My most recent favorite stretch of road to drive is I-17 South, Flagstaff to Phoenix, AZ. Approximately 70 miles north of Phoenix, the North and South bound lanes split up going through a mountain pass.  The Southbound lane hugs the mountain starting at 6000 ft, the S-curves are awesome and exhilarating, especially at night! Just take your foot off the pedal and coast at 80 - 90 mi/hr down the mountain side, WooHoo!

So hard to pick a favorite, but one of mine is US 285 through Park County, Colorado.

I really wish Route 66 were still around because pictures of it looked magical!  Or maybe it's because I was born in a hospital right off of what was Route 66 back in the day.

My mother likes driving in the Scottish Highlands.   The Highlands are full of narrow, twisty roads with passing places and great views.  You can see another car coming from miles away in some places.    I don't drive myself.

In a car, Durango to Ouray, Hwy 550, Colorado. Nice hot springs in Ouray, awesome hotel in Durango

on a motorcycle, the roads outside of Thermopolis Wyoming, Hwy 789 and Buffalo Creek Road (world's largest hot springs in Thermopolis, check it out)

on a bicycle, King Ridge Road and Coleman Valley Road/Bohemian Highway in Sonoma Country

any and all of the above, 17 Mile Drive in Monterey California or Hwy 89 down the west side of Lake Tahoe.

Out of all the roads I have been on, I think my favorite has been that highway (don't remember the number) in northern Oregon along the river. Mountains on one side, river on the other, plenty of rain clouds, it was great. Wish that company would have hired me and I coulda been out there now.

I also liked the road going up to Lake Tahoe in northern Nevada. It was a bit scary the first time, but the second time when I knew all the turns it was fun. It was also cool to see the whole country side from thousands of feet up.

Now that I notice it, why is this thread under ARGHHH! ?

Highway 101 from Astoria to Brookings, in Oregon.  It skirts along the Pacific ocean and some of the views are just breath-taking.

@Pinkfluff  If you are taking along the Columbia River, that would be I-84.

Quote from: Pinkfluff on August 12, 2011, 11:36:18 PM
Now that I notice it, why is this thread under ARGHHH! ?

Good question, couldn't figure where else to put it! Then it dawned on me that "ARGHHH!" is about our frustrations, and when I'm frustrated and bewildered a good drive in the country would often take the steam out of my worries.  Any suggestions to where I else this could've found a home?

Quote from: tekla on August 12, 2011, 10:47:43 PM
In a car, Durango to Ouray, Hwy 550, Colorado. Nice hot springs in Ouray, awesome hotel in Durango

on a motorcycle, the roads outside of Thermopolis Wyoming, Hwy 789 and Buffalo Creek Road (world's largest hot springs in Thermopolis, check it out)

on a bicycle, King Ridge Road and Coleman Valley Road/Bohemian Highway in Sonoma Country

any and all of the above, 17 Mile Drive in Monterey California or Hwy 89 down the west side of Lake Tahoe.

Tekla  took this question a step further to include Motorcycle and Bicycle, so since I said "drive" don't just think car!

On motorcycle for me it was the "Beach" at  Daytona Beach, Fla, only 1 of 2 times I have ever taken my helmet off. THe wind and the surf, sun setting...

Quote from: SandraJane on August 13, 2011, 12:14:21 AM
Any suggestions to where I else this could've found a home?

One level up in general discussions.

Quote from: SandraJane on August 13, 2011, 12:14:21 AM
On motorcycle for me it was the "Beach" at  Daytona Beach, Fla, only 1 of 2 times I have ever taken my helmet off. THe wind and the surf, sun setting...

I agree the beach is nice, but I believe that it is not a place for motorized vehicles, despite Volusia county's insistence on keeping it open to such. Every year children are killed on the beaches because driving is allowed there. I think there have been 2 or 3 so far this year. Besides that, wildlife lives there and I don't really think tourists or local residents like exhaust fumes and engine noise while trying to enjoy the beach. Not meaning to start an argument or anything, it is just an issue that has always bothered me as long as I've lived here.

Quote from: Irish Janet on August 12, 2011, 11:46:53 PM
Highway 101 from Astoria to Brookings, in Oregon.  It skirts along the Pacific ocean and some of the views are just breath-taking.

@Pinkfluff  If you are taking along the Columbia River, that would be I-84.

Yep that is the one.

Quote from: Pinkfluff on August 12, 2011, 11:36:18 PM
Now that I notice it, why is this thread under ARGHHH! ?

I didn't even notice that!   Just moved this to general discussions.

I do a lot of long-distance driving.  A year ago, I drove from Maine to SF in 2 1/2 days so I could make it to a job interview.  (No, no drugs were involved; I just have a way of focusing and keeping myself awake when I'm driving.)  I can't say 80 is my favorite highway, but seeing the country, from coast to coast, go by in one smooth motion was breath-takingling beautiful.

Of the major highways in the US, I think the western half of 10 is my favorite.  5 is a good one too.  If you could take out the stretch that goes through the Central Valley, it would be just about perfect.

As for state highways and local roads, there are just too many for me to comment on, and I don't do a lot of local driving these days anyway.

Thank You Zoe! Its easier to see now.

SandraJane

PCH from South San Francisco to Malibu but especially between Carmel and San Luis Obispo.

Route 424 in Delaware, backroads to get to Rehoboth Beach/Ocean City, Md.

PCH from Laguna Beach to Dana Point.

Duluth to Thunder Bay is pretty cool too.

Quote from: Zoë Natasha on August 12, 2011, 06:43:50 PM
So hard to pick a favorite, but one of mine is US 285 through Park County, Colorado.

I really wish Route 66 were still around because pictures of it looked magical!  Or maybe it's because I was born in a hospital right off of what was Route 66 back in the day.

That stretch of roadway is where I go to the cabin to get away from the noise of the Front Range.  It is pretty in fall on Kenosha pass with the aspens turning starting around mid-September.  You'll see antelope on the range in the South Park.  A lot of flowers in the high meadows off of the side roads this year.  EDIT: There is the Coney Island hotdog stand In Bailey, that was one of the icon diners of the past.  It is shaped like a large hotdog in a bun topped with relish.  They serve hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, kielbasa, and various types of sausages (deer, buffalo, etc.) as they become available.  Chips, fries, shakes, soda with that?  The third location that structure was at.  This was the diner I mentioned in another thread that was closed when the owner got in a Donnybrook with the county Sheriff.  It reopened in mid-June.  New owner?  I went there once since, the food is still good, but I saw the young help, but not the original owners though.
  Joelene

Quote from: Joelene9 on August 13, 2011, 01:46:55 AM
  That stretch of roadway is where I go to the cabin to get away from the noise of the Front Range.  It is pretty in fall on Kenosha pass with the aspens turning starting around mid-September.  You'll see antelope on the range in the South Park.  A lot of flowers in the high meadows off of the side roads this year. 
  Joelene

That really is a beautiful area!  My mom knows someone with a cabin in Como and goes there quite often.   We just did that drive about a month ago, but I've never been there in September!  Will have to give it a try this year on your recommendation.

This will be newie
The Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Warrnambool in Southern Victoria Australia. About 200kms of stunning ocean views, historic ship wreck sites, outstanding geological features  etc. Very nice trip

Cindy

Quote from: MeghanAndrews on August 13, 2011, 01:08:45 AM
PCH from South San Francisco to Malibu but especially between Carmel and San Luis Obispo.

My favorite too

Quote from: Zoë Natasha on August 13, 2011, 01:58:25 AM
That really is a beautiful area!  My mom knows someone with a cabin in Como and goes there quite often.   We just did that drive about a month ago, but I've never been there in September!  Will have to give it a try this year on your recommendation.

I was at an astronomical event campout a few years ago over the Fourth of July weekend on a ridge overlooking South Park.  They had a fireworks display in Como.  It was neat looking down at the fireworks and seeing the red and white beads of light on US 285 as the cars left. 
  Joelene

Quote from: MeghanAndrews on August 13, 2011, 01:08:45 AM
PCH from South San Francisco to Malibu but especially between Carmel and San Luis Obispo.

Route 424 in Delaware, backroads to get to Rehoboth Beach/Ocean City, Md.

PCH from Laguna Beach to Dana Point.

PCH! Regret that I didn't drive it enough when I lived out there...PCH and Traffic Circle in Long Beach, going southbound down the hill at night, ohoh!

Backroads, forgotten trails of America.