The allure of the open road in the United States is undeniable. From coast to coast, a network of highways beckons, promising adventure and discovery. For those of us captivated by the rumble of an engine and the feel of asphalt beneath the tires, there’s no better way to experience this vast country than from behind the wheel of a truly special machine. And when it comes to machines that command attention and deliver thrills, the Widebody Challenger stands in a league of its own.
My annual cross-country pilgrimage is more than just a drive; it’s a reset for the soul. This year’s journey was undertaken in a breathtaking Dodge Challenger SRT® Hellcat Widebody, a White Knuckle beauty equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and a luxurious brown leather interior. This wasn’t just transportation; it was an experience waiting to unfold.
Alt text: Front view of a White Knuckle Dodge Challenger Widebody Hellcat parked on a scenic road, highlighting its aggressive widebody stance.
The widebody challenger is not just visually striking; it’s a magnet for reactions. Having previously driven a Viper ACR Extreme Aero, I’m familiar with cars that turn heads. But the Hellcat Widebody took it to another level. Everywhere we went, people stopped to stare, their faces reflecting a mixture of awe and admiration for the aggressively styled Challenger. My friend Darla aptly observed, “You love driving cars that get a reaction, don’t you?” It’s not about vanity; it’s about the joy of sharing something that evokes a positive response, a smile, a moment of excitement in someone’s day. Life is simply too short for mundane vehicles.
And it’s certainly too short for monotonous routes. Our adventure took us along the Million Dollar Highway in western Colorado, a serpentine road carved into the Rocky Mountains. Originally a narrow path for ore transport in the 1880s, it remains a thrilling, and somewhat perilous, drive. Elevations reach 11,000 feet, and the road winds through stunning valleys and peaks, demanding focus and rewarding with breathtaking vistas. For years, I’d dreamt of driving this route, and finally, the weather and timing aligned perfectly. The widebody challenger, with its responsive handling, was in its element as we navigated the twists and turns under a brilliant sun. Darla was captivated by the scenery, while I was focused on keeping the Hellcat on the narrow road, mindful of the absence of guardrails. Perhaps a bit too focused on the thrill, as a San Juan County Sheriff’s deputy politely reminded me about enjoying the scenery at slightly less than full throttle. After a photo stop, the Hellcat’s rapid acceleration proved a bit enthusiastic for the officer waiting around the bend. He was good-natured, even agreeing to a selfie, but his point was clear: respect the power within the beautiful mountains.
Alt text: Side profile of a Dodge Challenger Widebody Hellcat on the Million Dollar Highway, emphasizing its wide fenders and performance tires in a mountain road setting.
“Officer, is there a reason you pulled me over?” is a phrase that becomes familiar when piloting anything bearing the SRT badge. While I might occasionally exceed the speed limit by a hair, my single ticket in numerous cross-country trips in Challengers and Vipers suggests a different motivation from law enforcement. My theory? They simply want to admire the cars. This trip included three stops, one even while cruise control was set to the limit. But I digress.
The next day led to an unexpected incarceration, albeit in a rather unusual jail – Bedrock City! Venturing through Colorado and into Arizona, we stumbled upon this quirky, semi-abandoned amusement park themed around The Flintstones. A nostalgic trip back to our childhoods, when television was boxy and channels were few. The park, a charming roadside attraction, featured huts, buggies, and familiar characters like Fred and Barney. It’s these offbeat discoveries that make road trips so rewarding, the kind of thing you only find when you deviate from the interstate. Darla’s adventure on the Dino-slide alone made the detour worthwhile – a moment thankfully captured on video, but for my eyes only!
Alt text: A Dodge Challenger Widebody parked in front of a Flintstones-themed building in Bedrock City, showcasing the car in a whimsical roadside attraction setting.
However, the lighthearted moments took a turn later that day. Driving through the western mountains after sunset, en route to Navajo Nation, the unthinkable happened. A colossal jackrabbit, seemingly of mythical proportions, darted into the road. Reacting instinctively, and confident in the widebody challenger’s handling and wide Pirelli P-Zero 305mm tires, I swerved to avoid a direct collision. We were alone on the road, and the car responded beautifully. I steered right, narrowly missing the creature veering towards the front fender. Disaster averted, or so I thought. Then came a sickening “Booomphh” from the rear. The rabbit, in its panic, had leaped into the side of the car. Darla gasped. We were both stunned. “What… how… was that a rabbit? Did you see how big it was?!” It was genuinely larger than our pitbull. Perhaps a mutated desert monster bunny? Whatever it was, its earthly journey ended abruptly. Morning revealed the grim aftermath – fur embedded in the rear fender flare and… other evidence. A car wash became an immediate priority. Guilt mixed with a strange sense of having potentially saved humanity from a giant, carnivorous rabbit.
Our journey continued to another iconic destination: the Grand Canyon, a place we had inexplicably never visited. The widebody challenger, purring quietly, carried us into the National Park before dawn. Witnessing the sunrise over the Grand Canyon is an experience beyond words or photographs. As darkness yielded to light, painting the canyon walls in vibrant hues, we sat in awe. It’s a truly awe-inspiring, emotional spectacle. The sun-kissed rocks and vast valleys carved by rivers left us speechless.
Next stop: the dazzling lights of Vegas and the adventures beyond, all experienced from the driver’s seat of the remarkable widebody challenger.
