OT: 5 (or more) Road Trips on your personal must-do list

[triaddukefan]

I probably have about 89 or so...... but I first list the top 5 that immediately come to mind.

1) The Blue Ridge Parkway from beginning to end. Its 469 miles. Ive driven on approximately 220 miles of it through the years in both NC and VA.... from mileposts 120 to 340.... hope to check out mileposts 469-340 this year.

2) The Pacific Coast Highway

3) Vermont Route 100 in the fall

4) Interstate 70 from Denver to the Utah State line

5) US 1 from Miami to Key West.

 

[cookie447]

In honor of now 74 yr. old Bob Dylan, let's not forget Highway 61.......

 

[Bonpland]

I have three on your list. I've ridden the Blue Ridge forty years ago on a motorcycle (on my way to Asheville where I made a right and headed for California). Hope it's still as beautiful as it was then.

On the same trip I drove from Monterey to the northern Pacific tip of Washington on 101, and I've been on Vermont 100 in the fall.

I'd add the Lewis and Clark Highway from Missoula to Vancouver Washington, along the Columbia River Gorge, and although it's out of country The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. There isn't a more beautiful place to see.

 

[UcMiami]

Triad, done all of those. Though Denver to Utah was on a bus so I am not sure it counts. I'll add one (also already done) the Hana highway and then around the back side of Haliakala on Maui. Blue Ridge is also gorgeous. And either the kankamagus highway in NH or the auto route up (and hopefully back down) Mt. Washington.

 

[VAMike23]

How about Route 1 out in California, near Carmel and/or Big Sur? I haven't made that trip along that stretch of coast but I for years I've heard it's spectacular.

 

[reno tony]

How about Route 1 out in California, near Carmel and/or Big Sur? I haven't made that trip along that stretch of coast but I for years I've heard it's spectacular.

That is number 2 on the list, Pacific Coast Highway. I went from Carmel south for about 75 miles last year and it is absolutely gorgeous. A lot of turnouts to stop and take pictures.

 

[reno tony]

I like different parts of Route 66. All the little towns and family restaurants and great picture taking if you are a photo buff.

 

[HiDribble]

The loneliest road in America. Route 50 across Nevada. Start in Lake Tahoe in the afternoon. The sights and smells in the desert at dusk are memorable.

 

[ctfjr]

I've ridden the 1st four on your list on a motorcycle and I would add a few others:
Chief Joseph's Highway (on the Montana/Wyoming border)
Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park (#1 pick)
Icefields Parkway in Alberta (my avatar is from there)
Cherohala Skyway (North Carolina)
Deals Gap (NC / TN border)

All great mc rides (ok even great car rides)

 

[ctfjr]

I probably have about 89 or so. but I first list the top 5 that immediately come to mind.

1) The Blue Ridge Parkway from beginning to end. Its 469 miles. Ive driven on approximately 220 miles of it through the years in both NC and VA.... from mileposts 120 to 340.... hope to check out mileposts 469-340 this year.

BTW the top 100 miles is Skyline Drive, a national park

 

[vtcwbuff]

I've done the 5 on your list but I don't think I've done all of the Blue Ridge. The last time I drove it we had to stop because of a mid April blizzard. I would add -
Trail Ridge Rd in RMNP and Highway 101 in Washington and Oregon.

The overseas highway to Key West is nowhere near as much fun since they replaced the bridges.

 

[tennparker3]

The Pacific Coast Highway is gorgeous. Oregon is beautiful beyond words but my favorite place in the entire world, Monterey, is at the very least a yearly stop. Another gem on the highway is Ano Nuevo State Park. Pay 7 dollars and a park guide with take you on a tour of the beach and large dunes to see tens of thousands of elephant seals.

North Shore All American scenic drive in Minnesota is a great one as well.

 

[triaddukefan]

I have three on your list. I've ridden the Blue Ridge forty years ago on a motorcycle (on my way to Asheville where I made a right and headed for California). Hope it's still as beautiful as it was then.

On the same trip I drove from Monterey to the northern Pacific tip of Washington on 101, and I've been on Vermont 100 in the fall.

I'd add the Lewis and Clark Highway from Missoula to Vancouver Washington, along the Columbia River Gorge, and although it's out of country The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. There isn't a more beautiful place to see.

Probably a decade ago... or more.. I got a travel guide book to Nova Scotia..... I had no idea it was so beautiful. I made up my mind then that Nova Scotia would be the destination for my honeymoon (whenever i got married) and a complete drive of the Cabot Trail would be mandatory.

Triad, done all of those. Though Denver to Utah was on a bus so I am not sure it counts. I'll add one (also already done) the Hana highway and then around the back side of Haliakala on Maui. Blue Ridge is also gorgeous. And either the kankamagus highway in NH or the auto route up (and hopefully back down) Mt. Washington.

Ive read about the highway in NH before.... seems very nice.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I've been on part of the Pacific Coast Highway during several west coast trips when we lived in the East and agree that it was indeed wonderful. Expect to revisit it over the year as we start seeing some of the West Coast Lighthouses (one of our hobbies)

We spent 3-5 days almost every year in Vermont during the fall, and I assure you that Route 100 is not the only - although one of the best - drives that are must takes. Spent almost every day of the vacation (based in Chester, VT except for one side-trip to NH one year and one side-trip to Burlington one year) driving around mid-state Vermont and into nearby New Hampshire. Just crossing the border from NY to Vermont each year and we would feel like our cares melted away.

The Miami to Key West drive is one I definitely want to do, probably in conjunction with one of our dream trips - to see the various Reef Lights off the Florida Coast. Because they all are pretty much separate boat trips, it is most practical to do it on an organized "trip" sponsored by one of the various Lighthouse organizations. So someday . . .

 

[Wally East]

The drive from Anchorage to Seward is fantastic as is the drive to Valdez. The one road in Denali National Park is incredible.

The Avenue of the Giants goes through a number of coastal redwood groves. Howland Hill Road in Jeddediah Smith State Park in California is only about 6 miles but it goes deep into a forest of tremendous redwoods.

 

[Harry Mangurian]

http://www.hwy55.com/
http://www.hwy55.com/
in Hillsborough NC

 

[Alydar]

I would add Highway 191 in Utah, from I-70 south through Moab to the four corners. I kept feeling that someone was going to stop the car and charge a fee for the spectacular views.

I've been on the Hana road in Maui and the Cabot trail in Nova Scotia. The beauty of the views was tempered by my fear of heights. The sheer cliffs along the roads had my heart racing. LOL

 

[MilfordHusky]

PCH around Monterey Bay and south past Big Sur to SLO is fabulous. Carmel has more charm per square foot than anywhere. Pacific Grove is incredibly scenic. Pebble Beach is iconic. La Cuesta Encantada (Hearst Castle in San Simeon) is a must-see. Some places just feel as if they are where you were meant to be. This is MY place.

 

[Gate81]

I have three on your list. I've ridden the Blue Ridge forty years ago on a motorcycle (on my way to Asheville where I made a right and headed for California). Hope it's still as beautiful as it was then.

On the same trip I drove from Monterey to the northern Pacific tip of Washington on 101, and I've been on Vermont 100 in the fall.

I'd add the Lewis and Clark Highway from Missoula to Vancouver Washington, along the Columbia River Gorge, and although it's out of country The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. There isn't a more beautiful place to see.

Columbia River Gorge is one of the most underrated gems in this entire country. You can get there in about an hour from Portland, OR.

 

[meyers7]

I would add Highway 191 in Utah, from I-70 south through Moab to the four corners. I kept feeling that someone was going to stop the car and charge a fee for the spectacular views.

 

[ChicagoGG]

Keep thinking good thoughts about that Route 100 drive in VT, but in an addition to Knightsbridge's post....another beautiful drive is to come off I-91 by the CT River, exit 6, take route 103 up thru Chester, VT, and keep going thru the mountains until you hit Route 7. Go north a few miles and pick up Route 4 towards NY state. This is a 15 mile highway that was evidently a gift from some legislator for Rutland. But a lovely drive. Then take 22A north (exit 2) thru the Great Ledge and down on to the floor of the Champlain Valley. Take a left on 125, thru some beautiful farmland. You will find 3 things at the end : 1) Lake Champlain; 2) A very nice new bridge (free) to NY state, and 3) The Bridge restaurant which has good food and amazing pie. BTW, from I-91 to the Lake sounds long, but will come in around 2-2.5 hours depending on whether there are farm vehicles that are slower than you in some parts. Very relaxing and lovely way to cross VT.

 

[Drumguy]

I've got three of the OP but only part of the Blue Sky, so I'll go back and hit that when I retire!
I've done the Nachez Trace from Nashville to Natchez and Rte. 1 North of Boston to just about Quoddy (fell a few miles short in ME of the last mile marker- the old harbors past Acadia are pretty neat. 93 north of Manchester through Franconia notch and over the Kancamangas to Crawford Notch. How about CA 395 north of Victorville through the mountains (Little Pine, Big Pine , Bishop) past the landward side of the Sierra Madres (Mammoth Mountain) and Mono Lake - Then through the pass to Yosemite or north to Tahoe.?

 

[diggerfoot]

The loneliest road in America. Route 50 across Nevada. Start in Lake Tahoe in the afternoon. The sights and smells in the desert at dusk are memorable.

Having hiked (not driven) both Route 50 and Route 6 in Nevada I can attest that Route 6 is lonelier. Perhaps the billing of "loneliest highway" has driven up tourist traffic on Route 50. Cars came by us about once every 5-10 minutes on 50, about every 15-20 minutes on 6.

 

[uconnfan68]

That is number 2 on the list, Pacific Coast Highway. I went from Carmel south for about 75 miles last year and it is absolutely gorgeous. A lot of turnouts to stop and take pictures.

The downside is you can't be the driver. Canada, Route 1, BC through Alberta. Spectacular.

 

[Bonpland]

Triad, I've spent a fair amount of time in Nova Scotia and I lived in the Maritimes for two years when I was in my twenties (a long time ago). Nova Scotia is the gem of the entire east coast. My good friend has driven through (on a BMW motorcycle) Europe, Hawaii, West Africa, and across the USA from coast to coast and from Florida and Mexico to Alaska and the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, and he and I both agree that the single most beautiful and varied (not just 600 miles of the same thing) trip to take is to drive the perimeter of NS. Halifax is a great small city and the coast line goes from the Atlantic to the Bay of Fundy to the Northumberland Straight. The small towns are out of a movie set, the people are friendly, and the beaches are uncrowded.

One warning though it's not Las Vegas. No Casinos, and once your outside of Halifax the only night life to be found is in small local pubs. Perfect for me, but probably not everyone's idea of the perfect hooneymoon.