According To You: Hagerty Readers’ Favorite Driving Roads
The call of the open road is hard to ignore for most car enthusiasts, and those who read this website are no different. The feedback we received from this question stretched across the United States, was enlightening, and a bit overwhelming. Some answers went beyond the lower 48 and were impossible to overlook in this collection. Organizing such a comprehensive list of driving roads can be difficult, but luckily Hagerty Community member Bruce suggested, “please do us all a BIG favor and arrange these by state!”
I’m with ya, Bruce. We split it up by state or informal geographic regions, so pick your next vacation spot and see where its roads will take you.
Hawaii
Steven: The Road to Hana in Hawaii – Very worthwhile memory.
Paul: My favorite drive has to be the Road to Hana on the island of Maui. 65 miles of nonstop fun, one lane spots, blind curves, no shoulders, centerlines that reduce down to 1 inch and super steep drop offs: It’s got it all. Plan for a bit of a trip as it takes 3.5-4 hrs to make it through, but it is well worth it!
Chris: We just did the Road to Hana—50-ish one lane bridges and 600+ curves. The destination isn’t much but the journey has lots of beautiful scenery, surf hangouts, scenic overlooks. Not for the weak of stomach.
Glenn: I really like the Pacific Coast Highway but the Road To Hana in Maui is the craziest road I have ever driven. Lots of bridges and curves. I can say I survived the road to Hana.
DeeJay: On the island of Oahu, driving along Hwy 83 on the east side from Waimanalo Beach up to the north shore to Haleiwa Beach, and back across the mountain via H3 thru Kaneohe. Just breathtaking especially after a good rain on a really hot day you can drive through the clouds.
Michigan
John: The Woodward cruise in Michigan!
Cuda Jim: Hines Park in metro Detroit is my favorite place. They also have the best cruise in late August, one week after the big Woodward cruise. The cruise is only for classic cars, all other are not allowed.
Bruce: Peninsula Drive on the Old Mission Peninsula, Traverse City, Michigan. The views are amazing, speed limit is 35 to 45, 17 miles long. A great top down ride.
Vince: Drive along US 2 in Michigan’s upper Peninsula. Lake Michigan on one side forests on the other side. Time your ride for the fall color change. Stops for smoked whitefish or a pastie.
Papa D: Lakeshore Drive along Lake St. Clair through the Grosse Points. Nothing fast or winding, just a relaxing stretch with the lake on one side and mansions on the other, some of the mansions have been demolished to make way for More “mini mansions” over the years. Most originally owned by famous families (Dodge, Ford of automotive fame), bankers, department store executives, doctors, designers etc. Like I said, an extremely relaxing drive.
Renard: A couple of my favorite driving roads are in Southwest Michigan from Saint Joseph, Michigan to Dowagic, MI. That beautiful drive takes you through an area called Sister Lakes, which consists of about eight small lakes populated by both year-round and weekend residents. Another great drive is from St. Joseph Michigan through the grape vineyards headed south toward Berrien Springs, MI
Bruce: A lap around Torch Lake in Northwest lower Michigan. Mostly county roads. Also circle Lake Leelanau, northwest of Traverse City.
Ronnie Schreiber: Michigan 119 between Cross Village and Harbor Springs (near the ring finger of the mitten), also known as the Tunnel of Trees. 137 curves as the road travels 20 miles alternating between forest and the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Lots of elevation changes. Drive it in both directions. You can’t really drive it very fast, it’s a narrow road with trees inches from the shoulder, lots of blind corners, and there are vacation homes on the road so there are cyclists and pedestrians, but even driving it at a brisk pace is huge fun.
Tom: No, no nothing to see on M 119. Stay home, head somewhere else. I’ve done this road both as a cyclist and driver. Fantastic. Try Leggs Inn when you get to Cross Village. Authentic Polish food and a fabulous beer selection. And life-size stuffed animals native to the area. Forget about it during color tour season, its a bumper to bumper parade. Try a Wednesday in the spring or summer.
DroF: The west side of the Leelanau peninsula on M22 isn’t a bad ride either.
Michael: Mine is M-32 between US131 and East Jordan, Michigan. About 18 miles, lots of twists (when on our way from Indiana to Charlevoix, the kids used to refer to this road as The Twistys), hills, and a couple of long stretches where you could let the car out a bit.
big block bob: in Northern Michigan explore Leelanau county roads. There’s something for everyone: Sleeping Bear National Lake Shore, M22 with beautiful water views and lots of fruit tree orchards (which are especially beautiful when they blossom!).
DroF: I found a great road in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—H58 between Melstrand and Grand Marias, along the shore of Lake Superior—approximately 25 miles, well paved, mostly in the wilderness with plenty of curves and elevation changes—don’t tell anyone—OK?
Rick: For a nice day drive in my SLS AMG, I say M22 starting in Traverse City. Great views, enough curves to be fun, and many great spots to stop for a lunch or a cool drink.
Mark: I live in NW Michigan, home of nearby Hagerty Insurance in Traverse City. The roads North of TC offer an amazing variety of great roads. Don’t tell anyone, but those roads are in Leelanau County.
Glenbob50: The Keweenaw peninsula MI. From Phoenix on M26 to Copper Harbour to the beginning of US41. Then US41 back to Phoenix. These twisting, turning, and undulating paved roads will have you working all three pedals. Scenic any season but gorgeous in the autumn. While in Copper Harbour shoot up to the top of Brockway Mountain Drive for kicks for a view that will take your breath away!
VairsUPnorth: Living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan we are spoiled by the abundance of low traffic scenic roads but I have to 2nd Glenbob50’s top choice of the loop from Phoenix to Copper Harbor and back on M-26 and US-41. A run up of Brockway mountain drive allows for a second pass on M-26 along Lake Superior.
Southwest/West
RD: Definitely Route 66 especially through New Mexico and Arizona, so much history and scenery, absolutely amazing.
John: I-15 through the Virgin River gorge across the corner of Arizona and into Utah. It’s a blast!
Robb: Yes! As long as you hit the “Arizona Strip” when traffic is light, this is one of the best drives in the country. As a driver with the right equipped car/motorbike the twisties make 100mph feel like 130mph, and passengers get to see one of the most thrilling views in the country.
Blahdeblah: The Bear Tooth Highway in Wyoming.
Studebacher: US 191 from Hoback Juction to “the Rim” (off season only) or US 26 from Moran Junction to Dubois (off season only). Both are in western Wyoming, south of Yellowstone National Park.
Mangusta Me: In the 70’s the Arab oil embargo brought a national speed limit of 55, and I searched for a quicker east/west route than interstate 80. Luckily I found it in the stretch of US 50 through Nevada that was later named “The Loneliest Road in America” by Life magazine. Publicity brought no doubt fame and traffic, but when I drove it you could go for a half hour without seeing another car. Needless to say, the “speed limit” was whatever you wanted to go. I’m sure it’s still just as scenic but definitely not as lonely…
Jeff: My favorite driving road is Nevada’s Loneliest Hwy. 50. I’ve completed at least 14 round trips on it from Redding, CA (once from Florence, OR & soon again) to visit my brother Doug in Vail, CO starting in 1986. The Loneliest Highway has way more traffic on it now since 1986.
Rick: This may sound weird to many, but my vote for favorite road is “America’s Loneliest Highway” NV Route 50. It is remote for sure, but it is peaceful, scenic, historic (it follows the Pony Express route), and very relaxing. As long as I don’t need cell reception, frequent rest and service stops, it can’t be beat.
John: I totally agree! loved the flat sections through the desert and then the climbs and and the drives down from the high points. Last did that in 1981 and hope to do again!
Lynn: Highway 191: Flaming Gorge to Vernal, Utah to Wyoming and Wolf Creek Pass (east of Park City).
Kent: Rim trail: Beautiful views from the vantage point of driving along a cliff with a valley almost 1200 feet below you. A dirt road through Tonto national forest, the entire road is an old trading route trail from Fort Apache to Fort Verde (where Geronimo was captured) in Arizona. The cliff portion is primarily between Strawberry and Payson.
Jcx2bby: Deer Creek road along Mt. Charleston north of Vegas. A twisty mountain climb, wicked fun in a hot rod!
Zmega: High Road to Taos, New Mexico.
Philippe: My favorite drive is Apache Trail, aka AZ-88, east of Phoenix AZ, starting from Apache Junction. Nice and smooth pavement, twisty, great sceneries until Tortilla Flat, after the road turn into gravel .
Rob: My favorite would be Arizona State Route 89A from Flagstaff to Oak Creek Village, passing through Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona along the way.
Scott: US 191 Devil’s Highway in AZ is one I plan to drive soon. The sheer number of turns and mountain scenery guarantee an engaging drive. The drive up Kit Peak and Mount Lemmon in Tucson are also enjoyable when traffic is light and the roads are open. They are close enough to get to without much planning.
David: The enchanted circle in northern New Mexico. 75 miles of high mountain roads with plenty of turns and straight roads. The scenery is amazing.
Mike: AZ-89A between Prescott and Cottonwood is one of my all time favorites. Snaking through breathtaking mountain vistas and going through the touristy old ghost town of Jerome is my idea of a fun drive.
Roy: Byway 12 in Utah. Winding roads, long straights, and tons of elevation changes all while taking in breath-taking landscape.
Colorado
Bradd: Pikes Peak in Colorado. I used to work on the mountain and have been to many of the race weeks.
Mike: The “million dollar highway,” north of Durango, CO. Back in the dark ages they blasted/chipped a 2 lane paved road out of a solid rock mountain side, a million dollars a mile, twisting & turning with the mountain contour. Most doesn’t have a guard rail, so down you go, a few hundred feet. Exciting in the summer, try it in the winter. Scenic, if you care to look while driving it.
MLG: The Million Dollar Highway from Ouray, CO to Silverton, CO.
Blahdeblah: Trail Ridge Road, and Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Edward: Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park CO to Grand Lake CO it is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, It crosses the continental divide and at its highest point is over 12,000 ft. Beautiful views and lots of fun driving stretches. Also lots of Elk and other wildlife.
3Deuces: San Juan Skyway, an absolutely breathtaking 232-mile loop though the Southwest Colorado high country with lots of twisties, scenic views and very few guard rails!
Leonard: 130 from Carbondale to Paonia Colorado. Even better, the Grand Mesa to Powderhorn Ski Area
Francisco: Ute Creek Pass, a winding road between Woodland Park and Manitou Springs, CO on my motorcycle. I have ridden that road many times and each time I feel like it is the first time I have ever ridden it. UCP is part is part of Route 24.
Ron: Currently living in the Houston area, good driving roads nearby are very scarce. But my many years in Colorado provided some great roads. The best is Hwy 550 called “The Million Dollar Highway” in southwestern CO between Durango and Ouray over Coal Bank, Molas and the bad boy, Red Mountain Pass. Not for the faint of heart if you don’t like 300’+ drops off the side with no guard rails. Drove it many times, summer and winter.
Tom: Highway 141 in Colorado.
Brian: Colorado State Highway 14 heading west from Ted’s Place along the Poudre River, through the Poudre Canyon, connecting to US 40. Then continuing west over Rabbit Ears pass to Steamboat Springs.
Donald: The Million Dollar Highway is great for sightseeing, not for thrilling driving – too many RVs and trucks. Try Cottonwood Pass between Buena Vista and Taylor Park Reservoir on a weekday. But if you’re in the area of 550, catch CO 141 from Naturita to Gateway. For deserted sweepers, it’s hard to beat. Another fav is Guanella Pass between Georgetown and US 285.
CaptPaul: So many good roads already chosen, and so many more to choose from. One of my favourites though is the drive to the top of Pike’s Peak in Colorado. Beautiful vistas and just enough curves to make it interesting.
ilan: Colorado 141 from Grand Junction to Gateway, then CO 145 From Gateway to Telluride is pretty spectacular
California
Brent: California Hwy 1 though the Redwood forest. Front tires burned holes in the inner fenders of a BMW 540, but it was worth it, unless you ask my wife.
Alvin: Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Ventura County Line. Or the Pacific Coast Highway from Half Moon Bay to San Francisco. Or the Pacific Coast Highway from Carmel South to Nepenthe Restaurant!
Jack: In CA, Highway 46 West from 101 freeway in Paso Robles driving west to Highway One, no traffic lights, one roundabout. A roughly 26 mile run with valley, mountain and ocean views. This is one of the best roads to take your ride on, car or motorcycle!
Joseph: The best road in Southern California is the Angeles Crest Highway, Highway 2! It is more than 120 mile loop twisting and turning through the Angeles Forest and San Gabriel Mountains from La Canada to Wrightwood. Come back around from behind the mountains on Mt. Emma Road to Pearblossom Highway and you have one of the greatest drives you can imagine just a few miles outside downtown LA.
Tony: Highway 9, from Saratoga CA to Santa Cruz will always be my favorite. It can be frustrating on weekends, but a wonderful twisty, scenic ride.
David: CA Highway 229 from Creston to Santa Margarita. Lots of twisties and elevation changes. Very little traffic. And be sure to stop for lunch at the Loading Chute in Creston for some real cowboy grub!
Chuck: We go for mid-week drives in the Gold Country Foothills of the Sierras here in California. Hwy 49 runs north/south and has great sections to enjoy. Nevada City to Sierraville is a great stretch at the north end. Then south and the section from Sonora to Mariposa is a lot of fun.
Mac: My overall favorite drive in my Corvette is California Pacific Coast highway. Without a doubt the best drive on the globe!
VictorK: In California, Hwy One from Carmel Highlands through Big Sur to Cambria. Hwy 120 through Yosemite and to Tioga Pass. Hwy 108 above Twain Harte to Sonora Pass. Avenue of the Giants, off Hwy 101, Humboldt Redwoods area. Skyline Rd, Santa Cruz Mountains from Castle Rock Park to Sky Londa.Hwy 9 between Saratogagap and Big Basin St Park.
Mar4357: Favorite country road is Cal 128, heading west from I-5. The first part goes through twisty, rocky, up and down riverside terrain–fun! Then it goes through lovely green, treelined countryside on its way to the Napa Valley. Favorite dirt road is the Oakville Grade between Napa and Sonoma. Very narrow and twisty.
Cory: San Francisco Bay Area west Peninsula drivers have it right. Take Highway 35 (Skyline Drive) south of Highway 92 all the way to Santa Cruz (include pieces of Highway 9) for a winding, scenic tour through Redwoods. If you want an abbreviated tour, go east or west on Highway 84 back to the town of Woodside or west to La Honda and stop in at Apple Jack’s (iconic bar that used to belong to my Brother-in-Law’s Uncle) or stop in at the General Store in San Gregorio for a bite, drink, or both and you can mix with locals, billionaires, and bikers. My good friend and co-worker lived across the street. It’s like the Wild West and I reserve my right to withhold comment. After JUST ONE DRINK, head north on Highway 1 to Highway 92 east or all the way up to Sharps Park in Pacifica or connect with the 280 Freeway.
James: CA Highway 32 Red Bluff Sacramento Valley to Susanville CA. or Highway 32 Chico to beyond Chester are both great (not what they used to be, though!), or US Highway 395 Redding to Burney (or further) are fun and still safely engineered. The Feather River Canyon is twisty, beautifully rugged, and historical, but a lot of trucks must use all three roads.
Richard: Rt 66 from California to Chicago.
Steve: Highway 1 up the California coast.
Capt. DG: RT 74 from Palm Desert, CA to Idyllwild CA, great views of the desert and mountains.
Mike: Carbon Canyon Drive (Hwy 142} between Placentia and Chino Hills in Orange and San Bernardino counties in So. California. I have not driven it since 2001, so I have no idea what it is like now!
Dean: I think the most fun I’ve had on a road is 84 out to Alice’s Restaurant in CA. I was driving the chase Dodge minivan on a Viper trip with 13 lead acid batteries strapped to the floor for hot start testing. Amazing just how well minivans handle, especially with some ballast.
JB: Hey Dean, you were almost there. Taking a turn south out of La Honda, you would be on Alpine Road to Pescadero Road. Makes 84 Seem straight and wide.
Jason: All the roads in the San Diego backcountry are fabulous. Palomar Mountain, Mount Laguna, Old Hwy 94. Best place to ride motors year round. While most of the nation is hunkered down for winter, some of the best riding and driving is during the winter months. And, the roads are mostly empty year-round. I guess people out here prefer going to the beach.
3DogsIsALot: Tuna Canyon—be careful! Then there’s Glendora Ridge Road & Glendora Mountain Road. And the best kept secret? Gilman Hot Springs Road, when our kids were little, we did it in a fully loaded Odyssey and all of us still talk about it with smiles!
Robert: My favorite road is Highway 1 in Northern California starting in the coastal town of Half Moon Bay and traveling some 20 miles south to the village of Pescadero. This section of Highway 1 has everything: world class scenery by the Pacific Ocean, sensuous rolling hills, intoxicating curves, stimulating straights, and light weekday traffic. Then, when you reach your destination, the village of Pescadero, you can enjoy the finest coffee for miles around at the best coffee shop in Northern California, Downtown Local.
Ronald: Boonville Road (AKA Hwy 253) from Ukiah, CA to coast Highway One. Perfect combination of climes from dry oak woodland through cast redwood to the Pacific Ocean. Perfect jaunt top- down in my 1959 T-Bird convertible. Then an option to follow Hwy one north or south as long as time and fuel allows. Done this many times in the past.
David: Whenever we travel to California and the San Francisco/San Jose area we always have to drive Skyline and the La Honda area roads…EPIC! Remember to stop in Pescadero for the BEST Artichoke bread around. In 2015 when we went to the Porsche Rennsport V at Laguna Seca—a fellow with Canepa told us to make sure we stop in Pescadero for their bread, been there 3 times now.
Granville: Pescadero is where we had the best coleslaw ever. Lots of great roads in the Peninsula too but timing your drive to avoid traffic, including cyclists, is a must. I live in Mendocino County where there are many great driving windy routes. Arguably even better ones in Sonoma County but those have a ton of pesky bicyclists.
Larry: There are a lot of really cool roads in So. Cal. One is the road that runs through Oak Glen and connects Yucaipa to Cherry Valley Another is The road that connects Yucaipa Ca. to Redlands Blvd. through Live Oak canyon. It’s not just the road it’s the scenery along the road. Both are cool roads with good scenery.
Mike: Live Oak Canyon Road through Trabuco Canyon in California.
Luis: Put the top down and go to any southern California beach. My favorites, Highway 101 to Ventura and Highway 1 to Big Sur.
Rich: Head north of San Francisco on 101 and over the course of several days take EVERY east/west road between 101 and the 1 (it’s not called the PCH up there.) Some are fast and curvy, some are slow and curvy-every one is a blast! Lots of redwoods, ocean cliff views, interesting places to stop and eat. Plan on buying new tires when you’re done.
Jim: I’m in Marin County, CA. Close to home, I love Novato Blvd from just west of town to Pt Reyes-Petaluma Rd. It’s only 9 miles, but it’s a fun twisty curvy road through farmland and on a weekday morning has little traffic so I can really push the light VTEC in my 2002 Accord. The car is really not fast but it does a good job of pretending it is if you push the tachometer towards the ketchup range coming out of each curve. As others have mentioned PCH is great if you don’t get stuck behind someone. Several years ago I was on the especially squiggly stretch south of Big Sur and had a good half hour with no one in my way so I could push it as hard as I dared.
Ccan: My vote is a weekday, 4 hour, one-way run from SF to Yosemite. Once you hit Manteca it’s 2 lane heaven for patience, the setup, and safe passing, with beauty all around. If the road is open to Toulomne Meadows, slow down and enjoy majestic views. Lunch at the Awhanee ain’t bad before the run back. Great to exercise a nimble car and manual tranny.
Ron: Here are three nominations:
3) For scenery, diversity, and length, the Pacific Coast Highway is hard to beat although Scenic Byway 12 in southern Utah is a competitor. PCH offers rewards all the way from San Diego in the south up to Seattle 1650 miles distant. Great vistas, significant landmarks and driving bliss….As long as you’re not trapped behind a string of sightseers or trapped behind a motorhome! The classic stretch between Cambria in the south and Carmel to the north is best traversed at first light to avoid traffic.
2) South Grade Road up the side of Mount Palomar. I admit I’m spoiled by the number of great roads we have to chose from here in the west. I live just north of San Diego. Palomar Mountain is a convenient 20 minutes away from our home. And there are excellent roads through the foothills to get there. If the stunning vistas (you can see the Channel Islands out in the Pacific, down to Mexico and as far north as the coastal city of Oceanside) aren’t enough to excite your senses, the road itself is one of the best Hillclimb extant. Make sure to watch out for cyclists, both human powered and motorized!
1) California Hwy 229/Webster Road. The 3.5 mile stretch between Blue Star Memorial Highway and Rocky Canyon Road just south of Creston, California is pure driving nirvana. UPS, downs, twists, blind turns, rhythm sections; this stretch has it all. After you drive it in one direction, turn around and go back the other way. This road is narrow at about 1.5 lanes in width for about half of its length. So exercise situational awareness! When finished head over to the Longbranch Saloon in Creston for lunch, a beverage and live music on the weekends. The perfect topper to a great driving experience.
Pacific Northwest
Aaron: US 199—Crescent City, CA to Grants Pass, OR. Starting only a couple of miles from the Pacific Ocean,it winds through the tall trees of Redwood National/State Park, runs along the Smith River, carves through canyons filled with pine and deciduous woodlands, and goes through quaint small settlements. It presents technical banked and off-camber turns, hairpins, undulating “S” turns, long sweeping curves and a long straight here and there. The road has traffic at peak hours sometimes, and is often busy at the height of tourist season, but taking advantage of a very early or very late run can be quite the excellent experience.
DUB6: There really are too many good drives in my area to list and especially to choose as the “favorite”. However, it’s pretty hard to ignore the Highway 55 from Boise to the Banks-to-Lowman Road and then back to Boise via Highway 21. This takes you north through sagebrush-scrub hills up into the timber alongside Class III whitewater on the Main Payette River. Then, eastward from Banks along some Class IV water and through Garden Valley and up and over some great climbs. Watch out for deer, elk, and wild turkeys along this route. Over Grimes Pass, you descend into Lowman and turn back south through Idaho City, along Mores Creek and Robie Creek until it empties into Lucky Peak Reservoir, and then along the Boise River into town. This is an extremely popular ride for motorcycles in the summer, but doing it in a classic car and making a few stops (picnic spots, cafes along the river, hot springs/pools) is also a ton of fun.
Joe: An obscure road near Port Ludlow, Washington state, Thorndyke Rd. That, and the Olympic Peninsula Hwy 101 Loop. Also the North Cascades Scenic Highway.
John: My vote is for Bell Road above Newburg, Ore. Close to town, but feels like a million miles away, a side trip to Bald Peak is nice too. Many of us put up with the crazy west coast and expensive cost of living to drive its gorgeous terrain. Light on traffic, heavy on curves and hills, 141 begins sandwiched between the Missouri River floodplain and the windblown Loess Hills as far as Smithland. At Smithland, Old 141 turns into the current 141, taking a turn to the east for a direct assault on the rolling bluffs. Dodging cornfields, farmhouses, and abandoned rail lines, it’s also possible to find a few stretches where the speedometer can flirt with the century mark. (Or so I’m told.)
ron: Driving the Oregon Coast on a clear day from north to south has great curves, incredible scenery, tree lined hills and along the edge of the ocean. Huge bridges, small and large towns and end up at Crescent beach, CA.
Pat: State Route 410 across the Washington State Cascade Mountain Range. And then there is a very twisty little road out of Asotin Washington going south into Oregon. Wow.
Brian: So many great roads, but my favorite is Highway 395 between Burns and Pendleton, Oregon. The curves and remarkable vistas, especially near the town of Long Creek, are flat-out wonderful, and the lack of traffic makes it even better. The route invariably reminds me that there are huge portions of Oregon where almost no one lives.
David: Oregon State Highway 34 from Philomath to Waldport! Twisties all 55 miles of the way through the coast range plus beautiful scenery and often no traffic at all.
Alvin: US 101 – Near Cannon Beach, Oregon
John: Starting in Lewiston, Idaho. Head East on US Highway 12 to Lolo Hot Springs in Montana. This is a great motorcycle ride, with plenty of big sweeping curves and not much traffic. Just make sure to fill your gas tank in Lewiston because there are few gas stops on this 180-mile route. Spend the night at the Lolo Hot Springs Resort. On to Missoula, MT next morning for breakfast and I-90 back to Coeur d’Alene, ID or Spokane, WA.
Roo: The Cascade Loop in WA State. Start on Hwy 2 at the entrance in Everett WA. Stevens Pass, then drop down through the white water rapids to Leavenworth. Drive up the Columbia River and head west to Winthrop. From there you drive up the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and down to Rockport, then Darrington and back to Everett. There is a spot between Rockport to Darrington where you wont see a cop for years.
John: Chuckanut Drive just south of Bellingham, Washington. Lots of sharp curves on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. A plus is a stop for fresh oysters at Taylor Shellfish Farm.
Rick: There are two or three roads that are worth driving in the northwest. The spiral highway is found on the north side of the Snake River in Clarkston Washington. Then there’s Lolo Pass in Idaho with 95 miles of almost non stop curves with trout fishing along fantastic scenery. Finally the north side of the Columbia River on state highway 14 from Maryhill to Vancouver is just as scenic as the Oregon side but if you like spurts of speed don’t take this road on the weekend with shoal paced Sunday drivers.
Rick: Lolo Pass on State Highway 12 east of Lewiston, Idaho to Missoula, Montana follows some of Lewis & Clark’s trail. It’s 95 miles of curves along the Lochsa River. Also State Highway 14 in Washington along the Columbia River between Maryhill Muesum and Vancouver offers similar scenery as the Oregon side but travel weekdays to avoid Sunday drivers.
DUB6: U.S. Highway 12 in Washington State from I-5 (just south of Chehalis over White Pass to Yakima is one of my favorites. It’s not really a technically challenging road, but it covers so many differing types of geography that it’s just a pleasure (except in winter!) to travel on. From flower and blueberry farms down around Mossyrock, to amazing views of the backside of Mount Rainier up by Randle, to the orchards of Fruitvale. It’s more of a “route choice” to take when traveling across that state than it is a “cruising road.” I take it every trip to and from the Puget Sound area—weather permitting!
Northeast
dward: Two short and sweet rides I do in CNY near Syracuse. Cedarvale Rd below Rt 173, aptly named 13 curves. Two minutes of fun especially in the uphill direction. In 10 minutes you’re back in the city of Syracuse. To the east of Syracuse, Rt 13 from Casenovia to Chitinango, a 15 minute fun ride.
audiobycarmine: As the decades pass, and population/traffic grows, the old “fun” roads become somewhat less enjoyable. Here on Long Island, we’re blessed with quite a few, whether on the hilly North Shore or the flatter South Shore. One of my favorites is also quite an historical one: the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway.
JerseyBoy66: I’d go with 347 south through the pines into Cape May Court House (off season only)
Ron: Hwy #87 between Plattsburgh, NY and Lake George, NY was at one time voted one of the most scenic in the nation.
Dr. Seldom B. Overboost: Route 169 in Northern Connecticut and Southern Massachusetts. Beautiful tree-lined road with historic old homes.
Mike: The Litchfield Hills in N.W. Connecticut. Beautiful twists and turns, vineyards, covered bridges, rolling hills and endless pastures.
Pete G: Second that! The Northwestern corner of Connecticut is flat out gorgeous. So please…stay away!
Herb: That part of CT is beautiful, especially in October. And how I would love to spend a weekend on the track at LimeRock!
Andrea: In my current small state of Delaware, there are two roads that I go out of my way to travel with my Miata: The first, along my daily commute, is Fork Branch Road, southwest of Frederica, DE. It’s a quiet lane with a few hills (a rarity in such a flat state), passes horse farms, cornfields, and crosses a tidal creek between an undeveloped tract of woodland. My second-favorite in Delaware is Route 9 from Reedy Point Bridge to just south of Dover Air Base. The view from Reedy Point Bridge offers a breathtaking view of the C&D Canal, marshlands, and Delaware Bay, and it winds its way through quaint fishing villages, historic farms, and wildlife refuges.
Scott: CT Route 7, from its junction with RT 202 in New Milford, all the way to the Mass border. Also known as “The Road to Lime Rock.”
Mat: My favorite Driving Road is Beach Road in East Norwalk Connecticut I enjoy driving around the Beach with the view of the Long Island sound.
Tom: Always a spectacular drive: The Kancamagus Highway in NH.
Mark: Western mountains of Maine create a square from Kingfield to Stratton to Rangeley down to Phillips. Big elevation gains past 2 ski areas with plenty of turns following streams and waterfalls. 98 Mile loop.
Phil: Many back roads in Lancaster County, PA are lightly traveled and are perfect for cruising in my ’66 Beetle.
Paul: At the right time of day, the combo Lincoln Drive & the Kelly Drive ranks way up with me. Morris Road from Germantown Academy to Salford Township, PA is excellent as well. Take the trip both ways; they were very different rides on my Ducati 750 GT.
Peter: Rt. 120 in Harimon state park NY. in my Backdraft Cobra.
Tom: River Road, between Youngstown NY and Lewiston NY along the Niagara River in the morning or after dark in the spring or Summer with the top down.
Frank: Route 8 from Winsted, CT to Dalton, MA.
Craig: In New York, State Route 97 from Port Jervis north to Hancock. It is a scenic paradise, weather you are skirting the Delaware River in many spots or in the twisties of the “Hawks Nest”. There are many pull off areas, and if you stop at the Historic Roebling Bridge you may even see a Bald Eagle or two diving for a fish dinner where the Lackawaxen River meets the Delaware River. I’ve seen it and it is something you will not forget. The drive is very relaxing.
Tom: Growing up on Long Island, we would vacation in New England. We always used Route 2, The Mohawk Trail, in northeastern Massachusetts. I haven’t been back there in a few years. I hope it hasn’t changed. There was also the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire. Those were amazing driving experiences. These days if I have some time and want some curves, I follow route 142 along the Klickitat River in southern Washington.
Ron: Hwy #87 between Plattsburgh, NY and Lake George, NY was at one time voted one of the most scenic in the nation.
Ronald: There is hardly a straight road on Cape Cod! My favorite is Pimlico Pond road in Sandwich.
Espo70: I live in Northern NJ where most roads are either pothole ridden, or too regularly patrolled by the long arm of the law. Yet, there is one section of road in Andover, NJ called Andover Mohawk Rd (613) that allows for a little “open it up and let her rip”. It has nice bends, sharp curves and long straights among some very pretty scenery.
Frank: Routes 89 and 90 around Cayuga Lake and routes 14 and 414 around Seneca Lake, two of New York’s Finger Lakes…Spring through Fall!
Paul: The combo, on my Ducati GT 750, at the right time of day, of the Lincoln Drive and the Kelly Drive in Philadelphia was an ideal route. A bit further out is Morris Rd from Germantown Academy all the way up to Salford Twp. Take those roads both ways; it is a very different experience.
John: Route 100 in Vermont from the MA line to Stowe and beyond. And there’s Route 2 above Burlington through the island in Lake Champlain up to Alberg and Quebec.
ADZ07605: US RT 6 from Milford, PA West to at least Honesdale or all the way across the state. Hills sweeping curves on and off camber sweeps.
Albert: For me it would have to be the Kancamagus highway in the white mountains of New Hampshire, although my experience was on my motorcycle. I know that it would be a blast in my ’69 vette.
daddy stev: New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway, Lincoln to Conway, stopping for a swim or a hike or to camp nearby – but used to be even better long ago when it was rough and undeveloped, and parking was free. Then go north to Mt Washington Road, pay the toll and up to the top – in foliage season – along with everybody else in New England. There’s lots nearby if you got the time, like a cog railway on the west side of Mt Washington.
J White: Route 100 up the gut of Vermont just east of the Green Mountain Range.
Texas
David: For a road near a major metropolitan area, Lime Creek Road in Austin isn’t bad at all.
Leonard: A few hours west of Houston, Sajeev’s location, is Wimberley, Texas. The Devil’s Backbone is a famous run. There is a tavern with the same name, and a roadside park to watch the sunset. (Haven’t been there yet. Gonna add that to my personal list! —SM)
Eric: Spent a week in Houston, TX a few years ago and drove that very same Katy Freeway. Crazy. Get out of that left lane—cars going by at 80-90 MPH or more like they were driving on the German Autobahn.
Glenn: FM1431 between Cedar Park, Texas and Marble falls. Lots of hills and curves. It’s a blast.
Keith: Not naming roads but if you Head down to Luckenbach TX and then to Kerrville, you can pick some of the most stomach-tingling and butterfly-giving roads I’ve ever been on. Rolling hills you can’t see over until it’s too late, with sweeping blind turns that change in elevation and make you almost weightless at times. Think Isle of Man.
Mark: RR 335,336 and 337 (aka the Twisted Sisters) in the Texas Hill Country. Mostly acclaimed as a motorcycle route, it is very enjoyable in a great handling car as well!
Kevin: Highway 285 Fort Stockton to Sanderson Texas. If you are lucky enough to enter and drive in the Big Bend Open Road Race, you can go as fast as your car can go if you qualify. This Highway has many blind turns as you cut through the mountains. Unlimited prepped cars exceed 220 mph, with course record near 180 mph average speed during the 120 mile contest.
Mark: The Twisted Sisters starting in Kerrville Texas. If you drive the entire 222 mile loop, plan on seven hours of driving plus stops for food and drink along the way.
Doug: FM 1431 between Lago Vista, TX and Marble Falls, TX is a fast and curvy trek built for sport car fun (and motorcycle). A bit of a challenge when slow traffic is in front of you, but there are “Slow Traffic Turnouts” that you can encourage the offenders to take.
South/Deep South
Evan: Two favorite roads: Arkansas #7 from Harrison AR to Hot Springs AR and Arkansas #23(commonly referred to “The Pig’s Trail”) from Eureka Springs AR to Ozark AR.
Dave: US-460 from Paris KY at least to Mt. Sterling. Or continue to the Red River Gorge area.
Michael: Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (SR 348) between Helen and Choestoe Georgia. So many great roads in that area. SR180 from Vogel SP down to Suches, then SR 60 all the way to Morganton. You’ll run out of gas before you run out of curves. And all without the crowds on Tail of The Dragon. And it is closer to lodging and restaurants.
Dave: US-421 North from Frankfort, KY at least 18 miles to Defoe. (Or continue to Madison, IN.)
jeffery: Arkansas Scenic Pig Trail.
DeeJay: Hwy 90 from New Orleans to Pascagoula. Especially in early October during “America’s Largest Block Party” aka Cruisin’ the Coast. If you got a convertible, it’s extra fun. But you may want to apply a heapin’ amount of sunscreen.
Lars: In Atlanta, we’re 1-2 hours away from some of the most amazing driving roads in the country. The tri-state corners region of TN, GA, and NC is full of opportunities for spirited driving on twisty roads. We frequently make that trek north and it never gets old. My all time favorite is the Cherohala Skyway between Tellico Plains, TN and Robbinsville, NC. Drive it from west to east on a Sunday late afternoon in the fall. With the setting sun behind you, illuminating the ridges and valleys beyond with a warm glow, cruising the perfectly engineered, constant radius corners can flow so wonderfully (if you go fast enough) that it takes on a zen-like character. The elevation changes and views are dramatic, too. Highly recommend!
Terry: The Natchez Trace!
Don: The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana is the longest bridge in the United States, spanning 23.79 miles across Lake Pontchartrain. It’s also the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. The bridge connects New Orleans with smaller communities on the north shore of the lake. It’s made up of two parallel bridges supported by 9,500 concrete pilings.
Ken: Hands down; the Overseas Highway (Route 1) from Key Biscayne to Key West in the Florida Keys. No better road with better scenery; Atlantic Ocean on one side, Gulf of Mexico on the other!
North Carolina (and Neighbors)
Daniel: My favorite road goes back to around 1969 while riding with my parents as a child and remains my favorite today to drive “sportedly”, US Hwy 176 “Saluda Grade” between Tryon, NC and Saluda, NC. In the years leading up to around 1978 this narrow US highway, with it’s one lane bridges, was the main road and only connector for I-26 between Saluda and Tryon, NC as the interstate had issues being built with rock slides and wash outs at the time. In my early driving years, and living only 20 miles away, I loved driving my Firebird and brother’s Spitfire on this twisty road. I still love driving it, even if it’s in my Silverado when I’m in the area visiting family and friends.
Dane: Tail of the Dragon was my first true riding experience on my brand new 2004 HD Road King Custom. Beautiful area!
Jose: The Dragon is the one everyone knows about, but in Western NC just throw a dart and you will find some sweet asphalt winding its way to somewhere or nowhere at times. My personal favorite is HWY 64 from Franklin, NC to Murphy, NC but keep that between us we don’t want it getting spoiled like HWY 129.
Tim: My wife and rode the Tail on our H-D Ultra’s. When we discussed what we thought was the best part of the ride we came to the conclusion that we were so focused on being in the correct lane position we missed a lot of terrific scenery.
Thomas: I agree, the Tail of the Dragon, in Western North Carolina, is a really fun drive in a manual-transmission car. Personally, I’d love to see the Blue Ridge Parkway closed off for ONE DAY, to allow Northbound traffic at thirty-minute intervals. It would be a BLAST!
Trekker: Yes! As a resident of North Carolina, I can attest to Tail of the Dragon and the Blue Ridge Parkway as “must drive” roadways in Western NC!
Mark: “Tail of the Dragon” on the North Carolina / Tennessee border!
William: One of my all-time favorites is US 129 from NC into TN. It’s called Deals Gap and is one of the twistiest roads in the USA. It’s nickname is The Tail of The Dragon and for good reason! There are 318 turns in just over 11 miles! We would go up there for a week at a time twice a year to escape the rigors of city life in Fort Lauderdale and its was pure paradise! Many car clubs as well as motorcycle groups are there from Memorial Day through Labor Day when the weather is at its best. The Deals Gap Resort is on the NC end and is a Motel as well as a country store and fuel station.
Eldo: The World-Famous Tail of the Dragon (TN/NC) is 318 curves in 11 miles. As soon as you come out of one curve, you start preparing for the next one. Hard to beat this for driving adventure and scenery.
83Scamp: I love The Tail of the Dragon. Unfortunately, it has now become infamous, and all the morons who think they know how to drive run it at stupid speeds. Just this week alone, there have been three serious accidents on it already, and it’s only Wednesday! I think my Dragon slayer days are over, I’ll find other, better roads where some moron with more car than brains won’t kill me.
JR: Living in NC, I avoid the Dragon like the plague. It was fun 20 years ago before the YouTubers found it. A better choice in NC is…Sorry, not telling.
George: Tail of the Dragon, even with the traffic and cops. One road you don’t need to be driving fast on to enjoy it.
Scott: Route 231 from Gordonsville VA to Somerset VA, perfect mix of curves, straights, and elevation change for a solid-lifter Corvette.
Tommy: My favorite is in Virginia. Take State route 43 from Altavista to Eagle Rock, especially from Bedford to Buchanan. Part of 43 is on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Peaks of Otter through Powells Gap. Side trips include Smith Mountain Lake, The D-Day Memorial, kayaking on the James River, and Natural Bridge.
Barbqme2: I live in Chattanooga, TN. There are many excellent roads in my area. Everyone has heard of Tail of the Dragon. It is an easy day’s drive from my house. Here are some other roads that are IMO much better than the Dragon and are an easy drive from Chattanooga. HWY 30 from HWY 64 to HWY 411. This is hands down my favorite road in this area. There is an excellent 50’s style restaurant at the intersection of 30 and 411 that I highly recommend stopping at. Alternately, and perhaps even better is to take HWY 30 to Reliance, cross the bridge over the Hiwassee River and take HWY 315 to HWY 39. Turn right on 39 and this takes you to Tellico Plains, the entrance to the Cherohala Skyway. The Cherohala Skyway is a fantastic road through the mountains. This takes you to Hwy 129. Turn left and this takes you to the Dragon.
Herb: I’ve found lots of great roads over many years as an enthusiast, but #1 has to be highway 276 between Marietta, SC and the top of the mountain at Cesar’s Head State Park. The backroads of Floyd and Patrick counties in SW Virginia are a close second. They didn’t do lots of grading, they just followed the lay of the land and the land is ultra rural and beautiful.
Mark: Between Black Mountain NC and Bat Cave NC is Hwy 9. A real fun drive in a Mini.
Bill: We’re lucky to live in western NC. Have been on the Tail twice (once on bike, once in car), that’s enough. We have easily a half dozen comparable roads in the area with dozens of other good rides as well, plus 9-10 months of decent driving weather. As a good alternative, try Back of the Dragon, VA 14, from Marion, VA to Tazewell, VA.
Birdman: Back, not Tail of the Dragon. Too many idiots on Tail. There are many great roads in western NC, but don’t want to tell the secrets.
John: Another vote for back of the Dragon!
Brad: Hwy. 16 out of Marion Va. One direction takes you to the Back of the Dragon the other into No. Carolina. If you like mountain roads the Back of the Dragon will get your adrenaline going. Beautiful drive in either direction through the Jefferson National Forest.
RichyRich: Skyline Drive in VA. Can’t remember the route number or road name but the road that runs from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC.
Oldtexasdog: Tail of the Dragon is the sweet spot for my BMW M5 but as others have said it is getting rather crowded with rubber necking wannabees and folks on their Big Harleys trying to make those beast behave like a Ninja. So I have found the surrounding roads around Deals Gap and Robinsville can be just as much fun and very lightly traveled especially on weekdays or early in the morning.
Terance: A while back I lived in western North Carolina in the middle of a highway they call the Rattler. It has 290 curves in 24 miles. It is fun the first few times but after a while you get to where you wish you could straighten it so you could get somewhere quicker.
Tim: Living in East Tennessee, Here are some of my close by “favorite” driving roads — Cherohala Skyway, Foothills Parkway, Devil’s Triangle, TN — just to name a few. So lucky to have these and many others within an hour from home. Notice I left out “The Dragon”, it’s for tourists.
David: Blue Ridge Parkway!
Mark: The Cherohala Skyway, a beautiful mountain highway winding up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 18 miles in North Carolina and descends another 23 miles into the deeply forested back country of Tennessee. The road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name “Chero…hala”. Lots of nice sweepers for a motorcycle.
Midwest
Brian: I live in St. Louis, and just south in Jefferson county, there are numerous good roads, but my favorite one is further south. Highway 32, from Banner to Bixby (and on to Salem, if I’m honest). I teasingly call it the “Tail of the Possum”.
Tom: Minnesota 1, between Ely and Lake Superior (near Finland, Minn.) was a pleasant discovery in the C8 Corvette last summer. Highly recommended, lightly traveled.
John: Rt 7 runs along the Ohio River and there are several others in that area. Great on a Harley.
Aaron: Locally my favorite road is the twisty blacktop up to my local ski hill. It’s 8 miles up Blackjack Rd in JoDavies Co. IL from my ski house in Hanover to Chestnut Mountain located outside Galena,IL. I know that road like the back of my hand, so much fun in something sporty to drive.
Duane: Pigtails, Highway 87, Black Hills SD but in shoulder seasons before or after it’s too full of tourists.
Douglas: State Rt 139 in southern Ohio will always be my favorite from Northwest Boston to Jackson.
Craig: Fairfield Road in Lake County Illinois. Winging road passing much trees and ponds. Approximately 12 miles of road.
Marvin: Chagrin River Road on the East side of Cleveland is a nice drive for being in a metropolis.
Gary: Route 125 south, 8 miles East of Springfield, MO through the Ozarks dropping into Arkansas. It ends at a 4 car ferry across Bull Shoals Lake. Fantastic twists and elevation changes with great scenery.
JIm66: I have a couple: Ohio State Route 800 south off of I70 towards Barnesville, OH. Seems to go on forever south. Twisty and scenic. Another is River Road from Perrysburg OH to Grand Rapids OH, then return on the north side of the Maumee river. Probably all built up now, but it was a nice beautiful drive.
Blahdeblah: Route 14A from Savoy to Spearfish in South Dakota
Don: Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills of South Dakota is 17 miles long and is known as Highway 16A. The road starts at Custer State Park and ends just south of Mount Rushmore National Park. The road is very unique and has pigtail bridges, tunnels, and one-way roads that divide and give you a more natural setting. The tunnels have a view of Mount Rushmore in the distance. Great drive!
David: I-90 west of Wisconsin til you run outta road. Speed limit is a reference for fun. Avoid Sturgis during bike-week. Nobody to hassle you.
Bruce: Needles Highway in Custer State Park, South Dakota.
Robert: The Triple Nickle – Ohio RT 555
Dutch: Old Highway 141 between Sioux City and Smithland in western Iowa. The view over the Missouri river valley is outstanding. Just watch out for the deer, and the John Deere!
Roger: Indiana Highway 62 between Madison and Dillsboro is a little-used and twisty thoroughfare. Madison is a trip back to the 19th century—a great place to overnight. You can cross the Ohio at Madison on US 421 and pick up US 42 to Louisville.
Ken: For me it’s gotta be Old Highway C141, exiting southeast out of Sioux City, IA, aimed in the general direction of nearby Denison. The scenery changes but the fun remains high on U.S. Highway 30 between Denison and Carroll.
Larry: Highway 67 between Elkhorn, WI and Oconomowoc, WI.
British Columbia, Canada
Bob: Sea-to-sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler, British Columbia. Spectacular vistas!
Lester: Thats just the start, Bob! Keep going past Whistler and you will find Pemberton BC to Lillooet BC. Beautiful ribbon of twisties for most of the 60 miles whether your touring in you pickup truck or stitching it together in your favorite sporting machine.
Lew: Yes, the road to Whistler in British Columbia is a very fun road!! I really need to go there again!
Mark: Sea to Sky in BC then all the way around to Hope, down the Fraser Canyon form Lillooet was one of my favorites. Also Crowsnest Hwy 3 from Hope to Osoyoos is rad and has some great stops for wine. Awesome roads.
Graham: Another great highway is the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy #1) that stretches 7,102 KM (4,413 miles) from Victoria, BC to St. John’s, NL. One of the longest highways in the world.
Web: My favorite drive is the Sea-to-Sky highway, from Vancouver to Whistler!
Alan: Duffy Lake beyond Whistler is even better. Then past Lillooet down the Fraser Canyon. Then try the roads in the Kootenays.
Donnie: Highway 4, Vancouver Island BC takes you out to the Pacific Rim National Park. Beautiful, soul searching and not for the faint of heart.
Eric: Nelson, British Columbia to Kaslo, BC to New Denver, BC.
Dan: In BC, Canada there are many great roads to drive. The one closest to me and the Pacific Crossing, the border between the US and Canada is the Sea to Sky Highway. This runs from Vancouver to Whistler. Lots of twists and turns with straights you can blow the cobwebs out of your turbo. (Just make sure you watch for the RCMP, checking for speeders!) Gas stations are at both ends with 93/94 octane.
Daniel: British Columbia Hwy 3 eastbound from Hope to the Alberta border. Three mountain passes. Fabulous scenery as you traverse coastal rain forest, interior forest, the northern tip of the Senora Desert, range lands, and the western approach to the Rocky Mountains. Stop in Osoyoos to jump in the lake, and visit a couple, or 40 wineries. Enjoy the ride!
Alberta, Canada
Mark: Without a doubt, Highway 40 in Alberta, the Highwood Pass. This is the highest paved road in Canada, and is closed from December to June. From my home in Calgary, it’s about 30 minutes on the Trans-Canada Hwy to the Hwy 40 turn off, through rolling prairie and forested foothills. From there you ascend the Highwood Pass through Kananaskis Country, a collection of provincial parks, with spectacular mountain and glacier scenery. Once you descend the other side of the pass you follow the Highwood River and its canyon to Longview. (This, incidentally, is where they filmed “Interstellar.”) This is also the home of the Longview Steakhouse, where you have to reserve months in advance.
Night Ranger: Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) from Lake Louise to Jasper, along the spine of the Canadian Rockies!
Kevin: I really like the trip from Lake Louise, Alberta up to Saskatchewan Crossing. Also known as Highway 93 or Icefields Parkway.
Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland
Rakesh: Cabot trail on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. It’s like a country racetrack with tight corners and lots of hills. Fun driving, but careful of driving off a cliff. Engine breaking will likely destroy your clutch. Did I mention amazing scenery?
Zmega: Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia.
Stewart: I really enjoy the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Nova Scotia. I’ve done it twice on a motorcycle, and plan on doing it in my Mustang or BMW Z4 next month.
Frank: The Forks of the Credit park in Ontario, Canada.
Gary: Highway 17 and 11, from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, ON.
Ed: The Baccalieu trail on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland winds from 1000 ft cliffs to small cove villages at sea level along the seashore for about 120 miles with many lookouts.
Alan: Dufferin County Rd. 21 north of Mansfield, ON. from Airport Rd (16) west to Hwy 124. Hills, curves, spectacular views. One small town but otherwise very quiet.
Laverne: The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Canada. A gorgeous 298 km paved narrow 2 lane road along the coast that can take a day to drive with all the spectacular views!
Bill: The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. I drove the Cabot Trail in a Mini Cooper and it was so much fun. The Cabot Trail is 298 km (185 mi) long and takes about five hours to drive without stops. However, you’ll want to give yourself way more than five hours to enjoy all of the trail’s beautiful scenery, activities, natural wonders and small towns.
D. Linton: We live in rural south western Ontario. We’re lucky enough to live about 20 minutes from Lake Huron. There are some nice small towns along there that let you drive along the beach road. It’s usually a nice drive to get there too.
andrew: Also consider the Frank Miller highway in Muskoka, ON. Absolutely wonderous winding road abuts lake, river, creeks, winding canopied road with changes in elevation and great curves.
William: The Toast of the Coast Trail on the north shore of Lake Erie from Port Dover to Turkey Point is a great drive in my Datsun 240Z. Winding through farmland, cottages and beach communities with wineries and microbreweries as an added bonus.
John: Northeast end of Toronto has Twyn Rivers Rd, a small but beautiful valley pass surrounded by a network of rolling, twisting country roads. Plug Hat Rd, Old Finch Rd … if you are a Toronto area car guy, you probably know this area. Pop out on a quiet summer evening, drive a new mixture of roads for an hour, every visit is something new. I had a lucky break, living on the north end of Toronto.
Alaska/Northern Territories
PaulL: Hands down, most incredible road in North America is the Dempster Highway. The Dempster Highway is a 740 kilometer bucket list journey from Dawson City, Yukon to Inuvik, Northwest Territories offering incredible scenery, wide open spaces and remote beauty.
Gary: Anchorage south to Homer and Soldotna, along the beautiful fjord of Cook Inlet. Did this in my air-cooled 911 with Targa top off. Late September/October for less traffic and turn up the heat.
Alan: Anchorage, AK to Palmer then the Glenn Highway from Palmer to Glennallen, head south to Valdez. Put your car on the ferry to Whittier, drive through a mountain tunnel and return to Anchorage. Mountains and more mountains, massive glaciers, waterfalls, extensive wilderness, terrestrial and marine wildlife. Hard to beat a drive like that!
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Beware a number of the roads listed are beautiful drives but they are tourist traps.
The Road to Hanna is a trip all should take but it is not a drivers road anymore. It is a tourist trap as are many others. If you do Hanna do it in a small car and take the time to walk back to the water falls etc. As for a fun road to drive not so much. Same on the PCH. It can be fun but often clogged with campers.
In Maui might take the road to the top of the Volcano. It goes to 12,000 feet and is much like the Alpine roads in Europe. Dress warm as in August it can be in the 30’s at the top. We did it in a car and on bikes. The park no longer permits bikes sadly.
The best roads for driving are those not discovered and isolated. That is why I find most in WV anymore. They are much like the tail but no one but a few locals around.
OK, by “tourist trap,” you mean congested. I was trying to figure out how a road can be a tourist trap. It’s not like it tries to take your money. Unless it was a toll road.
Oh, I dunno – we once had a section of road near me in a small town at the bottom of a steep hill. This was in a highly traveled tourist area. The speed limit dropped from 55 to 20 in less than two car lengths, and the radar setup was right after that. That section of road was indeed a trap that took MANY a tourist’s money for decades!
Thanks for the advice, Mom.
Now you’ve done it, Sajeev! I had my summer pretty well planned out, I thought. Now, with this well-organized regional route guide, I figure I need to get out my Atlas and yellow HiLiter and begin tracing out a 50-state cruise – and I’d better get going, as I think this might take me more than a few weeks!
It’s YOU’RE fault (and maybe a little of Bruce’s). Now YOU get to explain to Mrs. DUB6 why that new deck ain’t gonna get built next month…😉
(and those dead trees on the south hill aren’t gonna get cut, the gardening shed ain’t getting painted, the poor drainage on the back patio is still gonna be a problem, the fence along the front pasture isn’t getting mended, and the septic isn’t going to get dug out, and, and, and…)
Thanks for reminding me that I am single for a reason. 😉
Don’t get me wrong – there ARE rewards (and at least in my case, they totally outweigh to drawbacks).
I did assume that, but I think the joke still stands. 🙂
Granted. Touche!
Thank you for not listing any roads in WV. Keeps the traffic down on my favorites.
I second that!
From the VA line through Paw Paw?
The Kawartha’s in Ontario, about 2 hours north of Toronto have some fabulous roads I’d recommend, is very often not busy especially mid-week, great surfaces, multiple routes of varying length there’s a website where you can plan and pick the route ……more fun on a bike but still…. https://ridethehighlands.ca/en/index
Any good roads in West Tennessee?
In the St. Louis Metro Area, any road in Calhoun and Southern Pike Counties, and following either the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers. Just look at a map and pick a direction.
How about naming the roads in the photos???
Please don’t Then “Hyper” will get hyper and deliver another lecture.
Lots of fun roads, most I will never get to try.
I’d include Chapmans Peak Drive (Cape Town) on this list. While these pictures show an idyllic strip or open road, the reality of these, or any road is anything but.
Cars, trucks, Haulers, traffic, oh – it’s called real life.
NC/TN area is nice but can be very tourist-y. Head north a few hours to SW VA and Southern WV. Back of the Dragon is probably the single best road I’ve ever driven.
good stuff, nice work, home run Hagerty!, + txs.
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