US route 50

[Steve Q]

Thought I'd share this as a road trip option for your thinking of a road trip in the US. 

Route 50 🚗  The Loneliest Road in America!🇺🇸

It’s the perfect road for an epic cross-country adventure, combining scenic beauty, history, and a touch of mystery! 

Here are some interesting facts: 

 1. Crosses the Entire U.S.: Route 50 stretches more than 3,000 miles from Ocean City, Maryland on the East Coast to Sacramento, California on the West. It’s one of the few highways that gives you a true coast-to-coast experience.

 2. “Loneliest Road in America”: The highway earned this title in 1986 when Life Magazine dubbed the stretch through Nevada as such due to its remote, desolate landscapes. Ironically, it became a huge draw for adventure-seekers!
 3. Historic Roots: Route 50 follows parts of The Lincoln Highway, America’s first transcontinental road, which was established in 1913. So, you’re literally driving along a piece of history.

 4. Diverse Landscapes: Traveling Route 50 takes you through everything from bustling cities like Washington, D.C. and St. Louis, to the endless deserts of Nevada, to the majestic Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

 5. Ghost Towns Galore: Especially in Nevada, you’ll pass by several ghost towns, remnants of the Old West’s mining boom, like Austin and Eureka, where time seems to stand still.

 6. Highest Point: Route 50 crosses the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado, which is one of the highest points on the U.S. highway system at over 11,000 feet above sea level.

 7. Mark Twain’s Inspiration: Nevada’s section of Route 50 runs through Virginia City, where Mark Twain began his career as a writer. You can visit his former haunts along the way.

 8. Oceans & Mountains: Start your trip at the Atlantic Ocean in Maryland and, if you’re up for it, end near the Pacific Ocean in California—seeing everything in between.