8 Haunted Virginia Roads You’ll Regret Driving On This Winter
Virginia’s winding backroads carry more than just history – they hold legends of restless spirits and unexplained encounters that have spooked travelers for generations.
Winter adds an extra layer of eeriness when fog rolls in, temperatures drop, and darkness arrives early, making these already unsettling routes feel even more mysterious.
From phantom brides to Revolutionary War soldiers, the Commonwealth’s haunted roads offer chilling tales that blur the line between folklore and reality.
Whether you’re a believer in the paranormal or just curious about local legends, these eleven roads have earned their spine-tingling reputations.
1. Elbow Road
Sharp curves and pitch-black nights make this stretch one of the most nerve-wracking drives along the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake border.
Located near the boundary line between Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Elbow Road twists through rural darkness with barely any lighting to guide nervous drivers.
The road earned its name from the elbow-like bends that catch people off guard, especially when visibility drops during winter fog.
Local legend tells of a Lady in White who appears suddenly near the roadside, causing drivers to swerve and lose control.
Some say she’s responsible for the unusually high number of accidents that plague this route.
Witnesses describe seeing a pale figure in flowing white garments standing just beyond the guardrails, only to vanish when headlights sweep past.
Winter makes the experience more unsettling as icy conditions combine with the road’s already dangerous layout.
Driving here demands full attention and slow speeds, not just because of ghostly tales but because the sharp turns and narrow lanes create real hazards even without supernatural interference.
2. Crawford Road
Crybaby Bridge has become one of York County’s most whispered-about landmarks, drawing curious visitors and ghost hunters year after year.
Crawford Road in Yorktown winds through quiet countryside before crossing an old bridge where tragedy supposedly struck decades ago.
According to local lore, a bride died on her wedding night near this very spot, and her spirit has never found peace.
Travelers report hearing faint crying sounds echoing through the darkness, especially during cold winter nights when the wind carries strange noises across the water below.
Some claim to have seen a woman in a wedding dress standing near the bridge’s edge, her face twisted in sorrow.
The legend warns that if you stop your car on the bridge and listen carefully, you might hear phantom sobs or even see a ghostly figure approaching your vehicle.
Winter amplifies the creepiness factor as bare trees cast skeletal shadows and freezing temperatures keep most people indoors.
Whether the story holds truth or simply reflects generations of storytelling, Crawford Road maintains its reputation as a place best avoided after sunset.
3. Colonial Parkway
Beauty and darkness coexist along this famous route that connects three of Virginia’s most historic colonial settlements.
The Colonial Parkway stretches between Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, offering stunning views by day but taking on a much different character after dark.
The parkway’s address runs along the Colonial National Historical Park in Williamsburg, VA 23185, weaving through dense forests and past the York River.
Phantom hitchhikers reportedly appear along certain sections, thumbing for rides before disappearing from moving vehicles without explanation.
The parkway also carries the weight of unsolved tragedies from the late 1980s, lending an extra layer of unease to nighttime drives.
Drivers describe seeing shadowy figures darting between trees or standing motionless alongside the road, vanishing when approached.
Winter’s early darkness means more people travel this route in dim conditions, increasing the likelihood of eerie encounters.
The combination of historical significance and unexplained phenomena makes Colonial Parkway both fascinating and unsettling, especially when fog rolls in from the river and visibility drops to just a few feet ahead.
4. Colchester Overpass
Few legends in Virginia match the bizarre terror of the Bunnyman, whose story has haunted Colchester Road for over fifty years.
The Colchester Overpass sits along Colchester Road in Clifton, Virginia, hidden beneath tree cover and railroad tracks.
Local folklore claims an escaped mental patient wearing a rabbit costume terrorized residents during the 1970s, attacking people with an axe near this very bridge.
Reports include sightings of a figure in a tattered bunny suit lurking under the overpass, particularly around Halloween when thrill-seekers flock to the site.
Strange noises, unexplained scratching sounds, and the feeling of being watched have been described by those brave enough to visit after dark.
Some versions of the tale suggest the Bunnyman hanged victims from the bridge, while others claim he simply threatened trespassers.
Winter nights bring fewer visitors, but those who do venture here report an overwhelming sense of dread and the urge to leave immediately.
Whether rooted in actual events or pure urban legend, the Bunnyman Bridge remains one of Virginia’s most infamous haunted locations, drawing equal parts fascination and fear from locals and outsiders alike.
5. Ball’s Bluff Road NE
Civil War echoes refuse to fade along this Leesburg road where battle once raged and soldiers fell by the hundreds.
Ball’s Bluff Road NE in Leesburg, Virginia, passes directly beside the Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park.
The October 1861 battle here resulted in a devastating Union defeat with heavy casualties that left the area scarred by tragedy.
Drivers report hearing phantom drumbeats echoing through the night, keeping time to a march that ended over 150 years ago.
The distinct smell of gunpowder smoke occasionally fills vehicles with no visible source, lingering for several seconds before dissipating completely.
Apparitions of soldiers in full uniform have been seen marching in formation alongside the road, their faces grim and determined as if still heading toward battle.
The sounds of shouted commands and musket fire sometimes pierce the silence, causing startled drivers to pull over and investigate.
Winter’s cold amplifies the battlefield’s somber atmosphere, and early darkness means more people travel this route when paranormal activity peaks.
The combination of historical tragedy and persistent supernatural phenomena makes Ball’s Bluff Road a place where past and present collide in deeply unsettling ways that remind visitors how deeply war wounds the land.
6. Man’s Curve
A protective spirit or a harbinger of doom – opinions differ about the young man who appears at this notorious bend.
Man’s Curve sits along Chrisman Mill Road in Christiansburg near Blacksburg, Virginia, where the road takes a sharp turn that has claimed numerous lives over the decades.
The curve’s reputation for accidents has spawned legends of a ghostly guardian trying to prevent further tragedies.
Motorists describe seeing a young man in casual clothing frantically waving his arms and pointing toward the dangerous curve ahead, as if warning them to slow down.
When drivers reduce speed and look back, the figure has completely vanished without a trace.
Some believe he died in an accident here and now tries to save others from the same fate.
Others think his appearance actually causes accidents by distracting drivers at a critical moment when full attention is essential.
Winter ice makes this curve even more treacherous, and the combination of weather hazards plus potential supernatural distractions creates a genuinely dangerous situation.
Whether the young man is real or imagined, the curve itself poses enough risk to warrant extreme caution, especially when road conditions deteriorate and reaction time becomes the difference between safe passage and disaster on this unforgiving stretch of highway.
7. Route 29 Near Charlottesville
Heavy traffic and historical significance combine on this major route where phantom vehicles have been reported for years.
Route 29 runs through Charlottesville, Virginia, serving as a major north-south corridor near the historic downtown area around 401 E Water St, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Despite being well-traveled and thoroughly modern, certain sections have accumulated reports of vintage cars appearing briefly before vanishing.
Witnesses describe seeing old-fashioned automobiles from the 1940s or 1950s suddenly pulling onto the highway, only to disappear when other vehicles approach.
The phantom cars maintain consistent speed and appear solid and real until they blink out of existence without warning.
Some researchers suggest the sightings relate to fatal accidents from decades past, with victims replaying their final journeys over and over.
The road’s proximity to numerous Civil War sites and colonial landmarks adds historical weight to the area’s supernatural reputation.
Winter weather increases accident risk on any busy highway, and the added distraction of ghostly vehicles makes Route 29 particularly hazardous during harsh conditions.
Drivers must stay focused on real traffic while navigating reports of phantom encounters that could cause dangerous overreactions or divided attention at precisely the wrong moment when safe driving demands complete concentration and quick reflexes.
8. Route 60 Near Buena Vista
Mountain passes hold their own brand of eeriness, especially when phantom hitchhikers appear along isolated stretches.
Route 60 winds through the mountains near Buena Vista, Virginia, cutting through the Blue Ridge region around 2039 Magnolia Ave, Buena Vista, VA 24416.
The road’s elevation changes and tight curves make winter driving challenging even without supernatural complications.
Travelers report picking up hitchhikers who provide specific directions and engage in normal conversation before vanishing from the backseat without opening doors or making any sound.
The encounters feel completely real until the impossible disappearance proves otherwise.
Some versions of the legend describe a young woman in outdated clothing who asks for rides to addresses that no longer exist or have been abandoned for decades.
Others mention an elderly man who warns of dangerous road conditions ahead before evaporating into thin air.
Mountain weather can turn deadly in winter, with sudden snowstorms and ice making roads impassable within minutes.
The combination of treacherous conditions and distracted driving caused by phantom passengers creates serious danger on Route 60, where help may be miles away and cell service spotty at best, leaving drivers vulnerable to both natural and supernatural hazards in equal measure.
