Blue Streak isn’t the tallest or fastest ride at Cedar Point, but it’s the one that’s been running the longest. Opened in 1964, this wooden out-and-back coaster has outlasted rides built decades after it and remains a rite of passage for anyone visiting the Sandusky, Ohio park.
Here’s everything you need to know before you ride: how tall you need to be, what the ride actually feels like, how it got its name, and how a 60-year-old wooden coaster earned landmark status from enthusiasts nationwide.
Quick Answer
Blue Streak is a classic wooden out-and-back roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. It opened May 23, 1964, stands 78 feet tall, reaches a top speed of about 40 mph, and requires a minimum height of 48 inches (122 cm) to ride. It’s the oldest roller coaster still operating at the park.
Height Requirement and Who Can Ride Blue Streak
Blue Streak has a 48-inch (122 cm) minimum height requirement, the same threshold used for many of Cedar Point’s family-oriented coasters. That makes it accessible to most riders who’ve graduated from the kiddie rides in Camp Snoopy, while still delivering real airtime over its hills.
Despite its traditional out-and-back layout and lack of inversions, Blue Streak carries a moderate thrill rating on Cedar Point’s own scale, a step up from pure family rides thanks to the rattling, high-speed feel that comes with 60-year-old wooden track. Enthusiasts generally consider it one of the smoother-riding classic woodies in the country, which makes it a good entry point for guests who are new to wooden coasters but not quite ready for Cedar Point’s steel giants.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio. Manufacturer: Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. Designers: John C. Allen and Frank F. Hoover. Opened: May 23, 1964. Height: 78 feet. First drop: 72 feet. Top speed: about 40 mph. Track length: 2,558 feet. Ride duration: about 1 minute 45 seconds. Trains: 2 trains of 4 cars each, seating 24 riders per train. Hourly capacity: roughly 1,400 riders. Minimum height: 48 inches (122 cm). Inversions: 0.
The Ride Experience
Blue Streak follows a traditional out-and-back layout, a hallmark of classic wooden coaster design from the mid-20th century. Riders climb a chain lift hill to 78 feet before descending a 72-foot first drop, reaching a top speed of about 40 mph as the train races along 2,558 feet of wooden track. The full circuit lasts about 1 minute and 45 seconds, delivering the kind of airtime and rattling, old-school energy that has kept fans returning for generations.
Unlike many modern steel coasters packed with inversions, Blue Streak relies on its classic profile, quick pacing, and the natural feel of wood-track construction to deliver its thrills, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who appreciate traditional coaster engineering. Front-row and back-row seats ride noticeably differently here, as is typical of wooden coasters: the front gives the clearest view of the drops, while the back amplifies the whip and airtime.
How Blue Streak Got Its Name and Its Place in Cedar Point History
Blue Streak is named after the athletic nickname of nearby Sandusky High School, the Blue Streaks. Its 1964 opening marked a turning point for Cedar Point, giving the park its first roller coaster in more than a decade following the removal of the old Cyclone, and helping set the stage for the park’s later transformation into a world-renowned coaster destination. The ride cost about $200,000 to build and was originally a natural-wood color before receiving its now-signature blue paint scheme in 1968.
In 2013, Blue Streak ranked 27th on Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards list of the world’s top wooden coasters, and in 2022, American Coaster Enthusiasts designated it the organization’s 46th Roller Coaster Landmark, recognizing its historical and cultural significance after nearly six decades of continuous operation.
One recent change worth noting: Cedar Point is now part of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation following its 2024 merger with the park’s former owner, Cedar Fair. Ride and park information that used to live on cedarpoint.com now redirects to the sixflags.com/cedarpoint domain, though the park’s name and operations at the gate remain unchanged.
Trains and Capacity: What to Expect in Line
Blue Streak runs two trains of four cars each, with riders seated two across in three rows per car for 24 riders per train, giving the ride a theoretical hourly capacity of around 1,400 riders. That’s lower than Cedar Point’s newest mega-coasters, so lines can build during midday peaks in summer, but Blue Streak’s simple load-and-go station generally keeps the queue moving.
Because it isn’t one of the park’s headline attractions, Blue Streak is a good choice to ride earlier or later in the day when crowds thin out, or as a lower-commitment ride to pair with bigger coasters nearby in the park’s classic coaster row.
Planning Your Visit
Cedar Point typically operates seasonally, opening in early May and running through late October or early November, with hours that expand to full-day summer schedules and contract to weekends-only in the shoulder months. General admission tickets, season passes, and resort packages are all sold through the park, with pricing tiers that vary by date and how far in advance you book.
Because hours, ticket prices, and seasonal calendars change year to year, check Cedar Point’s official site or the official Blue Streak ride page for the current operating calendar, admission pricing, and any ride closures before you visit.
Blue Streak Photo Archive: 2002–2005
These are original ThrillZing photos of Blue Streak taken at Cedar Point in 2002, 2003 and 2005, restored and upscaled from the original camera files. They show the 1964 wooden coaster’s light-blue structure, the station and a train cresting the lift. All photos are free to reuse under a CC BY 4.0 license with credit to ThrillZing and a link to this page.
July 2005
July 2003
May 2002
Build a working coaster on the kitchen table and learn why the first drop has to be the tallest. A good gift for young coaster fans.
Over 3,700 pieces, a real vertical loop and a working chain lift. Display it on a shelf in the coaster room.
Rub-on sunscreen that fits in a pocket — reapply in the queue without greasy hands on the lap bar.
Blue Streak roller coaster FAQs
When did Blue Streak open at Cedar Point?
Blue Streak opened to the public on May 23, 1964, and is the oldest roller coaster still operating at Cedar Point.
Who built and designed Blue Streak?
Blue Streak was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and designed by John C. Allen and Frank F. Hoover.
What is the height requirement for Blue Streak?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride Blue Streak.
How tall and fast is Blue Streak?
Blue Streak stands 78 feet tall with a 72-foot first drop and reaches a top speed of about 40 mph over 2,558 feet of track.
Is Blue Streak a good ride for kids and coaster beginners?
Yes. With a 48-inch height requirement, no inversions, and a smooth-for-its-age reputation among wooden coasters, Blue Streak is a common first “real” coaster for younger or less experienced riders at Cedar Point.
Why is it called Blue Streak?
The ride is named after the Blue Streaks, the athletic nickname of nearby Sandusky High School. It was originally a natural-wood color and received its signature blue paint in 1968.
How many trains does Blue Streak have?
Blue Streak operates two trains of four cars each, with 24 riders per train, giving it an hourly capacity of roughly 1,400 riders.
Has Blue Streak won any awards?
Yes. It ranked 27th on Amusement Today’s 2013 Golden Ticket Awards list of the world’s top wooden coasters and was named a Roller Coaster Landmark by American Coaster Enthusiasts in 2022.
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