# BEST drives in the US/Canada **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 12, 2015, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483 "2015-04-12T14:08:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/21 "2015-04-13T16:39:52Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > [[Inverse inspiring thread]](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=754250) > > Me, I try to drive the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway every year, tho the weather usually prevents me (as it did again last year-rain and fog up there will not make it much fun :(). I also have enjoyed driving Route 124 in Ohio along the Ohio River. The Blue Ridge is great. Not as many turns and twists but some great scenery and little towns is US Rte 6; especially the eastern third. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/22 "2015-04-13T16:48:43Z")
> [@The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](#): > > Beg to differ. Yes, it looks like a scene straight out of a car commercial, as you snake alongside a mountain on one side and a river on the other, but its around four hours long (if my memory serves me) and the scenery doesn’t really change. That would be manageable, though, if not for the damn RVs. There is nothing worse than a beautiful road, totally devoid of police, with lines of sight that stretch for miles, and you can’t enjoy it because you’re stuck behind an RV that’s chugging along at 55 mph. If not for that, I would definitely rank this as an amazing drive. But the views, the quietude, and the sense of freedom are all hampered by such constant slow moving vehicles, and that knocks Seward Highway down from best to merely “good”. That unfortunately is going to be true of most of these roads when they’re “in season.” The Big Sur part of Highway 1 is notorious for turning into a parking lot during certain times of year, for example. > [@Potestas](#): > > best drive? polebridge rd; takes you through Glacier National Park, turns into an offroad poorly maintained trail about 30 miles in and curves over the Canadian border (don’t worry, no border checks there) and then about 20 minutes later it curves back down into the United States all the way getting gorgeous views of large expansive valley prarie and massive mountains and glaciers and the occassional fording of your vehicle across a shallow stream. > > It is one of the best drives I have ever been on and an undiscovered treasure in Polebridge, MT only 45 min outside of Kalispell, MT You must have done this a long time ago. There used to be a very rudimentary customs station north of Polebridge, but after 9/11 they closed it, dug a tank trap across the road, and put up signs detailing the dire consequences of crossing into Canada. If anything this has only added to Polebridge’s bizarre isolated charm since before I think you could at least make a loop of it and come back through Waterton, but now it really is just a 50 mile gravel road to nowhere. I don’t think there’s any creek crossings or glacier views, although admittedly I haven’t done the 20 miles between Polebridge and the border in a long time. The North Fork Road (which is what it’s technically called BTW) is definitely a nice dirt road through the mountains, but Montana’s got plenty of those. It’s not even [the most scenic road in Glacier Park](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going-to-the-Sun_Road), although that one definitely has the “turns into a parking lot” problem some parts of the year. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/23 "2015-04-13T17:32:52Z")
I’m going to nominate the [Hana Highway](http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips/maui-hana-coast-road-trip/)on the island of Maui, Hawaii. Absolutely spectacular! ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/24 "2015-04-13T17:52:43Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > That unfortunately is going to be true of most of these roads when they’re “in season.” The Big Sur part of Highway 1 is notorious for turning into a parking lot during certain times of year, for example. > > You must have done this a long time ago. There used to be a very rudimentary customs station north of Polebridge, but after 9/11 they closed it, dug a tank trap across the road, and put up signs detailing the dire consequences of crossing into Canada. If anything this has only added to Polebridge’s bizarre isolated charm since before I think you could at least make a loop of it and come back through Waterton, but now it really is just a 50 mile gravel road to nowhere. I don’t think there’s any creek crossings or glacier views, although admittedly I haven’t done the 20 miles between Polebridge and the border in a long time. The North Fork Road (which is what it’s technically called BTW) is definitely a nice dirt road through the mountains, but Montana’s got plenty of those. It’s not even [the most scenic road in Glacier Park](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going-to-the-Sun_Road), although that one definitely has the “turns into a parking lot” problem some parts of the year. I came here to mention [Going-to-the-Sun-Road](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLIXExKyx_E), too. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/25 "2015-04-13T18:12:32Z")
Utah 12 and Utah 128 have already been mentioned. I will also add Utah 24 between Torrey and Hanksville, and Utah 95 between Hanksville and Blanding. US550 Between Durango and Ouray (in Colorado) is pretty nifty, with three mountain passes and a bazillion avalanche zones. Cherohala Skyway in Tennessee/North Carolina is a nice scenic/twisty drive. Lots of overlooks and picnic areas. In Tellico Plains on the west end of it, look for a tasty sandwich shop/bakery cleverly named “Tellico Grains;” a good lunch stop. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/26 "2015-04-13T18:14:37Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Florida state road A1A through the Keys. I’ve driven it several times, once in a rented convertible, which was awesome. I think this road made both lists! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/27 "2015-04-13T18:18:42Z")
**Interstate 15 in Southern Utah** in several places, such as where it goes by Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park > **[Kolob Canyons - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)](https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/kolob-canyons.htm)** **Kancamagus Highway** in New Hampshire (Route 112) [http://www.kancamagushighway.com/](http://www.kancamagushighway.com/) **White Mountain Highway** (I-93 north of Lincoln, NH), which goes past Cannon Mountain and the Former Old Man of the Moujntains, Echo Lake, Houston Rock, the Flume, and the Whirlpool. [http://www.visitnh.gov/what-to-do/scenic-drives/white-mountains.aspx](http://www.visitnh.gov/what-to-do/scenic-drives/white-mountains.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/28 "2015-04-13T18:38:50Z")
In Ontario, the north shore of Lake Superior (Highway 17 from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder bay, then Highway 61 to the Minnesota border). The best sections are from the southernmost addition to Lake Superior Provincial Park up into the original park, and from Marathon to Terrace Bay. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/29 "2015-04-13T19:06:58Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > I think this road [Florida state road A1A through the Keys] made both lists! Sepulveda Pass along the I-405 in L.A. is probably eligible for both lists. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/30 "2015-04-13T19:51:14Z")
Sonora, Ebbetts and Monitor Passes (all a little south of Tahoe in the Sierras) are insanely good motorcycle roads. > [@Trom](#): > > I came here to mention [Going-to-the-Sun-Road](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLIXExKyx_E), too. I was lucky when I went to Glacier. Wasn’t too crowded, and did the road 3 times (motorcycle) one day, and a couple more over the next couple days. Not to mention the dual-sport terror I did on the western edge and a visit to the previously mentioned Polebridge. Good times! ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/31 "2015-04-13T23:03:33Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > The [Icefields Parkway](http://icefieldsparkway.com/) through Banff and Jasper National Parks. Yes, this one. Plan to make many stops. Plan to swear you can’t possibly be seeing the colors you are seeing. cf: [Peyto Lake](http://www.google.com/search?q=peyto+lake). The drive from Skagway, AK to White Horse, Yukon Territories is also fantastic. > [@panache45](#): > > I was once driving from Capital Reef National Park in Utah to Bryce, via State Route 12. It was a wild ride, following many hairpin turns and abrupt changes in altitudes, along the spine of a mountain range. The only problem was that I had to concentrate on the tricky driving, and couldn’t stop to take in the amazing scenery. I’d love to return to that road some day. I did this one last year. Yes, there are some tricky spots, but it’s not all like that. The scenery is fantastic basically the whole way, and many of the stop points … Kodachrome Basin, Mossy Cave, Escalante Petrified Forest, Calf Creek … are well worthwhile. Of course the anchor points, Bryce and (nitpick) Capitol Reef are both must-sees. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/32 "2015-04-13T23:23:38Z")
The Adirondack Northway between Lake George and Montreal is the most scenic road in the US. _Look Magazine_ said so, so it’s definitive. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/33 "2015-04-14T01:59:17Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > White Mountain Highway (I-93 north of Lincoln, NH), which goes past Cannon Mountain and the Former Old Man of the Moujntains, Echo Lake, Houston Rock, the Flume, and the Whirlpool. The Franconia Notch Bike Trail runs along some of that route, and it’s fantastic. A couple more in California are State Routes 25 and 49, especially in the spring. I’ll add another vote for UT 12. If you have time, The Burr Trail out of Boulder is a really great half-day side trip. ---
**Author:** ![Hetzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hetzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hetzer)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/34 "2015-04-14T03:20:45Z")
I live in Norther California and there is no shortage of nice drives for both day trips and extended (a week or more) trips that are wonderful. Some of my favorite drives are: Highway 1 from SF to Leggit, then 101 to Crescent City. Definitely more than a day trip. Aside from SF and the Golden gate you pass through Muir state park, Point Reyes, and Bodega Bay. Farther along there is Mendocino and Fort Bragg near where you cut inland into the Redwoods and turn onto 101 to end up in Crescent City near the Oregon border. Highway 49 between Nevada City and Sonora. Lots of medium to small gold rush towns, most with period ‘old town’ sections with plenty of quirky shops and restaurants and great scenery between towns. Highway 16/20 from Woodland (West of Sacramento) to Fort Bragg. (probably best to make this one an overnight). Travel up the Capay Valley, around Clear Lake (which is nice but kind of dumpy in a trailer trashy kind of way) and on to Willits then Fort Bragg. You can also stop in Willits and ride the Skunk Train between the two towns, but the round trip is a day in itself) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/35 "2015-04-14T11:44:08Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > The Franconia Notch Bike Trail runs along some of that route, and it’s fantastic. > > . Yeah, I’ve ridden it. Drove my car up to The Flume, parked, and rode my bike up to Cannon Mountain and back. I tried to interest Pepper Mill into doing the Cannon-to Flume ride (which is mostly downhill), but found no interest there. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/36 "2015-04-14T12:05:06Z")
I’ve done the drive on I-90 from Spokane to Missoula and back a few times. Awesome scenery, and great fun to drive. On a quiet Sunday afternoon in the summer/fall, at least. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/37 "2015-04-14T12:45:34Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I’ve done the drive on I-90 from Spokane to Missoula and back a few times. Awesome scenery, and great fun to drive. On a quiet Sunday afternoon in the summer/fall, at least. This ties in with my candidate, US 93 north past the west side of Flathead Lake and into Kalispell. Same comments apply, and at Kalispell one can take US 2 into Glacier Park. (West of Spokane to the top of the Columbia gorge belongs in the other thread.) ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/38 "2015-04-14T13:23:57Z")
Throughout Central Texas when the bluebonnets are in season. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/39 "2015-04-14T13:40:50Z")
I don’t know if this is one of the best in the country, but I was really shocked at how pleasant and pretty the Palisades Parkway was between about Ft. Lee and Highland Falls. I was totally expecting grim urban landscapes and general ugliness like on the NJ Turnpike around Newark/Teaneck. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483/40 "2015-04-14T14:27:05Z")
The Adirondack Northway (I-87) from Lake George, NY on North. Take the drive in the middle of October, and the colors will amaze you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-drives-in-the-us-canada/717483.md?page=3)