Interstate Irony: 5 Scenic Drives

One of my favorite movies is Disney Pixar's Cars. This animated classic tells the story of a self-indulged race car named Lightning McQueen who finds compassion for others while kept prisoner in a sleepy town named Radiator Springs. The town is remote due to its location on infamous Route 66—cut off by the interstate. When the system was authorized by President Eisenhower in June 1956 it made travel routes quicker by cutting through the land. The distances between cities were decreased by straighter paved routes making travel by car more efficient. Most of these once isolated towns are being rediscovered by historians and travelers and some incredible scenic routes along faster interstates are also gaining popularity among autoists.  Here are 5 that I enjoy while driving at lightning speed:

Omer Rana - Unsplash

5. Interstate 68 has a total distance of 113 miles. This scenic highway extends from Morgantown, West Virginia east to Hancock, Maryland.  Morgantown is home to the University of West Virginia and the Mountaineers. The local food scene is notable and includes The Atomic Grill, featuring American barbecue, and the Mountain Brewing Company offering up tremendous burgers and pizzas. Head east and ascend the Appalachian Mountain range and make sure to visit Cooper's Rock State Forest. You'll enjoy magnificent vistas of the canyon from several locations. River rafting is also enjoyed by thousands annually. Your trek along this route ends with a cruise through the geographical feature known as The Cumberland Gap: a narrow pass through the mountains used by Daniel Boone himself.

4. Interstate 40 runs for 2,559 miles with the pavement starting in Barstow, California to the west and ending in Wilmington, North Carolina to the east. I have traveled the stretch between Kingman and Flagstaff, Arizona many times. The gradual transition from a desert climate to an alpine climate is why I enjoy this stretch of highway. Make sure and veer off of the route and visit Seligman, AZ. on the historic route 66. The Roadkill Cafe is our choice for lunch. They have great hot dogs at a great price. Williams, Az. is “The Gateway” to the Grand Canyon and don't forget to visit Bearizona Animal Park. The route ends when you ascend the towering San Francisco Peaks mountain range and arrive in Flagstaff.  This growing community has a great old town with many dining and shopping choices.

3. Interstate 90 is our northernmost and longest route coming in at a total length of 3,020 miles. In the west, it commences in Seattle, Washington and culminates in the east in Boston, MA. at Logan Airport.  Between Sundance, WY. and Rapid City, SD. enjoy the splendor of one of my favorite U.S. travel spots, The Black Hills and breakfast at Higbees in downtown Sundance is a must: low prices and great food. In Spearfish, S.D. veer of the interstate, drive through the canyon and visit the wild west town of Deadwood. Sturgis is your next stop. In August bikers ascend on this sleepy hamlet and it gets crazy, a visit any other month is recommended. Rapid City is your terminus and Mt. Rushmore has to be on your bucket list. It’s inspiring … especially on your first visit.

2. Interstate 5 parallels the Pacific Ocean for 1,381 miles running from Mexico to Canada. San Ysidro, CA. to the south heading north to Blaine, WA. Once you leave the L.A. metro area its scenery all the way. My favorite and most traveled stretch is from Red Bluff, CA. to Grants Pass, OR.  Once out of Red Bluff, Lake Shasta is beautiful with the dormant Mt. Shasta volcano serving as a perfect backdrop. In Yreka have a massive lunch at the Black Bear Diner. Back on the road get your chewing gum out for your climb up the Siskiyou Mountains. Steep on both sides, the drop into Oregon is gorgeous. Once in Grants Pass take advantage of wine tasting in the Applegate Valley south of town. After tasting, try the bleu cheese coated potato chips at the Twisted Cork downtown.

1. Interstate 70 runs along the middle of the U.S. for 2151 miles. Cove Fort, UT. at the western end and Baltimore, MD on the eastern end. The stretch from Denver, CO to Glenwood Springs, CO. is one of a kind.  Immediately out of Denver you trek over the Continental Divide. In Georgetown, pizza at The Mountain Buzz Cafe is a must. At the route's highest point you'll find yourself traveling through the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnel, the longest in North America. The outdoor sports mecca of Vail is a must stop if you love high-end shopping. Continue west and you will experience an amazing engineering marvel, a 15 mile stretch of highway weaving over itself through Glenwood Springs Canyon. Once you arrive in Glenwood Springs relax at the famous hot springs.

Not only is it ironic that the interstate system was created to move us along to our destinations quicker, supposedly eliminating the scenery our country has to offer. It is also ironic that the system was enacted by a man, Eisenhower, who fought against the original systems creator as a general. The autobahn was created by Hitler and our interstate system copies it in many ways, both are designed to move military equipment quickly in the event of war. Our routes are a little more orderly based on the numbers assigned. East to west are even numbered with I-10 to the south and I-90 north. Odd numbers run north to south, I-5 is the westernmost and I-95 the easternmost. Enjoy your next trip along one of these orderly, scenic, and speedy cement-paved routes.