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The Atlas/Maryland/Backbone Mountain / Savage River Road (MD-135)

Backbone Mountain / Savage River Road (MD-135)

29 mi
Length
3
Verified stops
3,050 ft
High point
Scenic
Road type

Maryland Route 135 stretches 29 miles from Oakland (US-219) in Garrett County east to McCoole (US-220) in Allegany County, crossing Backbone Mountain via a summit scenic overlook at 2,969 feet — the highest point on any Maryland state highway. The road traverses Potomac-Garrett State Forest along the ridgeline and drops steeply into the Bloomington area where it bridges the Savage River. It is part of the Mountain Maryland Scenic Byway. The Savage River Road spur off MD-135 near Bloomington adds short but exceptional forested twisties following the river downstream. The technical eastbound descent off Backbone Mountain is the most demanding section.

// Mile by mile

What you'll hit along the way.

Rider-verified stops, overlooks, fuel, and the corners worth knowing about — in the order you'll meet them.

Mile 0.0

Keyser

A small West Virginia town at the route's starting point near the North Branch Potomac River.

Mile 5.0

Westernport

A historic mill town along the Potomac where the road begins climbing toward the Allegheny highlands.

Mile 20.0

Altamont

A quiet community near the route's upper elevations, close to Backbone Mountain, Maryland's highest point.

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