There’s something magical about driving along the coast with nothing but the sound of waves and the occasional seagull for company. Famous coastal routes like Highway 1 in California get packed with tourists, yet plenty of stunning shoreline drives remain blissfully uncrowded.
These hidden gems offer equally breathtaking ocean views, minus the bumper-to-bumper frustration. From rugged Maine cliffs to quiet Gulf shores, these remote coastal roads let you experience the raw beauty of America’s coastline at your own pace.
Here’s a list of 20 secluded coastal drives where you can enjoy the scenery without fighting for parking spots.
Highway 131, Michigan
This lesser-known route hugs the eastern shore of Lake Michigan between Petoskey and Charlevoix. The 30-mile stretch offers stunning views of the Great Lake without the crowds that flock to more famous Michigan destinations.
You’ll pass through quaint fishing villages — plus have plenty of opportunities to pull over at deserted beaches where the only footprints in the sand might be your own.
Route 1A, New Hampshire
Most people rush past New Hampshire’s tiny 18-mile coastline, though Route 1A reveals some coastal gems between Seabrook and Portsmouth. The road winds past salt marshes and historic homes with barely any traffic outside on summer weekends.
Hampton Beach State Park, along this route, offers a peaceful alternative to the more crowded beaches further south.
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Park Road 22, Texas
The drive to Padre Island near Corpus Christi—especially along Park Road 22—feels like reaching the edge of the world. This remote section near Corpus Christi extends for miles with nothing but dunes and Gulf waters on one side, sparse vegetation on the other.
It’s so quiet that you might not see another car for stretches, making it perfect for those seeking true solitude.
Points East Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island
Though technically in Canada, this coastal drive deserves mention for Americans willing to cross the border. The Points East Coastal Drive follows the island’s northeastern shore with virtually no traffic and stunning red cliff views.
Lighthouses dot the landscape like sentinels, while the small fishing communities you’ll encounter feel frozen in time.
Highway 12, North Carolina
The section of Highway 12 through the Outer Banks between Rodanthe and Hatteras offers incredible isolation. This narrow strip of asphalt runs between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound, with minimal development and even less traffic.
Wild horses still roam parts of this area, though you’ll often have miles of pristine coastline completely to yourself.
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Highway 101 and WA-110, Washington
The Olympic Peninsula’s western edge features Highway 101 and WA-110, which meander between Forks and La Push. This misty, moss-covered drive through temperate rainforest leads to some of the most remote beaches on the Pacific Coast.
The combination of towering trees and crashing waves creates an almost otherworldly atmosphere — one that few visitors ever experience.
Highway 1, Maine
While southern Maine’s Route 1 gets busy, the section between Calais and Eastport remains refreshingly empty. This far northeastern corner borders Canada and offers rugged coastline views without the tourist buses.
The drive passes through working fishing villages where lobster boats still outnumber pleasure craft in the harbors.
Route 25, Massachusetts
Cape Cod’s Route 6 through Wellfleet and Truro stays relatively quiet compared to other Cape destinations. The road winds through protected dune areas, past pristine ponds with ocean views peeking through the scrub pines.
Even during peak summer months, this route maintains a peaceful character that makes it feel like a well-kept secret.
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Highway 101, Oregon
The stretch of Highway 101 between Gold Beach and Brookings showcases some of Oregon’s most dramatic coastline with surprisingly light traffic. Massive rock formations jut from the surf while dense forests come right to the cliff edges.
This remote section feels wild and untamed, especially during the moody winter months when storms create spectacular wave displays.
Route 6A, Massachusetts
The Old King’s Highway section through Dennis and Brewster on Cape Cod maintains its historic charm with minimal modern traffic disruption. Ancient oak trees form canopies over portions of the road — glimpses of Cape Cod Bay appear between colonial-era homes.
This route feels like traveling back in time to when the Cape was primarily farming communities.
Highway 90, Louisiana
The stretch of Highway 90 between New Orleans and Morgan City passes through some of Louisiana’s most remote coastal wetlands. Spanish moss drapes the occasional tree while endless marshes stretch toward the Gulf horizon.
This drive offers a unique perspective on Louisiana’s disappearing coastline, with almost no other vehicles to distract from the haunting beauty.
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Route 27, Maine
The drive from Bath to Boothbay Harbor along Route 27 showcases Maine’s working waterfront without the crowds of Bar Harbor or Kennebunkport. Small coves dot the landscape while lobster boats work the waters just offshore.
The road passes through genuine fishing communities where tourism hasn’t yet completely transformed the local character.
Highway 35, Wisconsin
Lake Superior’s southern shore along Highway 35 between Superior and Ashland offers Great Lakes coastal driving without the crowds. The route passes through the Apostle Islands region with stunning views of the inland sea that feels more like an ocean.
Dense forests come right to the water’s edge, though small towns maintain their authentic fishing village atmosphere.
Highway 1, California
This back road alternative to Highway 1 runs between Mendocino and Fort Bragg, passing through the redwood country. While it doesn’t always hug the coast directly, ocean views appear regularly through the towering trees.
The route sees a fraction of Highway 1’s traffic yet offers equally spectacular scenery plus access to hidden beaches down unmarked trails.
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Highway 98, Florida
The stretch of Highway 98 between Apalachicola and Carrabelle showcases Florida’s forgotten coast with minimal development. This area missed the condo boom that transformed much of Florida’s shoreline, leaving pristine beaches intact.
Oyster boats still work these waters much as they have for generations, while traffic remains surprisingly light.
Route 77, Rhode Island
Ocean Drive in Newport gets all the attention, though Route 77 through Little Compton offers equally beautiful coastal views with far fewer cars. This agricultural area maintains its rural character with stone walls and occasional ocean vistas.
The drive ends at Sakonnet Point, where you can often have the lighthouse completely to yourself.
Highway 1, California
The section of Highway 1 north of Fort Bragg through Westport becomes increasingly remote yet beautiful. This stretch sees far less traffic than the famous Big Sur section while offering equally dramatic coastal scenery.
Sheep pastures come right to the cliff edges, plus small beaches nestle between towering headlands with virtually no development in sight.
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Route 1, Delaware
Coastal Highway (Route 1), Delaware, through Delaware Seashore State Park, offers a peaceful alternative to the crowded boardwalks of Rehoboth. This stretch passes between the Atlantic Ocean and inland bays with minimal commercial development.
The area maintains a natural character that’s become increasingly rare along the mid-Atlantic coast, though it’s still accessible.
Highway 103, Washington
Highway 103, Washington, through the Long Beach Peninsula section of Highway 14, extends north from the Columbia River through some of Washington’s most remote coastal territory. This narrow spit of land feels cut off from the rest of the world, with cranberry bogs stretching toward the Pacific.
Lewis and Clark ended their journey near here, yet the area still feels like the edge of civilization.
Route 154, Connecticut
Connecticut’s Route 154 between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme follows the Connecticut River to Long Island Sound through remarkably unspoiled territory. Historic homes line the route, while salt marshes extend toward the water.
This drive offers a glimpse of how much of the Northeast Coast looked before modern development transformed the landscape completely.
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Where Empty Roads Meet Endless Horizons
These remote coastal drives represent something increasingly precious in our connected world: places where genuine solitude still exists. While technology makes it easier than ever to locate hidden destinations, these routes have somehow maintained their peaceful character despite our hyperconnected age.
The next time wanderlust strikes, skip the crowded scenic byways. Discover what it feels like to have miles of stunning coastline all to yourself instead.
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