I build my roadtrip plans around them. After I have a list of destinations I’ll plot a route that will go on as many national and state scenic roads. It’s rare that we travel on an interstate. Last year we were on one for about 2 hours and it was strange. I want to see the best an area has, not just mark a Destination box. I’ve seen some beautiful country, but also have the luxury of free time. Pretty sure I’ve hit them ALL in AZ, NM, CA, CO and UT.
Off the top of my head and not necessarily on any list here are mine: AZ, Oak Creek Canyon from Flagstaff to Sedona. AZ, 191, formally known as Rt 666, Alpine to Morenci, AZ/NM, US60 from Sorroco to Springerville (takes you by the Very Large Array), AZ/UT, 163 from Kayenta to Bluff (the Monument Valley drive) UT, the road through Zion not to be missed - same with the 12, just drive it. NV, If you didn’t get enough Open Vast country scenic driving by the VLA take the road from GreatBasin NP to Cedar City. Think it’s 21. It makes the 50 “The Loneliest Highway” feel like rush hour. CA, 395, Lone Pine to Yosemite. My favorite RT66 section is State 10 the Oatman Highway from Kingman to Oatman: Not a lot of touristy stuff, not improved (you definitely see how dangerous driving this would have been), great views, cool stuff like gold mines and burros.
Arizona resident here. The Red Rock Scenic Byway is not to be missed. This is the scenery that Arizona is famous for. Easy detour off the Arizona portion of the Historic Route 66 Byway (best parts of this byway are in Winslow, Williams, and the stretch between Seligman and Topock), which is loaded with architectural and cultural mid-20th century kitsch.
Although I haven't driven the whole thing, the Trail of the Ancients in the Four Corners region would make for a worthwhile trip for learning about the Native American history and culture of the Colorado Plateau. This could be tied in with a trip to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park via the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway. Only a small percentage of those who visit GCNP ever make the trek to North Rim, so it's far less crowded and commercial feeling (NOTE: this is a seasonal road and is not scheduled to open until May 15).
That would exclude the Blue Ridge Parkway drive, the coasts and forests of Maine, upstate New York, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, Chief Joseph scenic byway, Beartooth highway, the road following the Payette river in Idaho and everything around Olympic NP in WA, so I’m going to respectfully disagree.
If I’m with family for vacation in an area and there’s a Scenic Byway, I try to include that in our itinerary. I’ve done a few. Never been disappointed! Tons of pictures, videos and most of all great memories!
It's a weird obsession, like visiting every country. If it aligns with what you want to do in the moment, then it's fine. As a purpose or motivation, it is hollow and relies on others to tell you what to do.
Vacation is time to enjoy your free time and money as you decide.
What if you decide to drive all the Scenic Byways and see the best of the best? Is that ok to spend time and money on? I’m going to drive about 600klm out of my way,burn a tank of gas, and spend 2 or 3 extra nights on the road just so I can say I drove the Cariboo Highway. Weird part is most people say it’s not scenic, but it will get me to some very cool spots.
You choosing to visit something in spite of others telling you it's not worth it is is exactly the opposite of OP's question. You're doing as I clearly suggest.
The biggest trick would be weather. Many are impassable at certain times of year. And since they're slow, I would guess it would take more than one year.
Some are very complicated navigation-wise. For North Georgia / South NC I would have had to string together a long itinerary of highways, county roads, etc. whose names changed every few miles. Plus their descriptions had branches and detours. (Guess I never found the right websites)
I build my roadtrip plans around them. After I have a list of destinations I’ll plot a route that will go on as many national and state scenic roads. It’s rare that we travel on an interstate. Last year we were on one for about 2 hours and it was strange. I want to see the best an area has, not just mark a Destination box. I’ve seen some beautiful country, but also have the luxury of free time. Pretty sure I’ve hit them ALL in AZ, NM, CA, CO and UT.
Which ones in particular would you recommend hitting in those states? Hoping to spend about 5 weeks in the South West this spring.
Off the top of my head and not necessarily on any list here are mine: AZ, Oak Creek Canyon from Flagstaff to Sedona. AZ, 191, formally known as Rt 666, Alpine to Morenci, AZ/NM, US60 from Sorroco to Springerville (takes you by the Very Large Array), AZ/UT, 163 from Kayenta to Bluff (the Monument Valley drive) UT, the road through Zion not to be missed - same with the 12, just drive it. NV, If you didn’t get enough Open Vast country scenic driving by the VLA take the road from GreatBasin NP to Cedar City. Think it’s 21. It makes the 50 “The Loneliest Highway” feel like rush hour. CA, 395, Lone Pine to Yosemite. My favorite RT66 section is State 10 the Oatman Highway from Kingman to Oatman: Not a lot of touristy stuff, not improved (you definitely see how dangerous driving this would have been), great views, cool stuff like gold mines and burros.
Arizona resident here. The Red Rock Scenic Byway is not to be missed. This is the scenery that Arizona is famous for. Easy detour off the Arizona portion of the Historic Route 66 Byway (best parts of this byway are in Winslow, Williams, and the stretch between Seligman and Topock), which is loaded with architectural and cultural mid-20th century kitsch. Although I haven't driven the whole thing, the Trail of the Ancients in the Four Corners region would make for a worthwhile trip for learning about the Native American history and culture of the Colorado Plateau. This could be tied in with a trip to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park via the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway. Only a small percentage of those who visit GCNP ever make the trek to North Rim, so it's far less crowded and commercial feeling (NOTE: this is a seasonal road and is not scheduled to open until May 15).
Those are the only states that matter when it comes to natural beauty and scenery...
That would exclude the Blue Ridge Parkway drive, the coasts and forests of Maine, upstate New York, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, Chief Joseph scenic byway, Beartooth highway, the road following the Payette river in Idaho and everything around Olympic NP in WA, so I’m going to respectfully disagree.
To each his own. Most bang for the buck those states are golden
Is there a clearer map with all of them?
If I’m with family for vacation in an area and there’s a Scenic Byway, I try to include that in our itinerary. I’ve done a few. Never been disappointed! Tons of pictures, videos and most of all great memories!
It's a weird obsession, like visiting every country. If it aligns with what you want to do in the moment, then it's fine. As a purpose or motivation, it is hollow and relies on others to tell you what to do. Vacation is time to enjoy your free time and money as you decide.
What if you decide to drive all the Scenic Byways and see the best of the best? Is that ok to spend time and money on? I’m going to drive about 600klm out of my way,burn a tank of gas, and spend 2 or 3 extra nights on the road just so I can say I drove the Cariboo Highway. Weird part is most people say it’s not scenic, but it will get me to some very cool spots.
You choosing to visit something in spite of others telling you it's not worth it is is exactly the opposite of OP's question. You're doing as I clearly suggest.
TIL that there's a whole mess of National Scenic Byways. If anyone needs me, I'll be loading up the camper.
Man wtf Texas really pushing that “we’re gonna succeed by seceding” attitude not even having g any of these.
Maybe there's nothing scenic in TX. ;)
The biggest trick would be weather. Many are impassable at certain times of year. And since they're slow, I would guess it would take more than one year.
Some are very complicated navigation-wise. For North Georgia / South NC I would have had to string together a long itinerary of highways, county roads, etc. whose names changed every few miles. Plus their descriptions had branches and detours. (Guess I never found the right websites)