nagashima Resort, Japan

Named after the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Dragon, Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Resort holds the record as the world’s longest roller coaster, stretching across 8,133 feet. With a maximum speed of 95 mph, it’s a must-try for adventure seekers.

• Speed: 95 mph.
• Height: 318 feet.
• Distance: 8,133 feet.
• Location: Nagashima Spa Land in Japan.
• Launcher: It doesn’t use a launcher; instead, it climbs a traditional hill to start.

11. Steel Vengeance — Cedar Point, Ohio

Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point is a special kind of roller coaster called a hybrid because it’s made of both wood and steel. It’s the longest hybrid coaster in the world. When it opened in 2018, it was so fast and cool that it set 10 world records. With speeds of 74 mph, it’s one of the fastest roller coasters in the world and is still one of the best steel roller coasters you can ride.

• Speed: 74 miles per hour.
• Height: I205 feet tall.
• Distance: 5,740 feet long.
• Location: Cedar Point in Ohio, USA.
• Launcher: It doesn’t use a launcher; it’s a traditional lift hill coaster.

12. Leviathan — Canada’s Wonderland, Canada

Leviathan, at Canada’s Wonderland, is a huge steel roller coaster that’s really fast and tall. Leviathan is the biggest and quickest roller coaster in Canada. It zooms along a 306-foot track at 92 mph. Named after a giant sea monster, this steel giga coaster has big twists and drops that make you hold on tight. It’s one of the fastest roller coasters in the world, giving everyone who rides it a thrilling experience.

• Speed: 148 km/h (92 mph).
• Height: 93 meters (306 feet) tall.
• Distance: 1,672 meters (5,486 feet) long.
• Location: Canada’s Wonderland in Ontario, Canada.
• Launcher: It doesn’t use a launcher; instead, it has a traditional chain lift to get to the top.

13. Goliath — Six Flags Great America, Illinois

Goliath is a huge wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great America. It’s really tall, at 165 feet, and has a big drop of 180 feet going into a tunnel underground at 72 mph. This makes it one of the fastest wooden coasters and puts it on the list of fastest roller coasters in the world. Riding it is sure to give you a big thrill.

• Speed: Up to 85 mph
• Height: Over 200 feet
• Distance: Long track
• Location: Various parks worldwide
• Launcher: Chain lifts or launch systems (varies)

14. Yukon Striker — Canada’s Wonderland, Canada

Get ready for the Yukon Striker at Canada’s Wonderland. It’s a super tall and super quick dive coaster. You’ll drop 245 feet at 80 mph into a tunnel under water. It’s the biggest, longest, and quickest dive coaster on the planet, making it one of the fastest roller coasters in the world. This ride is sure to give you a thrilling adventure from start to finish.

• Speed: 130 km/h (80 mph).
• Height: 75 meters (245 feet).
• Distance: 1,105 meters (3,625 feet).
• Location: Canada’s Wonderland, in Ontario, Canada.
• Launcher: It doesn’t use a traditional launcher; instead, it has a dive coaster design that includes a vertical drop.

15. Orion — Kings Island, Ohio

Orion, soaring over Kings Island since 2020, is a steel roller coaster designed to “break the scream barrier” with its 5,321 feet of track. As one of the fastest roller coasters in the world, the giga coaster boasts a 300-foot drop, reaching a thrilling speed of 91 mph. This makes it the tallest, fastest, and longest steel coaster at Kings Island.

Orion is known for its big drops and fast ride, making it a favorite for thrill-seekers.

• Location: Kings Island, Ohio
• Speed: 91 miles per hour.
• Height: 287 feet.
• Distance: 5,321 feet.
• Launcher: It doesn’t use a traditional launcher but climbs a big hill to start the ride.

Conclusion 

We checked out the top 15 fastest roller coasters in the world are true engineering marvels, offering thrilling experiences that push the limits of speed and excitement. From the incredible heights of Kingda Ka to the blazing speeds of Formula Rossa, these roller coasters are must-visit attractions for thrill-seekers and adventure lovers. Each ride showcases the amazing possibilities of modern roller coaster design and technology.

Whether you’re a roller coaster enthusiast or just looking for an adrenaline rush, these fastest roller coasters promise unforgettable experiences. So, get ready to buckle up and enjoy the ride of a lifetime on some of the world’s most extreme roller coasters.

Top 15 Fastest Roller Coasters in the World – FAQs

Which roller coaster is the fastest in the world?

The Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in the United Arab Emirates holds the record as the fastest roller coaster, reaching a speed of 149 mph.

Where is the tallest roller coaster located?

Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is the tallest roller coaster globally, standing at a towering height of 456 feet.

What is unique about Superman: Escape From Krypton?

Superman: Escape From Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain, California, is the only reverse freefall coaster, where riders zoom backward at superhero speed.

Which coaster boasts the title of the longest steel roller coaster in the United States?

Fury 325 at Carowinds, North Carolina, is recognized as the longest steel roller coaster in the United States.

What records did Steel Vengeance break when it opened in 2018?

Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point, Ohio, broke 10 world records when it opened in 2018, making it an unmatched hybrid coaster.

What makes Top Thrill Dragster unique among roller coasters?

Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, Ohio, is a strata coaster, themed to Top Fuel drag racing, and is known for its incredible height of 420 feet and speed of 120 mph.

Which roller coaster is considered the giga coaster with the highest drop in Canada?

Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland, Canada, holds the title of the giga coaster with the highest drop, featuring a 306-foot plunge at 92 mph.