We all love a good scenic drive, right? Discovering an ideal RV scenic route can make for an unforgettable experience. For some of us, scenic drives might be our favorite part of RVing. Twisty coastal roads, winding mountain passes, red rock canyons—the views can be hard to beat. But seasoned RVers know something many newbies don’t:
The most beautiful RV scenic route isn’t always the best one when you’re hauling a big, heavy, slow, home on wheels.
In fact, the smartest RVers often intentionally avoid the scenic road in favor of the safe, stress-free, and equipment-friendly one.
Here’s why—and how to make the call when planning your own trip.
The route may be scenic… But is it RV-friendly?
Just because Google Maps or your GPS shows it as a road doesn’t mean it’s a road for you. Some famously beautiful drives are also famously terrible for RVs. For example:
• State Highway 1 in California: Stunning views… and stomach-churning drop-offs, hairpin turns, and almost nowhere to pull over.
• Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana: Gorgeous, but vehicles over 21 feet aren’t even allowed.
• Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina: More than 300 curves in 11 miles! Wow! Great for motorcycles. Nightmarish for motorhomes.
• Valley of the Giants, U.S. 101 through the California’s Coastal Redwoods. This is a spectacular stretch of two-lane road through the towering redwoods, but much of the beauty is high above you. If your vehicle’s windows only offer limited visibility, you’ll miss the magic.
Before you commit to the scenic route, ask yourself: Can I actually enjoy the view when I’m white-knuckling the wheel?
Prioritize clearance, shoulders, and pull-offs
Scenic byways often weren’t designed with 13-foot-tall fifth wheels or 40-foot Class A rigs in mind.
Instead, choose routes that offer:
• Wide shoulders or breakdown lanes
• Reliable turnouts or pull-offs for slower traffic
• Clear bridge height and weight info
• Minimal switchbacks or steep downgrades
• Use RV-specific tools that show you the routes ahead
Know the risk factors
Scenic routes become dangerous or miserable with the wrong conditions:
• Wind: Open desert or coastal routes can whip your rig like a kite.
• Smoke: A “beautiful drive” in wildfire season can mean low visibility, closed roads, or evacuation alerts.
• Rain and flash floods: Slot canyon country and desert highways can wash out fast.
• Tourist traffic: One scenic overlook = three-mile backups in the summer.
Always have a Plan B—and check local DOT sites or traveler forums for up-to-date road info.
You don’t have to drive the pretty part
Here’s a veteran trick: Unhook the toad (or hop in the tow vehicle) and do the scenic drive without the RV. Don’t have a car with you? Maybe consider renting one for the day. You’ll enjoy the views a whole lot more—and your RV will thank you.
Yes, the scenic route can be unforgettable. But so can a day without blown tires, scraped awnings, or screaming arguments at the wheel.
Take the smarter road when you need to. You can always come back for the view.
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RVT1214
Good points Emily. I would also mention that the other extreme is just as white knuckle – sticking to Interstate highways. Slow traffic (and most ST tires are speed rated for 65mph) causes a lot of unsafe driving by other drivers. Meanwhile, most of the U.S. and State highway system is in just as good shape as overused Interstate highways. All traffic is moving at about your speed, the scenery is better. It is the middle path between two white knuckle options. It doesn’t mean you cannot use either of the other options; just be pragmatic about it.
Clearance is my #1 concern off the beaten path. Not just overhead that we can squeeze under without bricks or branches modifying our rooftop A/C units but underbelly height. Railroad crossings that can high center or crazy driveways/entrances that could drag the rear cap off.
Grades are my #2 worry. Too steep up heats the powertrain, too steep down heats the brakes. Interstates have grade restrictions, scenic roads, not so much.
My advice is scenic roads are far more enjoyable in the toad or tow vehicle with the RV safely in the park than white knuckling and hoping not to take damage.
Good advice!
25 years ago we decided to take Scenic Hwy 128 from I-70 down to Moab, UT…motorhome with car in tow. Crossing a cattle grate not far off the freeway should have been our first clue!
It was extremely scenic, following the Colorado river through redrock canyons. But our lane was barely wider than the motorhome and God forbid you let a wheel get out of the lane on the passenger side lest you would be doing a 200′ high dive straight down into the river!
Upon check in I told the camp owner what road we took…his eyes got huge and he said “You went on that road with THAT!” pointing at our rig.
Lesson learned.
This article is exactly why all our RVs have been under 28′, even our fifth wheel! We could go anywhere we wanted with our RVs, including the PCH, US 101 through the redwoods and along the OR-WA coast, UT 12 from Capital Reef NP to Bryce Canyon NP, all of the National Parkways, and most NPs you can drive to (less HI and some in AK), except Independence Pass (CO 82) in CO (too narrow and strictly enforced 35′ total length, including truck and trailer combos). By removing the spare tire, we even stayed just under the dreaded 40′ cutoff for the lowest multiaxle rate on Alaska Marine Highway ferries!
Very good points. When traveling north or south depending on the season, with our 65′ mh and cargo trailer, I am very choosy about which routes I take with that combo. At each destination north or south, we keep a smaller mh 22′, so that we can do all the scenic trips in those areas and not worry about the type of roads that we will encounter during our seasonal stays.
Pull-offs on Highway 1 in California are not that rare.
The Valley of the Giants is in Oregon. In California it’s the Avenue of the Giants.
We bought a class c without bed overhanging the windshield so we could see them.
Our first MH (24′ Class C) trip brought us down Route 1 along the California coast. My wife said NEVER again as she had white knuckles almost the whole way down as she looked out the passenger side seeing nothing but a hundred feet of nothing straight down to the ocean rocky beaches. Some places had no guardrails! And opposing traveling MHs, scariest thing ever! Been up it several times and always enjoyed it!
Seeing nothing but straight down? What a shame.
We just returned from 3-week trip. The return leg started at Mt Lassen to Trinidad, CA, sticking to US 101 all the way to the Washington border. We pull a 20’ trailer with a 16’ TV. Spectacular route is all I can say!
I thank you for
your past posts.
but of recent , it just seems like an advertising article or buy me at Amazon article.
too many fluff articles.
time for me to move on to another bog/ email.
but I thank for for the past
It’s “Avenue of the Giants” not Valley
One of the things I consider on the route is services if I break down or get a flat (no spare on our classA) along with cell service. I’m with the other about drop offs, narrow lanes and steep grades; not for me.
Excellent article, Emily! So long as people read this, then they will be less unpleasantly surprised by scenic roads that they just HAVE to drive. Hopefully, it also is as you suggest — not towing or in a small vehicle. Have a great day and safe travels!
If driving your RV is such a terrible experience and difficult there is a possibility you should exit gracefully.