What do you think is the most scenic highway in your state?

Started by PNWRoadgeek, December 03, 2024, 10:50:17 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

epzik8

From the land of red, white, yellow and black.
____________________________

My clinched highways: http://tm.teresco.org/user/?u=epzik8
My clinched counties: http://mob-rule.com/user-gifs/USA/epzik8.gif


wriddle082

South Carolina's highways are mostly boring and traffic clogged with little variation in foliage anywhere you go.  But easily the most scenic that I've experienced is SC 11, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, specifically from Campobello west to around Salem (have not been on it any further west).  Very nice mountain vistas that you just don't see throughout the rest of the state.

There are a couple of other stretches of routes in the Sandhills region that I like a lot because of the unexpected terrain and low traffic volumes, both in Chesterfield County: US 1 from SC 145 outside McBee to US 52 outside Cheraw, and SC 145 from US 1 outside McBee to Chesterfield.  The terrain is more rolling than you would expect, and sometimes you can catch a nice vista, especially on SC 145.

CoreySamson

For Texas, the answer has to be TX 118. Sure, it has its flat-ish desert portions, but overall it is one of my favorite roads that I have been on (and I haven't even been on the best part of it).

Oklahoma's answer is definitely OK 1, but I am impartial to US 259 and OK 2 as well.
Buc-ee's and QuikTrip fanboy. Clincher of FM roads. Proponent of the TX U-turn. Budding theologian.

Route Log
Clinches
Counties
Travel Mapping

pderocco

Quote from: JayhawkCO on December 04, 2024, 10:48:52 AM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on December 04, 2024, 08:58:50 AMA similar thread I started back in the day - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=27496.msg2527158#msg2527158

And now that I've traveled all of Colorado, I suppose I can expound on my answer from that thread.

Top 10 in no particular order:
CO65 - Goes over the top of Grand Mesa
CO141 - "Utah"-like scenery with lots of red rocks and canyons
CO145 - Awesome curvy drive in the San Juans
CO149 - Feels the most remote of any alpine highway in Colorado
CO92 - The switchbacks next to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison are awesome
CO82 - Independence Pass is pretty epic
CO91 - Hugging right behind a whole stretch of 14ers
CO5 - Climbs to the top of Mt. Blue Sky
CO12 - The drive around Cuchara is one of my favorite
CO139 - Douglas Pass in spring when it's green is awesome

And obviously US550 is the winner for US Routes (Million Dollar Highway) and I-70 the winner for interstates.
Thanks for the guide. I'll add these to my bucket list.

hobsini2

Well I will submit my nominations for the states I have lived in for roads I have been on.
Illinois:
US 20 - Galena to East Dubuque
US 41 - Lake Shore Dr in Chicago
IL 1 - Mt Carmel to Cave in the Rock
IL 26 - Princeton to East Peoria
Sheridan Rd - Evanston to Zion

Minnesota:
US 61 - Hastings to La Crescent
Mississippi River Blvd - MN 5 to Franklin Ave in St Paul

Wisconsin:
US 45 - Oshkosh to North Fond du Lac
US 51 - Stoughton to Monona
Wis 35 - La Crosse to Bridgeport
Wis 60 - Bridgeport to Prairie du Sac
Wis 67 - Eagle to Oconomowoc, Campbellsport to Kiel
Hwy D - Princeton to Berlin
I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes. Keep firing, assholes! - Dark Helmet (Spaceballs)

Icyhot1111

For me, CO-141 Gateway Canyon.  Colorado obviously has many mountain highways and passes, but to me, Highway 141 is the most beautiful and scenic highway with the red rock canyon towering over, between Gateway and Naturita.  This highway is also far enough away from the Front Range, that traffic is minimal.

Also, CO-90 near Paradox, just so beautiful.

I didn't plan on taking either of these highways, but after getting rained out and stuck in mud on Rimrocker Trail, we had to take these highways back, and they were a real treat.

Scott5114

Quote from: CoreySamson on December 04, 2024, 01:52:46 PMOklahoma's answer is definitely OK 1, but I am impartial to US 259 and OK 2 as well.

Do OK 325 and see if you still think that.

OK 147 is a hidden gem, as well.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

achilles765

While ive not been everywhere here in my state of Texas, I feel like Interstate 10, US 90, SH 16 may be some of our most scenic.
Interstate 10 is very underrated as far as a long distance route is concerned. While it's certainly no I-70 or I-80, it's incredibly diverse in Texas.
From the swampy wetlands between the Louisiana state line to Houston, the urban landscape of Houston, including the famous 26-lane stretch west of downtown, to the flat fields between Houston and San Antonio, the urban landscapes of San Antonio, with the two double decked stretches, then immediately outside San Antonio you get the gorgeous hill country which stretches for miles before slowly becoming desert. Then, the desert and mountains provide quite a stark contrast as you head toward El Paso, which is an underrated city in my opinion.
US 90 has some great scenery in the towns and rural areas too.
I love freeways and roads in any state but Texas will always be first in my heart

Great Lakes Roads

Quote from: achilles765 on December 12, 2024, 03:16:22 AMWhile ive not been everywhere here in my state of Texas, I feel like Interstate 10, US 90, SH 16 may be some of our most scenic.
Interstate 10 is very underrated as far as a long distance route is concerned. While it's certainly no I-70 or I-80, it's incredibly diverse in Texas.
From the swampy wetlands between the Louisiana state line to Houston, the urban landscape of Houston, including the famous 26-lane stretch west of downtown, to the flat fields between Houston and San Antonio, the urban landscapes of San Antonio, with the two double decked stretches, then immediately outside San Antonio you get the gorgeous hill country which stretches for miles before slowly becoming desert. Then, the desert and mountains provide quite a stark contrast as you head toward El Paso, which is an underrated city in my opinion.
US 90 has some great scenery in the towns and rural areas too.

Loop 375 in El Paso is my answer for Texas.
-Jay Seaburg

Ted$8roadFan

My choices would be;

MA-6A, the Kings Highway on Cape Cod.
MA-127 around Cape Ann
MA-2, the Mohawk Trail in western Msss. .

elsmere241

Delaware 9, from Delaware City to its end at Delaware 1 south of Dover.

7/8

For Ontario, my vote would be Highway 17, mainly on the strength of the Lake Superior portion.

TheStranger

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 03, 2024, 10:55:54 PMMile for mile?  If so, CA 49 in California.  CA 1 has a couple top shelf segments such as Cabrillo Highway in Big Sur and the Shoreline Highway.  Trouble is a lot of mileage included in the PCH segment is urban arterial and thus drags the scenery factor down.

The portion of 1 south of Pismo Beach to Gaviota is underrated...for lack of ocean views!  Did that route on a 2020 roadtrip and was surprisingly underwhelmed.

IMO, the most interesting part of that segment is the pre-1988 routing on Harris Grade Road between Route 135 (historic US 101) and Lompoc.
Chris Sampang

JayhawkCO

Quote from: Icyhot1111 on December 11, 2024, 10:40:58 PMFor me, CO-141 Gateway Canyon.  Colorado obviously has many mountain highways and passes, but to me, Highway 141 is the most beautiful and scenic highway with the red rock canyon towering over, between Gateway and Naturita.  This highway is also far enough away from the Front Range, that traffic is minimal.

Also, CO-90 near Paradox, just so beautiful.

I didn't plan on taking either of these highways, but after getting rained out and stuck in mud on Rimrocker Trail, we had to take these highways back, and they were a real treat.

Yeah, I think CO90 was the last one that got cut from my list above for Colorado. Very nice drive.

Bobby5280

Quote from: CoreySamsonOklahoma's answer is definitely OK 1, but I am impartial to US 259 and OK 2 as well.
Quote from: Scott5114Do OK 325 and see if you still think that.
OK 147 is a hidden gem, as well.

I'm biased to OK-49, which runs through Medicine Park and the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Highways like OK-1 do run on some significant ridge lines in the Eastern part of the state, but those highways are crowded by trees that often block the view. I do like the part of OK-43 where it crosses the dam on the SE side of Sardis Lake. The nice thing about OK-49 in the Wichita Mountains is the views are more open. Plus there are hiking trails near the road. And you'll probably see some buffalo and wild longhorns. There are things to see and do in Medicine Park. A side road from OK-49 circles up to the top of Mount Scott.

pderocco

Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on December 12, 2024, 06:40:32 AMMy choices would be;

MA-6A, the Kings Highway on Cape Cod.
MA-127 around Cape Ann
MA-2, the Mohawk Trail in western Msss. .

I love all three of those. But for me, 6A and 127 are less about scenery, which is usually natural stuff, and more about the quaintness of the towns. (I lived on Bradford St in P'town for a while, which is 6A.) 2 has that great hairpin just east of North Adams, which is especially beautiful when the foliage is peaking.

Max Rockatansky

Quote from: TheStranger on December 12, 2024, 03:37:02 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 03, 2024, 10:55:54 PMMile for mile?  If so, CA 49 in California.  CA 1 has a couple top shelf segments such as Cabrillo Highway in Big Sur and the Shoreline Highway.  Trouble is a lot of mileage included in the PCH segment is urban arterial and thus drags the scenery factor down.

The portion of 1 south of Pismo Beach to Gaviota is underrated...for lack of ocean views!  Did that route on a 2020 roadtrip and was surprisingly underwhelmed.

IMO, the most interesting part of that segment is the pre-1988 routing on Harris Grade Road between Route 135 (historic US 101) and Lompoc.

And somehow the collective of the normal person populace somehow doesn't seem to know the Shoreline Highway exists.

TheCatalyst31

Quote from: SEWIGuy on December 04, 2024, 10:10:40 AMIn Wisconsin, WI-131 in the southwest part of the state.

Agreed, and I'd also add WIS 60 west of Gotham. Honestly most of the Driftless Area highways have good scenic bits.

Roadgeekteen

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 12, 2024, 05:43:22 PM
Quote from: TheStranger on December 12, 2024, 03:37:02 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 03, 2024, 10:55:54 PMMile for mile?  If so, CA 49 in California.  CA 1 has a couple top shelf segments such as Cabrillo Highway in Big Sur and the Shoreline Highway.  Trouble is a lot of mileage included in the PCH segment is urban arterial and thus drags the scenery factor down.

The portion of 1 south of Pismo Beach to Gaviota is underrated...for lack of ocean views!  Did that route on a 2020 roadtrip and was surprisingly underwhelmed.

IMO, the most interesting part of that segment is the pre-1988 routing on Harris Grade Road between Route 135 (historic US 101) and Lompoc.

And somehow the collective of the normal person populace somehow doesn't seem to know the Shoreline Highway exists.
I think it's because the PHC and Big Sur is between LA and the bay area so people wanting to go between the 2 will often look for a nice way to get there and see that. Not many people are trying to go up to Eureka unless you're the Alan. That area of NorCal is way more off the beaten path.
My username has been outdated since August 2023 but I'm too lazy to change it

Max Rockatansky

Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 13, 2024, 12:15:52 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 12, 2024, 05:43:22 PM
Quote from: TheStranger on December 12, 2024, 03:37:02 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 03, 2024, 10:55:54 PMMile for mile?  If so, CA 49 in California.  CA 1 has a couple top shelf segments such as Cabrillo Highway in Big Sur and the Shoreline Highway.  Trouble is a lot of mileage included in the PCH segment is urban arterial and thus drags the scenery factor down.

The portion of 1 south of Pismo Beach to Gaviota is underrated...for lack of ocean views!  Did that route on a 2020 roadtrip and was surprisingly underwhelmed.

IMO, the most interesting part of that segment is the pre-1988 routing on Harris Grade Road between Route 135 (historic US 101) and Lompoc.

And somehow the collective of the normal person populace somehow doesn't seem to know the Shoreline Highway exists.
I think it's because the PHC and Big Sur is between LA and the bay area so people wanting to go between the 2 will often look for a nice way to get there and see that. Not many people are trying to go up to Eureka unless you're the Alan. That area of NorCal is way more off the beaten path.

PCH is only from the Rincon Causeway southward.  The segment north of Gaviota Pass to the Golden Gate Bridge Cabrillo Highway. 

Roadgeekteen

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 13, 2024, 12:26:02 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 13, 2024, 12:15:52 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 12, 2024, 05:43:22 PM
Quote from: TheStranger on December 12, 2024, 03:37:02 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 03, 2024, 10:55:54 PMMile for mile?  If so, CA 49 in California.  CA 1 has a couple top shelf segments such as Cabrillo Highway in Big Sur and the Shoreline Highway.  Trouble is a lot of mileage included in the PCH segment is urban arterial and thus drags the scenery factor down.

The portion of 1 south of Pismo Beach to Gaviota is underrated...for lack of ocean views!  Did that route on a 2020 roadtrip and was surprisingly underwhelmed.

IMO, the most interesting part of that segment is the pre-1988 routing on Harris Grade Road between Route 135 (historic US 101) and Lompoc.

And somehow the collective of the normal person populace somehow doesn't seem to know the Shoreline Highway exists.
I think it's because the PHC and Big Sur is between LA and the bay area so people wanting to go between the 2 will often look for a nice way to get there and see that. Not many people are trying to go up to Eureka unless you're the Alan. That area of NorCal is way more off the beaten path.

PCH is only from the Rincon Causeway southward.  The segment north of Gaviota Pass to the Golden Gate Bridge Cabrillo Highway. 
Yeah I just found that out recently which is why I added the Big Sur to my comment.
My username has been outdated since August 2023 but I'm too lazy to change it

mgk920

Quote from: TheCatalyst31 on December 12, 2024, 10:08:57 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on December 04, 2024, 10:10:40 AMIn Wisconsin, WI-131 in the southwest part of the state.

Agreed, and I'd also add WIS 60 west of Gotham. Honestly most of the Driftless Area highways have good scenic bits.

Strangely(?) I have always been partial to both WI 23 east of Fond du Lac and US 10 through Waupaca County for more major roads.

Mike

US 89


Max Rockatansky

UT 128 and UT 279 have some punching power in terms of scenery.

74/171FAN

For Virginia, I would put VA 263 just over VA 175.  I wanted to sleep at the western terminus of VA 263 in Orkney Springs instead of driving back down the mountain.

For PA, I have chosen PA 93 (most specifically between I-80 and Berwick) in the sense that you get the scenery without a ridiculous amount of curves at the same time.
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

Travel Mapping: https://travelmapping.net/user/?units=miles&u=markkos1992
Mob-Rule:  https://mob-rule.com/user/markkos1992



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.