Thinking about taking a road trip in your new car? Here are a few suggestions:
Columbia River Scenic Highway, Ore.
Unlike most highways, this nearly century-old route was built purely for
scenery, and it truly delivers big time. "It's just a fantastic drive and
the landscape is breathtaking," Jensen says. The 75-mile winding ride from
The Dalles to Troutdale starts east of Portland, taking in the sights of the
Columbia Gorge. Along the way, passengers are treated to waterfalls, mountain
views and plenty of pull-offs, so the driver can enjoy it too.
Road trip tip: Make an easy detour on the Mount Hood Scenic Loop to
Timberline Lodge, a classic mountain park hotel. "It's one of those
see-it-before-you-die destinations," he says.
Route 66, Illinois to California
From the Grapes of Wrath to pop music to the early days of television,
the Mother Road is linked to the American psyche. "It touches on some of
the greatest mythology in American," Jensen says. "It's Manifest
Destiny." While much of the Midwest-to-Pacific route has been swallowed up
by interstates, many places still preserve the original two-lane highway.
"The scenery is inspiring," Jensen says, particularly the portion
across the Southwest. "Every other street scene reminds you of Rain Man
or some other movie
Road trip tip: While the Southwest offers the most famous scenery,
don't neglect the start of the route in Illinois. Jensen recommends the town of
Pontiac, home to two great stops, the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame &
Museum and the Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum, a memorable tribute to the car
brands.
Hill Country Hideaways, Texas
This central region of the Lone Star State provides the Texas the world
knows from the movies, with deep canyons, swift rivers and undulating sagebrush
plains. "It's wonderfully winding roads and proper two-lane
highways," says Jensen, who recommends making a loop of state highways
335, 336 and 337. "It's the middle of nowhere. It's an elemental
landscape."
Road trip tip: Make sure to visit Utopia, Texas, if only for the name
itself, Jensen says. "It's tiny and very pretty, lakes and rivers and
trees and paradise. There are bed and breakfasts to stay in, so you can stay
and enjoy the Sabinal River."
Great River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana
There's no better way to appreciate the power of the mighty Mississippi
River than driving its length from north to south. "From Mark Twain to Bob
Dylan to Muddy Waters, it has a place in the national psyche. It's where the
West begins," Jensen says. He suggests breaking up the trip into pieces,
from the unexpected hilly terrain in Wisconsin and Iowa, to the Delta region
from Memphis to New Orleans.
Road trip tip: Stop for a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch
Stadium, located within sight of the river and the Gateway Arch. "It ties
everything together in a nice way."
Pacific Coast Highway, San Luis Obispo to Monterey, Calif.
While California's Route 1 runs most the length of the state, Jensen calls
this middle section the sweet spot, featuring the stunning scenery of Big Sur,
where it twists through seaside cliffs. The stretch also passes near the wine
country of Paso Robles, and the arty town of Carmel. "There are mountains,
oceans and thin strip of asphalt in between, that's it. You feel like you have
the whole continent at your back when you watch the sunset over the
Pacific." The trip works either way, but the driver will have the best
view if you head south to north.
Road trip tip: Don't miss Hearst Castle in San Simeon. "It's
kind of surreal to see this Spanish cathedral dropped down in the ranchland of
Southern California."