The Roads I’ve Travelled

The following amalgamation of Interstates, U.S. Highways, State Routes, Parkways, and Scenic Byways outlines the route I took across the contiguous United States. The roads are listed in chronological order of when I travelled them, and the states in which I experienced them are in parentheses. Roads preceded by an asterisk (*) are highly recommended.

 

US-13 (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia)

Running down the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, this road is rife with crisp views of both land and sea. The portion I encountered took me from Wilmington (DE) to Norfolk (VA).  The drive can be completed in one day (~4.5 hrs non-stop) and allows for quick visits to Dover (DE), the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (MD) and the well-travelled summer haven of Ocean City (MD).  Between the bright green of local farms and the deep blue of the Atlantic and the Chesapeake, there are no dull stretches. The drive culminates with the stunning 23-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It is then well-advised to saunter into the local towns of Norfolk or Virginia Beach for some seafood as the sun sets.

I-64 (Virginia)

I took this road west from Norfolk to Charlottesville. It’s an excellent cross-state road because it allows for a pit-stop at Richmond on the way out to Shenandoah and the land of Thomas Jefferson.

*Skyline Drive (Virginia)

As America was falling in love with the automobile in the 1920s, the government saw the need to provide local urbanites with a way to escape their crowded streets and experience the singular beauty of Shenandoah Valley.  The 105-mile stretch of twists and turns takes drivers along the entire length of Shenandoah National Park, offering over 70 scenic overlooks along the way. The speed limit is usually around 35 mph so please slow down, open your windows and breathe in the air! The true expert will start in the north and head south, because where Skyline Drive ends, the astounding Blue Ridge Parkway begins…

*Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia, North Carolina)

America’s longest linear park consists of 469 miles of exhausting ups, downs, and spirals through some of the most beautiful land in the East, carrying drivers from the sturdy oaks of Shenandoah to the the misty ridges of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I highly recommend utilizing the gears on this drive, because the seemingly endless downhill passes will do some damage to your brakes if you’re not careful! The road takes you through one of the least populated stretches of the country, so if you’re looking for a bit of solitude on the road, this is where you’ll find it. As with Skyline Drive, the maximum speed limit is low, so make sure to take your time and soak in the endless beauty offered at the hundreds of overlooks scattered all along this mesmerizing road.  Oh yeah, and don’t forget to fill up your tank early and often, because civilization is fleeting in this part of Appalachia! As you come to the southern terminus of the Parkway, make sure to take a break in the artsy, flourishing, ever-lovin’ town of Asheville (NC) and sip something fresh at Burial Beer Co.

I-26 (North Carolina, South Carolina)

The essential interstate through the South’s smallest geographical state, South Carolina. The primary road from Asheville to the old capital of Charleston. Plenty of swampland and surprisingly stunning geology for an interstate highway. I recommend popping off to US-176 for a more honest glimpse of the local geology and lush plant life. An excellent evening drive, heading east to the sea as the sun sets.

US-17 (South Carolina, Georgia, Florida)

As far as coastal drives are concerned, this is a must-see. Connecting the sister cities of Charleston (SC) and Savannah (GA), US-17 is a highly historic, highly scenic route. The two once-capitals are remarkably similar, yet notably different. Heading south from Charleston, the change from rich, clean and white to grungy and gritty (but, honestly, still pretty rich, clean and white) confronts you. If you are a wanderer like me, you’d do best to avoid the private islands of Kiawah and Seabrook, as you will need a pass to enter either resort. I highly recommend a quick stop at Folly Beach (SC) near Charleston for a cheap coffee at Bert’s (“The rockingest market in town”) or a beer and some tunes at Chico Feo. The surf’s great, too. South of Savannah, US-17 will take you along the Golden Isles and through the swamplands (parallel to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge) of southern Georgia to Jacksonville (FL), where you can pick up US-1 and continue south toward Miami (FL) and the Florida Keys.

US-80 (Georgia)

Near Savannah, US-80 is called Victory Drive and is the only way to the quirky, pastel-coated beach town of Tybee Island. Along the way is the highly touted Fort Pulaski National Monument, which is operated efficiently by the US National Park Service. Tybee is worth the twenty minute drive east of Savannah, if only for the epic opportunity to kayak to the uninhabited “Little Tybee” (which is actually much larger) and the various sand bars to the south.

US-1 (Florida)

This one is sort of a necessary evil. From the kitschy, historic town of St. Augustine, all the way to Key West (the southernmost point in the US), it is jam packed with densely populated, dirty beach towns. With traffic lights seemingly every twenty meters, it can be a irritating drive, but it passes directly by some excellent tourist destinations and a few surprisingly delightful beach towns. Notable beaches include St. Augustine Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, and Indialantic. Great surf all around. Notable tourist destinations are the Daytona International Speedway and Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. If you have the time, the speedway is well worth a visit because it is free of charge to drive through one of the massive entrance tunnels and directly into the center of the staggeringly massive Mecca for America’s most popular spectator sport, NASCAR. The space center is also great, but with a hefty entrance price of $50, I would recommend the speedway if a choice must be made.

SR-A1A (Florida)

Highly touted as the most beautiful road in Florida, and rightly so. This road essentially parallels US-1, except it is considerably more pleasant. While US-1 bombs straight down the inner coastline to Key West, SR-A1A takes its time, meandering through just about every oceanfront town on the East Coast of Florida. As for tourist destinations, please see the description of US-1, but if you are looking for a relaxing scene drive, please differ to the A1A. It is also worth noting that it comprises a few sections of the East Coast Greenway (hiking and biking route from Maine to Florida along the coast).

Overseas Highway (Florida)

The final segment of US-1 South, famed for stunning views of azure waters and myriad small towns along the historic Florida Keys. This road is a bucket list item, and that’s about it. It’s worth the drive, especially if you’ve never been to Key West, but it is long, long, long. About 3-4 hours from Key Largo to Key West, approximately 120 miles. It passes through some very pleasant towns and islands like Marathon and the Key Deer Refuge of the Big Pine and Sugarloaf Keys. The obvious gem is the delightfully grungy and singular Key West, but I admit that there’s a whole lot of nuthin’ along the way. Don’t reckon I’ll be doing this one without company again any time soon.

US-41 (Florida)

The best way to get from East to West, this lovely road cuts directly through the Everglades National Park from Miami to Naples and then hangs a Ronnie and heads North to Tampa Bay. If travelling West across the state as I did, do yourself a favor and leave just before sunset. There’s nothing quite like driving through the vast swampy Everglades as the sun falls before your eyes.

*US-98 (Florida)

US-98 is a hidden gem of the touristic quagmire that is Florida. I am not a big fan of the Sunshine State; the concept of the snowbird (seasonal retiree) disagrees with me violently and it is difficult to weather the extreme machismo and superficialism of Miami. Comparatively, the Forgotten Coast (and especially the town of Apalachicola) is positively delightful. Riddled with small towns, clam shacks, rocky beaches, and pick-up trucks, this road takes you through rolling hills and State Forests, all the way from Gainesville to Pensacola. The Panhandle may be forgotten to some, but it is hands down the most enjoyable part of Florida, in this simpleton’s opinion.

US-90 (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana)

US-90 is the continuation of US-98, as you head west along the “Redneck Riviera.” It essentially drags you along the Alabama and Mississippi coastlines from Mobile to New Orleans. Not nearly as pleasant as US-98 to the east. The most interesting part of US-90 is the astounding density of Waffle Houses. I do love Waffle House, but is it really necessary to have one every two miles on the same road (literally)?

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (Louisiana)

If heading north from New Orleans, I implore you to resist the urge to take the much faster interstate. The Causeway is something to behold. It makes the driver appreciate the vastness of Lake Pontchartrain, and to question the location of New Orleans—why did they position it so far south, in such an odd location between a massive lake and a winding river? The Causeway is 24 miles long, which is long enough for you to lose sight of both the north and south beaches of the lake. This makes it an excellent viewpoint for sunrises and sunsets, so plan your trip accordingly!

LA-25 / MS-27 (Louisiana, Mississippi)

This is the road from the Northern terminus of the Causeway to just South of Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. Take it or leave it, it’s a lovely drive that allows you to appreciate the subtle rolling hills and forests of Northern LA / Southern MS. There’s not much going on around here, but there are some pretty little towns such as Tylertown (MS), where you can find an excellent cup of Joe for incredibly cheap at the Black Dog Cafe.

 

US-80 (Mississippi)

On the way from the potholed Jackson to the surprisingly upbeat Birmingham (AL), it’s worth stopping off at Bienville National Forest for a brisk walk in the woods or to stretch the legs. Other than the forest, this road is similar in nature to MS-27, and abounds with views of farmland, forests, and small towns.

US-11 (Alabama)

In order to reach Birmingham from Jackson, you must take a left off US-80 and head north along US-11. The most memorable portion of this drive is the town of Tuscaloosa, home to the football powerhouse that is the University of Alabama. As with any college town, it’s a great opportunity to explore a pretty southern campus and check out the local shops and restaurants—and pick up some Crimson Tide gear if you lean that way.

*US-78 (Alabama, Georgia)

Unlike US-80 and US-11 to the west, this road is rife with surprisingly clean, well-off small towns and stunning views of the Georgia countryside on the way east to Atlanta. It parallels a number of active railways and provides one of the best entrance views of Atlanta from the east. Atlanta is a vertically oriented town with three major skylines: Downtown to the south, Buckhead to the North, and Midtown in between. Therefore, when you approach the city along US-78, you will experience a wonderful cross-sectional view of all three skylines—a rare opportunity.

US-41 (Georgia, Tennessee)

When driving north from Atlanta to the burgeoning hilltown of Chattanooga, one is reminded of the once-strong presence of the great Cherokee Native Americans. As the rolling hills near Atlanta give way to the smoky Blue Ridge Mountains, towns begin to bear the names of Cherokee chieftains and log cabins begin to sprout up along the roadside. This Appalachian theme is even more palpable as one heads north from Chattanooga through central Tennessee to Music City, Nashville. In my opinion, this part of Tennessee is one of the most raw, naturally spectacular countrysides in the east. Sprawling farms are nestled between modest mountaintops, and lush greenery abounds in tremendous volumes—Appalachia at its finest.

*Natchez Trace Parkway (Tennessee)

Nashville to New Orleans, old school style. 450 miles of wilderness, winding through mountains, fields and bayous, it is a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, “Kaintucks,” European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents as they made their way south to the warm waters of the Gulf, or north into Appalachia. Highly recommended for the beauty and history, but also for the wealth of campgrounds and recreational opportunities along the way. The Meriwether Lewis Monument has an excellent free campground with access to some pleasant trails through the Tennessee wilderness.

US-64 (Tennessee)

Due west from the Natchez Trace to Memphis and the great Mississippi. Not as pretty or as remote as the Trace, but has a wealth of small towns and is an easy drive.

*US-61 (Tennessee, Mississippi)

The primary road on the remarkable Mississippi Blues Trail, this is the heartland of American popular culture. Rock ‘n’ Roll, R&B, Soul all sprang from this region of the world. US-61 extends north-south throughout the Mississippi Delta, the land just south of Memphis, between the Mississippi and the Yazoo rivers, referred to as the “Southernmost Place on Earth.” Segregation still exists here, but so does the wonderful soul of the Blues. Birthplace to the vast majority of Blues legends, and inspiration to many cultural icons of the Twentieth Century. Does the title “Highway 61 Revisited” ring a bell? It may be a bit (okay, incredibly) rough around the edges, but it is teeming with diamonds in the rough.

US-70 (Arkansas)

This road carries its riders from the Mississippi Delta to Little Rock, then to the pretty resort town of Hot Springs, followed by sprawling towns and cities of Texas. Rolling hills and lush woodlands give way to flat, organized farmlands as you head west toward the South Central region of the US. The Ouachita National Forest is an excellent opportunity for some backcountry camping along the way to Texas.

US-59 (Texas)

South to the remarkably diverse and rapidly expanding Houston. Not much to see along the way, but it’s a very comfortable ride, and a refreshing break from the interstate system.

I-35 (Texas)

The primary north-south interstate through Texas. This massive highway begins on the Mexican border and pounds due north through San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and continues up and into Oklahoma! Austin is the obvious gem along this road, but so are the surprisingly pretty Lakes Waco and Whitney. Whitney is well-worth an overnight visit, as it has free campgrounds (such as Soldiers Bluff Park) and the lake is surrounded by excellent cliff-jumping locations.

US-287 (Texas, Oklahoma)

This is another fairly standard highway, but it is interesting to watch as the golden land of Texas slowly transforms into the red, cultivated dirt of Oklahoma. This essentially takes you from just north of Dallas to the gorgeous and highly recommended Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

*OK-115 (Oklahoma)

This road is truly one of America’s hidden corners. It cuts directly through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, from Cache to the intersection of a town that is Meers. If you want to get up close and personal with Texas Longhorn cattle or Great Plains buffalo, then the Refuge is a must-see. Entrance is free and camping is cheap. Its red mountains are old and worn down in comparison to their cousins to the west, but they provide fun climbs and stunning views of grasslands, lakes, and migrating herds of massive beasts. To top it all off, you can stop by the gastronomical jewel that is the Meers Store, only a few miles north on OK-115. The Meers Store has been serving 100% natural, local longhorn beef burgers for over 100 years. The burgers are massive, affordable and highly original. Not only that, but they serve a locally brewed, unfiltered wheat “choc beer” called Meers Gold, and the restaurant is situated in an old mining headquarters, left over from when the town was gold mining hub at the turn of the century. Meers Store alone is worth the 90 minute drive from OKC, but why not work up an appetite by climbing a small mountain beforehand?

US-62 (Oklahoma)

This is simply the way East from the Wichita Mountains. It’s a nice, scenic drive through Sooner territory, and provides some nice views of the gleaming skyline of OKC from the west.