Most scenic route

I always wanted to go to Montrose and never got a chance. When my dad and grandparents immigrated to the states in 1942 they bought a farm there. I've run US160 many times and liked that ride.

Any back roads in the southwest has something interesting to offer. I guess it depends where you are from.

A unique ride like none other is 111 down the east side of the Salton Sea from Palm Springs, CA towards El Centro. I use to cut down there going to Yuma. It's a couple hundred feet below sea level, it's isolated but still has that beach feel. It is so salty that the only thing that lives in it is brine shrimp.

On the east coast I like Vermont and it's back roads.

 

One spot comes to mind when I was given a wrong address and ended up passing cows in CO. US 50 not to bad there either, esp. with a nice snowstorm in the mountains

 

Beautiful through Nevada as well.

 

US 160 Wolf Creek and US 550 Million Dollar Hwy are a tie, especially in the winter with fresh snow, awesome drive. 550 in the falls is great. US Rabbit Ears is another nice one, dropping into Steamboat in the winter with snow everywhere. US20/Wyo 789 Shoshoni to Worland SB is a great drive.

 

US550 just was recently repaved from Ouray to Silverton. Very nice. They made the hairpin turns wider for off-tracking, and just generally improved the 'feel' of the road. It's still a harrowing drive. Especially that first big climb out of Ouray heading south when you're just inches away from a several hundred foot drop with no guardrails. As long as I could see ahead of me and it wasn't a blind curve, I stayed to the center of the road. Not risking a blown steer tire killing me.

I still have yet to drive Wolf Creek. I was going to do that this past month, but the fire forced me around US550. Which, though was more miles, the drive is quite worth it. It's a 'must see' for anyone that likes scenery (and three passes over 10,000 feet).

Another unsuspecting one I'd give is US20 from north of Lusk WY until about O'Neil. I've driven it three times, and found it always enjoyable. Especially that expansive void through Cherry County, NE.

And when driving from Seattle to Minneapolis, I really like taking MT200 through Montana if time permits. Such desolation. You also get to drive by the spot recognized as the Coldest Ever Temperature Recording in Contiguous United States (-70F between Mill Hall and Great Falls).

Also, just did US212 from Crow Agency, WY to Belle Fourche, SD again this past week. Always enjoy that stretch of road. A little overcrowded with trucks and cars shortcutting I-90.

 

I've been up 111 when the wind was blowing in off the sea. Enough to make you sick to your stomach. I used to live on the SR 86 side of the sea, back in the 70's-80's BEFORE it was so uh STINKING. That is the only word that will do it. Haven't been back there in many years.
But when I lived there, there were a number of game fish in the sea, boating for both fishing and water skiing was a big thing, as was bank fishing. But by the time I left the area, I wouldn't have eaten anything that came out of the sea. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the whole darn thing isn't "TOXIC" by now. . .