The Appalachian Mountains stretch nearly 2,000 miles from Newfoundland to Alabama, creating one of North America’s most spectacular natural landscapes. These ancient mountains, worn by millions of years of weather and time, offer drivers an ever-changing canvas of forested slopes, misty valleys, and charming mountain towns that seem frozen in time.
Here is a list of the 20 most breathtaking drives through the Appalachian Mountains, each offering a unique perspective on this magnificent range.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
Often called “America’s Favorite Drive,” this 469-mile roadway connects Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road hugs the mountain ridges, offering sweeping vistas at numerous overlooks where the Blue Ridge Mountains earned their name from the distinctive blue haze that hangs over them.
In fall, visitors are treated to an explosion of color as the hardwood forests transform into a red, orange, and gold patchwork.
Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
This 105-mile road traces the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains through the heart of Shenandoah National Park. The drive features 75 scenic overlooks where you can observe the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the rolling Piedmont to the east.
Wildlife sightings are common along this route, with white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys making regular appearances near the roadside.
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Highland Scenic Highway, West Virginia
Winding through the Monongahela National Forest, this 43-mile route climbs to elevations over 4,500 feet. The road passes through diverse ecosystems, including hardwood forests, open meadows, and mountain bogs with unique plant life.
At places like the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, you can learn about the area’s natural history while stretching your legs on short interpretive trails.
Route 6, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Route 6 stretches 400 miles across the state’s northern tier, passing through the heart of the Appalachian Plateau. The section running through the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon area offers dramatic views of deep gorges carved by glaciers and streams.
The small towns along the route, like Wellsboro with its gas-lit streets, feel like a step back in American history.
Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee and North Carolina
This 43-mile National Scenic Byway connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina, crossing through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. The name ‘Cherohala’ combines these two forest names.
Rising from 900 feet to over 5,400 feet, the drive offers spectacular mountain scenery without the crowds found on more popular routes.
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Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts
As one of America’s first scenic roads designed for automobiles, this historic route follows ancient Native American pathways through the northern Berkshires. The famous Hairpin Turn offers breathtaking views of Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York from a single vantage point.
In autumn, the sugar maples create a fiery canopy that draws visitors nationwide.
Mount Washington Auto Road, New Hampshire
This 7.6-mile toll road is a true mountain-climbing adventure, ascending to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington in the White Mountains. The drive rises through four distinct climate zones, from hardwood forests to alpine tundra.
On clear days, views can extend over 100 miles to the Atlantic Ocean, making the sometimes nerve-wracking drive worth the effort.
Kancamagus Highway, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Known locally as “The Kanc,” this 34.5-mile scenic byway cuts through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest. The road follows the Swift River, passing numerous waterfalls and swimming pools that make perfect stopping points on hot summer days.
Moose sightings are common in the early morning and evening hours, adding wildlife viewing to the route’s many attractions.
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Route 100, Vermont
Often called Vermont’s Main Street, this 216-mile route runs the entire state through the Green Mountains. The road connects picturesque villages with covered bridges, hillside farms, and classic New England church steeples dotting the landscape.
Vermont’s famous dairy farms and maple sugar houses along the route offer delicious local treats for hungry travelers.
Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway, New York
This route travels through the heart of the Catskill Mountains, following New York State Route 28 through historic villages and stunning mountain terrain. The road passes near Slide Mountain, the highest peak in the Catskills at 4,180 feet.
Artists and writers have drawn inspiration from this landscape for centuries, most notably the Hudson River School painters who immortalized the region’s natural beauty.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, and North Carolina
The main road through Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers an immersive journey through America’s most visited national park. Newfound Gap Road crosses the park from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina, reaching an elevation of 5,046 feet at Newfound Gap.
The Clingmans Dome spur road leads to the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet, where an observation tower provides panoramic views.
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Talimena National Scenic Byway, Oklahoma and Arkansas
This 54-mile route runs along the crest of Rich Mountain and Winding Stair Mountain in the Ouachita Mountains, the southernmost section of the Appalachians. The drive features numerous pull-offs with interpretive signs explaining the region’s cultural and natural history.
In spring, flowering dogwoods and redbuds create a colorful understory beneath the hardwood canopy.
Foothills Parkway, Tennessee
This partial parkway currently includes two completed sections totaling 33 miles along the western edge of the Great Smoky Mountains. The newest section, opened in 2018, features the spectacular “Missing Link” bridge system that seems to float in the air as it traverses a particularly steep section of the mountain ridge.
The route provides some of the best views of the Smokies without entering the often crowded national park.
Route 16, New Hampshire
Running north-south through the Mount Washington Valley, Route 16 connects classic New England villages with the dramatic Presidential Range of the White Mountains as a constant backdrop. The road passes near the Mount Washington Cog Railway entrance, which has been carrying visitors to the summit since 1869.
Local farm stands along the route offer seasonal produce and baked goods throughout the summer and fall.
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Highlands-Cashiers Scenic Drive, North Carolina
This route connects two of North Carolina’s most charming mountain towns while passing through some of the highest terrain in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Waterfalls cascade alongside the road, including the easily accessible Dry Falls, where visitors can walk behind the water curtain.
The area’s rich biodiversity makes it a paradise for plant enthusiasts, with hundreds of wildflower species blooming from spring through fall.
Moosehead Lake Scenic Byway, Maine
Following Routes 15 and 6 around Maine’s largest lake, this drive showcases the northern Appalachians in all their rugged glory. The road offers continuous views of Moosehead Lake with Mount Kineo’s distinctive profile rising 700 feet directly from the water.
The surrounding forests represent some of the largest undeveloped wilderness in the eastern United States, home to moose, black bears, and lynx.
Mountain Maryland Scenic Byway, Maryland
This 193-mile route traverses Maryland’s narrow western panhandle, an area more Appalachian than mid-Atlantic in character. The drive includes a section along the crest of Backbone Mountain, Maryland’s highest point at 3,360 feet.
Along the way, historic sites tell the story of transportation evolution, from Native American trails to the National Road and the railroad era.
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Lookout Mountain Parkway, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee
Stretching 93 miles across three states, this route follows the ridgeline of Lookout Mountain, site of a famous Civil War battle above the clouds. The road passes numerous natural attractions, including Ruby Falls, an underground waterfall reached by elevator, and Rock City with its remarkable stone formations.
According to local tradition, you can see seven states from Point Park on a clear day.
Allegheny Mountain Loop, West Virginia and Virginia
This 400-mile route combines portions of the Highland Scenic Highway with country roads through the heart of the Alleghenies. The drive crosses the Eastern Continental Divide multiple times, with waters flowing to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
The high mountain meadows, known locally as ‘glades,’ are particularly beautiful when carpeted with wildflowers against dark spruce forests in June.
Mountains to Sea Trail, North Carolina
While primarily known as a hiking path, portions of this cross-state trail are paralleled by scenic roads that offer the same east-to-west journey across North Carolina’s varied landscape. The western sections wind through the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, providing access to numerous hiking trails and waterfalls.
Small mountain communities along the way offer authentic local cuisine and crafts that reflect the region’s rich Appalachian heritage.
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The Enduring Appeal of Appalachia
These mountain drives offer more than just pretty scenery—they’re journeys through living history, showcasing landscapes that have shaped American culture, music, and identity for centuries. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to old favorites, the Appalachian Mountains never fail to inspire with their timeless beauty and resilient spirit.
The next time you feel the call of the mountains, choose one of these spectacular drives and discover why generations of travelers have fallen in love with Appalachia’s winding roads and misty peaks.
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