Did a search and didn't find anything. I live in Colorado and have a lot of really pretty drives, but it'd be nice to know which drives other states' members found to be the best so that I could make some detours off of the interstate to see them.
I have several nominations for Colorado:
CO139 - If you like the desert landscape mixed with pine forest, this is for you. The drive (especially southbound) over Douglas Pass is one of my prettiest spots in the state
CO82 - From Twin Lakes to Independence Pass, some of the best high mountain scenery in the state
CO5 - The highest paved road in the United States and views for days
CO91 - From Copper Mountain down to Leadville, you pass a bunch of 14ers, lakes, and gorgeous alpine scenery
CO149 - A very remote part of the state with Slumgullion Pass and views of Mt. Uncompaghre
CO12 - Definitely feeling more New Mexico than Colorado, the areas around Cuchara and La Veta are super nice
CO7 - Views of Longs Peak and the nice descent into Estes Park are all gorgeous
There are others that would rank in a lot of states, and a couple that I haven't gotten the chance to drive yet (most of CO141 at the top of the list), but for my money, the most consistently scenic state highway in Colorado is CO5. From the lakes at the bottom to the mountain goats at the top, it's really tough to describe to others the feeling of driving above 14,000 feet. CO82 and CO91 close runners up for me.
How about for your state?
Chris
Pretty much any road in this area has fall foliage throughout its length.
I previously said MA 127A before editing this post. Unfortunately, you can't see the ocean from the road.
For Massachusetts I feel the best bangs for your buck are state routes 8A (the longer one), 23, 105, and 127. The first 2 are in the Berkshires, 105 is the southeast part of the state and 127 the northeast.
WI-35.
"Consistently scenic" is a challenge for Indiana because the most scenic stretches of road I'm thinking of, like IN 135, IN 66, IN 62 and IN 56 are all part of highways that also go through some very boring areas.
I guess to fit consistently scenic, I'd go with some shorter highways like IN 156, IN 446, and maybe IN 145
If we're going to delve into the most consistently unscenic state highway, it's IN 16 hands down.
For Michigan, I would say M-22. A second choice would be M-119. And an oddball, M-185 :rolleyes:
Several others are runners up, such as M-123, M-77, M-26, M-134.
CA 49 over CA 1. CA 1 tends to drag as a urban arterial road in Southern California before it gets to anything good near Santa Monica. CA 49 is almost constantly aligned through sleeping mining era towns on an largely two lane alignment. CA 49 is only blighted by a freeway segment in Grass Valley and Nevada City. CA 89 would be right up there as well with almost constant scenic segments and a single freeway span in Truckee multiplexed with I-80. Some others that have near constant scenery include; CA 36, CA 299, CA 96, and CA 88.
In Arizona I would give the title to US 191 based off the Navajo Nation and Coronado Trail segments. None of the remaining segments are lacking for mountainous scenery. AZ 88 is kind of short but doesn't lack for scenery over it's entire alignment. AZ 260 is almost entirely forested aside it's western segment near Verde Valley. AZ 89A has two super nice scenic segments in Oak Creek Canyon and Mingus Mountain.
I nominate K-177 for Kansas.
And I'll gladly welcome anyone to dispute it, because I'm far from being familiar with all of Kansas' state highways.
I'll nominate US 98 for Florida out of the larger highways. US 98 is mostly rural and goes through a very diverse set of terrain in the form of the; Everglades, the shore of Lake Okeechobee, the Ocala Plateau, and the Gulf Coast. A1A obviously is a choice too but that's split into segments that are meant to be largely coastal intentionally.
Hm. I was going to say MA 116, but south of Mount Holyoke College, it enters dead mill city land.
Quote from: jayhawkco on August 19, 2020, 04:10:53 AM
[...]
There are others that would rank in a lot of states, and a couple that I haven't gotten the chance to drive yet (most of CO141 at the top of the list), but for my money, the most consistently scenic state highway in Colorado is CO5. From the lakes at the bottom to the mountain goats at the top, it's really tough to describe to others the feeling of driving above 14,000 feet. CO82 and CO91 close runners up for me.
[...]
Speaking of 5's, I'd nominate MO 5. Quaint farming country between Iowa and I-70, rolling hills between I-70 and the lakes, and the foothills of the Ozarks near Route 60.
I mainly asked to reply what is it like driving above 14,000 feet? Does it affect performance in any meaningful way?
Quote from: jayhawkco on August 19, 2020, 04:10:53 AM
a couple that I haven't gotten the chance to drive yet (most of CO141 at the top of the list)
I've driven all but the northernmost 5 miles (the part north of US-50 near GJ), and I can assure you the scenic is wonderful. I drove the part south of Naturita back in the 1990s, and I drove the part north of Naturita just a few years ago.
MO-14, MO-76, MO-90, and MO-106 are definitely up there. Also MO-181.
Quote from: jayhawkco on August 19, 2020, 04:10:53 AM
Did a search and didn't find anything. I live in Colorado and have a lot of really pretty drives, but it'd be nice to know which drives other states' members found to be the best so that I could make some detours off of the interstate to see them.
I have several nominations for Colorado:
CO139 - If you like the desert landscape mixed with pine forest, this is for you. The drive (especially southbound) over Douglas Pass is one of my prettiest spots in the state
CO82 - From Twin Lakes to Independence Pass, some of the best high mountain scenery in the state
CO5 - The highest paved road in the United States and views for days
CO91 - From Copper Mountain down to Leadville, you pass a bunch of 14ers, lakes, and gorgeous alpine scenery
CO149 - A very remote part of the state with Slumgullion Pass and views of Mt. Uncompaghre
CO12 - Definitely feeling more New Mexico than Colorado, the areas around Cuchara and La Veta are super nice
CO7 - Views of Longs Peak and the nice descent into Estes Park are all gorgeous
There are others that would rank in a lot of states, and a couple that I haven't gotten the chance to drive yet (most of CO141 at the top of the list), but for my money, the most consistently scenic state highway in Colorado is CO5. From the lakes at the bottom to the mountain goats at the top, it's really tough to describe to others the feeling of driving above 14,000 feet. CO82 and CO91 close runners up for me.
How about for your state?
Chris
Chris named most of my favorites in Colorado. I think Highway 5 probably takes the cake as an all-scenic route, and CO 91 is an underrated gem. But I wanted to name two of my favorites.
US 285 from Denver is the best long route, from urban scenery, canyons, far-off mountains through South Park and Buena Vista, the San Luis Valley, and onto New Mexico. And, the Guanella Pass Road is consistently scenic from Georgetown to Grant.
For Mississippi I'd say US 90.
As for Texas I have absolutely no idea, as I live in basically the most boring part of the state.
80-85% scenic
MN 61
MN 26
70-75% scenic
MN 46
60-65% scenic
MN 38
MN 16
MN 44
MN 74
MN 42
MN 156
50-55% scenic
MN 95 (the N-S segment between I-94 and US 8)
MN 43
MN 250
It would be had to find one as scenic as WIS 35 along the Mississippi and St Croix Rivers.
Quote from: CoreySamson on August 19, 2020, 04:24:11 PM
For Mississippi I'd say US 90.
As for Texas I have absolutely no idea, as I live in basically the most boring part of the state.
Texans will swear by US 281, but I guess "scenic" is in the eye of the beholder. You will definitely see a lot of "Real Texas" on that route.
Quote from: 1 on August 19, 2020, 05:29:03 AM
Pretty much any road in this area has fall foliage throughout its length.
That's the case here too, although to a slightly less extent than New England.
New York is a bit tricky, because most roads seem to have meh segments.
NY 364 is pretty consistently scenic. Same for NY 64, which has the quaint villages of Pittsford and Mendon plus some upscale suburbia.
I've never been on NY 28 south/east of the NY 12 multiplex, but it surely has to be a candidate: it goes through the heart of both the Catskills and the Adirondacks.
The entire length of NY 14A is basically NY's Amish country in a nutshell, if that counts.
NC 194. Two sections of it are part of the NC Scenic Byways.
MO 94 (which shadows the Missouri River between Jeff City and St. Charles) comes to mind as far as my state goes.
Quote from: jayhawkco on August 19, 2020, 04:10:53 AM
Did a search and didn't find anything. I live in Colorado and have a lot of really pretty drives, but it'd be nice to know which drives other states' members found to be the best so that I could make some detours off of the interstate to see them.
I have several nominations for Colorado:
CO139 - If you like the desert landscape mixed with pine forest, this is for you. The drive (especially southbound) over Douglas Pass is one of my prettiest spots in the state
CO82 - From Twin Lakes to Independence Pass, some of the best high mountain scenery in the state
CO5 - The highest paved road in the United States and views for days
CO91 - From Copper Mountain down to Leadville, you pass a bunch of 14ers, lakes, and gorgeous alpine scenery
CO149 - A very remote part of the state with Slumgullion Pass and views of Mt. Uncompaghre
CO12 - Definitely feeling more New Mexico than Colorado, the areas around Cuchara and La Veta are super nice
CO7 - Views of Longs Peak and the nice descent into Estes Park are all gorgeous
There are others that would rank in a lot of states, and a couple that I haven't gotten the chance to drive yet (most of CO141 at the top of the list), but for my money, the most consistently scenic state highway in Colorado is CO5. From the lakes at the bottom to the mountain goats at the top, it's really tough to describe to others the feeling of driving above 14,000 feet. CO82 and CO91 close runners up for me.
How about for your state?
Chris
co-14, tho it might not be 'consistently' scenic.. the section through ft collins is decidedly gritty and urban, tho one could argue its scenic in a 'different' sort of way..
the section out on the plains, (sterling-fort collins) is pretty, in its desolation -- you can see a loooooong ways down that road.
the section in the mountains, (ft collins - to jct us 40 near steamboat) is the best,tho.
Quote from: webny99 on August 19, 2020, 09:24:27 PM
Quote from: 1 on August 19, 2020, 05:29:03 AM
Pretty much any road in this area has fall foliage throughout its length.
That's the case here too, although to a slightly less extent than New England.
New York is a bit tricky, because most roads seem to have meh segments.
NY 364 is pretty consistently scenic. Same for NY 64, which has the quaint villages of Pittsford and Mendon plus some upscale suburbia.
I've never been on NY 28 south/east of the NY 12 multiplex, but it surely has to be a candidate: it goes through the heart of both the Catskills and the Adirondacks.
The entire length of NY 14A is basically NY's Amish country in a nutshell, if that counts.
I always liked driving NY 364.
Try NY 436 between Dansville and Portageville sometime...particularly westbound.
Quote from: jemacedo9 on August 20, 2020, 08:19:46 AM
I always liked driving NY 364.
Try NY 436 between Dansville and Portageville sometime...particularly westbound.
Same here!
I have driven NY 436, but it was eastbound. It's the kind of road that most people in the country don't know exists in New York.
My vote is for PA 120 in Pennsylvania, it's a beautiful road the whole way.
Quote from: zachary_amaryllis on August 20, 2020, 01:54:29 AM
Quote from: jayhawkco on August 19, 2020, 04:10:53 AM
Did a search and didn't find anything. I live in Colorado and have a lot of really pretty drives, but it'd be nice to know which drives other states' members found to be the best so that I could make some detours off of the interstate to see them.
I have several nominations for Colorado:
CO139 - If you like the desert landscape mixed with pine forest, this is for you. The drive (especially southbound) over Douglas Pass is one of my prettiest spots in the state
CO82 - From Twin Lakes to Independence Pass, some of the best high mountain scenery in the state
CO5 - The highest paved road in the United States and views for days
CO91 - From Copper Mountain down to Leadville, you pass a bunch of 14ers, lakes, and gorgeous alpine scenery
CO149 - A very remote part of the state with Slumgullion Pass and views of Mt. Uncompaghre
CO12 - Definitely feeling more New Mexico than Colorado, the areas around Cuchara and La Veta are super nice
CO7 - Views of Longs Peak and the nice descent into Estes Park are all gorgeous
There are others that would rank in a lot of states, and a couple that I haven't gotten the chance to drive yet (most of CO141 at the top of the list), but for my money, the most consistently scenic state highway in Colorado is CO5. From the lakes at the bottom to the mountain goats at the top, it's really tough to describe to others the feeling of driving above 14,000 feet. CO82 and CO91 close runners up for me.
How about for your state?
Chris
co-14, tho it might not be 'consistently' scenic.. the section through ft collins is decidedly gritty and urban, tho one could argue its scenic in a 'different' sort of way..
the section out on the plains, (sterling-fort collins) is pretty, in its desolation -- you can see a loooooong ways down that road.
the section in the mountains, (ft collins - to jct us 40 near steamboat) is the best,tho.
CO14 has a bunch of pretty spots, no doubt. But the eastern part I still can't get behind. I've been clinching the NE Colorado roads as I up my Colorado percentage north of 70%, but CO14 there is not one of the pretty ones unless you count the faint outline of the Pawnee Buttes to the north. CO71 north of CO14 to the Nebraska border I thought was pretty nice as was CO61 that I just drove today (CO63 on the other hand was not interesting at all). I don't mind the plains as a guy who lived in Kansas for 15 years, but CO14 around Briggsdale is not one of those pretty spots. Kudos to you though if you like it.
Chris
It would be tough to argue with either Nevada 28 along the north and east shores of Lake Tahoe, or Nevada 431, the Mt. Rose Highway, climbing from Incline Village to an 8900-foot summit and then plunging 4000 feet to the south end of Reno.
For Michigan, I'm going with M-26 in the Keweenaw Peninsula as my top one, M-22, M-119, M-25, M-134.
For Indiana, I'm going with SR-46, SR-62, SR-38, SR-1, SR-121 (southern segment).
Quote from: gonealookin on August 21, 2020, 01:38:08 AM
It would be tough to argue with either Nevada 28 along the north and east shores of Lake Tahoe, or Nevada 431, the Mt. Rose Highway, climbing from Incline Village to an 8900-foot summit and then plunging 4000 feet to the south end of Reno.
NV 341 would rank right up there as well given the terrain and how much mining history it passes through.
Quote from: Flint1979 on August 21, 2020, 01:45:31 AM
For Michigan, I'm going with M-26 in the Keweenaw Peninsula as my top one, M-22, M-119, M-25, M-134.
For Indiana, I'm going with SR-46, SR-62, SR-38, SR-1, SR-121 (southern segment).
I wouldn't agree with SR 38 there, unless cornfields count as scenic. It ain't SR 16 as mentioned above but SR 38 doesn't do a whole lot either. Likewise, SR 1 is not even remotely scenic for the majority of its route. South of Bluffton it is rather boring all the way south to Connersville where the scenery starts changing. There's very little to it between Bluffton and Connersville.
Quote from: tdindy88 on August 21, 2020, 09:53:18 AM
Quote from: Flint1979 on August 21, 2020, 01:45:31 AM
For Michigan, I'm going with M-26 in the Keweenaw Peninsula as my top one, M-22, M-119, M-25, M-134.
For Indiana, I'm going with SR-46, SR-62, SR-38, SR-1, SR-121 (southern segment).
I wouldn't agree with SR 38 there, unless cornfields count as scenic. It ain't SR 16 as mentioned above but SR 38 doesn't do a whole lot either. Likewise, SR 1 is not even remotely scenic for the majority of its route. South of Bluffton it is rather boring all the way south to Connersville where the scenery starts changing. There's very little to it between Bluffton and Connersville.
We're talking about Indiana though. I at least like the Hamilton County stretch of SR-38. SR-42 is another one I like, I used it to bypass a traffic jam on I-70 between SR-59 and Cloverdale once. I had asked at the Petro there what the alternate route for I-70 is and they told me US-40, right after I pulled out I thought I'm taking SR-42 instead and I'm kind of glad I did but I also told them I was going to Greencastle instead of Cloverdale so that's probably why they told me to take 40. SR-42 is very curvy and narrow and I like that aspect.
Quote from: Ketchup99 on August 20, 2020, 08:26:34 PM
My vote is for PA 120 in Pennsylvania, it's a beautiful road the whole way.
I clinched PA 120 two years ago, driving from west to east. It's a very scenic but very desolate road. For much of the way, I had no cellular service. The topography is extreme, and the road was down to one lane in a couple of places due to landslides undercutting the eastbound lanes. Hyner View State Park is spectacular, though, and worth the drive. On the entire 104 miles of PA 120, the only towns are Ridgway, Emporium, Renovo and Lock Haven. Other than that, very little development. It wasn't until I got to Lock Haven that I felt like I was back in civilization.
Quote from: Gnutella on August 25, 2020, 04:58:42 AM
On the entire 104 miles of PA 120, the only towns are Ridgway, Emporium, Renovo and Lock Haven. Other than that, very little development. It wasn't until I got to Lock Haven that I felt like I was back in civilization.
Don't forget St. Mary's - home of the Straub Brewery.
Quote from: Road Hog on August 19, 2020, 08:22:53 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on August 19, 2020, 04:24:11 PM
For Mississippi I'd say US 90.
As for Texas I have absolutely no idea, as I live in basically the most boring part of the state.
Texans will swear by US 281, but I guess "scenic" is in the eye of the beholder. You will definitely see a lot of "Real Texas" on that route.
The answer is FM 337.
Quote from: TXtoNJ on August 25, 2020, 04:13:15 PM
The answer is FM 337.
Technically, it's RM 337. But yeah, add that one to my bucket list.
After thinking more about it I'm going to go with M-26 for Michigan and IN-62 for Indiana. Case closed.
For the ones I've been on, MA 2 and MA 9, although closer to Boston they get duller.
For Utah, it has to be SR 12. Although there are plenty of great highways in the state, none of them come close to 12 as far as I'm concerned.
Beyond that, if I had to pick a top ten, not in order, I'd probably go with:
- I-70
- US 163
- SR 9
- SR 31
- SR 39
- SR 44
- SR 95
- SR 150
- SR 210
Quote from: Road Hog on August 19, 2020, 08:22:53 PM
Quote from: CoreySamson on August 19, 2020, 04:24:11 PM
For Mississippi I'd say US 90.
As for Texas I have absolutely no idea, as I live in basically the most boring part of the state.
Texans will swear by US 281, but I guess "scenic" is in the eye of the beholder. You will definitely see a lot of "Real Texas" on that route.
It's TX 118. It starts at I-10, runs south through the Davis Mountains to Fort Davis and Alpine, then it runs to Big Bend National Park through a basin and range region with single mountains and smaller ranges. Outside of Alpine, there's no part of it that isn't dramatically scenic. Even in town, mountains are visible most of the time.
TX 166 and the observatory spurs could also be considered, but I gave my answer because of its length. It's consistently, and dramatically, scenic for 157 miles.
Quote from: US 89 on August 25, 2020, 06:39:59 PM
For Utah, it has to be SR 12. Although there are plenty of great highways in the state, none of them come close to 12 as far as I'm concerned.
Beyond that, if I had to pick a top ten, not in order, I'd probably go with:
- I-70
- US 163
- SR 9
- SR 31
- SR 39
- SR 44
- SR 95
- SR 150
- SR 210
No UT 24, 128, or 279?
Illinois isn't scenic and it sucks. Maybe IL-84 as it follows the Mississippi River for a long while? IL-2 as it follows the Rock River? I've been thinking of maybe nominating some roads in the Shawnee National Forest, but I don't know of any that are consistently scenic (146? 151? 147? 166?).
I was also going to mention UT-24 or maybe UT-95. I've heard UT-128 is amazing.
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 25, 2020, 08:33:47 PM
Illinois isn't scenic and it sucks. Maybe IL-84 as it follows the Mississippi River for a long while? IL-2 as it follows the Rock River? I've been thinking of maybe nominating some roads in the Shawnee National Forest, but I don't know of any that are consistently scenic (146? 151? 147? 166?).
I was also going to mention UT-24 or maybe UT-95. I've heard UT-128 is amazing.
UT 128 is incredibly pretty and still is interesting in the form of the ghost town Cisco upon pulling away from the Colorado River.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 25, 2020, 09:04:26 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 25, 2020, 08:33:47 PM
I was also going to mention UT-24 or maybe UT-95. I've heard UT-128 is amazing.
UT 128 is incredibly pretty and still is interesting in the form of the ghost town Cisco upon pulling away from the Colorado River.
It was hard to limit it just to a top 10. I left 24 out mostly because the part between Hanksville and 70 isn't really that exciting, and it spends a while in the flat farmlands of Sevier County. But the scenic parts probably more than balance that out in the long run.
I should probably have included 128, though.
Does VA-48 count? (Unsigned designation for Blue Ridge Pkwy and Skyline Dr)
Quote from: wxfree on August 25, 2020, 08:27:51 PM
It's TX 118. It starts at I-10, runs south through the Davis Mountains to Fort Davis and Alpine, then it runs to Big Bend National Park through a basin and range region with single mountains and smaller ranges. Outside of Alpine, there's no part of it that isn't dramatically scenic. Even in town, mountains are visible most of the time.
Hmmm.... There are some stretches of straight, flat highway where the mountains are only in the distance, though, right? I don't think the same can be said of RM-337.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 25, 2020, 08:28:47 PM
Quote from: US 89 on August 25, 2020, 06:39:59 PM
For Utah, it has to be SR 12. Although there are plenty of great highways in the state, none of them come close to 12 as far as I'm concerned.
Beyond that, if I had to pick a top ten, not in order, I'd probably go with:
- I-70
- US 163
- SR 9
- SR 31
- SR 39
- SR 44
- SR 95
- SR 150
- SR 210
No UT 24, 128, or 279?
I agree with UT-12. The stretch of UT-24 north of Hanksville, while arguably scenic in its own way, just doesn't hold a candle to UT-12. As for UT-128, I feel the same way about the portion north of the Colorado River valley: arguably scenic in a different way, but also rather drab, especially the part that's old US-6 (notwithstanding the existence of Cisco).
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 25, 2020, 08:33:47 PM
Illinois isn't scenic and it sucks. Maybe IL-84 as it follows the Mississippi River for a long while? IL-2 as it follows the Rock River? I've been thinking of maybe nominating some roads in the Shawnee National Forest, but I don't know of any that are consistently scenic (146? 151? 147? 166?).
I was also going to mention UT-24 or maybe UT-95. I've heard UT-128 is amazing.
IL-3 for the same reasons as IL-84?
Route 3 is pretty good for Illinois, but I wouldn't call it "consistently scenic".
I personally think Route 34 between Benton and Harrisburg is a beautiful drive. I've driven it many times for work as a delivery driver, and my wife did it for work a couple of times too. I haven't driven the portion south of Harrisburg, but GSV indicates it's pretty scenic as well.
Route 146 could be a contender, although I'm unfamiliar with the portion west of Jonesboro.
Quote from: kphoger on August 26, 2020, 10:20:06 AM
Route 3 is pretty good for Illinois, but I wouldn't call it "consistently scenic".
I personally think Route 34 between Benton and Harrisburg is a beautiful drive. I've driven it many times for work as a delivery driver, and my wife did it for work a couple of times too. I haven't driven the portion south of Harrisburg, but GSV indicates it's pretty scenic as well.
Route 146 could be a contender, although I'm unfamiliar with the portion west of Jonesboro.
I would agree since it's an almost 200 mile highway that goes through the eastern suburbs of St. Louis that part isn't scenic but south of the St. Louis area I would say it is.
Yeah, even the flat farmland stretches of Route 3 are still decently pretty.
Quote from: kphoger on August 26, 2020, 10:49:02 AM
Yeah, even the flat farmland stretches of Route 3 are still decently pretty.
Better than anything else Illinois has to offer.
Route 3 has those historical sites along the Mississippi River that are interesting.
Quote from: Flint1979 on August 26, 2020, 11:53:09 AM
Route 3 has those historical sites along the Mississippi River that are interesting.
Better than 146, you think?
Quote from: kphoger on August 26, 2020, 12:25:07 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on August 26, 2020, 11:53:09 AM
Route 3 has those historical sites along the Mississippi River that are interesting.
Better than 146, you think?
IL-146 is right up there, it may be more scenic than IL-3 but I think it's pretty close. IL-146 goes past Dixon Springs and Cave-In-Rock which makes it's interesting. So I don't think you can say that Illinois doesn't have any scenic highways just not a lot of them.
Quote from: Thing 342 on August 25, 2020, 10:30:22 PM
Does VA-48 count? (Unsigned designation for Blue Ridge Pkwy and Skyline Dr)
Also my first thought. VA 151 is great as well, and VA 6 is nice once you get past the Richmond suburbia. Elsewhere in the state, I always recommend VA 5 for people traveling between Richmond and Williamsburg.
Quote from: Flint1979 on August 26, 2020, 02:20:34 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 26, 2020, 12:25:07 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on August 26, 2020, 11:53:09 AM
Route 3 has those historical sites along the Mississippi River that are interesting.
Better than 146, you think?
IL-146 is right up there, it may be more scenic than IL-3 but I think it's pretty close. IL-146 goes past Dixon Springs and Cave-In-Rock which makes it's interesting. So I don't think you can say that Illinois doesn't have any scenic highways just not a lot of them.
Part of the problem with Illinois, for me, is that I can think of a whole BUNCH of scenic stretches of highway, but almost all of them are on long routes that have plenty of boring sections too.
AR-23 end to end is my favorite. Lots of the roads intersecting it are scenic as well and it encompasses 3 of the major landforms in western AR, the Ozarks, Arkansas River Valley, and Ouachitas. Crosses the Arkansas River on one of the nicest bridges in the state, and one of the other intersecting roads, AR-187, is also scenic from end to end and crosses Table Rock Lake at the "Little Golden Gate" and also crosses Beaver Lake at Beaver Dam. The Talimena Scenic Drive portion of AR-88 is also worth seeing any time of year up near Rich Mtn., as well as AR-309 from end to end over Mt. Magazine.
Quote from: kphoger on August 26, 2020, 02:58:06 PM
Part of the problem with Illinois, for me, is that I can think of a whole BUNCH of scenic stretches of highway, but almost all of them are on long routes that have plenty of boring sections too.
Agreed.
Quote from: kphoger on August 26, 2020, 10:20:06 AM
Route 146 could be a contender, although I'm unfamiliar with the portion west of Jonesboro.
There isn't much left of it west of Jonesboro, and the western end is one of the most beautiful bridges in the whole state. With that said, IL-146 is a great suggestion!
Quote from: thspfc on August 19, 2020, 07:31:43 AM
WI-35.
That's a good one. Another contender would be US-2 along Lake Superior.
Washington State:
Interstates: Meh, none that are incredibly scenic for significant stretches.
For US Highways, my vote goes to US 97. North to south, it starts at the Columbia Gorge, climbs to a plateau where one can get views of Mount Rainier, Adams, St. Helens, and Hood. Then climbs over Satus Pass, drops into the Yakima Valley, which can be scenic depending on the season. Then the road is multiplexed with I-82 over the Manastash Hills to Ellensburg. This is an interesting drive in it's own right, but the original US 97 route went through the Yakima River canyon. It is now WA-821, and that is very pretty. North of Ellensburg, US 97 crosses Blewett Pass, down the Wenatchee Valley with US 2 then up the Columbia River (the west side of the river is Alt-US 97 through Chelan. The east side of the river is mainline US 97.) Finally US 97 follows the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers all the way to the Canadian border.
I have also always been fond of US 195 from Spokane to the Idaho state line just north of Lewiston. Almost exclusively farmland on the route, but it is rolling hills that is pretty interesting, with occasional pine trees mixed in.
US 101 could also be a contender for obvious reasons, but it does have some long boring stretches when it is away from the ocean.
For state routes, I nominate the following for the top 10:
WA 10 (old segment of US 10 through the Yakima River canyon from Cle Elum to Ellensburg)
WA 11 (Chuckanut Drive)
WA 14 (follows the north side of the Columbia River through the Gorge from Vancouver to Plymouth)
WA 20 (the longest highway of any type in the state, a major portion of it is the North Cascades Highway)
WA 27 (for similar reasons as US 195, except it is narrower and windier)
WA 112 (follows the Strait of Juan de Fuca for its whole length out to Neah Bay)
WA 129 (first portion follows the Snake River from Clarkston to Asotin, then it climbs up a mountain to the tiny town of Anatone, enters the pine forest, drops down to a crossing of the Grand Rhonde River, and climbs back up to the Oregon state line)
WA 410 (a portion of old US 410, crosses Chinook Pass and goes through Mount Rainier National Park)
WA 504 (the rebuilt road to Mount St. Helens)
WA 821 (Yakima River canyon from Ellensburg to Yakima, old route of US 97, mentioned above)
Ohio I would nominate the following
OH 32 Appalachian Highway It stays pretty scenic for almost the entire route even though it is a major highway
OH 73 It has areas that aren't so exciting but they don't last that long.
I would include these but I have not been on the northern ends of them
OH 13 I have not been north of Mansfield
OH 7 very scenic as it follows the Ohio River but I have not been on it north of East Liverpool
OH 93 and OH 60 I have only been as far north as Zanesville
Lots of lesser state highways in the Southeast part of the state that are scenic.
Jim
I'll nominate PA 44 for my home state. Probably has the most varied trek across the state, from mountains in the northern and center parts to farmland in the south; haven't been south of US 15 though. Also has the longest distance in PA without any gas: 71 miles (for a northern state that's not Maine, that's pretty long). PA 120 loses out by being boring west of Emporium, or at least St. Marys.
Other runner ups:
PA 14
PA 120
PA 144
US 6
US 322 west of Harrisburg
US 15 north of Williamsport
In CA, an obvious choice is CA 1, despite parts of it being urban slogs. Of course Cambria-Carmel, Davenport-Pacifica (at least before the fire!), and Jenner-Leggett would be the three longer stretches that would certainly qualify. Mill Valley-Bodega Bay is also nice, but seems to be more crowded and troublesome each passing year. Second on the list would be CA 89. The two passes between US 395 and US 50 are gorgeous; Tahoe is either unsurpassed or a pain in the ass (little in between). The Graeagle/Blairsden area has always been a favorite of mine -- and there's always Keddie Wye on the RR line just below CA 70/89 in the Indian Creek canyon -- one of the most spectacular structures of its kind. Almanor, Lassen, Burney Falls, the south flank of Shasta -- it's one great view after another. Finally, an unsung outlier -- CA 3. The south end between CA 36 and CA 299 is an example of what original CA mountainous state routes looked and functioned like in the early decades of the system, while the more recently deployed section over Scott Mountain exemplifies more modern alignment techniques. Etna and Fort Jones are positively bucolic, and even the Main Street section through Yreka is a trip to times past. Always a treat!
Quote from: kphoger on August 26, 2020, 12:25:07 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on August 26, 2020, 11:53:09 AM
Route 3 has those historical sites along the Mississippi River that are interesting.
Better than 146, you think?
Does it help either route out that they are concurrent for about 11-12 miles?