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 as 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 El Paso 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!

Also known as Loop 375, the Transmountain El Paso Highway partially encircles the city of El Paso.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Hop in the car, turn up the music, roll down the windows, and get ready for the scenic drive of a lifetime.

Let's head out on a drive on the Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive in El Paso, TX in this video showing a drive from the west side of I-10 to the east side of US 54:

To learn more about this scenic drive in Texas, visit its page on AllTrails. Of, course, if you do a lot of hiking why not give AllTrails+ a try for all the latest info about your favorite trails?

Have you ever driven the Trans-Mountain El Paso Highway? If so, we'd love to hear all about your experience in the comments section!

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.