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Not every scenic drive lives up to the hype, especially when packed with traffic, construction, or dangerous conditions. Some of America’s most famous routes have become stress tests for drivers instead of relaxing road trips. This year, locals are steering clear of a few once-beloved drives due to safety issues, closures, or overcrowding. Here are ten of those routes and what you should try instead because a beautiful view isn’t worth white-knuckled driving or hours stuck behind a line of RVs.
1. Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
The Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton is breathtaking but nerve-wracking, with sheer drop-offs, no guardrails, and unpredictable weather that can turn dangerous fast. Rockslides and traffic jams have also made this stretch a headache for many drivers. If you want similar scenery without the stress, take the gentler section of the San Juan Skyway between Durango and Telluride. You’ll still see mountains, rivers, and alpine towns, but the roads are wider and the drive is far less tense.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia & North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway is iconic for its Appalachian views and fall colors, but parts of it have faced long-term closures and storm damage this year, making it a frustrating drive full of detours. Some stretches are open, but traffic and maintenance work can easily ruin the flow. Instead, try the Cherohala Skyway, which runs between Tennessee and North Carolina. It’s better maintained, offers the same mountain beauty, and avoids the stop-and-go delays plaguing the Parkway this season.
3. Beartooth Highway, Montana & Wyoming
Beartooth Highway climbs above 10,000 feet and offers unbelievable alpine views, but it’s a serious challenge for even experienced drivers. Steep grades, high winds, and unpredictable storms make it risky, especially in early or late season. Services are limited, so a breakdown or weather change could leave you stranded. Try the lower-elevation Beartooth Loop or Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road instead, both offering dramatic scenery with fewer hazards and better access to help if needed.
4. Pacific Coast Highway, California
The Pacific Coast Highway is world-famous for a reason, but this year it’s also one of the most delayed drives in the country. Frequent landslides, construction zones, and endless tourist traffic make parts of Big Sur nearly impassable. If you still want a coastal escape, focus on the stretch north of Monterey or drive the Cabrillo Highway near San Luis Obispo. Both routes have stunning ocean views, fewer closures, and less of the bumper-to-bumper frustration plaguing Highway 1.
5. Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park
Tioga Road cuts across Yosemite’s high country, but snow, rockfall, and limited maintenance mean it’s open for only a short window each year and closures have been unpredictable. Drivers often find gates still locked even in summer. Instead, take the lower Big Oak Flat Road, which stays open longer and still delivers towering granite views and forest scenery. You’ll avoid the uncertainty of high-elevation travel while still soaking in Yosemite’s famous beauty.
6. Tail of the Dragon, North Carolina & Tennessee
With 318 curves in just 11 miles, Tail of the Dragon draws thrill seekers but frustrates nearly everyone else. Heavy motorcycle traffic, reckless drivers, and narrow turns make it one of the most accident-prone routes in the South. Locals say it’s become more stressful than scenic. If you want mountain curves without the chaos, take the Cherohala Skyway or Ocoee River Road nearby. They offer similar elevation changes and forest views but with calmer traffic and wider lanes.
7. High Road to Taos, New Mexico
This historic route winds through mountain villages and desert landscapes, but its narrow lanes, steep drops, and lack of services make it tough to recommend this year. Cell signal is spotty, and recovery help can take hours. For a smoother experience, take the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway around Taos. You’ll still get sweeping desert and mountain views, plus reliable pull-outs, gas stations, and small towns that make the trip safer and more relaxing.
8. San Juan Skyway, Colorado
The San Juan Skyway offers unforgettable alpine views, but its overlap with the Million Dollar Highway makes parts of it risky and stressful. Sharp turns, rockfall, and unpredictable weather make the full loop a test of patience and nerves. Instead, drive the section between Durango and Telluride, which is scenic, safer, and full of charming stops. You’ll still get those snow-capped peaks and historic mining towns without the white-knuckle drop-offs.
9. Highway 2, Montana
Highway 2 promises endless Big Sky views but can feel isolating fast. Long stretches lack services, cell coverage, and passing zones. It’s great if you want solitude, but not ideal for casual travelers or families. Locals recommend skipping it this year due to unpredictable weather and rough shoulders. Instead, drive Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway in South Dakota. It’s equally picturesque, lined with waterfalls and forest canyons, and has amenities spaced close enough to keep the trip easy.
10. Hana Highway, Hawaii
Hana Highway might be one of the most famous drives in the world, but it’s also one of the most frustrating. Tight single-lane bridges, endless blind corners, and rental car congestion have made it more nerve-racking than romantic. Locals increasingly urge visitors to skip it to ease traffic on residents. A better choice is driving the Upcountry Maui route toward Kula and Haleakalā. You’ll still get lush scenery, ocean glimpses, and a peaceful drive without the gridlock or stress.