Planning a family road trip means finding routes that keep everyone happy while showcasing America’s natural beauty. The perfect family drive combines stunning scenery with plenty of kid-friendly stops, creating memories that last long after you’ve returned home. From coastal highways that hug dramatic cliffs to mountain passes that wind through alpine meadows, the United States offers incredible diversity for families willing to hit the open road.
The best family road trips strike a balance between breathtaking views and kid-friendly attractions. Here is a list of 20 scenic drives across America that deliver both spectacular landscapes and engaging stops perfect for traveling with children.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
This iconic 655-mile stretch from San Francisco to San Diego offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in America. Kids love spotting sea lions at various beaches, while parents appreciate the endless ocean views and charming seaside towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey.
The route includes family-friendly stops like the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Hearst Castle, making it easy to break up the drive with educational entertainment.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
Stretching 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, this scenic drive peaks during the fall foliage season but remains beautiful year-round. The parkway features over 300 overlooks where families can stop for photos and short walks, plus visitor centers that offer interactive exhibits about mountain culture.
Kids enjoy the easy nature trails and the chance to see wildlife like black bears and deer from a safe distance.
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Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
This 50-mile mountain road through Glacier National Park feels like driving through a postcard, with towering peaks and pristine lakes around every curve. The road typically opens fully from early July through October due to heavy snowfall, and families should plan a full day to enjoy the numerous pullouts and short walks leading to waterfalls.
Kids are amazed by the road’s engineering feat of crossing the Continental Divide, and the visitor center at Logan Pass offers junior ranger programs.
Scenic Byway 12, Utah
Utah’s Highway 12 winds 124 miles through some of the most diverse and colorful landscapes in the Southwest, connecting Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks. The route passes through small towns like Escalante and Boulder, where families can grab snacks and learn about pioneer history.
Children love the dramatic color changes in the rock formations, and the relatively short distances between major stops make this ideal for families with shorter attention spans.
Great River Road, Mississippi and Louisiana
This segment of the Great River Road follows the mighty Mississippi River for over 300 miles through these southern states, representing just a portion of the full 3,000-mile route that spans from Minnesota to Louisiana. Kids enjoy watching barges and riverboats navigate the muddy waters, while families can stop at plantations, battlefields, and charming river towns.
The flat terrain makes for easy driving, and the frequent small towns provide plenty of opportunities for local cuisine and cultural experiences.
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Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
This 34-mile stretch through the White Mountain National Forest packs incredible scenery into a manageable distance for families. The route features numerous swimming areas, waterfalls, and picnic areas where kids can burn off energy between scenic overlooks.
Fall brings spectacular foliage, but summer offers the best weather for the family-friendly hiking trails that branch off from the main road.
Trail Ridge Road, Colorado
Rising to 12,183 feet above sea level, this 48-mile route through Rocky Mountain National Park offers high-altitude adventure that kids will never forget. The road typically opens from early July through October due to extreme winter conditions, and families can spot elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats along the way.
Kids love the novelty of being above the treeline, and the Alpine Visitor Center provides educational programs about high-altitude ecosystems.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi
This 444-mile historic route follows an ancient Native American trail, offering a gentler pace perfect for families with young children. The parkway features numerous historical sites, nature trails, and picnic areas, with speed limits that never exceed 50 mph.
Kids enjoy the frequent stops at Indian mounds, old inns, and battlefields, while parents appreciate the well-maintained facilities and educational opportunities.
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Hana Highway, Hawaii
The famous Road to Hana on Maui covers just 64 miles but takes most of a day due to its 617 curves and 59 bridges. Families discover hidden waterfalls, black sand beaches, and tropical gardens around every bend, making each stop feel like a new adventure.
Kids love the frequent opportunities to swim in freshwater pools and explore tide pools, though parents should be prepared for a winding drive that can be tough on sensitive stomachs.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
This roughly 300-mile loop combines temperate rainforests, rugged coastlines, and snow-capped mountains in one spectacular drive. Families can explore tide pools at Ruby Beach, walk through the moss-covered trees of the Hoh Rainforest, and soak in natural hot springs.
The diverse ecosystems keep kids engaged, and the numerous small towns provide comfortable stopping points for meals and overnight stays.
Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming
Often called ‘the most beautiful drive in America,’ this 68-mile route climbs to 10,947 feet through some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in the lower 48 states. The highway typically opens from late May through October, and families can experience snow in summer at the higher elevations.
Kids are thrilled by the switchbacks and dramatic elevation changes, while the numerous lakes offer opportunities for short hikes and picnics.
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Skyline Drive, Virginia
This 105-mile route through Shenandoah National Park provides easy access to mountain scenery without challenging driving conditions. The drive features 75 overlooks where families can stop for photos and short nature walks, plus visitor centers with exhibits about local wildlife and geology.
Kids enjoy the junior ranger programs and the chance to spot deer, black bears, and wild turkeys from the comfort of the car.
Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
This 25-mile stretch of Highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray earned its name from either the cost to build it or the valuable ore it passes through. The route winds through the San Juan Mountains with no guardrails in many sections, creating dramatic views that adventurous older kids will appreciate.
Families can explore old mining towns and take scenic train rides that complement the driving experience.
Overseas Highway, Florida
The 113-mile drive from Miami to Key West feels like traveling over the ocean, with bridges connecting tropical islands in an endless chain. Kids love spotting dolphins, sea turtles, and tropical fish in the crystal-clear waters below, while families can stop at state parks for snorkeling and beach time.
The flat, straight road makes for easy driving, and the unique experience of driving over the ocean creates lasting memories.
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Apache Trail, Arizona
This 40-mile route east of Phoenix combines desert landscapes with surprising lakes and mountain scenery created by the Roosevelt Dam. The partly unpaved road winds through the Superstition Mountains, where families can explore ghost towns and learn about Wild West legends.
Kids enjoy the dramatic desert plants and the chance to see wild horses, while the relatively short distance makes this manageable for families with limited time.
Historic Route 66, Arizona and New Mexico
While the original Route 66 no longer exists as a continuous highway, families can still experience long stretches of the ‘Mother Road’ through the Southwest. The route passes through quirky towns with roadside attractions like giant dinosaurs and vintage motels that kids find fascinating.
This drive offers a perfect blend of American history and kitsch culture, with plenty of opportunities to learn about the golden age of automobile travel.
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
This 84-mile scenic area east of Portland combines dramatic waterfalls with easy access from Interstate 84, making it perfect for families. Kids love the short hikes to waterfalls like Multnomah Falls, which drops 620 feet in two tiers just steps from the parking area.
The Historic Columbia River Highway provides a slower, more scenic alternative to the interstate, with numerous viewpoints and picnic areas perfect for family stops.
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Great Smoky Mountains Loop, Tennessee and North Carolina
The 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road offers families a chance to see wildlife like black bears, deer, and wild turkeys in their natural habitat. This one-way gravel road moves slowly, giving kids plenty of time to spot animals and explore historic buildings along the route.
The loop connects to numerous hiking trails and picnic areas, making it easy to combine driving with outdoor activities that suit different energy levels.
Lake Tahoe Loop, California and Nevada
The 72-mile drive around Lake Tahoe provides constantly changing views of one of America’s most beautiful alpine lakes. Families can stop at beaches for swimming and picnicking, ride gondolas for mountain views, and explore charming towns like Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe.
The route combines natural beauty with family-friendly attractions like miniature golf and scenic chairlift rides that keep kids entertained.
Acadia All-American Road, Maine
This 27-mile loop through Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island showcases the rugged beauty of the Maine coast in a manageable package. Kids love exploring tide pools at low tide and watching waves crash against pink granite cliffs, while families can climb Cadillac Mountain for panoramic views.
The park’s well-designed roads and numerous pullouts make it easy to experience coastal Maine’s natural wonders without strenuous hiking.
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Where Memories Meet the Miles
These scenic drives represent more than just beautiful routes through America’s diverse landscapes. They connect families to the rich tradition of automobile exploration that helped define the American experience, from the early days of the Lincoln Highway to the interstate system that opened the country to millions of travelers.
Today’s families continue this legacy, creating their own stories along roads that have witnessed generations of adventure seekers. The best part about these drives isn’t just the destinations, but the conversations, games, and shared wonder that happen between the miles, proving that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.
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