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I am going to soon be driving from Virginia Beach, VA to Houston, TX. I was wondering if anyone might know of a scenic route between these places. Please let me know.
The quickest route will take you down the coastal plain through Atlanta and then over. It's pretty boring. If you don't mind going out of your way a bit but still taking a reasonable route, head over to Roanoke, pick up I-81 and take that south into Knoxville. From there, take I-75 to Chattanooga where you'll pick up I-59. You'll see some nice topography pretty much the entire route from Roanoke into Birmingham. Continuing on I-59 south, the landscape flattens out a bit after Birmingham, but is still green and forested as you continue south to where you'll connect with I-10 in southern Mississippi. Unfortunately, from there on, I-10 west is pretty ugly all the way across Louisiana and into Houston but it's unavoidable.
The quickest route will take you down the coastal plain through Atlanta and then over. It's pretty boring. If you don't mind going out of your way a bit but still taking a reasonable route, head over to Roanoke, pick up I-81 and take that south into Knoxville. From there, take I-75 to Chattanooga where you'll pick up I-59. You'll see some nice topography pretty much the entire route from Roanoke into Birmingham. Continuing on I-59 south, the landscape flattens out a bit after Birmingham, but is still green and forested as you continue south to where you'll connect with I-10 in southern Mississippi. Unfortunately, from there on, I-10 west is pretty ugly all the way across Louisiana and into Houston but it's unavoidable.
Don't go that way. Go west from VA Beach to Little Rock, AR and south on I-30 and 59 into Houston. It adds about two extra hours to your trip, but it's worth it, in my opinion.
Don't go that way. Go west from VA Beach to Little Rock, AR and south on I-30 and 59 into Houston. It adds about two extra hours to your trip, but it's worth it, in my opinion.
We all have our own preferences. I'm sure your route is lovely as well.
If you want a scenic trip, stay as far as possible from the Interstates, and even avoid the US highways. Take any state highway that seems to be going in the right direction, and you'll see plenty of scenery
The biggest limiter will be that fact that there are only five bridges across the Mississippi between Memphis and Baton Rouge. Sadly, the last ferry between Kentucky and New Orleans has been discontinued, so you don't even get that scenic option anymore.
We all have our own preferences. I'm sure your route is lovely as well.
I wasn't trying to be offensive, but the only reason I recommended my way is so the OP could enjoy the Appalachians but avoid I-10 (which we can both agree is a bit of an eyesore). 59 through Texas is rather sleepy, but still quite pleasant, going through the forests and soft rolling hills.
Either way, Virginia to Houston isn't going to be much but trees after trees after trees.
If you want a scenic trip, stay as far as possible from the Interstates, and even avoid the US highways. Take any state highway that seems to be going in the right direction, and you'll see plenty of scenery
The biggest limiter will be that fact that there are only five bridges across the Mississippi between Memphis and Baton Rouge. Sadly, the last ferry between Kentucky and New Orleans has been discontinued, so you don't even get that scenic option anymore.
Exactly! There are some really beautiful areas and cool little towns in the South if you take those little 2 lanes. So much nicer than the Cracker Barrel- and Waffle House-studded interstates.
Location: Jefferson City 4 days a week, St. Louis 3 days a week
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My recommendation is take I-64 west to I-81 south, then take I-40 to I-30, then travel south on I-45. That'll take you through most of the Southern Appalachians and some of the Ouachita Mountains.
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