Farthest You Can See in Both Directions

[webny99]

I'm not looking for a specific answer here, more just looking for locations on the road where you can see very far in both directions.

I'll start with one of my favorites, in one of the most remote parts of the country: US 95 in southeastern Oregon

Oh, and I should add: bonus points for being able to see the road itself and not just land/sea/etc.

[kphoger]

Here?   

[kphoger]

Here? 

[interstatefan990]

Maybe here?

https://goo.gl/maps/zcdtHQQBQKdKBLoG9

Seems to me like any old long-distance rural Interstate would qualify for this thread.

[kphoger]

How about a different sort of location, a road I've personally driven?

Imogene Pass, Colorado

[webny99]

Seems to me like any old long-distance rural Interstate would qualify for this thread.

Not necessarily. Many in the Midwest might, but anything with a lot of curvature (over hills/mountains) wouldn't, and anything that runs through dense vegetation, (like many of the interstates in the Carolinas) also wouldn't.

[webny99]

How about a different sort of location, a road I've personally driven?

Imogene Pass, Colorado

I was mostly thinking of views from the road, but sure.

I can't compete with Colorado, but Whiteface Mountain isn't too shabby.

[kphoger]

How about a different sort of location, a road I've personally driven?

Imogene Pass, Colorado

I was mostly thinking of views from the road, but sure.

That photo sphere was taken quite close to the actual mountain pass.

This vehicle is barely even off the road, for example.  The wooden sign next to it is right here:



So yeah, you can see quite a way in either direction from the road.

[JayhawkCO]

Or another in Colorado, the end of CO5.

Chris

[webny99]

I was mostly thinking of views from the road, but sure.

That photo sphere was taken quite close to the actual mountain pass.

This vehicle is barely even off the road, for example.  The wooden sign next to it is right here:

[img snipped]

So yeah, you can see quite a way in either direction from the road.

It's not paved, and it doesn't look like a road that just any vehicle could travel, so that's a little different, but, it does certainly fit in spirit.

[hotdogPi]

Curvature of the Earth means that a rural plains Interstate (or US 1 connecting the Keys) will not be the highest. You have to look downhill.

[kphoger]

It's not paved, and it doesn't look like a road that just any vehicle could travel, so that's a little different, but, it does certainly fit in spirit.

Oh, is this only for paved roads?

(I drove it in a rented Jeep Wrangler.)

[webny99]

It's not paved, and it doesn't look like a road that just any vehicle could travel, so that's a little different, but, it does certainly fit in spirit.

Oh, is this only for paved roads?

(I drove it in a rented Jeep Wrangler.)

No, unpaved is fine. 

[formulanone]

Curvature of the Earth means that a rural plains Interstate (or US 1 connecting the Keys) will not be the highest. You have to look downhill.

The furthest I've ever seen in any one direction on flat land while driving was about 3 miles, based on flashing beacons while travelling 60 mph and using a stopwatch.

The winner so probably some tall hill or gentle mountain-like rise on a very straight road, if the need to see the road continuously applies towards this search.

[renegade]

Or another in Colorado, the end of CO5.

Chris

Been there.  Frickin' awesome.

[webny99]

Curvature of the Earth means that a rural plains Interstate (or US 1 connecting the Keys) will not be the highest. You have to look downhill.

...
The winner so probably some tall hill or gentle mountain-like rise on a very straight road, if the need to see the road continuously applies towards this search.

Ahem:

I'll start with one of my favorites, in one of the most remote parts of the country: US 95 in southeastern Oregon

[interstatefan990]

Seems to me like any old long-distance rural Interstate would qualify for this thread.

Not necessarily. Many in the Midwest might, but anything with a lot of curvature (over hills/mountains) wouldn't, and anything that runs through dense vegetation, (like many of the interstates in the Carolinas) also wouldn't.

When you said "farthest you can see in both directions" did you mean the physical roadway or the landscape in general? Because even on mountainous and curvy routes, there can still be a lot of visibility due to higher elevation and/or the overall rural area the highway runs through.

US 50/I-70 in Salina, Utah:

https://goo.gl/maps/95bQF4anWikPqUXP6

[webny99]

When you said "farthest you can see in both directions" did you mean the physical roadway or the landscape in general? Because even on mountainous and curvy routes, there can still be a lot of visibility due to higher elevation and/or the overall rural area the highway runs through.

US 50/I-70 in Salina, Utah:

https://goo.gl/maps/95bQF4anWikPqUXP6

I originally had in mind the physical roadway (see the OP example) but either way is fine.

[Jim]

I immediately thought about my ride on US 93 through southeastern Nevada.

[jeffandnicole]

Midspan of the 17.5 mile long Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel, you can see land on both ends.  https://goo.gl/maps/d8XgbQzzNutBaMbUA

[JayhawkCO]

Curvature of the Earth means that a rural plains Interstate (or US 1 connecting the Keys) will not be the highest. You have to look downhill.

The furthest I've ever seen in any one direction on flat land while driving was about 3 miles, based on flashing beacons while travelling 60 mph and using a stopwatch.

The winner so probably some tall hill or gentle mountain-like rise on a very straight road, if the need to see the road continuously applies towards this search.

Or a situation with mountains in the distance as they will overcome the curvature of the earth to be visible, so you don't need to look downhill.

Chris

[Bruce]

From many points in Seattle and Everett, one can see both Tahoma (Mount Rainier) and Koma Kulshan (Mount Baker). If driving on I-5 north of Everett, that's about 81 miles to Tahoma and 57 miles to Kulshan. In fact, the lowest part of Tahoma is cut off from that distance due to the curvature of the earth's surface.

[JoePCool14]

This would be the perfect thread for someone to post a GMSV link that points towards the ground. 

[JayhawkCO]

From many points in Seattle and Everett, one can see both Tahoma (Mount Rainier) and Koma Kulshan (Mount Baker). If driving on I-5 north of Everett, that's about 81 miles to Tahoma and 57 miles to Kulshan. In fact, the lowest part of Tahoma is cut off from that distance due to the curvature of the earth's surface.

Another one from Colorado.  On clear days, you can see both Wyoming and Kansas, so upwards of 150 miles to the north and east.  And according to this, you can see the summit of Mount Antero which is about 73 miles away to the west.

Chris

[Terry Shea]

I think we need a few parameters set here, because being able to see mountain peaks off in the distance is not the same as having 1 long continuous view.