Best ROADS in America?

[rL428]

Ok this one is a little different, I don't know about you guys but one of my fav things to do is get in the car, take the top down and just have some fun on the road. However, there's not that many cool roads around here... there's plenty, they just aren't very interesting.

So what cities have really nice long roads with nice scenery?
I hear they film a lot of car commercials somewhere in California, there's a lot of twisties right in front of the ocean.
I don't know about Denver and the other cities around the Rockies, never been out there but I hear the natural scenery gets really nice in the fall, not sure if there's any good roads along the mountains though.

Any others?

[superchan7]

California's road quality is not good. Nevada has nice roads, but CA probably has the more attractive scenery by far.

[rt_0891]

PCH 1 is Amazing!

Pretty much every freeway/highway running around the Bay Area is amazing. Many parts of LA-SD is amazing too. The mountain routes to Yosemite were beautiful.

[IchO]

401 - Metro Toronto HighWay.
+ Trans Candian Way.

[Sexas]

It will be Boston or Houston after the whole 'fix up" thing done.

[rantanamo]

After the 'fix up', I'd vote for Dallas.

[lokinyc]

Definitely Atlanta and Georgia. The USDoT backs me up on this one, too.

[czm3]

It will be Boston or Houston after the whole 'fix up" thing done.

Unfortunately, Boston is not a good place for car enthusiasts. The roads are lousy, and the drivers, worse.

California has awesome roads. Everything from large freeways, to super twisties leading through the canyons and mountains. If twisties are what you are looking for, try Arizona, southern Utah, and the Texas hill country.

For us on the east coast, anywhere in the mountains whether it is the Catskills in NY, the White mountains in NH or the smokies in VA, NC and TN.

Basically, I like roads anywhere rural with a lot of topography.

[schreiwalker]

well it has to be a place without too much sprawl, cause otherwise you're stuck in traffic for 2 hours trying to get anywhere. so that rules out DC, ATL, LA, and most of the southern belt of cities.

For large cities I'd say the best drives are near Seattle or Portland. especially portland. in portland you can go down the columbia river gorge highway (with stunning 200 foot waterfalls), go out to mount hood, mount st. helens, go down to the pacific coast, go down the willamette valley farmlands. basically, its AMAZING. its like it was built for exactly what you're looking for.

San Francisco is cool too, but there is also probably too much sprawl.

Pittsburgh, PA has some beautiful topography around it, especially during fall, but its all quaint stuff, whereas portland is majestic stuff.

[VansTripp]

Boston, after big dig is done but its will longer time to complete as since 1990.

[czm3]

Boston, after big dig is done but its will longer time to complete as since 1990.

Sorry, but as a Bostonian I ask how the rehabilitation of 8 miles of interstate could make Boston a great place to drive?

Between speed limits, traffic, and construction, no US city is fun to drive in. Then again, what do you guys consider a fun road? In my opinion, it isnt one located in any urban area. Afterall, it is difficult to consistantly and safely push your car to the limit. Country highways, here I come.

[EdZed]

For Scenery
Beartooth Hwy. (MT Hwy 212)
http://www.photodump.com/direct/Ed_14/beartooth_vw_lg.jpg
Going To The Sun Road
http://www.photodump.com/direct/Ed_14/going_to_the_sun_road.jpg


The one time I went to Houston the stacks there are amazing I forget what highways though. Also I-70 west of Denver is pretty sweet through that one canyon.

[Gamble]

401 toronto

[Czas na Żywiec]

Any highway leading west from the Front Range in Colorado, but the only other highways I've driven on have been through Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois, so Colorado by far has the nicest scenery. ;)

[I-275westcoastfl]

Florida has great quality roads in both scenic and quality

[Azn_chi_boi]

Scenic Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/lsd/images/south_lsd1.jpg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/bernard.cordier/Images/100_0053.JPG

http://www.myphotopia.com/images/full/15/IMG_2310.JPG

[EarlyBird]

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/bernard.cordier/Images/100_0053.JPG
How could anyone ruin a beach like that? It's a crime.

[Nerima#]

Southern California Freeways are not good.
I drove through Southen California, they have little ridges on the freeway.
My car's tires were making noise from the ridges the whole time during driving on the freeway.
The highways in NewYorkCity are bumpy.and also the lanes in the tunnel of NewYorkCity are norrow, I was having difficulty in driving through the tunnel in NewYorkCity.

[sequoias]

Avenue of the Giants has a great 33 mile long 2 way direction road with lots of giant trees that zig zags US 101 in North California near the coast. It's a real nice drive, also US 101 along the coast of WA with lots of forests and cliffs. I hear the scenic drive is nice in North Cascades national park in North WA Cascade mountain range, but I haven't seen it in the real life.

There are plenty of scenic drives all over the place, so there's so much to see and little time to live. ;)

[Burnout 3]

The best highway in america is The Garden State Parkway in New Jersey. it goes through newark and the coastal communites.

[sojourner truth ™]

Highway 101, that goes up and down the western seaboard of the United States.

[e2ksj3]

In terms of scenary, California, the hills and canyons are amazing, especially along the 15, followed by the desert. Then you have PCH which follows the coast along CA, haven't been on that drive yet, but hopefully I'll go soon, then followed by Nevada (or really anywhere out west), which offers beautiful views of the desert.

In terms of the actually highways looking pretty decent, I would have to go with Phoenix and Atlanta areas.

[mtlteg]

Its definately not montreal, we have horrible roads.

[Republica]

Scenic Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.


http://perso.wanadoo.fr/bernard.cordier/Images/100_0053.JPG


I cant quite believe that this road exists. how did they allow it? Cutting off the city from the beach, shocking. It wouldnt happen here.

[EastSider]

^Because half the year it's a frozen lake. Not really, but you get the idea.

[magestom]

It is. I live in chicago.

[mr_storms]

Calfornia's Insterstate 280 between San Jose and San Fransisco is very nice. The part through san mateo county is very scenic as there is little developement there.
http://www.westcoastroads.com/california/images201/i-280_sb_vista_point_looking_north.jpg
http://www.netipedia.com/images/8/8d/Scenic-portion-of-280.jpg
http://sepwww.stanford.edu/oldsep/joe/fault_images/FT02.3.gif
http://static.flickr.com/22/28015146_4c3b520645.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/8/7334222_af4e3b5605.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/28/40714838_4b47bec590.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/23/28014825_a68ffd8b4c.jpg?v=0
In sf:
http://static.flickr.com/31/38814833_34fe3ef0d8.jpg?v=0

[greek_eagle]

Southern California Freeways are not good.
I drove through Southen California, they have little ridges on the freeway.
My car's tires were making noise from the ridges the whole time during driving on the freeway.
The highways in NewYorkCity are bumpy.and also the lanes in the tunnel of NewYorkCity are norrow, I was having difficulty in driving through the tunnel in NewYorkCity.

The reason for the ridges are for safety purposes...therefore, we can't complain about something that is put there for the safety of drivers and passengers!!

[greek_eagle]

[QUOTE=mr_storms]Calfornia's Insterstate 280 between San Jose and San Fransisco is very nice. The part through san mateo county is very scenic as there is little developement there.


I must agree with you...but I'd like to add that California as a whole, has very beautiful drives! Whether it is on the coast, in the valleys, Death Valley, the American Sahara or Sierra Nevada...it has beauty like no other state! Within the state, you can see areas similar to BC<WA<OR.....The actual Sahara Desert, the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, etc.

In Europe though, there are so many similar drives one may take ...especially those that take you thru tranquil settings, full of historic interest and more! Here in Greece within minutes, an hour or two, you can go skiing, waterskiing, swim on the beach, see ancient sites, see vineyards, orchards etc., Think about the topography one must drive thru to see all this stuff! Though a very tough competitor since this is for America, I believe Calif. wins hands down!!!

[OettingerCroat]

The reason for the ridges are for safety purposes...therefore, we can't complain about something that is put there for the safety of drivers and passengers!!

thats right, the ridges are called "rain grooves" for safer winter driving. if the concrete was just flat, all the cars would be slipping out of control.

however, the best solution is to pave the freeways with actual asphalt, but the state is too damn cheap to do that.

[Gabo]

In SOUTH AMERICA... The best road, freeways, highways, etc! in VENEZUELA!

[sojourner truth ™]

Roads in Beverly Hills, California

[Paddington]

thats right, the ridges are called "rain grooves" for safer winter driving. if the concrete was just flat, all the cars would be slipping out of control.

however, the best solution is to pave the freeways with actual asphalt, but the state is too damn cheap to do that.

Umm... You're supposed to slant the roads downwards from the center lane, so the rain drains off. A very slight slight is sufficient. I'm surprised California's engineers can figure out to make stack interchanges, but they didn't know that. :scouserd:

[sojourner truth ™]

^^
Traction in rain for the tires

[I-275westcoastfl]

Yea the grooves help in rain and ice good traction. They had those in Dallas in the roads i dont know why your tires were making noise though i never heard much.

[mdiederi]

Very scenic drive all the way around Lake Tahoe.

"The fairest view the whole earth affords." - Mark Twain

http://away.com/images/stores/family/attractions/lake-tahoe-attractions.jpg

Drive through Cave Rock.
http://www.boattahoe.com/images/caverock.jpg

Emerald Bay
http://winter-insurance.at/Privat/CalOreg/cal3/Emerald%20Bay.JPG

[mdiederi]

Lots of people like to cruise up and down the Las Vegas Strip

http://www.vegas-online.de/images1/las-vegas-strip-south.jpg
http://www.vegas-online.de/images1/stratosphere-tower_576.jpg
http://www.top-wetter.de/reisefotografie/usa/bilder/gross/usa-las-vegas-strip-158.jpg
http://mk23.image.pbase.com/u16/zuffy/large/5179927.LasVegas.jpg
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050513/050513_VEGAS_CENTENNIAL_hmed.hmedium.jpg
http://www.xahlee.org/Periodic_dosage_dir/las_vegas/bellagio/fountain2.jpg
http://www.abekleinfeld.com/images/Las%20Vegas%201-05/Bellagio-Fountain-Explosion-1-05.jpg
http://kamo.tblog.jp/images/nyny.jpg
http://www.corn-bread.org/gallery2/d/776-2/caesars_palace.jpg
http://img.stern.de/_content/54/02/540224/wynn700_750.jpg
http://www.fyvie.net/photos/Travel/USA%20Nov%202003/Las%20Vegas/slides/IMG_2042.JPG
http://www.cix.co.uk/~gidds/Snaps/America/074_VegasTreasureIsland.jpeg
http://s93413450.onlinehome.us/picture/DigitalCamera/Scenery/generated/Scenery_TreasureIslandShow_LasVegas_Feb2004-0573s.JPG
http://www.adventurist.net/trips/vegas_zion_05-2005/gallery--vegas/mirage-volcano.jpg
http://www.antonshevchenko.com/images/lasvegas-mirage-volcano.jpg
http://image03.webshots.com/3/6/68/21/24566821ciwSXBFfdj_ph.jpg
http://www.travelcheaps.com/photos/usa_pictures/lasvegas/images/Las%20Vegas%20Excalibur.jpg

[10ROT]

Merritt/Wilber Cross Parkway in my state...

No truck traffic, forested settings, going all the way to NYC, great bridges...

The parkways in NYC, even though narrow and not up to interstate standards, are very nice as well, feels like driving through parks in the cities. Better than I-95.

[Phanlax]

Lots of people like to cruise up and down the Las Vegas Strip

How can anyone cruise up and down the LV Strip? It's constantly congested, and is an absolutely hellish drive.

[sojourner truth ™]

Well it's relatively free-flowing past 2am...

[D'Transporter]

Nothing beats the views offered by the "17 Mile Drive" in Montery

http://www.yenwen.net/Carmel01/17Mile01/17Mile01_1.JPG

http://www.yenwen.net/Carmel01/17Mile01/LoneCypress01_1.JPG

http://www.ehabweb.net/images/040920-744c.jpg

http://www.ehabweb.net/images/040920-745c.jpg

[NcSc74]

I-95 from Baltimore to the Delaware Mem. bridge. Ample lanes lots of scenery from urban to rural back to urban. I love that stretch I have always looked forward to driving through B-more. The skyline views are great. Also the view of Wilmington DE with its dense little skyline from the Bridge is cool also. You can make out Phillys tallest from the bridge too.

[micrip]

Not to mention this drive includes the widest vehicular tunnel in the world...the 8-lane wide Fort McHenry Tunnel. The skyramps heading into downtown Baltimore (I-395) are spectacular, and a bit scary for some.

[Timon91]

IMO the American road with the best scenery is the Richardson Hwy from Delta Junction to Valdez, Alaska. The whole 260 miles offer you a great scenery, even when it is cloudy or rainy. It is a very quiet road (like almost every Alaskan road) and though the speed limit is 55, you can easily drive 65-70 (which everyone does). When sunny, the Parks Hwy must be beautiful, with stunning views of Mt. McKinley. Unfortunately it was very rainy when I was there (but I did see Mt. McKinley the next day)

[ChrisZwolle]

I would love to take a drive on one of those empty country roads in Oklahoma or Kansas. Escape the always-busy Netherlands where quiet roads are hard to find.

[Evan]

Going to the Sun Road at Glacier Park in Montana is a beautiful drive. Once I unpuckered my anus and got over the initial height fear, it was a thrill!

[Timon91]

Going to the Sun Road at Glacier Park in Montana is a beautiful drive. Once I unpuckered my anus and got over the initial height fear, it was a thrill!

You're absolutely right. I remember driving there five years ago. What a beautiful views.

I would love to take a drive on one of those empty country roads in Oklahoma or Kansas. Escape the always-busy Netherlands where quiet roads are hard to find.

Take a drive on the Dalton to Deadhorse. North of Coldfoot you will probably meet 15 trucks per day, and two or three RV's :D
I took the Dalton on a tour to the Arctic Circle. Unfortunately I didn't have the time to go all the way to Deadhorse. The only problem is the road. North of Coldfoot it is what we dutch would call 'een wasbord', with lots of small holes in it.

[ChrisZwolle]

^^ You mean a bumpy road filled with potholes?

[Timon91]

^^Yes. However, south of the Arctic Circle the Dalton isn't bad at all. It is just a smooth gravel road, with some paved stretches. However, to get on the Dalton, you have to drive over the Elliott highway, which is horrible. It is the worst asphalt road I've ever driven. In the summer water gets under the asphalt, but because of the permafrost in stays there. So when it freezes in winter, the water becomes ice, expands and pushes the asphalt upwards. The same counts for all the paved parts of the Dalton.

[gannman1975]

I would love to take a drive on one of those empty country roads in Oklahoma or Kansas. Escape the always-busy Netherlands where quiet roads are hard to find.

Just be sure to keep an eye on the weather if doing so in the spring or early summer. Fierce thunderstorms and tornadoes can hit with little warning out there. OK and KS are right smack in what is known here as Tornado Alley.

[Timon91]

^^And ash of course. From the plane I saw the big ash cloud from the Alieutian Islands over Nebraska and Kansas.

[TheCat]

North of Coldfoot it is what we dutch would call 'een wasbord', with lots of small holes in it.

Haha in Russian this term is also used to describe a bumpy road :)

[Timon91]

^^In fact Alaska used to be Russian :D

[Paddington]

The auto industry does a lot of their testing in the hills of South East Ohio, as do the car magazines. There's lots of nice, well maintained, twisty 2 lane roads winding through forested hills.

[go_leafs_go02]

I-15 Through Arizona.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5c/I15storm3.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_15_in_Arizona

[WeimieLvr]

My favorites are Highway 1 in California and the 500 mile Blue Ridge Parkway, also known as "America's Favorite Drive". It is the narrowest National Park in the world and is the most visited in the U.S. National Park system.

1. One of over 100 stone arch bridges along the parkway 2. The Linn Cove Viaduct
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2452595217_9a08103dac.jpg?v=0http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/2123572982_ddc74aa995.jpg?v=0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12152206@N03/2452595217/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/8211157@N05/2123572982/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2319/2082567114_0a9905474b.jpg?v=0http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/2081785313_1035e831d0.jpg?v=0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25928357@N00/2082567114/in/set-72157603231251688/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/25928357@N00/2081785313/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2751607175_21096c501e.jpg?v=0http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/394677268_69dbd46b50.jpg?v=0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27917280@N05/2751607175/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/alltheparks/394677268/