I have been looking for a list of "must drive roads" in the US. I haven't found one, so thought we could create one. They don't have to be twisty to be great.

My tops so far (haven't made it to any)

the Dragon (planning to attend next MOTD)
Route 66
The Rubicon (yes, it is an unmaintained county road... no, I will not try it in a mini, that's what the Land Rover is for)

what else would you add to the list?

 

SR536 "The salamander" along with SR255 SR26 SR555 all in Ohio & all must drives.

 

Hwy 1 (from central california north) and Hwy 9 in California

 

Blueridge Parkway....

Donna

 

FM-965 from Fredericksburg, TX to Enchanted Rock State Park

 

Lesser known gems:

US Alt 14 from Lovell, WY east over the Bighorn Mts to Ranchester: Twisty steep roads, historic Native American Medicine Wheel site on top, and fabulous pie at the Bear Lodge in Burgess Junction.

WI 131 from Tomah to the Wisconsin River, through the Kickapoo River Valley: the Kickapoo is one of the twistiest rivers around here...

WI 55 from Shawano to Langlade, through the Menominee Reservation: low speed limits, and you can get into trouble with tribal authorities for speeding, but it's gorgeous forested road with lots o' twists and rolling topography. No prettier place in autumn.

WI 178 fom Chippewa Falls to Cornell, along the Chippewa River: Leinenkugel Brewery in Chippewa Falls, spectacular river views and winding road.

 

Pretty much all the roads on Pashnit's site are my favorites.

 

Years ago my daughter bought me a road book to use with my new Triumph motorcycle. That summer I did 4500+ miles before I went down, broke an arm and watched the bone bruises grow for the next 3 weeks. I still have the book but am substituting an MCS for the triumph. The book is awesome..."Road Trip USA" by Jamie Jensen. It's not the normal "travel guide". "Cross country adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways. I'm going to hit everyone of them over the next couple of years. Check it out.

 

Too many to list in NorCal, wish I was there, not PA (worst roads in America)

If anyone has good suggestions for decent driving roads in PA please tell me, maybe some Hillclimb folks knows the secret spots, cause I ain't found'em. I am NOT interested in scenery, just hairpins.

BTW: I tried all the PA ones on Motorcycle (pashnit) websites they all sucked.

 

With over 300+ curves, the Devil's Highway RT 666 (now renamed Rt 191) will give you plenty of hairpins and decreasing radius turns. It runs from Springerville AZ in the northeast to Morenci AZ in the southeast. Allow about 3 hrs to complete the run. The Dynamic MINI Collective AZ and the New Mexico Mini Motoring Club did the run last weekend. Join us again in 2010!

 

Get National Geographic's "Guide to Scenie Highways and Byways, 3rd Edition" which features the 275 best drives in the U.S.

 

Some more of my favorites:

Cherohala Skyway.

Wayah Road

NC215

Parson's Branch Road.

 

I don't live out there, but check out this baby from New Mexico:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...1&ie=UTF8&z=11

Found it while looking for route 666.

Wow.

 

Paul I agree with your picks.

I love the Chocoholic Skyway even more that 129.

Wayah Rd. is wayah cool too.

I will be driving Parsons Branch. That's the old rally car driver in me talking.

NC 215 also looks great, but I don't think I'll be sampling it on my upcoming trip.

 

They were giving away free copies at one point in time...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147149&highlight=free+book+scenic +byways

Don't know if they are still doing it.

 

Lots of nice twists and turns along the Delaware River. Stick to the Pennsylvania side of the river. Or head North into Bucks County for scenic driving. Back in the 50's Roger Penske used to do hillclimbs off Rte 212 in Springtown, PA.

And then there are the Poconos - from East Stroudsburg take 447N toward Canadensis. It'll take you up a steep twisting route to the top of one of our highest mountains ("hills" to you folks out West). From there you can get on 390 South which will take you through Promised Land State Park where there are some nice narrow roads guaranteed to be teeming with wildlife (deer, chipmunks, snakes, hawks, skunks, groundhogs, and if you're lucky, bear and coyotes). Further South you'll descend the modest mountain on another curvy road which brings you by the impressive majestic Skytop Lodge.

But if you're expecting Rocky Mountain-like hairpins and elevations you're gonna be disappointed. We're all about history and scenery. Not breath-taking natural phenomena.

 

PA is a short drive (short is a relative term) from the Smokies.

And really close to West Virginia, which has some good roads.

 

Angeles Crest highway north of Pasadena, CA

 

Route 28 from Franklin to the Highlands in NC. Eat at the Rib Shack for fantastic smoked ribs.

 

Don't know if they are still doing it ... vargasgal

Indeed National Geographic still does send out "Guide to Scenie Highways and Byways, 3rd Edition" free ... I got my copy about a month ago. Nicely done paper back, high quality paper and, of course, photography typical of the traditional NatGeo ...

 

Nice so there are some decent roads is what your telling me?? I've given up on PA roads. As long as they are twisty and winding I am fine no need for scenery at all other than some rocks the identify some brake points and turnin points, as I usually keep my eyes on the road (as far as I can) I gotta try these, also heard theres allegedley some decent pavement out by Wilkes Berry??? Do you drive those roads, are you up to show a tour after the 25th of October?

 

No offense, but I get the impression you're a bit more of a maniac than I am. And I mean that in a nice way. I don't think you'd like having this middle aged old fart holding you up. Besides, I only have a regular Mini Cooper. Couldn't afford the turbo but wish I had found a way. I'd only slow you down.

Seriously, get on Google maps and take a look at Rtes 191/ 447 heading out of East Stroudsburg. Just follow that for about 25 miles. When you reach New Foundland, PA hean North on Rte 507. You can either get on I-84 and take it to the Promised Land exit (Rte 390) and head South or continue North on 507 up along Lake Wallenpaupack. Some nice backroads out that way too. From there you can loop back down 390 and head through Promised Land and back through Canadensis to 447. Really, there are miles and miles of narrow winding roads up here.

The only interesting road I know of in Wilkes-Barre is off 115 near Laurel Run. It would make a pretty good hillclimb if it were a bit longer.

I might also suggest just driving up into the Poconos and getting lost. There are miles upon miles of road I've never even seen and I've been up here for 15 years. Although it is pretty avoid driving along the Delaware above East Stroudsburg (Marshall's Creek). Way too many tourists and Sunday drivers. The roads leading off from there can be pretty challenging though - steep ascents on narrow tracks.

Do you have GPS?

 

I like Hwy 20 in Utah between Capitol Reef NP and Bryce Camyon NP. Thought I went to the moon.

 

"Do you have GPS?"

Nope maps only....old school
Usaully I google earth the roads "stages" lol and print them up.
Can't wait to try all the roads you suggested!!!

 

It's not super twisty but I like the Merritt Parkway from Connecticut to Massachusetts. It's a nice boulevard type road with some mild curves, it's pretty and has nice rest stops for coffee and stuff.
Oh, and the byways brochure link is no longer on the front page, but I found it here. I signed up, we'll see if they are still sending it out!

http://www.byways.org/map_request.html