Hidden Gem: America’s Scenic Byways

Sometimes the best part of a trip isn’t where you’re going.

It’s the road that gets you there.

America’s Scenic Byways were created around that idea: roads recognized for the scenery, history, culture, recreation, archaeology or natural beauty found along the way.

For travelers in this stage of life, that makes them almost perfect. You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to build the entire day around getting from Point A to Point B. You can stop when something catches your attention.

Take the Long Way

A great scenic drive gives you permission to slow down.

Pull into the overlook. Walk through the small downtown. Stop for coffee. Take the photograph. Read the roadside marker. Spend the extra hour.

Some of the most memorable roads in America wind through coastlines, deserts, mountains, forests and historic communities that travelers might otherwise pass at interstate speed.

That is what makes the byway idea such a good Pacific44 Hidden Gem. It turns the drive itself into the experience.

Build a Trip Around the Road

You can make a scenic byway the centerpiece of a weekend or simply add one to a larger trip. Pack a lunch. Build a playlist. Pick two or three stops instead of twelve. Give yourself enough time that a wrong turn doesn’t ruin the day.

There are roads worth seeking out all over the country — from coastal routes and mountain passes to historic river roads and desert landscapes.

The point isn’t to collect miles.

It’s to notice them.

Your journey is just beginning. Sometimes taking the long way is exactly the point.

— Allen S. Robinson
Pacific44 Hidden Gem