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Thereโs a certain sense of peace in rolling down the windows, tuning into a good playlist, and setting out on the open road with no rush to arrive. The United States was practically built for road trips.
With coastlines, mountains, deserts, and forests stitched together by a sprawling highway network, you donโt need to hop a plane to witness jaw-dropping beauty or rich slices of history; you just need a reliable set of wheels and a bit of curiosity.
We prepared 11 of the most unforgettable scenic drives in America. Some hug cliffs over crashing waves, others wind through ancient forests or trace the ghosts of pioneers and poets. But each one is worth every mile.
1. Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)
San Diego, CA to Seattle, WA
Distance: ~1,600 miles | Recommended time: 8โ12 days
The Pacific Coast Highway isnโt just a drive. Itโs an experience. Winding from sun-soaked San Diego all the way to the cool greens of the Pacific Northwest, the route sticks close to the edge of the continent, offering endless ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and coastal charm.
Think Big Surโs redwood-covered ridges, roadside taco shacks in Malibu, and the breezy piers of Santa Cruz.
Highlights
- Bixby Creek Bridge: Iconic photo op in Big Sur.
- Golden Gate Bridge: An architectural marvel worth the stop.
- Redwood National Park: Towering trees that make you feel small in the best way.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
Cherokee, NC to Waynesboro, VA
Distance: 469 miles | Recommended time: 2โ5 days
Nicknamed โAmericaโs Favorite Driveโ, the Blue Ridge Parkway gently winds through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah.
The drive is unhurried, with no stoplights and no billboards, just long-range mountain views and rhododendron-lined trails.
Highlights
- Mabry Mill: One of the most photographed spots on the parkway.
- Asheville, NC: A perfect base for breweries and the arts.
- Linville Falls: A short hike with a stunning payoff.
3. Hana Highway (Road to Hana)
Kahului to Hana, Maui, Hawaii
Distance: 64 miles | Recommended time: Full day (or overnight)
Winding along Mauiโs lush northeastern coast, the Hana Highway is proof that a short drive can still be unforgettable. With over 600 curves and 50 one-lane bridges, itโs less about getting to Hana and more about the ride itself.
Think waterfalls pouring beside the road, bamboo forests swaying overhead, and hidden black sand beaches around the bend.
The road is narrow and often slick from rain, but that only adds to the mood. Locals say if you rush it, youโre missing the point.
Stop often, snack on banana bread from roadside stands, and donโt be surprised if you lose track of time entirely.
Also, for those starting from the Big Island and planning to hop over to Maui, itโs worth looking into a reliable van rental Big Island before catching your inter-island flight.
Highlights
- Twin Falls: Easy hike and quick dip just a few miles in.
- Waiสปanapanapa State Park: Home to a black sand beach and freshwater caves.
- Wailua Falls: Classic waterfall shot with an easy roadside view.
Bring motion sickness remedies if winding roads arenโt your thing. And respect local property signs. Many areas that look like โjust off the roadโ are actually private.
4. Route 66
Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA
Distance: 2,250 miles | Recommended time: 1โ2 weeks
Once the main artery for westward dreamers, Route 66 is now a nostalgic tribute to the American road trip.
Youโll pass through dusty towns, neon-lit diners, and some of the quirkiest roadside attractions in the country: think giant balls of twine and vintage motels shaped like teepees.
Highlights
- Cadillac Ranch (TX): Spray paint your mark on a row of half-buried Cadillacs.
- Grand Canyon (AZ): A slight detour thatโs more than worth it.
- Santa Monica Pier (CA): The official end point and a festive wrap-up.
5. Natchez Trace Parkway
Pasquo, TN to Natchez, MS
Distance: 444 miles | Recommended time: 2โ3 days
Quiet, scenic, and dotted with historical markers, the Natchez Trace Parkway follows a centuries-old trail once walked by Native Americans and traders.
Today itโs a peaceful, commercial-free route lined with moss-draped trees, wildflowers, and archaeological sites.
Highlights
- Pharr Mounds: Prehistoric burial sites older than Rome.
- Cypress Swamp: An eerie, beautiful boardwalk loop.
- Windsor Ruins: Haunting remnants of a grand 1800s mansion.
6. Florida Highway 1 (Overseas Highway)
Amelia Island to Key West, FL
Distance: 475 miles | Recommended time: 6 days
Floridaโs Highway 1 might be the most tropical road trip in the mainland U.S. It skips along the water, connecting the Keys with a series of bridges, including the jaw-dropping Seven Mile Bridge. Palm trees, coral reefs, and conch fritters await.
Highlights
- Bahia Honda State Park: Snorkel-friendly waters and a quiet beach.
- Key West: Hemingway, pastel houses, and a laid-back vibe.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Glass-bottom boat tours and diving.
The Overseas Highway is a bucket-list drive, but hereโs what no one tells you about Floridaโs roads – a must-read before you set off.
7. BadlandsโBlack Hills Loop
South Dakota (loop)
Distance: 330 miles | Recommended time: 2 days
This compact but stunning loop packs in a lot of drama. Craggy spires and fossil beds in Badlands National Park give way to the piney hills and granite peaks of the Black Hills.
And in between, youโll cross paths with buffalo, pronghorns, and some big-time landmarks.
Highlights
- Mount Rushmore: Iconic and surprisingly moving in person.
- Custer State Park: Scenic drives and wildlife galore.
- Jewel Cave: One of the longest cave systems in the world.
8. San Juan Skyway
Durango, CO (loop)
Distance: 236 miles | Recommended time: 1โ3 days
Coloradoโs San Juan Skyway is the stuff of postcards. The star stretch, known as the Million Dollar Highway, threads through mountain passes with no guardrails and views that will make you forget to breathe.
Old mining towns like Silverton and Ouray feel like movie sets, and the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde offer a glimpse into ancient lives.
Highlights
- Ouray: โSwitzerland of Americaโ with hot springs and old-time charm.
- Mesa Verde National Park: Step inside 700-year-old cliff homes.
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: A historic ride through the mountains.
9. Richardson Highway
Fairbanks to Valdez, AK
Distance: 364 miles | Recommended time: 2โ4 days
The Richardson Highway slices through the raw, glacier-studded heart of Alaska. From Fairbanks to Valdez, the views are all wild beauty.
Think endless spruce forests, glassy lakes, and snow-capped peaks. Keep your eyes open for bears, moose, and bald eagles.
Highlights
- Worthington Glacier: A roadside glacier you can walk right up to.
- Thompson Pass: Dramatic mountain views, especially at sunrise.
- Valdez: Remote and gorgeous, with fishing and kayaking options.
10. Scenic Byway 12
Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef, UT
Distance: 122 miles | Recommended time: 1 day
Short but mind-blowing, Utahโs Scenic Byway 12 cuts through crimson cliffs, ancient canyons, and alpine forests.
Every mile feels like a shift in scenery – from Martian landscapes to high mountain meadows. Itโs one of the most geologically varied drives in the country.
Highlights
- Bryce Canyon National Park: Hoodoos that light up at sunrise.
- Dixie National Forest: Lush and unexpected in the middle of red rock country.
- Kiva Koffeehouse: Coffee with an epic view.
11. Coastal New England
New York City to Portland, ME
Distance: 430 miles | Recommended time: 3โ5 days
Lighthouses, clam shacks, and winding roads through history – Coastal New England serves it all up with a side of salt air.
The route hugs the Atlantic, moving through seaside villages, Revolutionary landmarks, and artsy enclaves. Stop for lobster rolls. Stop for lighthouses. Stop just because itโs pretty.
Before you hit the road to take in New Englandโs stunning fall foliage, donโt forget to gear up for autumn road trips with the right seasonal car accessories to stay safe and cozy.
Highlights
- Newport, RI: Mansions, sailing, and cobblestone charm.
- Bostonโs Freedom Trail: Walk through the Revolution.
- Portland Head Light: The most photographed lighthouse in the U.S.
Planning Tips Before You Hit the Road
A scenic drive is only as good as your prep. A few quick tips:
- Check conditions early: Especially in mountain or desert areas, where sudden weather can close roads.
- Pack smart: Water, snacks, sunscreen, extra fuel if you’re heading remote. Donโt forget the camera.
- Pace yourself: These arenโt drives you power through. Pull over, explore, take the side roads.
Final Thoughts
Road trips have a way of sticking with you. Maybe itโs the endless horizon, or that quiet stretch of road where the only soundtrack is wind and tires on pavement.
Whatever it is, these scenic American drives deliver more than just views. They give you stories. So load up the car, pick a direction, and go see whatโs out there.
You might come back with a full camera roll, sunburned arms, and dirt on your shoes, but youโll also come back different. And thatโs the best part.
