14 Gorgeous Driving Landscapes in USA

Photo by djking

6. Columbia River Highway (Hwy 30)

Where: Oregon, 74 miles between Troutdale and The Dalles

The Columbia River Highway (Hwy 30) was completed in 1915, and it was the first paved and scenic highway in the Northwest. The roadway lays claim to being the first scenic highway in the country, and was also part of the Oregon Trail and final leg of the Lewis and Clark expedition. In the spring time, drivers can stop to enjoy the many waterfalls, wildflower displays in the late spring and summer, and gorgeous views from the roadway throughout the year. For those who enjoy combining hiking or cycling with a scenic drive, there are a large number of trails to enjoy and two sections of the old highway are reserved for non-automobile use throughout the year.