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I read that St John roads are "windy" and "steep". Just what is that? I mean short steep stretches and winding up hillsides? Long , will-my-car-make-it-up hills? Continually driving with precipitous drops?
I'd rather not drive if every trip is a white knuckle adrenaline rush -- hey, its a vacation.
If you drive slowly and enjoy the view it is not white knuckle. Roads have step sections and sharp curves, but the drop offs aren't that bad.
Rent the car so you can see all the fantastic beaches. Biggest problem will be finding parking in Cruz Bay.
Jim
St. John is curvey and hilly - kind of a PSYCHO roller coaster ride.
I'm a little afraid of heights, but I had no problems. Most of the roads are well paved and in good shape.
Some of the hills are long, but anything but a very sick VW bug would make it up them. The road to Lameshur might be an exception. What you have to watch for is RAIN. I'm from Seattle, so I'm used to driving in rain - in fact it's raining right now and I've got to go drive.
On the drive from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay on the centerline road I got sick and tired of putting the foot on the gas, move to the brake to slow for the corner, turn, go 75 feet and repeat the entire process. My leg was tired. No exageration, there must be a thousand curves between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay.
But don't let the fact that the island is not suited to building straight highways deter you. It's the most beautiful driving in the world.
Well.....Cruz Bay to Coral Bay is across the entire island and over a mountain. Instead of taking Centerline all the way, you couldve taken the northshore road up centerline road and then coral bay is not too far, just a small down hill ride. In fact, once you are at the top of bordeaux mountain if you take centerline the whole way, you shouldnt hit the gas at all(one person told me they ran out of gas at the top and made it all the way into coral bay for gas).
Island driving is a little to take in. Just drive at your pace in a nice four wheel drive vehicle and be careful and it should be ok. Its not like you are offroading or anything. The British VI are much more steep in my opinion.
I have to agree with this last comment.
St John roads are steep and winding but most people respect that and drive accordingly. Just watch out for the big dump trucks and cement trucks and give them all the room you can.
Go slow, enjoy the views and you should have no problem and be able to enjoy the stories you can tell when you get back home.
No BVI - that's another story. These roads scare me.They do seem to have more sharp drop offs, tons more traffic and people drive as fast as they can. Just getting from the airport to Roadtown is an adventure.
Yes the road here are winding and have sharp curves - but not constantly.
Also it is difficult to drive over 20 miles per hour and that is pushing it- if you use your horn before a big curve to warn that you are coming that helps also. Don't be afraid to get out and see the island. This is one island that you really want to do that. The north shore road is beautiful to see all of the National Park Beaches. have fun and come visit us, Mary.
