2023-04-05 | New Roads Magazine

The Roads Best Traveled

No one knows the best hidden, winding, scenic roads like a Corvette owner. We got eight local Corvette clubs to spill their secrets when it comes to their favorite drives.

This year, the Corvette marks its 70th anniversary. To honor this iconic sports car — and inspire you to explore somewhere new in your Corvette — we asked Corvette clubs around the country which cruises are their favorite and keep them coming back. From straights that’ll send your tachometer spinning to twists and turns where you can find that perfect apex, there’s something for everyone in each of these routes. Just make sure to stop and enjoy the scenery along the way, too.

New Mexico

Albuquerque to Los Alamos

New Mexico

For the New Mexico Corvette Club, heading into the mountains is the best way to find roads welcoming to Corvettes. This route starts in Albuquerque and goes north to Los Alamos, a small town perched at an altitude above 7,000 feet. From Albuquerque, go north until you reach Highway 550 and continue in the same direction. Stretch your Corvette’s legs on Highway 550, because the real fun starts when you hit Highway 4, a two-lane road that winds along the Jemez River. Shortly after passing through Jemez Pueblo, you’ll be consumed by a canyon that will reflect the intoxicating sound coming from your tailpipes. The drive is capped off by a twisty road through towering pines as you come into Los Alamos. 

 

— the New Mexico Corvette Club.

Albuquerque to Los Alamos

For the New Mexico Corvette Club, heading into the mountains is the best way to find roads welcoming to Corvettes. This route starts in Albuquerque and goes north to Los Alamos, a small town perched at an altitude above 7,000 feet. From Albuquerque, go north until you reach Highway 550 and continue in the same direction. Stretch your Corvette’s legs on Highway 550, because the real fun starts when you hit Highway 4, a two-lane road that winds along the Jemez River. Shortly after passing through Jemez Pueblo, you’ll be consumed by a canyon that will reflect the intoxicating sound coming from your tailpipes. The drive is capped off by a twisty road through towering pines as you come into Los Alamos. 

 

— the New Mexico Corvette Club.

Arkansas

AR-16 to AR-23

Arkansas

For a Corvette club based in northern Arkansas, it’s no wonder one of their favorite routes winds through the Ozark Mountains. This route starts in Fayetteville and goes southeast along Highway 16, following quiet two-lane roads that run along the White River. Once you hit Highway 23, go south, following what’s formally known as the Pig Trail. It’s here where you can find more opportunities for spirited driving. These roads curve around the mountains, where great views are easy to come by. End the drive by heading east on Highway 215, with a stop for a hamburger at the Oark General Store — the oldest continuously running business in Arkansas, opening its doors in 1890.
 
— the Northwest Arkansas Corvette Club

AR-16 to AR-23

 

For a Corvette club based in northern Arkansas, it’s no wonder one of their favorite routes winds through the Ozark Mountains. This route starts in Fayetteville and goes southeast along Highway 16, following quiet two-lane roads that run along the White River. Once you hit Highway 23, go south, following what’s formally known as the Pig Trail. It’s here where you can find more opportunities for spirited driving. These roads curve around the mountains, where great views are easy to come by. End the drive by heading east on Highway 215, with a stop for a hamburger at the Oark General Store — the oldest continuously running business in Arkansas, opening its doors in 1890

 
— the Northwest Arkansas Corvette Club

Massachusetts

Quabbin Reservoir to Black Dog Bar and Grille

Massachusetts

Taking you through Massachusetts and Connecticut, this 75-mile route along winding two-lane roads is a favorite of the Eastern Massachusetts Corvette Club. Starting out at the island-dotted Quabbin Reservoir, head south through densely wooded and gently curving roads to Breezeland Orchards. From there, it’s a short drive to Brimfield Winery, which makes for another popular stop with its outdoor seating and live music. The route continues south along serene roads fit for exploring the limits of your Corvette — or your own, whichever come first — and end the journey at the Black Dog Bar and Grille for dinner.


 — the Eastern Massachusetts Corvette Club

Quabbin Reservoir to Black Dog Bar and Grille


Taking you through Massachusetts and Connecticut, this 75-mile route along winding two-lane roads is a favorite of the Eastern Massachusetts Corvette Club. Starting out at the island-dotted Quabbin Reservoir, head south through densely wooded and gently curving roads to Breezeland Orchards. From there, it’s a short drive to Brimfield Winery, which makes for another popular stop with its outdoor seating and live music. The route continues south along serene roads fit for exploring the limits of your Corvette — or your own, whichever come first — and end the journey at the Black Dog Bar and Grille for dinner.


 — the Eastern Massachusetts Corvette Club

West Virginia

Lewisburg to Thomas

West Virginia

Winding its way from Lewisburg to Thomas, this favorite route of the Kanawha Valley Corvette Club samples some of the best of the Appalachian Mountains with ample opportunities for exciting driving. As you travel north, US 219 hugs the contours of the mountains, making for tight and twisty roads where you can flow from one apex to the next. Along the route, you’ll find plenty of small towns and picturesque vistas that make for great places to stop. And it’s not just the local Corvette owners who find this route to be noteworthy; the drive was recently designated as part of the Seneca Skyway by the West Virginia Department of Transportation because of its scenery and exciting roads.

 
— the Kanawha Valley Corvette Club

Lewisburg to Thomas

 

Winding its way from Lewisburg to Thomas, this favorite route of the Kanawha Valley Corvette Club samples some of the best of the Appalachian Mountains with ample opportunities for exciting driving. As you travel north, US 219 hugs the contours of the mountains, making for tight and twisty roads where you can flow from one apex to the next. Along the route, you’ll find plenty of small towns and picturesque vistas that make for great places to stop. And it’s not just the local Corvette owners who find this route to be noteworthy; the drive was recently designated as part of the Seneca Skyway by the West Virginia Department of Transportation because of its scenery and exciting roads.


— the Kanawha Valley Corvette Club

 

 

Nevada

Nevada State Highway 318

Nevada

Twice a year, this 90-mile stretch of road north of Las Vegas closes for the Nevada Open Road Challenge and the Silver State Classic Challenge. The point of each competition is to complete the 90 miles as fast as possible in your speed class, which range from 95 mph to 180 mph (there’s also an unlimited speed class). Corvette Club members compete every year, driving their Corvettes at their top speeds through the Nevada desert. Bring yours and explore its limits on this two-lane road — and maybe even take the top spot in your speed class.  
 
— the Las Vegas Corvette Club

Nevada State Highway 318

 

Twice a year, this 90-mile stretch of road north of Las Vegas closes for the Nevada Open Road Challenge and the Silver State Classic Challenge. The point of each competition is to complete the 90 miles as fast as possible in your speed class, which range from 95 mph to 180 mph (there’s also an unlimited speed class). Corvette Club members compete every year, driving their Corvettes at their top speeds through the Nevada desert. Bring yours and explore its limits on this two-lane road — and maybe even take the top spot in your speed class.  
 
— the Las Vegas Corvette Club

Montana

Missoula to Lochsa Lodge

Montana

This route, a favorite of the Hellgate Corvette Club, starts in Missoula and ends about 50 miles west at the Lochsa Lodge. Start by heading south out of Missoula, and then go west on U.S. Route 12 to head into the Bitterroot Range, named after a small pink flower common to the area. Push your Corvette up the serpentine road to Lolo Pass, which sits at 5,233 feet, and from there, drop down into Idaho for the rest of the drive. You’ll wind down a road which follows the sweeping bends of a spectacular valley carved out by the Crooked Fork, headwaters of the Wild & Scenic Lochsa River. Be sure to stop at the DeVoto Memorial Cedar Grove before finishing the drive at Lochsa Lodge for lunch.


 — the Hellgate Corvette Club

Missoula to Lochsa Lodge

 

This route, a favorite of the Hellgate Corvette Club, starts in Missoula and ends about 50 miles west at the Lochsa Lodge. Start by heading south out of Missoula, and then go west on U.S. Route 12 to head into the Bitterroot Range, named after a small pink flower common to the area. Push your Corvette up the serpentine road to Lolo Pass, which sits at 5,233 feet, and from there, drop down into Idaho for the rest of the drive. You’ll wind down a road which follows the sweeping bends of a spectacular valley carved out by the Crooked Fork, headwaters of the Wild & Scenic Lochsa River. Be sure to stop at the DeVoto Memorial Cedar Grove before finishing the drive at Lochsa Lodge for lunch.


— the Hellgate Corvette Club

California

San Mateo to Santa Cruz

California

It’s only natural that one of the Northern California Corvette Club’s favorite cruises runs along California 1. Starting in San Mateo — just south of San Francisco — this route heads straight to the coast and then runs south to Santa Cruz. Although it might not be a long route, you’ll need to stop at least a few times to soak in the views over the Pacific Ocean. And between each of those stops, you’ll be able push your Corvette through rolling hills and sweeping curves.

 

  — the Northern California Corvette Club 

San Mateo to Santa Cruz

 

It’s only natural that one of the Northern California Corvette Club’s favorite cruises runs along California 1. Starting in San Mateo — just south of San Francisco — this route heads straight to the coast and then runs south to Santa Cruz. Although it might not be a long route, you’ll need to stop at least a few times to soak in the views over the Pacific Ocean. And between each of those stops, you’ll be able push your Corvette through rolling hills and sweeping curves.


— the Northern California Corvette Club 

Georgia

Calhoun to Trenton

Georgia

To escape from traffic and tourists, the Classic Glass Corvette Club journeys up to Northwest Georgia for one of its favorite routes. This route starts in Calhoun and follows the scenic, open roads on Highway 136 to Trenton. Following valleys and gaps in the Taylor Ridge, the road sees long straightaways interspersed with sections that wind through dense forests. The cruise is capped off with switchbacks down into Trenton, where nearly 180-degree turns can give you one last adrenaline rush.

 

 — the Classic Glass Corvette Club

Calhoun to Trenton
To escape from traffic and tourists, the Classic Glass Corvette Club journeys up to Northwest Georgia for one of its favorite routes. This route starts in Calhoun and follows the scenic, open roads on Highway 136 to Trenton. Following valleys and gaps in the Taylor Ridge, the road sees long straightaways interspersed with sections that wind through dense forests. The cruise is capped off with switchbacks down into Trenton, where nearly 180-degree turns can give you one last adrenaline rush.


 — the Classic Glass Corvette Club

STORY: COLIN BERESFORD / ILLUSTRATIONS: DOUBLENAUT

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