In good weather, I take the 14-mi "scenic route" to work in Portland, which crosses two salt marshes and goes by Higgins Beach with great ocean views. On the ride home, I use 3 miles of a paved, off-road greenbelt. It isn't plowed in the winter, so I stay on the streets. Great commute with moderate traffic.
I started bike commuting in the late 1970's, and typically ride 3,500 to 4,000 miles per year. I'm starting to get the hang of it.