This sentence can mean what Stacy said above if taken literally, but as an idiom it means that life has been difficult or eventful up to that point. "It's been one hell of a ride" is something that you might say to a close friend with whom you experienced many hardships or did many crazy things. It has a nostalgic undertone.

This means that the ride ( trip/drive) was nightmarish/creepy/terrible Hope it will help!