Tag: Utah scenic highways

Go road-tripping across America with the spirit of Robert Frost and you find yourself choosing the road less traveled—quite literally. At every fork, there’s a decision to make: the bustling highway or the quiet stretch where the landscape unfolds at a slower, more deliberate pace. Follow America’s loneliest roads and you encounter the kind of solitude Frost wrote about so hauntingly—roads that go on while we forget and are forgotten like a star that flashes briefly and disappears.

In these quiet moments, the highways become more than asphalt—they become mirrors of our own wandering thoughts. They are lonely while we sleep, lonelier for lack of the traveler who is now a dream only. Traveling them in an RV, at a pace that honors the landscape transforms a simple drive into a practice of slow travel: noticing the subtle beauty of small towns, the hush of open plains, and the rhythm of nature that too often slips by when life moves too quickly. On America’s lonely roads, the journey itself becomes the destination.

Beyond the interstate: Finding solitude on America’s quiet roads

The joy of the quiet road

The United States is famous for its iconic road trips but the best journeys aren’t always the busiest. Some of the most memorable drives are the quiet ones where the road unwinds with a gentle, unhurried rhythm. Here, the noise of modern life—blaring billboards, honking horns, endless traffic lights, and the relentless tick of the clock—fades into the distance. What remains is open asphalt stretching toward the horizon, steady miles beneath your wheels, and the rare luxury of time to think, wander, and simply be.

Charles Kuralt once echoed John Steinbeck when he wrote, “The interstate highway system is a wonderful thing. It makes it possible to go from coast to coast without seeing anything or meeting anybody. If the United States interests you, stay off the interstates.”

For RV travelers seeking more than just a point-to-point journey, this advice couldn’t be more relevant. The two-lane highways, country backroads, and scenic byways offer the kind of intimate encounters with the landscape, small towns, and unexpected vistas that the interstates simply cannot. While the interstate might get you there faster, it strips away the very experiences that make slow travel and road trips unforgettable. For tips on planning these routes, see How to Get There Without Using the Interstate.

At first, these roads may seem lonely, stretching endlessly across the landscape with nothing but the horizon in sight. But mile by mile, that solitude transforms into something profound. The loneliest roads in America reveal a quiet power, a patient rhythm that turns distance into part of the journey rather than an obstacle.

These aren’t the roads you drive every day—they don’t try to impress and they ask nothing of you but attention. Yet they connect remote corners of the country carrying a subtle sense of purpose in every curve and straightaway. With fewer distractions and more space to breathe, these routes remind us that some of the richest road-trip experiences happen far from the crowds where the journey itself becomes the reward.

Why America’s loneliest roads are having a moment

The art of taking it slow

Famous landmarks and bustling tourist destinations have their charm but a growing number of travelers are discovering a more deliberate way to explore: slow travel as explored in Slow Travel and RVing: A Growing Alignment. Instead of racing from one hotspot to the next they’re seeking out America’s loneliest roads—quiet stretches of asphalt where the journey itself becomes the experience. Post-pandemic, these roads offer what many travelers now value most: space to breathe, uninterrupted scenery, and a pace that encourages curiosity, reflection, and connection with the landscape. Here, isolation isn’t a drawback—it’s a feature, a rare luxury that transforms travel from a checklist into a mindful, immersive adventure, mile by mile.

This article builds on a series of slow-travel journeys that explore how quieter roads can transform the way we experience the country especially when traveling by RV. Slow Travel on the Sky Island Scenic Byway: Exploring Mount Lemmon in a Desert Sea traced a gradual climb from the Sonoran Desert into cool mountain forests where elevation and perspective change mile by mile. Louisiana Outback: Slow Travel along the Creole Nature Trail followed a winding route through marshlands and wildlife refuges proving that richness lies far from interstates and crowded destinations. Slow Travel on Scenic Byway 12: Where the Journey Becomes the Destination lingered on one of the West’s most dramatic two-lane highways where patience is rewarded with sweeping vistas and small-town discoveries. Together, these roads reveal a common truth: when you slow down and choose the lonelier routes, the drive itself becomes the heart of the journey.

What makes a road truly “lonely” (and why that’s a good thing)

The quieter the road, the richer the journey

While each of these journeys unfolded in very different landscapes, they naturally lead to a larger question: what truly makes a road lonely—and why is that such a good thing? Loneliness isn’t defined by distance alone but by what’s missing. It’s the absence of massive crowds and constant noise, the lack of heavy vehicle traffic, and the long, quiet stretches where cell service fades and towns grow farther apart.

These roads move through vast, open scenery—mountains, coastlines, forests, deserts, and wide-open plains—where the landscape, not the schedule, sets the pace. In that emptiness, travelers find something increasingly rare: space, stillness, and the freedom to experience the road on its own terms.

Even the most well-known highways can feel relentlessly busy, lined with familiar chain stores and endless exits, all designed for speed and efficiency rather than experience. Scenic byways, though undeniably beautiful, often carry their own kind of congestion—clearly marked routes that draw tour buses, caravans, and a steady stream of traffic. While these roads deliver impressive views, they can still feel curated and crowded reminding travelers that popularity often comes at the cost of solitude.

That’s where truly lonely roads begin to stand apart. These are the forgotten two-lane routes and backcountry highways where slow travel feels natural, not forced. With fewer signs, fewer services, and fewer people, they invite RV travelers to ease off the accelerator, linger longer, and let the landscape set the rhythm. Here, the silence is part of the scenery, and the freedom of the open road finally feels complete.

On these roads, there’s no rush—only space, silence, and scenery that unfolds at its own pace. Traveling America’s loneliest routes demands both preparation and respect for their remoteness. Cell service is often unreliable or nonexistent making self-sufficiency not just a suggestion but a necessity. Before setting out, travelers should be ready for long stretches without services carrying offline maps, ample water and food, a full fuel tank, and a reliable spare tire.

For those willing to plan ahead and slow down, these quiet highways deliver something increasingly rare: freedom from traffic jams, constant noise, and distraction. In return, they offer a deeper sense of discovery and immersion—an experience where the landscape feels closer, the journey more intentional, and the road itself becomes part of the reward.

The “loneliest” roads in America perfect for a traffic-free road trip

Open roads, quiet skies, and the freedom to take your time

America’s loneliest roads deliver spectacular, wide-open views and the freedom to move at your own pace. With no crowds and few distractions, the drive becomes the experience. These roads don’t rely on hype or headlines but they surprise you with stillness and scale you won’t find on busier routes.

U.S. Route 50 (Nevada)

The loneliest road, best traveled slowly

Known as the “Loneliest Road in America,” U.S. Route 50 is one of the most rewarding long-distance drives for RV travelers who value space, scenery, and slow travel. Stretching more than 3,000 miles from California to Maryland, this historic highway cuts through the heart of the country but its most iconic stretch lies in Nevada where long distances between towns, light traffic, and wide-open basins define the journey.

For RVers, Route 50 is about settling into a steady rhythm. Former mining towns, high desert valleys, and mountain ranges roll by with few interruptions encouraging travelers to plan carefully, linger longer, and embrace the quiet. It’s a road that favors patience over speed rewarding those willing to prepare for fuel gaps and limited services with unmatched solitude and expansive views.

Beyond Nevada, U.S. 50 links a remarkable cross-section of America—from the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains, Appalachians, and the historic East Coast. Along the way are hundreds of small towns that have survived despite being bypassed offering glimpses of an older, slower-moving America. For RVers seeking fewer crowds and a deeper connection to the landscape, Route 50 delivers a coast-to-coast journey where the drive truly becomes the destination.

Notable sights along the Loneliest Road include:

• South Lake Tahoe, CA – One of the largest and deepest alpine lakes in the U.S.
• Carson City, NV – Nevada’s capital with deep Wild West roots
• Great Basin National Park, NV – Bristlecone pines, alpine forests, and dark skies
• Canyonlands & Arches National Parks, UT – Iconic red-rock landscapes
• Million Dollar Highway, CO – A dramatic two-lane drive through the San Juan Mountains
• Garden of Eden, Lucas, KS – A unique folk-art environment
• Kansas City, MO – Museums and rich Midwestern history
• Serpent Mound, OH – A remarkable prehistoric earthwork
• Manassas & Arlington, VA – Civil War sites and Arlington National Cemetery
• Washington, D.C. – Monuments and museums spanning American history
• Ocean City, MD – A classic Atlantic coastal destination

Utah State Route 95 (Bicentennial Highway)

Red rocks, open skies, and the freedom to wander

While spring and summer draw crowds eager to see Utah’s iconic landscapes, late fall is often the sweet spot for RV travelers seeking solitude. Cooler days are ideal for hiking, the crowds thin dramatically, and lingering fall color adds warmth to the red-rock country. Few roads capture that quieter experience better than Utah State Route 95, one of the most remote and rewarding highways in the state.

Stretching roughly 120 miles between Hanksville and Blanding, SR-95 winds through a vast desert landscape of canyons, mesas, and sculpted stone. The route passes Natural Bridges National Monument and skirts both Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Bears Ears National Monument offering long, uninterrupted views and a sense of scale that encourages a true slow-travel pace. Aside from tiny Hanksville—home to only about 150 residents—the road serves scenery rather than cities.

SR-95 began as part of Utah’s highway system in 1935, originally built to connect Blanding with Natural Bridges. It was extended to Hanksville in 1949 but remained unpaved for more than two decades. The highway was finally improved and fully paved in 1976 in time for the U.S. Bicentennial earning its enduring name: the Bicentennial Highway. Even today, it feels timeless and lightly traveled.

Beyond its dramatic scenery, the route offers a deep sense of history. Travelers pass ancient Ancestral Puebloan sites including petroglyphs and ruins and cross the Colorado River at one of its only vehicle crossings for nearly 300 miles.

“This region is so unique that it draws people from all over the world,” says Hannah Whitney, co-owner of Cow Canyon Coffee and Trading Post in Bluff. “People are really fascinated by the history of Bluff and the surrounding area.”

For RVers, preparation is essential. Fuel up in Hanksville—there are no services for more than 120 miles—and consider grabbing sandwiches or burgers from the longtime favorite Stan’s Burger Shak, a local institution since 1984. It’s the perfect take-along meal to enjoy later at Hog Springs Recreation Area where the quiet of the desert makes even a simple stop feel memorable.

U.S. Route 163 (Arizona–Utah)

Monumental views, endless skies, and time to linger

Monument Valley’s iconic buttes rise like silent sentinels along the Arizona–Utah state line creating some of the most dramatic scenery in the American Southwest. Cutting directly through the heart of this legendary landscape, U.S. Route 163 is a 64-mile drive where red-rock spires, vast desert horizons, and deep blue skies define every mile.

Though the highway is famous for its appearances in films and commercials, long stretches remain surprisingly quiet allowing RV travelers to slow down and absorb the scale and stillness of the land. Traveling northeast from the Arizona border, the road passes through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park before reaching Mexican Hat, a tiny town named for a nearby sandstone formation shaped like an inverted sombrero. Here, the highway crosses the San Juan River on a historic bridge and connects with Utah Highway 276 which leads to Goosenecks State Park and Valley of the Gods.

From the overlook at Goosenecks State Park, the San Juan River twists through a series of dramatic bends carved deep into the rock below. Nearby, Valley of the Gods offers a quieter alternative to Monument Valley with a primitive loop road winding among towering formations—best suited for high-clearance vehicles and popular with adventurous travelers. Continuing north, U.S. 163 arrives in the historic community of Bluff where ancient Ancestral Puebloan sites and pioneer history add depth to the journey.

U.S. Route 163, part of the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway, combines striking natural landscapes with rich cultural history rewarding travelers who take their time and resist the urge to rush. While the drive itself can be completed in about two hours, its true value lies in slowing down, pulling over often, watching the light shift across the stone, and allowing one of the Southwest’s most iconic landscapes to unfold at its own pace.

Texas State Highway 118 (SH 118)

Where mountains, deserts, and time meet

Stretching 155 miles through the remote Trans-Pecos region of West Texas, State Highway 118 offers RV travelers a dramatic journey from the small town of Kent on Interstate 10 to Big Bend National Park. Along the way, the route passes through Fort Davis, Alpine, and Study Butte threading together high desert plains and rugged mountains.

Mostly a two-lane road, SH 118 meanders through the Chihuahuan Desert before climbing into the Davis Mountains reaching 6,791 feet, the highest paved state-maintained road in Texas. The highway features steep grades, sharp turns, and narrow lanes particularly near the McDonald Observatory requiring careful driving and planning for RV travelers. Alpine is the only exception where SH 118 briefly overlaps with U.S. Routes 67 and 90.

The route is rich in scenic and cultural highlights. Travelers pass Fort Davis National Historic Site and Davis Mountains State Park with roadside picnic areas and scenic overlooks providing perfect opportunities to pause and soak in the vistas. Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area and the McDonald Observatory offer additional stops for nature lovers and astronomy enthusiasts alike.

Originally designated in 1926, SH 118 has evolved over the decades with realignments, safety upgrades, and bridge replacements preserving its rugged character while keeping it accessible. Today, it’s celebrated as part of the Texas Mountain Trail offering a mix of desert, mountains, and forests that reward those who embrace slow travel.

For RV travelers, preparation is essential. Long stretches of remote highway mean fuel, water, and supplies should be planned in advance, and extra caution is advised on steep, winding sections. For those willing to take their time, SH 118 delivers adventure, history, and sweeping West Texas scenery making the drive as memorable as the destinations along the way.

How to plan a safe and unforgettable “lonely road trip”

Preparation turns solitude into adventure

Even the quietest, most scenic highways demand respect and preparation to ensure both safety and a memorable journey. The remoteness of these routes—long stretches without services, limited cell coverage, and dramatic terrain—requires careful planning. Understanding the road, pacing yourself, and bringing essential supplies transforms a lonely road trip from a simple drive into an immersive adventure you’ll never forget.

Vehicle prep, fuel planning, and offline navigation

Fuel, maps, and readiness—your keys to the road

Thorough vehicle preparation is essential on lonely roads—your vehicle is your lifeline and any failure can quickly turn a beautiful journey into a serious problem. Before setting out, inspect brakes, tires, battery, fluids, and all critical systems and make sure fuel is topped up between fill-ups, as gas stations can be far apart.

Because cell service is often spotty or nonexistent, download offline maps and carry a paper map as a backup. For added safety, consider a satellite communicator for off-the-grid messaging in case of emergencies. Careful preparation ensures that your remote adventure remains as smooth, safe, and rewarding as the landscapes you’ll encounter.

What to pack when services are few and far between

Prepared for anything, ready for everything

On remote roads, preparation is key—especially when food, water, and other essentials are scarce. Stock non-perishable snacks and plenty of water and don’t forget a well-equipped first-aid kit. Sunscreen, insect repellent, a flashlight, warm layers, and basic tools are all must-haves for unexpected stops or minor repairs.

Equally important is your mindset: embrace patience and flexibility. When traveling through isolated landscapes the journey rarely follows a strict schedule. Allow yourself the time to stop, explore, and let the road dictate its own pace as these stretches reward travelers who slow down and savor the solitude.

Closing reflections & call to adventure

Pack your curiosity and hit the road

America’s loneliest roads remind us that travel isn’t always about flashy destinations or ticking boxes. Sometimes it’s about solitude, wide-open landscapes, and the rare luxury of being away from noise, crowds, and schedules. These roads are meant to be savored carrying a quiet sense of purpose as if almost no one else is around but you.

As Robert Frost once wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” On America’s quiet highways, you get to be the traveler who takes the road less traveled—where every mile, every curve, and every pause becomes part of the journey itself. Slow down, explore, and let the open road show you its rewards.

Enjoyed this article?
Share it with friends and your social network to inspire their next adventure!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in March 2026. Information reflects what was accurate at the time of writing. For topics that may change quickly, please verify current details before planning. To ensure honesty and avoid bias, this website features no ads, no sponsored content, and no affiliate links—just straightforward information for fellow travelers.