Drives of a Lifetime: The World's Greatest Scenic Routes

National Geographic ^ | (Recently--Not listed) | UNKNOWN

[combat_boots]

Sometimes it's the journey, sometimes it's the destination—and sometimes, it's both. National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get directions, quizzes, photos, and more.

[combat_boots]

Pix and links to the drives are at link.

I post this because I want something fun. A sportscar, the open road, lots of soda pop, jerky, and the better half.

[Nateman]

There are only a handful of drives outside the US. It says drives of the world, but it really means drives in the US.

[steelyourfaith]

Cool. I’ve done a few of those drives. The Road to Hana and finding the Red Sand Beach would be my most memorable. I also want to trace the old Route 66 from Chicago to LA. Thanks for posting.

[not2worry]

My hubby and I are avid drivers and it is well worth getting National Geograhic’s Scenic Route book.

We have traveled all over the world and some of the most beautiful sighs to behold are right here in the USA. Not to mention some of the most wonderful people you meet along the way.

God has truly blessed America from sea to shining sea.

BTW, I wish John Madden would write a book on what some of his favorite scenic drives he has experienced over the years in his RV driving from stadium to stadium.

Boy, I sure miss John! Hope he is enjoying retirement.

[Hot Tabasco]

A few years ago I took the route from Vancouver up to Whistler along the coast. My self and some friends went there skiing so we rented a stretch limo to drive us up there. I sat with my back to the ocean all the way up and all the way back. Looking over the cliffside was just to creepy for me...........The wall of the mountains looked the same all the way there.

[Tribune7]

Brandywine Valley has been placed among the great rides.

[Tribune7]

ping

[steelyourfaith]

Thanks. I'll check that Scenic Route book out. I'm about to submit an on-line book purchase.

Good point about Madden and the Maddenmobile. Thinking now of Charles Kuralt's "On the Road" segments, and John Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley" ...

[Eagle Eye]

I-80 across Nebraska; I-70 across Kansas; I-10 between Tallahassee and Pensacola.

Drives of a lifetime or just drives that seem to take a life time?

[faucetman]

Don't know about the book, but best scenic drive I know of is the Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park. Start at the North end, head south and stop at EVERY opportunity to do so. Stop at EVERY overlook. Each one has a different breathtaking view. (If you don't like trees, stay home). You will wear out your camera.

A GREAT place for a family vacation in the outdoors. Great hiking opportunities for novices (stretch yourselves) and experienced hikers. Climb Old Rag Mountain! You can do it! (Not for Mamby Pambies though).

Wildlife galore!! Lions & Tigers & Bears! Actually more like Deer & Skunk & Bears. Turkey Vultures (HUGE), don't let them puke on you.

A wonderful fall foliage trip. Shenandoah National Park, one of my favorite places on earth. You will agree.

[ml/nj]

Boy! There are a lot of places on this list that shouldn't be. Cape Cod a great scenic drive? I don't think so. Just about any place I've been in the Alps tops anything in the Rockies except maybe NE Utah and neighboring Idaho.

The Fish Rock Road isn't even on the list. Drive it if you've got the chance. It's about 100 miles north of San Francisco cutting from SR128 to the PCH. It's got one of those warning signs at the start that says your car should be in good shape, which sort of reminded me of the Disney Space Mountain signs. It's about 20 miles long and takes a couple of hours. When I drove it I only passed three opposite direction vehicles. There are forests of huge redwoods (not quite the same as huge redwood forests), great mountain views and when you stop the car, turn off the engine, and get out of the car, you can listen to NOTHING. I once tried a road that "parallels" the Fish Rock Road about 20 miles closer to SF and was severely disappointed.

ML/NJ

[ml/nj]

best scenic drive I know of is the Skyline Drive

Go West, young man.

I remember being impressed by the Skyline Drive when I was younger. But then I did a USA tour with my family which included the Skyline Drive near the end. After driving around out west, everything on the Skyline Drive looked very small to me.

ML/NJ

[reagan_fanatic]

Driving through Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons was one of the most memorable drives I've ever had.



Simply beautiful.

[sand lake bar]

The authors have apparently never been to Taiwan.

[sig226]

don’t bring the sportscar to cape cod. it says you should drive rte. 6a from sandwich to truro, then take rte. 6 to provincetown, then go to chatham and follow rte. 28 back to the bourne bridge. i strongly suggest that you not do this. the trip along rte. 28 during tourist season will be one of the most unpleasant experiences of your entire life. traffic is nightmarish. national geographic says the whole trip will take 3-4 days. i think driving from harwichport to centerville will take that long in july.

for whatever reason, it also omits the cape cod league, which is an amateur baseball league around hyannis. wanna the upcoming todd helton, mark texiera, billy wagner, jason bay, david aardsma, and nomahhh? go to the ccbl games.

[Ann Archy]

The Sea to Sky hgwy is GORGEOUS!! GEESH....JADED???

[Amagi]

Scenes from "Shane".

That is a beautiful drive.

It's sublime how those high jagged peaks arise bordering that flat plain.

Great image you've posted there.

[sig226]

imo, the trip across kansas on i-70 is one that every american should be made to take. take a good look, everybody, this is how you can live in chicago or miami and have food.

[Ann Archy]

IT’S NOT THE OCEAN...IT’S PUGET SOUND.

[unread]

how about the drive from monte vista to gunnison...or maybe from quebec to bangor....very nice !!!