Late at night along Oregon's Highway 101, drivers have shared the same story for generations. A lone figure wrapped in bandages appears beside the road, sometimes walking through the fog, sometimes standing silently near the shoulder, and occasionally seeming to follow passing cars. The details vary from one telling to the next, but the legend of Bandage Man has become one of Oregon's best-known roadside tales.

In this episode of The Midnight Drive, we trace the origins of Bandage Man while exploring a much older tradition: the stories people tell on lonely roads after dark. Along the way, we visit Highway 101, compare roadside legends from around the world, and consider why certain stretches of pavement seem to collect stories that travelers continue sharing for decades.

Some roads are remembered for where they lead.

O ...