Spring travel season will be calling your name very soon, and one Alabama scenic drive is answering your quest for beautiful views. In addition, it was named as one of the best scenic drives in the Southern United States by World Atlas.

There were six other southern drives on this list from World Atlas, including the following locations:

Blue Ridge Parkway: North Carolina and Virginia

Cherohala Skyway: Tennessee

Florida Keys Overseas Highway: Florida

Great River Road: Louisiana

River Road: Texas

Talimena Scenic Drive: Arkansas and Oklahoma

Alabama’s World Atlas Scenic Drive

Talladega Scenic Drive: Alabama

Alabama’s Talladega Scenic Drive, also known as State Route 281, is roughly 26 miles. It travels through the heart of the Talladega National Forest, rising steadily toward Cheaha Mountain, the state's highest point.

World Atlas Route Instructions

• Start at the intersection of US 78 and SR 281, which lies west of Heflin.
• From here, you will follow SR 281 through the forest and the Cheaha Wilderness.
• As you ascend, the stunning terrain unfolds beneath you. You will be able to see ridges, distant peaks, and hollows. Depending on the time of day, you might also catch morning mists lingering in the valleys.
• You can drive the entire route in an hour, but it's recommended to plan for at least three.
• This gives you enough time to stop at overlooks like the one at Cheaha State Park, which provides magnificent views of the forested ridges. The Pinhoti National Recreation Trail also intersects near the byway, if you want to make a short detour for a bit of hunting, fishing, or even a night of camping under the stars.
• The drive ends with the pavement, where SR 281 meets Adams Gap Road and Forest Road 600.