Top 15 Fastest Roller Coasters in the World

(By Carnee Rides — a professional amusement ride manufacturer with over 20 years of experience in coaster design, engineering, export, and installation.)

What Makes a Coaster “the Fastest”?

Speed alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Today’s record-breaking roller coasters combine cutting-edge launch systems, aerodynamic trains, and advanced restraint technology to safely deliver adrenaline at over 240 km/h (149 mph).

To make this list, we considered verified top speeds for operating rides as of October 2025, plus select under-construction and legacy record-holders that shaped coaster history.

🏁 List of Top 15 Fastest Roller Coasters in the World (2025)

Each coaster card below lists Speed / Height / Type / Location / Why It Matters for easy comparison.

1. Formula Rossa — United Arab Emirates (Operating)

• Speed: 149.1 mph (240 km/h)
• Height: 171 ft (52 m)
• Type: Hydraulic launch
• Location: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
• Why it matters: Still the world’s fastest operating coaster; riders must wear goggles to protect against desert sand. Pure F1-style power.

2. Top Thrill 2 — USA (Operating)

• Speed: 120 mph (193 km/h)
• Height: 420 ft (128 m)
• Type: Triple LSM launch (forward → backward → forward)
• Location: Cedar Point, Ohio
• Why it matters: Reintroduced in 2024, Top Thrill 2 now stands as the world’s tallest and America’s fastest roller coaster, thrilling riders with a dynamic three-stage LSM launch that rockets to 120 mph.

3. Red Force — Spain (Operating)

• Speed: 112 mph (180 km/h)
• Height: 367 ft (112 m)
• Type: Magnetic launch
• Location: Ferrari Land, PortAventura World
• Why it matters: Europe’s fastest coaster; five-second launch to 180 km/h with a spectacular “Top Hat” tower.

4. Steel Dragon 2000 — Japan (Operating)

• Speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
• Height: 318 ft (97 m)
• Type: Chain-lift hyper
• Location: Nagashima Spa Land
• Why it matters: Also the world’s longest steel roller coaster—engineered with extra steel to withstand earthquakes.

5. Fury 325 — USA (Operating)

• Speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
• Height: 325 ft (99 m)
• Type: Giga Coaster
• Location: Carowinds (NC/SC)
• Why it matters: Fury 325 at Carowinds is North America’s tallest and fastest giga coaster, soaring 325 feet with speeds approaching 100 mph — a perfect blend of power, precision, and elegance.

6. Millennium Force — USA (Operating)

• Speed: 93 mph (150 km/h)
• Height: 310 ft (94.5 m)
• Type: Cable-lift giga
• Location: Cedar Point, Ohio
• Why it matters: The first 300-ft full-circuit roller coaster ever built, Millennium Force defined the “giga” generation and continues to rank among the world’s best steel coasters year after year.

7. Leviathan — Canada (Operating)

• Speed: 92 mph (148 km/h)
• Height: 306 ft (93 m)
• Type: Giga Coaster
• Location: Canada’s Wonderland, Ontario
• Why it matters: Leviathan is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada, reaching 306 feet and speeds of up to 92 mph. It took over the national records previously held by Behemoth, located on the opposite side of Canada’s Wonderland. Smooth, fast, and beautifully balanced, it remains a fan favorite for its powerful yet graceful ride experience.

8. Orion roller coaster — USA (Operating)

• Speed: 91 mph (146 km/h)
• Height: 300 ft (87.5 m)
• Type: Giga Coaster
• Location: Kings Island, Ohio
• Why it matters: Orion is a high-speed steel giga coaster that drops riders from a staggering 300 feet, reaching speeds of up to 91 mph. Combining sustained airtime with impeccable pacing, it delivers moments of pure weightlessness and an ultra-smooth, modern thrill from start to finish.

9. Intimidator 305 — USA (Operating)

• Speed: 90 mph (145 km/h)
• Height: 305 ft (93 m)
• Type: Giga Coaster
• Location: Kings Dominion, Virginia
• Why it matters: Pantherian (originally known as Intimidator 305 and temporarily named Project 305 during the 2024 season) is a high-speed steel roller coaster located at Kings Dominion in Virginia. Named after NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, this coaster is renowned for its fierce G-forces, rapid transitions, and heart-pounding 305-foot drop — delivering one of the most intense ride experiences in North America.

10. Hyperion — Poland (Operating)

• Speed: 88 mph (142 km/h)
• Height: 253 ft (77 m)
• Type: Hyper Coaster
• Location: Energylandia, Zator
• Why it matters: Hyperion is a steel hyper coaster at Energylandia in Zator, Poland. Built by Intamin and opened on July 14, 2018, it took the title of Europe’s tallest and fastest hyper coaster from Shambhala. Standing 249 feet (76 m) with a 256-foot (78 m) drop, it features the tallest drop of any hyper coaster and the highest inversion in the world. A true European masterpiece—its 85° drop skimming over water delivers breathtaking visuals and pure adrenaline.

11. Goliath Roller Coaster — USA (Operating)

• Speed: 85 mph (137 km/h)
• Height: 235 ft (72 m)
• Type: Hyper Coaster
• Location: Six Flags Magic Mountain, California
• Why it matters: Real daredevils go for a ride on Goliath! It is the fastest, highest, and longest roller coaster in the Netherlands, reaching 104 km/h (65 mph). Endless G-forces and a signature mid-course dive make it an enduring fan favorite — a perfect blend of speed, airtime, and intensity.

12. Titan roller coaster — USA (Operating)

• Speed: 85 mph (137 km/h)
• Height: 245 ft (75 m)
• Type: Hyper Coaster
• Location: Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington
• Why it matters: The Titan is a modern hypercoaster — a new breed of oversized roller coaster featuring a 255-foot drop, a 540-degree spiral, and top speeds of 85 mph (137 km/h). Its Texas-sized helices and massive turns deliver long-lasting speed and nonstop adrenaline from start to finish.

13. Shambhala Roller Coaster— Spain (Operating)

• Speed: 83 mph (134 km/h)
• Height: 249 ft (76 m)
• Type: Hyper Coaster
• Location: PortAventura Park
• Why it matters: Known for “floating airtime hills,” it pairs perfectly with Red Force for a one-resort thrill combo.

14. Thunder Dolphin — Japan (Operating)

• Speed: 81 mph (130 km/h)
• Height: 262 ft (80 m)
• Type: Mega Coaster
• Location: Tokyo Dome City
• Why it matters: Threads through a building and a Ferris wheel—an urban engineering marvel.

15. Kingda Ka — USA (Legacy – Retired 2025)

• Speed: 128 mph (206 km/h)
• Height: 456 ft (139 m)
• Type: Hydraulic launch (strata)
• Location: Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey
• Why it matters: Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure is an Intamin strata coaster that opened in 2005. It once held the world records for both height and speed, standing 456 feet (139 m) tall and reaching 128 mph (206 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds. After nearly two decades of legendary service, this record-breaking giant was imploded in 2025, marking the end of an era in roller coaster history.

⚙️ Fastest Roller Coasters Speed Comparison Table

💡 Why These Coasters Are So Fast

• Hydraulic Launch Systems: Generate immense short-burst power; Formula Rossa accelerates from 0 to 149 mph in 4.9 seconds.
• LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) Launches: Used in Top Thrill 2 and Red Force for precise multi-pass magnetic acceleration.
• Aerodynamics & Safety: Low-drag train shells, advanced restraints, and mandatory eye protection (Formula Rossa) keep riders safe at extreme velocity.

🧭 Travel Ideas for Thrill-Seekers

• Europe Weekend Combo: Ride Red Force (180 km/h) and Shambhala (134 km/h) in one resort — PortAventura World, Spain.
• U.S. Speed Circuit: In Ohio, visit Cedar Point (Top Thrill 2 + Millennium Force) and Kings Island (Orion) within three hours drive.
• Middle East Adventure: Pair Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi with Dubai’s modern theme parks for a unique desert speed trip.

🏗️ For Park Investors & Operators

• Typical Budget Ranges:
  • 60–80 mph class ≈ US $20–35 million
  • 90–120 mph class ≈ US $35–70 million +
• Project Process: Concept → Feasibility → Vendor Selection → Engineering & Civil Works → Testing → Operation.
• Carnee Rides Services: Concept amusement park layout, vendor coordination, export logistics, installation & commissioning. We offer custom-built roller coasters for sale to fit your site and market goals.

“Speed is only half the story. Smart pacing and safe engineering turn a fast machine into a timeless attraction.”

📚 FAQ — People Also Ask

✅ Summary & Takeaway

From the deserts of Abu Dhabi to the plains of Ohio, the race for speed continues. Modern engineering has made what once seemed impossible a daily reality for thrill-seekers worldwide.
And as a reliable roller coaster manufacturer in China with two decades of experience, Carnee Rides remains committed to building safe, innovative, and unforgettable

Learn more: Top 15 Tallest Roller Coasters in The World, Top 10 Roller Coaster Manufacturers