Iconic USA Drives....List Your Favorite

[mikeleblanc413]

I want to seek out the most iconic USA drives. List your favorite (that would be one) and why. Tell us what you most brought away from that drive. I'll look forward to the replies! THANKS.

[fanrgs]

dewey02 wrote:
As they say in Congress, "We've got a federal program for that!"

But neither of those links tells an RVer whether he can, or should, take his motorcoach or 5th wheel trailer over that route.

[dewey02]

As they say in Congress, "We've got a federal program for that!":B

There are 150 National Scenic Byways that are designated by the Secretary of Transportation. Many of the one's folks have already listed are National Scenic Byways.

Here's a map of all of them, and you can click on any one to get more information.
National Scenic Byway Map

And here's another one that also has lists of National Forest Scenic Byways, BLM Back Country Byways, Parkways, and other Scenic Roads. Click on the USA map and it will bring up a map of the specific byway. Click on the state listing below the map, and it will bring up a map of all the byways in that state.
Even better map

[sweetnoni]

the route that goes from Zion to Bryce, through Capitol Reef, through ARches, through Canyonlands, through Monument Valley, to Hovensweep, to Grand Canyon south rim. Beautiful state!

[fanrgs]

Colorado 149 from Blue Mesa Reservoir to South Fork passes through two interesting late 19th century mining towns--Lake City and Creede. Creede was made famous in a poem by newspaper editor Cy Warman:

The cliffs are solid silver
With wondrous wealth untold,
And the beds of running rivers
Are lined with purest gold.
While the world is filled with sorrow,
And hearts must break and bleed,
It's day all day in the day-time
And there is no night in Creede.

CO 149 also passes by beautiful Lake San Cristobal and its natural dam--the Slumgullion Mudslide, which is so large that it was photographed by the Gemini astronauts. This paved highway can be traversed by any size RV, but is really at its best in the latter part of September when the aspen are turning yellow, gold, and orange.

[Jim_Shoe]

I completely forgot to mention my all summer drive from Cincinnati, OH to Fairbanks, AK and return in my 'C', pulling a Jeep toad. Crossed into Canada at Sweetgrass, MT. Drove thru Alberta and British Colombia into Alaska, spent some time fishing for salmon with a buddy that has a cabin in Cooper Landing, AK. on the Kenai Peninsula, then headed north to Denali NP and Fairbanks, crossing the border again at Sweetgrass on the way home. I actually got a picture of Denali (Mt. McKinley) when the peak wasn't shrouded in fog. The trip of a lifetime for me.

[RCMAN46]

If you are in the Sedona Arizona area do Verde Canyon Railroad. Although not a highway trip it is a beautiful trip up a river canyon by train.

But the country you travel through by car to get there is also spectacular and full of history about mining in the old west.

Another favorite is the drive from Durango Colorado to Silverton Colorado and then do the trip by the Durango Silverton narrow gauge railroad. That is a trip well worth the time.

[SubVet]

I love NC Route 12 on the Outer Banks. All the way from the sand at the Virginia border to Ocracoke.

[B_Sjulestad]

bmanning wrote:
89A from Sedona to Flagstaff in Arizona.

I've made that drive maybe a dozen times over the years & it takes my breath away every single time.

Maybe not iconic but personal favorites:

Back East, US Route 7 running through Vermont will always hold a special place in my heart.

Honorable mentions: 200 on the way to Heron MT, the roads in & around Mammoth Lakes CA, the Morristown/Chester/Mendham areas in NJ, the drive from Oxford OH to Liberty/Brookville Lake IN

Yes! 89A is a nice drive. I remember when that was the only way from Phoenix to Flagstaff:E

[Allworth]

Rt 12 on the Escalante.

Any of the tracks above Silverton and Animas Forks.

[bmanning]

89A from Sedona to Flagstaff in Arizona.

I've made that drive maybe a dozen times over the years & it takes my breath away every single time.

Maybe not iconic but personal favorites:

Back East, US Route 7 running through Vermont will always hold a special place in my heart.

Honorable mentions: 200 on the way to Heron MT, the roads in & around Mammoth Lakes CA, the Morristown/Chester/Mendham areas in NJ, the drive from Oxford OH to Liberty/Brookville Lake IN

[Lauren]

Have done the Moki three times for some great pix. NOT with the 5er!

[DouglasC]

Lots of great suggestions here. While my wife and I full-timed, we drove almost all of these roads.

Here's one I haven't seen posted yet: Utah 261 north of Mexican Hat, up the "Moki Dugway" to where it intersects with Utah 95. Just the serpentine climb up a shear cliff (the "Moki Dugway") makes this a "not to miss" drive.

[jefe_4x4]

Going to the Sun highway in a 20' truck camper. There's some excitement there.
The Lolo byway: a route Louis and Clark took in 1804-06. You do have to pick your season, however:

Seven jeep trails over high passes in the San Juans in a hardside truck camper. They will get your attention. This is going up to Imogene Pass, over 13K feet:

[clikrf8]

Burr Trail Road all the way to the bottom of the switchbacks. Only in a TC . Too tight for anything longer. BTR is off the famed Highway 12 in Utah's Red Rock Country.