The Best Scenic Drives in America (According to Truckers)
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Long-haul trucking is tough and challenging work, but it certainly has its share of benefits. And for truckers who are also nature lovers at heart, one such perk is the opportunity to drive across many of the best scenic views in North America. Whether it’s the mountains of Appalachia, lush coastal forests, or the vast deserts of the Southwest, various trucking routes across the United States offer front-row seats to amazing landscapes at no extra charge.
We’ve asked several truckers what they think are the most scenic drives in America and listed them below. So if you’re scheduled to pass by these places, consider setting aside some extra time, pull on the brakes, and take in the scenery and probably snap a photo or two.
Pacific Coast, California
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Also known as Highway 1 or PCH, the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most famous scenic routes in the U.S. This stretch of road includes the rugged, mountainous coastline of the Big Sur region and the iconic Golden Gate bridge, which are popularized by Hollywood movies and T.V. shows. Truckers especially note the elevated roads that comprise most of the highway, as these give them a perfect view of the coast.
San Juan Skyway, Colorado
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The San Juan Skyway is a byway that loops around the million-acre San Juan National Forest of Western Colorado. This route is known for its stunning views of the San Juan Mountains, which is part of the greater American Continental Divide, winding roads, and picturesque towns like Silverton and Telluride.
Because of its twists and turns, the Skyway is not a frequent stop for truckers. But for those who do, they are treated with clear blue skies, a sea of trees that turns from deep green to yellow according to the seasons, the occasional desert landscape, and snowy peaks of the mountains.
Seward Highway, Alaska
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Alaska is a tough place for truckers with its harsh weather and the extreme remoteness of many of its parts, but it does have many of the most beautiful, untouched natural landscapes in the U.S. The Seward Highway, in particular, is frequently mentioned by truckers as one of the best. Snaking from the southern port city of Seward to Anchorage, the Seward Highway passes through many of Alaska’s scenic locations, including Bear Creek, Resurrection Bay and the rest of the Kenai Peninsula, the Kenai Mountain Range, Summit Lake of the Chugach National Forest, and Turnagain Arm of the Alaskan Gulf. On a good day, drivers can be treated to an endless view of snow-capped mountains, beaches and waterways, and the local flora and fauna during their two-and-a-half-hour run across Seward. Just make sure to pack some warm clothing.
Highway 101, Oregon
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If Alaska is a bit too cold for your taste, go down a little to the south, and you'll find Highway 101 in Oregon just as pleasing but with kinder weather. Running across the Oregon coast between the borders of California and Washington, Highway 101 offers amber beaches, mossy green forests, and the rocky coastlines in the north. Food lovers will also enjoy the numerous crab shacks, oyster bars, and fisherman's dives that offer distinct seafood delights of the Pacific Northwest.
Ideally, the best time to drive in Oregon is in the summer, as you're almost guaranteed sunny skies and more forgiving wind and rain. But if you're the type who likes solitude in your scenery, the early winter months offer less traffic from tourists but with still relatively mild weather.
Interstate 64, West Virginia
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As John Denver once hinted at, West Virginia has some of the best country roads in the U.S. The I-64, in particular, can give truck drivers a glimpse of what makes West Virginia the Mountain State: rolling hilly terrain covered with spruce, clear mountain streams, and picturesque small farms and towns. If you have time to spare, drivers also recommend making a stop at the Tamarack cultural center. Located just off I-64 in Beckley, Tamarack offers a unique cultural experience showcasing the best in arts and cuisine the state has to offer.
Route 12 and Interstate 70, Utah
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Dubbed as the “All-American Road,” Utah’s Route 12 offers unique views that you simply cannot find elsewhere. The route stretches approximately 123 miles and passes through the Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified Forest, Anasazi State Park, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Park. Among the key landmarks you’ll see up close are the red arches in Red Canyon near Panguitch, the signature stair-like structures of the Grand Staircase past Henrieville, and the aspen and pine groves of Boulder Mountain. There are also tons of restaurants and shops along the way where you can get authentic Utahn comfort food such as fried scones, pastrami burgers, and dutch oven casserole.
If you’re coming from Colorado, the Interstate 70 going into Utah also offers some incredible scenery. In fact, it’s one of the few interstate highways designated as a National Scenic Byway. Some of the key attractions the I-70 passes through include the unique desert rock formations of Goblin Valley, the sandstone arches of Arches National Park, the iconic mesas and buttes of Canyonlands National Park, and the 25-mile long Ruby Canyon in Westwater.