My favorite “local” road is FM 170 “River Road” that runs from Presidio to Turlingua, TX (Turlingua is at the entrance of Big Bend National Park).

It’s a stark desert landscape that follows the border along the Rio Grande. It’s hilly, rugged, and all around beautiful.

The road itself is good. Lots of sharp curves and hills (has the states steepest paved incline at Big Hill of 15% grade).

There is very little along the road; a couple of very small communities (mostly ghost towns). There is a resort community (Lajitas) that has golfing, horseback riding, and (iirc) is the only place for gas along the route.

You do have to watch your speed; even though the road has very little traffic, you will likely see a number of border patrols and its open range (meaning livestock roams free).


Another plus is that it ends and Big Bend (a must see for all Texans). There is a lodge there and a decent restaurant. Turlingua is also on interesting place to see; a couple bars/restaurants where the “river rats” (hippie, off-the-grid types) hang out. It is also fairly close to Marfa (where we stay when in that area), which is home to the Marfa Lights and has become an eclectic hipster artist community.
If you can’t tell, it’s one of my favorite regions of the state.

http://valeriegalerie.com/pics/2012/...pic-river-road

 

Awesome, thanks!

this

 

Blue Ridge Parkway. Best driving experience I have ever had. The Tail of the Dragon was also great, but not quite as satisfying overall (very hectic, constantly turning, not able to get up to a very high speed, and the turns are all very tight--Blue Ridge Parkway is more open with longer sweeping turns and more views of the mountains).

 

Only reason I don't go on the BRP is that if you get caught speeding, you're in a lot of trouble

 

Oh really? Why is this, because it's considered part of the National Park system?

When we were driving it we did about 100 miles of it and never saw a single cop. Additionally it was very easy to see far enough ahead that I wasn't ever worried about being caught speeding. By the time you get close enough to a turn for a cop to pop out of nowhere you're already slowed back down anyways.

Pretty sure we averaged about 50-60 the whole time we were on it, while the speed limit I believe was 45. We definitely hit just under 100 on one of the flat straights, but again, there were no other cars in sight.

 

I'm also with the folks who say the PCH through Big Sur but my absolute favorite road is Generals Highway/CA198 all the way through Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. Coming from the south its a 6000ft climb on some insanely twisty roads with a great view the whole way up. On the way down into fresno, it's way more open and quick looking 5000ft down into the valley below.

Also my avatar was taken up there in front of one of the giant sequoia trees

Generals Hwy

 

Assuming traffic is light, many of the roads leading to the Oregon coast are very nice for our cars. I enjoyed taking my S2000 north of Boise towards Idaho City, Lowman, McCall etc and through the mountains there. Very scenic!

 

For a Sunday drive, the Santa Monica Mountain group drive that occurs every last Sunday of the month in the coastal mountains near Los Angeles is a lot of fun.

 

I have driven all of these with Aaron and they are great roads. We have always talked about the Dragon and how McKenzie Pass would compare to it. I will know in a few more weeks.

Another road to add is the Historic Hwy - this road is bad ass enough that it has been used for several tv commercials lately.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=alcwffTRDFM

There is also an Infiniti commercial but I cannot find the video.

 

Arkansas Hwy 123 is a lot of fun! also known as the arkansas dragon.