Maverick doesn’t look like much on paper. At 105 feet, it’s dwarfed by nearly every other major coaster at Cedar Point — yet ask enthusiasts to rank the park’s best rides and Maverick almost always lands near the top, often ahead of coasters twice its height.
That gap between modest stats and outsized intensity is the whole story of this ride. Below is everything you need on Maverick’s height, drop, speed, g-forces, trains, and height requirement, plus practical tips for riding it and a full FAQ.
Quick Answer
Maverick stands 105 feet (32 m) tall, with a 100-foot drop plunging riders down at a beyond-vertical 95-degree angle and a top speed of 70 mph. Riders must be between 52 and 78 inches tall, and the ride uses two LSM launches plus a twisted horseshoe roll for its two inversions.
How Tall Is Maverick at Cedar Point?
Maverick’s lift hill and overall structure reach 105 feet (about 32 meters) — roughly the height of a 9- or 10-story building. That figure covers the full climb of the initial LSM launch section, which is the tallest point on the ride’s layout.
The 105-foot height is deceptive, though. From that peak, Maverick doesn’t simply fall — it tips riders over a 100-foot drop angled at 95 degrees, meaning the track actually leans past straight-down before leveling out. Combined with a top speed of 70 mph, that steep, low, whip-fast profile is why Maverick feels far more intense than its modest stats suggest.
For context, 105 feet makes Maverick one of the shorter coasters at Cedar Point — well below giants like Top Thrill 2 (420 feet), Millennium Force (310 feet), Valravn (223 feet), Steel Vengeance and Magnum XL-200 (around 205 feet each), and GateKeeper (170 feet). Only a handful of Cedar Point’s coasters, such as Raptor (137 feet) and Gemini (125 feet), come closer to Maverick’s height. That gap is part of Maverick’s reputation: it proves a coaster doesn’t need extreme height to deliver an extreme ride.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio. Manufacturer: Intamin. Opened: May 26, 2007. Height: 105 ft (32 m). Drop: 100 ft (30 m) at 95°. Top Speed: 70 mph (113 km/h), reached in about 3 seconds off the second launch. Length: 4,450 ft (1,360 m). Duration: about 2 minutes 30 seconds. Inversions: 2 (twisted horseshoe roll). Launches: 2 (LSM). Trains: 6, with 3 cars each. Capacity: 12 riders per train, 2 across in 2 rows per car. Minimum height to ride: 52 inches; maximum height: 78 inches.
How Strong Are Maverick’s G-Forces?
Cedar Point doesn’t publish an official maximum g-force figure for Maverick, but riders and coaster enthusiasts consistently describe it as one of the most forceful rides in the park relative to its size. The 95-degree first drop delivers a strong burst of ejector-style airtime right out of the gate, the low-to-the-ground transitions between elements pile on lateral forces in quick succession, and the twisted horseshoe roll stacks its two corkscrews back-to-back with almost no breathing room between them.
It’s worth knowing that Maverick’s original heartline roll element was scrapped during pre-opening testing because it produced excessive g-forces, and Intamin swapped in the S-curve transition that riders experience today. That history is a good reminder that even the version that made it to the public was tuned specifically to sit right at the edge of comfortable intensity — which is exactly why the ride has such a reputation for punching above its height.
Trains, Seating & Capacity
Maverick runs six three-car trains, each seating 12 riders — 2 across in 2 rows per car — which keeps the line moving briskly even during Cedar Point’s busiest summer days. The trains use a hydraulic over-the-shoulder harness paired with an interlocking lap belt; the original hard restraints were swapped for a softer, more form-fitting vest-style design in 2015 to improve rider comfort without changing the ride’s intensity.
Seat placement matters more on Maverick than on most coasters. The front row gives the clearest view into the 95-degree drop and the tunnel ahead, while the back seats amplify the whip-crack feeling through the twisted horseshoe roll and the low-to-the-ground turns, since the rear of the train follows a slightly wider, faster arc through each transition.
The Ride Experience
Maverick begins with a 105-foot LSM lift hill before plunging riders down a 100-foot drop angled at a stomach-dropping 95 degrees — technically beyond vertical. The first launch accelerates the train through a twisting, low-to-the-ground layout packed with aggressive transitions, before a second hidden launch inside a 400-foot tunnel sends riders screaming into the signature twisted horseshoe roll: back-to-back 360-degree corkscrews executed in rapid succession.
The entire run clocks in at around two and a half minutes of near-constant intensity. It’s a pacing style that’s unusual for Cedar Point, which is better known for out-and-back giants — Maverick instead crams its thrills into a compact, twisting footprint with barely a lull between elements.
Height Requirement: Who Can Ride Maverick?
Riders must be between 52 and 78 inches tall to ride Maverick — both a minimum and a maximum, which is unusual among Cedar Point coasters and reflects how the shoulder restraints are sized for the ride’s aggressive forces. Guests near the upper height limit should expect a snugger fit than on Cedar Point’s larger hypercoasters, and it’s worth having taller riders test the restraint at the entrance if there’s any doubt, since Maverick’s team enforces the 78-inch cap strictly for safety.
Wait Times, Fast Lane & Tips for Riding Maverick
Maverick is consistently one of the most popular rides at Cedar Point, and standard Fast Lane doesn’t grant line-jumping access to it — it’s grouped with a small set of top-tier rides (alongside Steel Vengeance and Top Thrill 2) that require the premium Fast Lane Plus pass instead. Cedar Point doesn’t operate a dedicated single-rider queue, but ride attendants frequently pull solo guests forward to fill odd seats, so it’s worth asking at the entrance if you’re riding alone.
Because the six-train operation keeps the line moving quickly, waits tend to drop fastest in the first hour after opening and again in the last hour or two before close. Current park hours, ticket pricing, and any temporary closures are best confirmed directly through the official Cedar Point site, since seasonal schedules and pass options change throughout the year.
Legacy and Acclaim
Maverick demonstrated that thrill does not require record-breaking height. By prioritizing speed, aggression, and innovative elements over sheer size, it offered a counterpoint to Cedar Point’s many mega-coasters and quickly developed a devoted following. Enthusiasts frequently rank it among the best steel coasters in the world, crediting its relentless pacing and the visceral punch of its dual launches.
The coaster also marked an important milestone for designer Werner Stengel, whose 500th design it was — a career achievement celebrated across the amusement industry. Today, Maverick remains one of Cedar Point’s most consistently popular attractions, with long queues a routine feature throughout the operating season. For current height-check details and ride status before you visit, check the official Maverick ride page.
Maverick roller coaster stats FAQs
How tall is Maverick at Cedar Point?
Maverick’s lift hill stands 105 feet (32 meters) tall, making it one of the shorter coasters at Cedar Point despite its intense reputation.
How does Maverick’s height compare to other Cedar Point coasters?
At 105 feet, Maverick is much shorter than Cedar Point giants like Top Thrill 2 (420 feet) and Millennium Force (310 feet), but it makes up for its modest height with a beyond-vertical drop and two high-speed launches.
How tall do you have to be to ride Maverick at Cedar Point?
Riders must be between 52 and 78 inches tall to ride Maverick — it has both a minimum and a maximum height requirement.
How many launches does Maverick have?
Maverick features two separate LSM (linear synchronous motor) launches — one near the start of the ride and a second inside a darkened 400-foot tunnel mid-course that reaches 70 mph in about 3 seconds.
What is the twisted horseshoe roll on Maverick?
The twisted horseshoe roll is a unique inversion element — first debuted on Maverick in 2007 — consisting of two back-to-back 360-degree corkscrews connected by a curved transition, accounting for both of the ride’s inversions.
Does Maverick have strong g-forces?
Yes. Cedar Point doesn’t publish an official figure, but the steep drop, tight low-to-the-ground transitions, and rapid-fire corkscrews give Maverick some of the sharpest, most sustained forces of any coaster its size in the park.
Does Fast Lane work on Maverick?
Standard Fast Lane does not grant access to Maverick. It’s one of a handful of top-tier Cedar Point rides that require the premium Fast Lane Plus pass.
Is the front row or back row better on Maverick?
The front row offers the clearest view of the 95-degree drop and the tunnel ahead, while the back row amplifies the whip effect through the twisted horseshoe roll and low turns.
Get More from Maverick roller coaster stats
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Maverick roller coaster stats, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Want the day’s theme park news in your inbox? Subscribe to ThrillZing Daily — free.