Ready to hit the open road and discover the breathtaking beauty of America? From winding coastal highways to mountain passes that touch the sky, the U.S. is home to some of the world’s most spectacular drives.
Whether you’re a seasoned road tripper or a first-time adventurer, these 25 scenic routes promise unforgettable views and thrilling experiences.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
Hug the rugged California coastline on this iconic 656-mile journey from San Francisco to San Diego. Wind through redwood forests, past pristine beaches, and over dramatic cliffs. Don’t miss the stunning Big Sur stretch, where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge into the Pacific.
Pull over at Bixby Bridge for that perfect Instagram shot!
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
Traverse the heart of Glacier National Park on this engineering marvel. Carved into the mountainside, this 50-mile road offers heart-stopping views of glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and rugged peaks.
Keep an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep as you cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
Meander through the misty Appalachian Mountains on America’s longest linear park. This 469-mile drive connects Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offering stunning vistas, diverse wildlife, and a glimpse into Appalachian culture.
Don’t miss the fall foliage display – it’s simply magical!
Hana Highway, Maui, Hawaii
Buckle up for 620 curves and 59 bridges on this 64-mile tropical adventure. The Road to Hana winds through lush rainforests, past cascading waterfalls, and along cliffsides with panoramic ocean views.
Take it slow, stop often, and don’t forget to try some fresh banana bread from roadside stands!
Beartooth Highway, Montana, and Wyoming
Climb to the ‘Top of the World’ on this 68-mile alpine highway. Crossing the Beartooth Mountains, you’ll ascend to nearly 11,000 feet, experiencing dizzying switchbacks and awe-inspiring views. Pack a jacket – even in summer, you might encounter snow at the summit!
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Overseas Highway, Florida
Island-hop through the Florida Keys on this 113-mile ocean highway. Driving across 42 bridges, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge, you’ll feel like you’re floating on the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Stop in Key West for key lime pie and a spectacular sunset celebration.
Skyline Drive, Virginia
Cruise along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park. This 105-mile road offers 75 scenic overlooks, showcasing the rolling Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmont to the east.
Keep your speed in check – the 35 mph limit lets you spot deer, black bears, and wild turkeys along the way.
San Juan Skyway, Colorado
Experience the Wild West on this 233-mile loop through southwestern Colorado. Winding through the San Juan Mountains, you’ll pass old mining towns, hot springs, and some of the most photographed mountains in the world.
Don’t miss the ‘Million Dollar Highway’ stretch for true white-knuckle driving!
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Acadia All-American Road, Maine
Explore the rugged beauty of coastal Maine on this 40-mile loop through Acadia National Park. Climb Cadillac Mountain (the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast), watch powerful surf at Thunder Hole, and enjoy fresh lobster in Bar Harbor.
Time your visit for early October when fall colors are at their peak.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee to Mississippi
Step back in time on this 444-mile historic route from Nashville to Natchez. Following an ancient Native American trail, the Trace offers a leisurely drive through lush forests, farmlands, and antebellum history.
Stop at Meriwether Lewis’s gravesite or explore the ghostly ruins of Windsor Plantation.
Route 66, Illinois to California
Get your kicks on the ultimate American road trip. While no longer officially designated, much of the 2,448-mile ‘Mother Road’ can still be driven, passing through neon-lit towns, quirky roadside attractions, and vast desert landscapes.
Don’t miss the Cadillac Ranch in Texas or the Grand Canyon detour in Arizona!
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
North Cascades Highway, Washington
Venture into the ‘American Alps’ on this 140-mile scenic byway. Winding through North Cascades National Park, you’ll encounter jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and over 300 glaciers.
Stop at the Washington Pass Overlook for a jaw-dropping view of Liberty Bell Mountain.
Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
Cruise through the heart of New England on this 34-mile forest road in the White Mountains. Known locally as ‘The Kanc,’ this drive offers covered bridges, crystal-clear swimming holes, and spectacular fall foliage.
Pack a picnic and stop at Sabbaday Falls for a refreshing break.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
Circle the Olympic Peninsula on this 300-mile route showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s diverse beauty. Drive through temperate rainforests, along rugged coastlines, and in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains.
Don’t miss the side trip to Hurricane Ridge for panoramic views of the range and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Outer Banks Scenic Byway, North Carolina
Island-hop along North Carolina’s barrier islands on this 138-mile coastal drive. Pass historic lighthouses, windswept beaches, and quaint fishing villages.
Take a ferry to Ocracoke Island and visit the place where Blackbeard the pirate met his end. Keep an eye out for wild horses roaming the beaches!
Trail Ridge Road, Colorado
Climb above the treeline on the highest continuous paved road in North America. This 48-mile ‘highway to the sky’ in Rocky Mountain National Park tops out at 12,183 feet, offering alpine tundra views and excellent wildlife spotting.
Look for elk in the meadows and marmots sunning on rocks.
Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee, and North Carolina
Experience the solitude of the Southern Appalachians on this 43-mile mountain road. Connecting Tellico Plains, TN, to Robbinsville, NC, the Skyway climbs from 900 to 5,400 feet, passing through lush forests and offering expansive mountain views.
Pack some food – amenities are scarce on this remote drive.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Seward Highway, Alaska
Witness the raw beauty of Alaska on this 125-mile drive from Anchorage to Seward. Sandwiched between the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Turnagain Arm, you’ll see hanging glaciers, beluga whales, and maybe even Dall sheep perched on cliffs.
Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for close-up wildlife viewing.
Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon
Follow the mighty Columbia River on America’s first scenic highway. This 70-mile route takes you past plunging waterfalls, including the iconic 611-foot Multnomah Falls, and offers panoramic gorge views.
Don’t miss the Vista House at Crown Point for a 360-degree view of the Columbia River Gorge.
Newfound Gap Road, Tennessee, and North Carolina
Cross the Great Smoky Mountains on this 31-mile mountain pass in America’s most visited national park. Climb 3,000 feet from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC, passing through diverse forests and stopping at scenic overlooks.
At the gap, stand with one foot in each state at the Rockefeller Memorial.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Highway 12, Utah
Buckle up for one of America’s most scenic byways. This 124-mile red-rock wonder connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, passing through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Don’t miss the hair-raising drive across the ‘Hogsback,’ a narrow ridge with drop-offs on both sides.
Patchwork Parkway, Utah
Experience three climatic life zones in 55 miles on Utah’s Highway 143. Climb from high deserts through alpine forests to lava fields, with a chance to see the oldest living organisms on Earth – bristlecone pines.
Stop at Cedar Breaks National Monument for a look at its colorful amphitheater.
Bourbon Trail, Kentucky
Combine scenic driving with America’s native spirit on this 70-mile route through Kentucky’s rolling hills. Visit historic distilleries, cruise past horse farms with white-fenced pastures, and enjoy the hospitality of charming small towns.
Don’t miss the chance to become an official ‘Bourbon Trail Passport Holder’!
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Talimena Scenic Drive, Oklahoma, and Arkansas
Cruise the crest of the Ouachita Mountains on this 54-mile byway. Winding along forested mountaintops between Talihina, OK, and Mena, AR, this drive offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
Time your visit for fall to see the hardwood forests ablaze with color.
Mt. Washington Auto Road, New Hampshire
Brave the ‘greatest man-made attraction in the White Mountains’ on this historic 7.6-mile toll road to the summit of Mt. Washington. Climbing 4,618 feet from base to peak, you’ll pass through four distinct climate zones.
At the top, enjoy 360-degree views and visit the famous Mt. Washington Observatory.
Which Scenic Route Will You Explore?
America’s scenic drives offer a front-row seat to the country’s diverse and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re winding along coastal cliffs, climbing mountain passes, or cruising through forests ablaze with fall colors, these roads promise adventure at every turn.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Mind-Blowing Things You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Do in the U.S.
- The Best Cruise Ship Experiences for U.S. Citizens
- The Best U.S Travel Destinations for Golf Lovers
- The 25 Most Dangerous Cities in the World (Exercise Caution if Travelling There)
- The Best Fall Foliage Spots in New England (Must-See Places)
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.