Posted in Texas January 06, 2022 by

The Trans-Mountain Highway Is A Back Road You Didn’t Know Existed But Is Perfect For A Scenic Drive In Texas

As if Texas needed another scenic drive that showcases our state’s mountains like you’ve never seen them before, we have one to add to your bucket list. Traversing Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso, the Trans-Mountain Highway is a lesser-known thoroughfare with some of the best windshield views in Texas. This scenic drive in Texas will take your breath away!

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Also known as Loop 375, the Trans-Mountain Highway partially encircles the city of El Paso.
AllTrails.com
It's about 50 miles in length, but the particular section this article refers to is an 11-mile scenic route that passes through Franklin Mountains State Park.
Skirting the bases of towering mountains, the drive is gorgeous in every season.
Wikimedia Commons/Dicklyon
Hairpin turns will have you white-knuckling the steering wheel at times, but the views - like the mile-high crest of Smuggler's Pass, shown here - are totally worth it.
Panoramic views of the wide-open desert landscape extend far as the eye can see into the distance.
AllTrails/David Baake
The mountains stand in stark contrast to the mostly flat terrain that surrounds them, commanding the attention of all who behold them.
The drive has an elevation gain of nearly 2,000 feet, so you'll enjoy a variety of perspectives along the way.
AllTrails/Darrell Cynthia Pacansky
When you're up high, you can almost see the horizon line as it stretches across the sky. On the flip side, the lower points really take you up close and personal with the unique flora and fauna of the region.
As we mentioned previously, the drive meanders through Franklin Mountains State Park, featuring several lookout spots that offer breathtaking vistas.
AllTrails/Durice LeLeux
Feel free to pull over - if the mood strikes, you may even decide to get out and explore on foot!
So, what are you waiting for?
AllTrails/Julius Caesar Nullar
Hop in the car, turn up the music, roll down the windows, and get ready for the scenic drive of a lifetime.

To learn more about this scenic drive in Texas, visit its page on AllTrails.

Have you ever driven the Trans-Mountain Highway? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments section below! Interested in learning more about Franklin Mountains State Park? Check out our previous article for a hike in the park that leads straight to an abandoned mine.

Address: Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive, Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, Canutillo, TX, USA