Loneliest Roads...been Down Any?

Kevin said:
I think I've been down 50 in UT.
139 in eastern CO will surprise ya.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/least-traffic-roads-usa
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yep, we've done 50 in UT, camped at the Hickison Petroglyphs. Totally dry camping (no water) but a great stopping spot for one night.
How about Hwy 9 across the bottom of NM? I think all we saw was the occasional border patrol. Camped at Pancho Villa SP which was pretty good, particularly if you like sand. Cool museum at the park telling all about Villa's incursion into the US in 1916, the last foreign incursion onto US soil. We chased him but never caught him ...
NM 12/US 60 also seemed pretty darn lonely and desolate, at least until you come over the ridge and behold the Very Large Array. Really amazing if don't know it's there.
And I think you probably meant 139 in *western* CO. Looks like a nice drive.
 
fernlane said:
yep, we've done 50 in UT, camped at the Hickison Petroglyphs. Totally dry camping (no water) but a great stopping spot for one night.
How about Hwy 9 across the bottom of NM? I think all we saw was the occasional border patrol. Camped at Pancho Villa SP which was pretty good, particularly if you like sand. Cool museum at the park telling all about Villa's incursion into the US in 1916, the last foreign incursion onto US soil. We chased him but never caught him ...
NM 12/US 60 also seemed pretty darn lonely and desolate, at least until you come over the ridge and behold the Very Large Array. Really amazing if don't know it's there.
And I think you probably meant 139 in *western* CO. Looks like a nice drive.
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Good catch, west, yes:

A few switchbacks to Douglas Pass in CO
 
Ken & Peggy said:
I would say 'Prepare for these!' 2 in particular, that we have traveled - 285 in New Mexico and 550 in Colorado. Both gorgeous stretches of highway that are standouts among the many places we've seen. If you ever have the option to, take them :)
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Prepare for them -- that is good advise for anywhere you go :) I think if I were going to be spending any amount of time on desolate roads like this, I'd have to add a satellite tracker/beacon to my gear. Cell phones don't work in too many places, and satellite phones are prices remind me of 1985 --- $189 a month for service with a cap on minutes AND the phone costs $1200 on sale now!
 
Ken & Peggy said:
I would say 'Prepare for these!' 2 in particular, that we have traveled - 285 in New Mexico and 550 in Colorado. Both gorgeous stretches of highway that are standouts among the many places we've seen. If you ever have the option to, take them :)
Click to expand...

I'll also put in a plug for Hwy 12 in UT, Torrey down to Escalante. If you're the driver be prepared to pull over so you can gawk.
Another one that comes to mind is Hwy 20 in WA, coming into the North Cascades from the east. Just jaw-dropping ...
 
fernlane said:
I'll also put in a plug for Hwy 12 in UT, Torrey down to Escalante. If you're the driver be prepared to pull over so you can gawk.
Another one that comes to mind is Hwy 20 in WA, coming into the North Cascades from the east. Just jaw-dropping ...
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The North Cascade Highway! It is truly one of the best.
 
fernlane said:
I'll also put in a plug for Hwy 12 in UT, Torrey down to Escalante. If you're the driver be prepared to pull over so you can gawk.
Another one that comes to mind is Hwy 20 in WA, coming into the North Cascades from the east. Just jaw-dropping ...
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Absolutely! 20 all the way to 5 if I'm remembering it right. So many fine places...
 
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