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Thread: Roadster Travel - Suggested Driving Routes Across the USA!

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    Supporting Member Dandy's Avatar
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    Roadster Travel - Suggested Driving Routes Across the USA!

    I thought we needed a good driving route thread that covered the country beyond just the regional or specific events. Phatmiata tossed a complimentary copy of the "Mazda MX-5 Enthusiast Owners Manual" my way, which among other things has an extensive list of suggested drives gathered mostly from Miata MX-5 clubs across the country. All he asked is that I do a little (lot) of typing to bring these routes to you.

    I will post up as many as I can as time permits. I'll throw in some additional routes that I find interesting along the way. Complete Google Maps links will be provided replicating the routes as best I understand them. Most of these I will have no experience with so I can't provide any specific feedback.

    The drive times do not include estimated time for stops, so plan accordingly.

    This is my first post to the thread and will be a placeholder for the routes to come.


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  3. #2
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    Alabama

    Alabama
    Recommended By: Central Alabama Miata Society
    Mileage: 67 miles (one way)
    Drive Time: 1.5 hours
    Highlights: There are lots of curves and one fantastic switchback taking you through forest and farmland with some changes in altitude.
    Start: Sonic Drive-In (Leeds, AL)
    Recommended Stops: (1) The Cow Pasture Restaurant (may be closed) -lunch-,
    (2) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peach-Park/99448889649 - dessert-
    Google Maps Link



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    Alaska

    Alaska
    Recommended By: Alaska Miata Club
    Mileage: 46 miles (round trip)
    Drive Time: 2 hours
    Highlights: Chugach State Park. The road is smooth with twists and turns. It runs alongside the Eklutna River and the beautiful and glacial Eklutna Lake with Twin Peaks visible over the trees. Eklutna Lake Road dead ends at about 23 miles and you are forced to turn around and view the beautiful scenery once again on the return trip. You will pass Rochelle’s Ice Cream Stop on the way out and you will definitely want to stop there on your way back.
    Start: Native Village of Eklutna
    Recommended Stop: Rochelle's Ice Cream Stop
    Google Maps Link



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    Arizona

    Arizona
    Recommended By: Mazda MX-5 Enthusiast Owners Manual
    Mileage: 142 miles
    Drive Time: 3.5 hours
    Highlights: Tonto National Forest. These curvy, twisty roads will take you to the Tonto National Monument where you can see cliff dwellings from as early as the 13th century. A picnic lunch is recommended.
    Start: Carl’s Jr. (Mesa, AZ)
    Recommended Stop: Tonto National Monument
    Google Maps Link


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    California - NOCAL

    California - NOCAL
    Recommended By: Bay Area Miata Drivers
    Mileage: 125 miles
    Drive Time: 4.5 hours
    Highlights: You’ll drive through lush redwood forests, along the Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1), and through beautiful green hills featuring relatively unknown roads and little civilization.
    Start: McDonald’s (Palo Alto, CA)
    Recommended Stops: (1) Ben Lomond Market, -break- (2) Davenport Roadhouse -lunch- (3) Bucks of Woodside –dessert-
    Google Maps Link #1
    Google Maps Link #2




    Recommended By: Redwood Coast Miata Club
    Mileage: 88 miles (one way) – upon completion, take Hwy 101 North back to Eureka or South to San Francisco
    Drive Time: 3.25 hours
    Highlights: A quaint Victorian town, amazing switchbacks, the Lost Coast, and GIANT Redwoods.
    Start: Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn (Eureka, CA)
    Recommended Stops: (1) Ferndale, (2) Petrolia General Store
    Google Maps Link

    Attached Images Attached Images

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    California - SOCAL

    California - SOCAL
    Recommended By: San Diego Miata Club
    Mileage: 148 miles (round trip)
    Drive Time: 4.5 hours
    Highlights: The drive stretches through San Diego’s twistiest roads, climbs to the top of Palomar Mountain, passes two lakes, meanders through Indian reservation pasturelands and the Cuyamaca Mountain Forrest.
    Start: Walmart Shopping Center (San Marcos, CA)
    Recommended Stops: Dudley’s Famous Bakery (Santa Ysabel)
    Google Maps Link #1
    Google Maps Link #2
    Google Maps Link #3



    Recommended By: Southern California Miata Club
    Mileage: 70 miles
    Drive Time: 2.5 hours
    Highlights: The Mt. Baldy Run – through the Angeles National Forrest, up and down, twisting and turning on curve hugging roads.
    Start: The Old Spaghetti Factory (Duarte, CA)
    Recommended Stops: (1) Mt Baldy Lodge, (2) https://www.facebook.com/BertAndRockysPage
    Google Maps Link



    Recommended By: Non-Miata specific forums
    Mileage: 174 miles
    Drive Time: 4 hours
    Highlights: Angeles Crest Highway – 66 miles of hairpin turns passing through the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains. Segments of the road reach altitudes of 7,000 feet. The Pearblossom Highway (California State Route 138) is often referred to as “Blood Alley” due to the high number of fatalities on this stretch of road east of Palmdale and west of Interstate 15. – So, BE CAREFUL here. The payoff for surviving this infamous stretch of road is a drive through the Santa Monica mountains on Topanga Canyon Boulevard (California State Route 27), which descends into a “Bowl of Blue” – the ocean and the sky meld together and you drive straight into it to the Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1). Watch the sunset in Malibu.
    Start: In-N-Out Burger (Glendale, CA)
    Recommended Stops: (1) Newcomb's Ranch, (2) Malibu Pier
    Google Maps Link


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  13. #7
    Admin / Pit Boss / Miataholic Phatmiata's Avatar
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    excellent work!! Making this a sticky thread!!

    post up your favorite drives everyone! either in this thread or start one in your regional section of the forum!

  14. #8
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    Colorado

    Colorado
    Recommended By: Peak to Peak Miata Club
    Mileage: 105 miles
    Drive Time: 2.75 hours
    Highlights: Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. After you get on Hwy 72, there won’t be another straight stretch of road for the rest of the drive.
    Start: Sonic Drive-In (Golden, CO)
    Recommended Stop: Estes Park for lunch
    Google Maps Link

    Check here for the latest road conditions: http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/s...l/peak-to-peak



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    Connecticut

    Connecticut
    Recommended By: Nutmeg Miata Club
    Mileage: 127 miles
    Drive Time: 4.5 hours
    Highlights: There are only two traffic lights on this drive, taking place mostly in Massachusetts. The drive concludes with a stop at a great BBQ restaurant.
    Start: Geissler's Supermarket (Granby, CT)
    Recommended Stops: (1) The Old Creamery Grocery and Deli, (2) Shelburne Falls, (3) Opa Opa Steakhouse & Brewery
    Google Maps Link #1
    Google Maps Link #2



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    Delaware

    Delaware
    Recommended By: Miata Owners on Delmarva
    Mileage: 68 miles
    Drive Time: 1.75 hours
    Highlights: Bay to the Beach – This drive takes place entirely in Delaware’s close neighboring state of Maryland from Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic Ocean beaches winding through back roads and small towns.
    Start: Crisfield City Docks (Crisfield, MD)
    Recommended Stops: (1) Pocomoke River State Park - Milburn Landing, (2) Furnace Town, (3) Berlin – lunch and shopping
    Google Maps Link


  17. #11
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! The Driver's Avatar
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    Peak to Peak was BADLY damaged during the flooding rain storms of 2013. No problem, there are PLENTY of curvy roads around here!

    Great job, OP!!! :thumbs:
    96 Montego, replacing a 95M... I miss: My running peeps in Tampa, running barefoot @ Clearwater Beach and First Choice BBQ, in Brandon. In So Cal I miss: The Malibu Canyons, CA 33 and In & Out Burgers ! I'm from Tampa, if I was from Tampa Bay, I'd be a fish!

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    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone SM16RMSM's Avatar
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    RT-12 in NY. Pretty neat road. Can't say for sure if it smooth since a 80k lbs CMV doesn't ride smooth from the beginning. Been keeping a list of roads that are very neat and would love to come back to.
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