Usually driving around Austin is stressful, but at night the white lines and rolling asphalt can provide solace to the soul. Listed below are four great routes to stack some miles and vibe to your favorite nighttime playlist.
WARNING: Be cautious driving past midnight on the weekends, drunk drivers may be on the road.
1. Capital of Texas Highway | Loop 360
Drivers familiar with the area will recognize this four-lane loop that cuts through the granite and limestone hills of West Austin. Others may recognize Loop 360 as the home of Pennybacker Bridge, a through-arch bridge popular for the nearby scenic views. No matter how you know Loop 360, or if you even know it at all, it’s a fantastic place to ride out your worries.
Starting at the intersection of Loop 1 and Loop 360,near Barton Creek Square Mall, make your way north. About halfway down the route and just to the north of Pascal Lane, you will run into a scenic overlook with a distanced view of Downtown Austin. Pull into the overlook, shift into park and chill out!
2. RM 2222
If you are looking for a more low-key route to take, Ranch to Market 2222 is the way to go. This dark, two-lane road briefly strokes the edge of Cat Mountain before descending into the Colorado river basin. Just west of Loop 360 there is a sizable incline that will make your ears pop.
If you enjoy using your high beams, Spicewood Springs is the road for you. A myriad of wildlife can be encountered along this road including deers, coyotes and feral hogs. Rolling down your windows while cutting through the corridors of live oaks is highly recommended. This is a pretty short route—lonely but intimate.
4. The Long Haul
This is a mashup of all the routes above. Every form of driving Austin has to offer is encompassed here. Highway cruising, residential driving and rural wayfaring all wrapped up in an hour drive.
These routes are also great, if not better, just before sunset. The warm sky and long shadows bring out a great amount of depth that is lost at night. There are additional things you can bring along to make the trip even more enjoyable. A beverage of some sort— non-alcoholic of course— is essential to stave off roadside cottonmouth. In addition, friends with gripping horror stories will add that extra spice to keep your hands firmly gripped to the steering wheel. So with that, fill up your tank and go hit the road!
