In the relentless pursuit of adrenaline, theme park engineers across the globe are locked in a perpetual battle for speed supremacy. Roller coasters, the titans of amusement parks, are constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of physics and human endurance. For thrill-seekers, the primary metric of a coaster’s intensity is often its velocity. As of 2025, a new hierarchy of speed has been established, with several machines reaching velocities that were once thought impossible. This report details the five fastest roller coasters currently operating worldwide, providing a definitive guide for those who wish to experience the pinnacle of coaster engineering.
Ranking the World’s Fastest Coasters
The quest for the title of “world’s fastest roller coaster” is a dynamic and fiercely competitive field within the amusement industry. While many coasters boast impressive speeds, an elite few have achieved legendary status by breaking and setting new world records. The following list represents the current top five, a collection of steel giants that redefine the meaning of speed.
Formula Rossa
Top Speed: 149.1 mph (240 km/h)
Location: Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Holding the coveted title of the world’s fastest roller coaster is Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. This engineering marvel utilizes a hydraulic launch system, similar to that used on aircraft carriers, to catapult riders from 0 to its staggering top speed in a mere 4.9 seconds. The ride is so intense that passengers are required to wear protective goggles to shield their eyes from the desert’s airborne particles. The track is inspired by the legendary Italian racetrack, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, and spans over 1.2 miles, subjecting riders to a G-force of up to 4.8. Formula Rossa’s reign as the fastest has been uninterrupted since its debut in 2010, making it a true icon in the world of extreme rides.
Kingda Ka
Top Speed: 128 mph (206 km/h)
Location: Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey, USA
Until its closure in late 2024, Kingda Ka was the undisputed king of speed in the United States and the second-fastest in the world. This strata coaster, a term for coasters exceeding a height of 400 feet, used a powerful hydraulic launch to propel its trains to 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds. Kingda Ka’s signature feature was its towering 456-foot-tall top hat element, which it ascended and descended at a 90-degree angle. Following its abrupt closure, the iconic tower was demolished in early 2025 to make way for a new attraction.
Top Thrill 2
Top Speed: 120 mph (193 km/h)
Location: Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
Originally opened as Top Thrill Dragster in 2003, this coaster has been reimagined and reopened in 2024 as Top Thrill 2. While the original held the title of the world’s tallest and fastest coaster upon its debut, the new iteration offers a different, yet equally thrilling experience. Top Thrill 2 features a new triple-launch system utilizing linear synchronous motors (LSM). The ride includes a forward launch at 74 mph, a backward launch at 101 mph up a new 420-foot vertical spike, and a final forward launch that reaches the ride’s top speed of 120 mph before cresting the original 420-foot top hat. This innovative design makes it the world’s tallest and fastest triple-launch strata coaster.
Red Force
Top Speed: 112 mph (180 km/h)
Location: Ferrari Land, Salou, Spain
Europe’s fastest and tallest roller coaster, Red Force, is another creation from the minds at Ferrari. Located at Ferrari Land in PortAventura World, this ride accelerates from 0 to 112 mph in just five seconds using a magnetic launch system. The ride experience is short but incredibly intense, launching riders up and over a 367-foot-tall top hat before returning to the station. Red Force provides a G-force of 1.35, giving riders a taste of the acceleration experienced by a Formula One driver.
Superman: Escape from Krypton
Top Speed: 100 mph (161 km/h)
Location: Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, USA
A long-standing veteran in the world of speed, Superman: Escape from Krypton has been thrilling riders since 1997. It was one of the first roller coasters to reach the 100 mph milestone. The ride features a unique shuttle coaster design with parallel tracks. Using a powerful Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) launch, the trains accelerate to 100 mph in approximately 7 seconds, sending riders straight up a 415-foot tower. After a moment of weightlessness at the peak, the train plummets back down, returning to the station in reverse. For the 2011 season, the ride was updated to feature trains that launch backward, providing a new and terrifying experience. It was announced in March 2025 that the ride would not reopen.
The Future of Speed
While these five coasters currently represent the pinnacle of roller coaster velocity, the industry is constantly pushing forward. A notable upcoming attraction is Falcon’s Flight, slated to open at Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia in 2025. This coaster is projected to shatter existing records, with an anticipated top speed of over 155 mph and a height of 640 feet. As technology continues to advance, it is certain that the quest for speed will lead to even more breathtaking and innovative rides in the years to come.
Here is a summary of the top 5 fastest roller coasters:
| Rank | Coaster | Park | Country | Top Speed (mph) |
| 1 | Formula Rossa | Ferrari World | UAE | 149.1 |
| 2 | Kingda Ka (Closed) | Six Flags Great Adventure | USA | 128 |
| 3 | Top Thrill 2 | Cedar Point | USA | 120 |
| 4 | Red Force | Ferrari Land | Spain | 112 |
| 5 | Superman: Escape from Krypton (Closed) | Six Flags Magic Mountain | USA | 100 |