Maverick opened at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio on May 26, 2007, replacing the beloved water ride White Water Landing in the park’s Frontier Town section. Built by Swiss manufacturer Intamin and engineered by Werner Stengel — for whom it was his 500th coaster design — Maverick carried a $21 million price tag and instantly set itself apart as one of the most technically ambitious rides Cedar Point had ever built.
Despite standing just 105 feet tall, Maverick packed in a beyond-vertical 95-degree drop, dual linear synchronous motor (LSM) launches, and a first-of-its-kind twisted horseshoe roll inversion. It won the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride in 2007 and earned widespread praise for delivering an intense, relentless ride experience that punched well above its modest height.
Quick Answer
Maverick stands 105 feet (32 meters) tall at its lift hill, with a 100-foot drop plunging riders down at a beyond-vertical 95-degree angle.
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 includes the full climb of the initial LSM launch/lift 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). Length: 4,450 ft (1,360 m). Duration: about 2 minutes 30 seconds. Inversions: 2. Launches: 2 (LSM). Minimum height to ride: 52 inches; maximum height: 78 inches.
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, delivered from six three-car trains that keep the line moving briskly even on busy days.
One notable piece of history: during pre-opening testing, the original heartline roll element generated excessive g-forces and was replaced with an S-curve before the ride debuted. The change was never publicized at the time but later became a well-known piece of coaster lore among enthusiasts, highlighting how seriously Intamin and Cedar Point took rider safety in the design process.
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 park hours, ride closures, and height-check details before you visit, check the official Cedar Point Maverick page.
Maverick height and 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.
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.
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.
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