Let's flip the book on the other thread about ugly interstates or limited access highways. What stretches of highways do you find appealing?
And is there a name for a particular highway design? I know there was the City Beautiful Movement and other similar passages where parks, roads and so forth were designed for aesthetics - but was a term applied when roads were designed and built in the second half of the 20th century?
Stretches of beautiful interstates:
- Interstate 64 between Green Sulfur Springs, West Virginia and the Virginia border. Much of this was built in the 1988 west of Sam Black Church and late 1960's east of there but share similar design characteristics, with wide medians that contain fields, wetlands and forests - and expanse views. It's a shame much of the state's interstates were not built in a similar manner and just have the same 40' (I think that's the spacing) median.
- Interstate 64 between Clifton Forge and Lexington, Virginia share many of the same characteristics, with wide medians and sweeping views.
- Corridor H/US 48 between Bismark and Baker, West Virginia. While it has a narrower median - and a jersey barrier in segments, it's brand new and offers remarkable views since the vegetation hasn't crept up to the right-of-way. I hope that some of these views are preserved as the highway ages. It also cuts near Greenland Gap, itself remarkable.
- Much of Interstate 68 in western Maryland for the reasons above.
- Much of Interstate 86/NY 17 in western New York and through the Catskills. I appreciate many of the elevated sections, where one roadway is above another. An added bonus is the elevated viaduct over old NY 17 at Elk Brook and Horton that preserved the hillside from being blasted.
I-70 through the Glenwood Springs CO area is in an especially beautiful setting.
Rick
US 340 in Western Maryland (the route you'd take to get to Harpers Ferry) is nothing short of scenic. It's right in rolling farmland, and you can see mountains in the distance. You then cross a wide stretch of the Potomac on a deck truss bridge, which is also scenic.
I'm surprised that while traversing the lowest point in West Virginia, (~200ish feet) it's very mountainous as it approaches the border. If you get off US 340 and go on to Sandy Hook/Harpers Ferry road on the MD side when you get near the border and the freeway segment ends (right under Maryland Heights), it's a very scenic drive.
Somehow I think we've had this discussion before, but either way, in addition to the eastern portion Corridor H as noted above, the road that always comes to mind for me in these discussions is I-87 through the Adirondacks, especially during the winter.
-Almost the entirety of I-17 is very amazing. You go from 1000 to 7000 feet and from desert to forest in less than 150 Miles. It's especially scenic as you are getting closer to Flagstaff.
-Corona Del Mar Freeway (CA 73), scenic sky-high ride though the San Joaquin Hills.
-Alligator Alley (I-75), I know its a snooze fest for many people, but I find the scenery passing through Big Cypress Preserve and the Picayune Strand to be beautiful.
The northern halves of I-89 and I-93. Someone else mentioned (in a different thread) that I-87 is the same, but I haven't been on the section north of Albany.
California's I-280, at least between the San Francisco airport and Palo Alto, is the self-proclaimed "world's most beautiful freeway". But the part of CA 163 passing through San Diego's Balboa Park is also really interesting.
The middle part of Interstate H-3 is gorgeous. But not the part near its west end passing by the state prison, or an ugly quarry along the eastern part of the highway in Kaneohe.
I think I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is both gorgeous, and also impressive for the engineering needed to squeeze a four-lane freeway, the old two-lane road/bike trail, and an active rail line, through a narrow canyon along with the Colorado River.
The Delaware Water Gap Bridge and adjacent parts of I-80, as well as the far northern I-287 are the only Interstates in NJ to feature views of mountains in any significant way. Most of NJ's NW hills must be accessed by relatively small roads and/or crossings from NY or PA.
I-70 west of Denver.
I-90 in Washington from Issaquah to Ellensburg
Interstate 24 in Tennessee west of Chattanooga
Interstate 81 through the Blue Ridge Mountains south of Ironto, VA
Interstate 75 south of Chattanooga, TN into northern Georgia
I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge or further east in the Blue Mountains (between Pendleton and LaGrange) -- particularly WB, where you get a panoramic view of the flatlands below.
I-80 across Donner Summit; best scenery in spring and fall (don't take your eyes off the road in winter!). Best area: CA 20 east to CA 89.
I-91/VT in fall: Connecticut River valley wonderful during leaf-change period.
-US-101 from Gaviota Pass, through Santa Barbara, to Ventura, tucked in between the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
-I-80 from Auburn, over the Donner Pass, to Reno. Maybe not quite as impressive as I-70 in Colorado, but still stunning and the only full freeway over the Sierra Nevada.
To name a few:
I-70 west of Green River UT
I-15 between Mesquite and Cedar City
I-80 in Parleys Canyon east of SLC, especially when you get to the bottom and the city explodes into view when you go around a bend.
I-80 through the Salt Flats. yes it does get boring fast, but there's something to being on a totally flat expanse of salt with the tops of mountains on the horizon).
I-80 through Donner Pass
I-84 east of Pendleton OR
I-90 east of Seattle
I-40 east of Albuquerque
I-H3 in Hawaii
Quote from: nexus73 on November 02, 2017, 10:14:14 AM
I-70 through the Glenwood Springs CO area is in an especially beautiful setting.
Rick
All of I-70 west of Denver is very nice. I-17 from north of Phoenix to Flagstaff is a pretty drive as well. Another one of my favorites, although I haven't driven on it since the '80s, was I-80 through Pennsylvania.
I know I have mentioned pretty much all of the Mid Atlantic and SE mountain Interstates in the ubiquitous favorites threads that pop up every other year or so,-but I think the OP is looking for more in this thread.
I think some of the most gorgeous views, with a mix of level landscapes with mountains behind it or awesome river valley views come in PA along I-80 (too many years have gone by for me to be more specific-though my minds eye seems to remember them mostly on east of the midpoint).
The Great Smoky Mountain Expressway in western NC is also gorgeous.
As much as I love I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge, the mountain is so tight to either side and the driver is so busy with the back and forth of the roadway one never really sees much of anything until they exit the Gorge near Exit 20 on the NC side or Exit 443 on the TN side.
There is a very great viewing spot on I-77 south of I-81 in Virginia. The roads were one of the main highlights of my trip to Charlotte and DC. Some of the nicest interstates I have ever been on.
NY 17 between I-84 and I-87 is scenic with some nice rolling farmland in the Chester/Goshen area.
I-88 in NY offers some nice views (I've only traveled it from NY 28 to the Thruway)
The Merritt Parkway (just don't slow down to enjoy the scenery)
I-91 pretty much anywhere north of Exit 17 in MA
I-87 Northway north of ALT NY 7
I-89 (been on it south of Burlington)
US 4 expressway between the NY line and Rutland
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on November 02, 2017, 10:15:57 PM
NY 17 between I-84 and I-87 is scenic with some nice rolling farmland in the Chester/Goshen area.
I-88 in NY offers some nice views (I've only traveled it from NY 28 to the Thruway)
The Merritt Parkway (just don't slow down to enjoy the scenery)
I-91 pretty much anywhere north of Exit 17 in MA
I-87 Northway north of ALT NY 7
I-89 (been on it south of Burlington)
US 4 expressway between the NY line and Rutland
I love the Merritt Parkway but my dad hates driving on it.
I-93 through Franconia Notch is to me as nice as it gets. I've not been west of the Appalachians so I might be missing out on some of the great stuff in the Rockies.
I was pretty impressed with US 22/322 northwest of Harrisburg.
I-15 around the ID/MT border
I-68
I-84 east of Pendleton, OR
I-81 south of Wytheville, VA
I-79 between Fairmont and Charleston, WV
I-376, coming out of the tunnel into Pittsburgh.
I-88 during autumn is one of my favorites.
In terms of Indiana, the last 10 or 15 miles of I-74 heading eastbound to Cincinnati are as pretty as you'll get in the state. Same goes for I-64 between Ferdinand and New Albany.
I-90 from Coeur d'Alene all the way to Billings is quite beautiful as far as long stretches of major interstates go.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on November 02, 2017, 10:19:37 PM
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on November 02, 2017, 10:15:57 PM
NY 17 between I-84 and I-87 is scenic with some nice rolling farmland in the Chester/Goshen area.
I-88 in NY offers some nice views (I've only traveled it from NY 28 to the Thruway)
The Merritt Parkway (just don't slow down to enjoy the scenery)
I-91 pretty much anywhere north of Exit 17 in MA
I-87 Northway north of ALT NY 7
I-89 (been on it south of Burlington)
US 4 expressway between the NY line and Rutland
I love the Merritt Parkway but my dad hates driving on it.
It is indeed a pretty ride for a passenger. For the driver, however, it can be an intense ride at times. I've had relatively calm experiences on it, I've also had full-on aggressive Northeastern driving experiences. There's nothing like being nearly run off the road attempting to move back to the right lane while doing 80-85 in a 55.
Quote from: roadguy2 on November 02, 2017, 08:16:52 PM
I-70 west of Green River UT
Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. The only time I've driven that stretch, I drove into a rainstorm near the San Rafael Swell so strong I had to slow down to 50 mph to keep from hydroplaning. That rain in the otherwise stark landscape made it extra beautiful.
I'll add the toll road between Monterrey (NL) and Saltillo (Coah) to the list, as one of the most beautiful highways I've ever driven.
Carretera Federal 40D (https://goo.gl/maps/mwXcH2TPqLr)
Street View example here (https://goo.gl/maps/Ws4wCyXaKGQ2)
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on November 02, 2017, 09:47:19 PM
There is a very great viewing spot on I-77 south of I-81 in Virginia. The roads were one of the main highlights of my trip to Charlotte and DC. Some of the nicest interstates I have ever been on.
Yeah the mountain grade on I-77 near the VA/NC line is stunning.
Also, the Great Smoky Mountain Expressway is one of my favorite drives in the country. For the views, as well as the variety of highways that use that roadway; US 19, US 23, US 74, and US 441.
Quote from: csw on November 03, 2017, 10:55:10 AM
I-88 during autumn is one of my favorites.
In terms of Indiana, the last 10 or 15 miles of I-74 heading eastbound to Cincinnati are as pretty as you'll get in the state. Same goes for I-64 between Ferdinand and New Albany.
Also in Indiana, a newer entry is the section of I-69 between Bloomington and Crane, winding through the hills.
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on November 02, 2017, 10:15:57 PM
I-87 Northway north of ALT NY 7
Really? While I would consider exits 19-35 to fit the thread, between exits 13-19 and north of 35 are IMO quite probably some of the most boring drives in the entire state.
For Wisconsin, I've always liked I-94 west of I-90. Also US 151 west/southwest of Madison and I-39 between Portage and Coloma.
Mike
Call me crazy, but I like the views, especially Fall time of year, on the Eastern Ohio Turnpike going into the Western PA Turnpike, as I-80 and I-76 Fist Bump/Trade Places/whatever you want to call it
Quote from: Rothman on November 03, 2017, 10:30:43 AMI-376, coming out of the tunnel into Pittsburgh.
There is a good reason why Pittsburgh was referred to by the NY Times as "the only city with an entrance". I-279 south coming out of the East Street Valley toward I-579 and downtown Pittsburgh has a similar effect, minus the tunnel.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on November 02, 2017, 09:47:19 PM
There is a very great viewing spot on I-77 south of I-81 in Virginia. The roads were one of the main highlights of my trip to Charlotte and DC. Some of the nicest interstates I have ever been on.
That stretch of I-77 is my favorite part of the drive whenever I visit my dad in Florida. The view of the VA/NC countryside, including Pilot Mountain in the distance (and, on a clear day, the Winston-Salem skyline), is simply stunning.
My choices are:
I-99 between Hollidaysburg, PA and State College, PA
I-77 between Beckley, WV and the VA/NC border
I-76 between New Stanton, PA and Harrisburg, PA
The entire route of I-68
I-80 between Clearfield, PA and the I-180/PA 147 junction
I-79 between Weston, WV and US 19 junction (Summersville/Beckley exit)
Quote from: jmd41280 on November 03, 2017, 10:20:03 PM
Quote from: Rothman on November 03, 2017, 10:30:43 AMI-376, coming out of the tunnel into Pittsburgh.
There is a good reason why Pittsburgh was referred to by the NY Times as "the only city with an entrance". I-279 south coming out of the East Street Valley toward I-579 and downtown Pittsburgh has a similar effect, minus the tunnel.
I've done it from the South and from the North, coming out of the Tunnel from the South and coming from the North heading Inbound on I-279 -- I actually find the 279 experience more awesome -- seems like you are in a mountainy countryside, and you come around a bend -- and you are darn near in downtown Pittsburgh. Its a cool effect
Not sweeping vistas of mountains. However I rather like i95 between Jacksonville and Brunswick,GA.. great views of the marshes, pine tree forests and marine hammocks.
I appreciate the flatness
I like to think of i95 being the closest road to the ocean at some points
Z981
No love for US 41/Lake Shore Drive in Chicago yet, ehh?
Got beautiful Lake Michigan on one side, Downtown Chicago on the other. Pass right by the Museum of Science and Industry, Soldier Field, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier, North Ave Beach...Its a different kind of scenic and beautiful, being in an Urban setting, but its pretty neat in its own way
Interstate 8 in the Mountain Springs area on the San Diego/Imperial county line. Very stark landscape with huge boulders.
P00I
I-70 in the San Rafael Swell beats pretty much everything in the Interstate system for scenic vistas.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/629/32375818354_d595e4b720_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RjWwQJ)IMG_1264 (https://flic.kr/p/RjWwQJ) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/693/32375868244_831c9e8313_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RjWMEU)1 (https://flic.kr/p/RjWMEU) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr
CA-163 San Diego has a beautiful parkway on the south end of the route.
Interstate 5 in southern Oregon, especially after a good rain. I drove though there a couple of weeks ago.
Quote from: kphoger on November 03, 2017, 12:01:08 PM
Quote from: roadguy2 on November 02, 2017, 08:16:52 PM
I-70 west of Green River UT
Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. The only time I've driven that stretch, I drove into a rainstorm near the San Rafael Swell so strong I had to slow down to 50 mph to keep from hydroplaning. That rain in the otherwise stark landscape made it extra beautiful.
Yes I agree with that one.
Also Future I-49 in Fort Smith between AR 22 and US 71 is not that bad, but all of I-49 north of Alma until you hit the NW Arkansas Metropolis is pretty scenic.
I-35 in the Flint Hills of KS is pretty interesting between El Dorado and Emporia.
The Penn Turnpike between Somerset and Carlisle, and the NE Extension north of the Lehigh Tunnel to Scranton are nice.
Quote from: ilpt4u on November 03, 2017, 11:18:31 PM
No love for US 41/Lake Shore Drive in Chicago yet, ehh?
Got beautiful Lake Michigan on one side, Downtown Chicago on the other. Pass right by the Museum of Science and Industry, Soldier Field, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier, North Ave Beach...Its a different kind of scenic and beautiful, being in an Urban setting, but its pretty neat in its own way
Been stuck in a traffic jam one too many times to have good feelings about that one...
Quote from: roadman65 on November 05, 2017, 08:52:04 PM
I-35 in the Flint Hills of KS is pretty interesting between El Dorado and Emporia.
If you drive it at the right time of year, especially. If, OTOH, you hit it when ranchers are burning grass, then you end up with colors ranging from tan to black, plus a smoky haze to drive through. But in the late spring and early summer, it's a grassy paradise.
Quote from: kphoger on November 03, 2017, 12:01:08 PM
Quote from: roadguy2 on November 02, 2017, 08:16:52 PM
I-70 west of Green River UT
Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. The only time I've driven that stretch, I drove into a rainstorm near the San Rafael Swell so strong I had to slow down to 50 mph to keep from hydroplaning. That rain in the otherwise stark landscape made it extra beautiful.
I liked it better when it was two lanes.
I also find I-89 in Vermont very nice.
I-5 from Redding to Eugene
I-84 through the Gorge
I-90 in the Berkshires is very underrated.
Minnesota doesn't have much for this; the only two realistic options are I-35 going into Duluth (roughly Exits 249-252) and I-90 around the WI state line.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on November 10, 2017, 11:03:15 PM
I-90 in the Berkshires is very underrated.
Probably because everyone's too busy passing trucks going slow up all the steep grades. It needs more climbing lanes out there.
I-90 in general is beautiful from Berkshire County to Buffalo.
I-40 just west of Albuquerque (especially at night!!); I-40 around the Milan, NM area heading northwest through the mountainous terrain.
I-40 east of Albuquerque going up through the pass.
I-40 in Arizona from Ash Fork to Flagstaff, and also around the Lupton area. The rest stop (westbound lanes) around the painted desert is in a nice spot.
US 72 west of Scottsboro, Alabama.
I-5 around the Mt. Shasta area.
I-5 around the Grapevine area.
Most of I-5 in southern Oregon is scenic as well.
I just came back from Vermont and I have to say I-91 is one beautiful freeway from top to bottom (we'll ignore the stretch though Springfield, MA). North of Springfield is spectacular scenery and you have to love the beautiful button copy signage in Connecticut.
I-5 around the 520 interchange in Seattle, when you're heading south. Just seemed cool. Then again, I found how downtown was kinda built up with the freeway to be interesting.
I-40 between Newport and Asheville. Lots of scenery
I-77 around Fancy Gap/US-52. Take 52 sometime heading north into Fancy Gap. It's cool to see just how high up I-77 is.
US 421 between I-77 and N. Wilkesboro, as you head west. You start seeing the scenery of the mountains further west.
Shout-out to the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially west/south of Asheville to its end in Cherokee.
kphoger mentioned a Mexican highway on page 2 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21451.msg2272526#msg2272526), but let's expand on that to cover other non-U.S. highways.
My candidates from Canada:
BC 5 between Hope and Kamloops
TCH 1 in Alberta through Banff National Park
The ones that come to mind in Michigan:
US-31 north of Muskegon and US-131 north of Howard City
I-196 (especially eastbound) coming into Grand Rapids
I-90/I-94 (Dan Ryan/Kennedy Expressways) through Chicago comes to mind, and also, I-75/I-85 (the Downtown Connector) through Atlanta. You can see the skyline almost immediately while driving on them.
For Chicago, I agree on the I-90 and I-94 approaches to the downtown area. Also US 41 (Lake Shore Drive).
Mike