The opportunities are abundant for scenic drives in this country. As an avid “road warrior’ you will be pleased to see so many day trips or few day trips across this country to choose from.
I have started with the Western Half of the U.S. specifically the Northwest and Southwest. I have only cited a few of the possibilities, but it is a start.
Northwest
San Juan Skyway Colorado
The San Juan Skyway is 233-mile route that takes you through the San Juan and Uncompahgre National Forests located at the southwestern border of Colorado. It is truly a loop that takes you right back to where you started. This route brings you up and down the snow-capped Rocky Mountains as you make your way from Durango, north to Ridgeway and down through Telluride, Cortez and back to Durango. You'll need to plan for at least a couple of days just to circle this vast route. If you plan to visit the Victorian towns along the way, the famous Hot Springs, and Mesa Verde National Park located at the route's southern end near Cortez, you should give yourself more than a few days. Mesa Verde Park in itself is a day or two visit. This massive park reflects more than 700 years of history. From approximately A.D. 600 through A.D. 1300 people lived and flourished in communities throughout the area. Mesa Verde National Park offers visitors a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people.
This long route takes you through many microclimates with widely varying conditions especially in winter. Heavy snows may accumulate over the mountains but drier conditions are usually found in the valleys, where snow cover may be patchy.
In summer, thundershowers may occur over the mountains and occasionally drift over the valleys when the summer monsoon is in place. Temperatures may occasionally reach high levels (100F) in the valleys but relief can be found over the next hill.
Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway
The Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway is a 63-mile route which takes you through parts of the Grand Mesa National Forest located in western Colorado. You will probably take at least a couple of hours to drive this route. If you want to spend time at the many scenic overlooks along the route or take a side trip to the Lands End Overlook to view the Grand Valley you might consider an overnight.
Grand Valley offers, horseback riding, mountain biking, winery tours, dinosaur expeditions and lovely B and B’s.
You may begin this drive at the junction of Rt. 6 and 65 near Mesa or further south along Rt. 65 in Cedaredge just north of Orchard City. This drive will take you through the top of the canyons of Plateau Creek down to forests that have many lakes scattered among its trees. This area has a moderate climate even in winter. Because of its location, the surrounding mountains protect this region from the moisture sources of the Gulf and Pacific. The lower elevations of this region are generally semi-arid.. Melting water from this mountain snow pack is what maintains the beautiful lakes.
Summer is warm with highs in the upper 80s at Cedaredge (subtract 10 or more degrees for the higher elevations), and nights tend to be pleasant with average lows in the 50s (40s in the mountains). Showers and thunderstorms are scattered about, becoming more frequent in August with the southwest summer monsoon.
Wintry weather can sometimes set in suddenly as early as September.
Beartooth Scenic Byway - Montana and Wyoming
The Beartooth Highway (Rt. 212) is a 68-mile drive that takes you along the south/central border of Montana, dips into the northwestern tip of Wyoming and back into Montana (near the entrance to Yellowstone National Park). 3 to 4 hours would be sufficient to enjoy this alpine drive, longer if you make frequent stops along the way to capture the natural beauty of the mountains and the hundreds of lakes and ponds. Begin this drive along Route 212 at either Red Lodge, Montana, about 50 miles southwest of Billings, or at the northeast entrance to Yellowstone park located at Silver Gate near Cooke City. This one stretch of highway alone takes you through three national forests - Custer (eastern section), Shoshone (Wyoming), and Gallatin (Yellowstone entrance). Popular scenic areas along the route include Bears Tooth and Beartooth Butte.
The summer vacation season is the most popular time of year to drive this route and weather has a lot to do with that. It offers relief from the heat waves of summer. Temperatures usually dip into the 40s at night and often stay at 80 or below during the day. Also, be wary of afternoon thunderstorms that occur on occasional afternoons. Mild days continue into the fall but wintry conditions can set in suddenly so you should monitor forecasts carefully.
Winter is typically cold and white. Temperatures average near zero at night and usually stay below the freezing mark especially when snow cover is present. Spring is often slow to arrive with late snows and freezes.
Cascades Lake Scenic Byway - Oregon
The Cascades Lake Scenic Byway is a 66-mile route that takes you right through the Cascade Mountain Range in central Oregon. Plan on about 4 to 5 hours, but most of the day if you plan on stopping often to enjoy this breathtaking land noted for its over 150 mirror lakes carved into the forests along this splendid volcanic mountain range. Early trappers and explorers such as Kit Carson and John Fremont traveled these parts and must have been in awe of its beauty as you will. Deschutes National Park is known for its fishing hiking rafting and other outdoor sports.
.You may begin this scenic voyage at either Bend to the north (Rt. 375) or at Crescent Lake to the south (Rt. 46). Popular, tranquil lakes along the way include Sparks Lake, Todd Lake, and the Lava Lakes. In the winter portions of this road are frequently closed
In the winter you can count on frequent heavy precipitation, usually in the form of snow during the winter months. Temperatures tend to be cold at night but not extreme during most days. Spring is slow to arrive in most years with late snows and chilly temperatures. Seasonal snowfall totals range from 34 inches at Bend to 277 inches at Cascades Summit.
The summer is a very different story with lots of sunshine and very pleasant temperatures. Expect cool nights though in the dry air with lows in the 40s. Not much precipitation occurs in the Summer here.
Hells Canyon Byway - Oregon
The Hells Canyon Byway is a 218 mile route that runs in an almost complete loop that takes you thru Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in Northeastern Oregon. It would take 8 to 10 hours if you don’t plan on stopping. The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is here where you can white water raft, hike, and horseback ride or visit Hells Canyon the deepest river gorge in North America.
You can begin this route at Baker City in the South or la Grande in the North. Wallawa Lake and Hells Canyon Overlook offer stupendous views. This loop takes you to the tops of mountains and into the valleys with a variety of landscape and views. The Wallowa Mountain Loop is closed in the winter. The best time to travel this route is between July and September.
Historic Columbia River Highway - Oregon
The Historic Columbia River Highway travels along the Oregon side of the Columbia River for 70 miles. This should take about 5 hours at least to complete. It is historic because it is the first highway to become a national landmark and it retraces part of the Oregon Trail.
This highway is divided into two sections. The Western section runs from Troutdale to Dodson and the eastern section which runs from Mosier to The Dalles. The Dalles is a town with Oregon Trail murals and historic buildings.
Both trails offer spectacular views of snowcapped mountains and waterfalls. The most famous waterfall here is Multnomah Falls. There are paths for you to take to get up close to these marvels.
Although this part of the pacific Northwest gets its share of cold and rain, the summer month offer the sunshine and warmth that make a trip like this enjoyable.
Mather Memorial Parkway - Washington State
One of the most scenic drives in Washington State, the 85-mile Mather Memorial Parkway takes you through the heart of the Cascade Range including portions of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and into the northeastern section of Mount Rainier National Park. Two hours should take you thru this area, but more time should be given if you make frequent stops to take in the spectacular views of Mount Rainier along the way, its surrounding forests, snow-capped peaks, and the river canyons of Chinook and Cayuse Passes. This route takes you along the White and American Rivers and can be started at either Rt. 410 in Enumclaw located about 18 miles east of Tacoma or at Rt. 12 in Naches located to about 15 miles northeast of Yakima. The Parkway is closed during the winter from the entrance of Mount Rainier Park to Morse Creek.
This route should be enjoyed in the summer months when the Pacific Northwest is sunny. Temperatures tend to stay comfortable in the high terrain. In the Fall and winter things change and heavy snows usually fall frequently in winter. Spring is slow to arrive.
Southwest
Kaibob Plateau North Rim Parkway - Arizona
The Kaibab Plateau North Rim Parkway is a 42-mile route located at the northwest section of Arizona just north of the Grand Canyon National Park. One hour should be sufficient fro this route. It begins at Jacob Lake and follows Rt. 67 through the Kaibab National Forest and into the northern rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. Allow more time if you plan to enjoy the dense forest of the Kaibab Plateau and the breathtaking scenery of the Canyon's north rim. Kaibab Plateau has adventure services that take you on hikes and mountain biking and camping trips. Birding is also a popular pastime here.
Because of elevation, the north rim is cold (lows in the 10's) and at times snowy in winter and cool in summer (highs in the upper 70s). The North Rim is closed in winter as the snow and ice create hazardous travel. Summer offers both beautiful skies and awe-inspiring vistas. Showers and thunderstorms are scattered about, becoming more frequent in August at the peak of the southwest monsoon. Be advised that if a trip down to the canyon lowlands is planned, you will find much higher temperatures in summer (may top 100F).
The sunniest and driest conditions occur during the spring and fall when there are cool temperatures. Note that conditions can change rapidly in these seasons. Probably the best times to ride the North Rim Parkway are in the late spring or early summer.
Lake Tahoe East Shore Drive - Nevada
The East shore Drive along Lake Tahoe is a 28-mile route that takes you along the entire shore of Lake Tahoe that is located within Nevada. The state line between California and Nevada runs north to south through the eastern half of this crystal lake, which is the largest alpine lake in North America. Allow about an hour to drive this beautiful, undeveloped coastline, but much longer if you plan to stop often to view this vast basin surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of Sierras, including the Toiyabe National Forest and Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. A tram by the lake can take you up 200 feet to an even more spectacular view. Because you are in the casino capital of the world. Try out the casinos, see some shows or dine at a fine restaurant.
Of course hiking, skiing and water and winter sports abound in this area. Maybe your trip should be longer.
You may begin the drive at Incline Village to the North on Rt. 28 or at Stateline to the south along Rt. 50.
In over 50 years of recorded history of the weather in the Basin, 80 percent of the days have had sunshine. Most of the annual precipitation falls in the form of snow - falling anytime from October to April. It comes in quick, heavy bursts associated with Pacific storms. The average winter snow pack is 225 inches, or nearly 20 feet, approximately four times the average in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The summer season, like the Tahoe winter, is quite extraordinary and is the most reliable time to ride the East shore Drive without weather hassles. Daytime highs rarely exceed 80 degrees.
Big Sur Coast Highway - California
One of the most popular scenic drives in California is the 72-mile Big Sur Coast Highway. This one stretch of highway has the rugged cliffs of the California coast on one side and the beautiful thick redwood forests and the Los Padres National Forest on the other side. Three hours is a good amount of time to travel this coast road but much more if you make frequent stops at the many national parks and preserves along the way. The preserves allow you to see sea lions and the marine ecosystem and in the winter out in the ocean you can catch the whales migrating out to Mexico. Julia Pfieffer State Park is a great place to stop and see some grand redwoods and a beautiful 80 foot waterfall that empties into the ocean. The cites of Carmel and Monterrey offer some beautiful historic pictures of life here in the area.
You may begin the windy trek along Route 1 at either Carmel, which is just south of Monterey, or at the San Luis Obispo County line.
California's location in the middle latitudes and on the west coast of the North American continent, places it in the relatively rare Mediterranean-type climate. This type of climate generally brings moist, mild winters and dry summers.
Summertime along the coast highway brings cool marine air and persistent coastal stratus and fog. Rainfall from May through September is relatively rare, with an aggregate of less than an inch, or only about 5 percent of the yearly average total of approximately 21.5 inches. Winter temperatures are quite temperate. Over 80 percent of the region's seasonal rain falls between November and March, occurring over about 10 days per month.
Spring and fall are transition periods. These seasons usually produce the most cloud-free days between the overcast days of summertime stratus and the rain-laden clouds of winter. The hottest days are typically during the spring and fall when high pressure builds into the Pacific Northwest and Great Basin, and dry offshore winds replace the Pacific sea breeze. The occurrence of rainfall during the early spring and fall is infrequent, with only about 5 days per month on the average
Las Vegas Strip - Nevada
This 4.5 mile drive down the strip is unique in that we are not touring thru a natural wonderland, but a human built wonderland. If you drive thru this famous Rt. 604 it will take a half hour. But come on this is Las Vegas there is soooo much to do.
Expect crowds no matter the time of year or time of day. This city truly never sleeps.
Begin this trip on Rt 604 at the intersection of Sahara and 604 and go north or at the intersection of Russell Rd and Rt. 604 at the south.
These are some great spots in the West. I hope you enjoy and even take advantage of more than I suggest. Happy Roading!
Eileen Richardson
