Explore America’s Beauty: 12 Epic Road Trips, Plus 3 Letdowns To Avoid

Road trips offer the perfect way to experience America’s breathtaking landscapes at your own pace. From coastal highways to mountain passes, the United States boasts some of the world’s most scenic drives.

I’ve traveled thousands of miles across this beautiful country and want to share my favorite routes – along with a few disappointing stretches you might want to skip on your journey.

1. Pacific Coast Highway: California’s Coastal Marvel

Hugging the rugged California coastline, this legendary 656-mile route delivers jaw-dropping ocean views at every turn. The stretch between San Francisco and Los Angeles showcases dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and charming seaside towns.

I recommend stopping at Big Sur to watch elephant seals lounging on beaches below towering redwoods. If you’re lucky, you might spot migrating whales from one of the many pullouts along this winding road.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway: Appalachian Mountain Magic

Meandering through Virginia and North Carolina, this 469-mile scenic byway connects Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The rolling blue mountains create a dreamy backdrop as you cruise along ridge tops and through lush valleys.

Fall brings an explosion of color that’s simply unmatched anywhere else. My favorite section is near Asheville, where you can hop off to explore waterfalls, hiking trails, and charming mountain towns with thriving craft scenes.

3. Route 66: America’s Historic Highway

Though no longer officially designated, this 2,448-mile historic corridor from Chicago to Santa Monica captures the essence of vintage Americana. Quirky roadside attractions like the Cadillac Ranch in Texas and the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma make every mile interesting.

When I drove Route 66, the small-town diners serving homemade pie and locals eager to share stories made the journey special. The desert stretches through Arizona and New Mexico offer particularly stunning landscapes dotted with classic neon signs.

4. Great River Road: Mississippi River Journey

Following America’s mightiest river through 10 states, this 3,000-mile network of scenic roads offers a deep dive into the nation’s heartland. The route passes through charming river towns, historic sites, and diverse landscapes from Minnesota to Louisiana.

Small riverboat towns with Victorian architecture transport you back in time. During my trip, I loved watching massive barges navigate the locks and dams while bald eagles soared overhead. The southern portion reveals plantations, swamps, and the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans.

5. Going-to-the-Sun Road: Glacier National Park’s Crown Jewel

This engineering marvel cuts through Montana’s Glacier National Park, climbing to 6,646 feet at Logan Pass. The 50-mile route delivers alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, glacial lakes of impossible blue, and frequent wildlife sightings including mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

Snow limits access to summer months, making this a precious seasonal experience. I recommend starting early to catch sunrise painting the mountain peaks gold and pink. The Garden Wall section will have you white-knuckling your steering wheel while gasping at the sheer drop-offs.

6. Overseas Highway: Island-Hopping Through the Florida Keys

Built on the remains of an old railroad, this 113-mile engineering wonder connects Miami to Key West via 42 bridges spanning the turquoise waters. The Seven Mile Bridge offers particularly spectacular views with ocean stretching endlessly on both sides.

While driving this route, I pulled over frequently to watch pelicans dive for fish and spot colorful boats dotting the horizon. The journey feels like a tropical vacation with palm trees, coral reefs accessible from roadside parks, and seafood shacks serving fresh catch. Sunsets here are legendary.

7. The Loneliest Road: Crossing Nevada’s Vast Basin and Range

US-50 across central Nevada earned its nickname from Life magazine, which warned drivers “there are no points of interest” along this 287-mile stretch. They couldn’t have been more wrong! The vast high desert offers a hypnotic beauty with mountain ranges rising like islands from the sagebrush sea.

Ghost towns and quirky mining communities break up the journey. Did you know this route roughly follows the historic Pony Express trail? The night skies here deliver some of the country’s best stargazing, with the Milky Way arching brilliantly across the darkness.

8. Beartooth Highway: Montana’s Alpine Wonderland

Charles Kuralt called this 68-mile route “the most beautiful drive in America,” and after driving it myself, I’m inclined to agree. Climbing to nearly 11,000 feet near Yellowstone National Park, the highway delivers alpine tundra, glacial cirques, and over 20 peaks towering above 12,000 feet.

Switchbacks cut dramatically through the landscape, offering new perspectives around each bend. Summer brings colorful wildflower displays while snow often lingers in patches year-round. The highway is typically open only from late May through mid-October due to heavy snowfall.

9. Natchez Trace Parkway: A Journey Through Southern History

Following an ancient travel corridor used by Native Americans and early settlers, this 444-mile route connects Nashville to Natchez through Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Commercial traffic is banned, creating a peaceful drive through rolling hills, farmland, and cypress swamps.

History buffs will love the prehistoric mounds, Civil War sites, and ghost towns along the way. During my spring drive, dogwoods and redbuds created a flowering canopy overhead. The lack of billboards and commercial development makes this feel like a drive through another era.

10. Scenic Byway 12: Utah’s Red Rock Wonderland

Connecting Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, this 124-mile route showcases the best of southern Utah’s otherworldly landscapes. The road threads through a stunning array of colorful rock formations, from crimson cliffs to white slickrock domes and everything in between.

The section called “The Hogsback” had me holding my breath as the road narrowed with steep dropoffs on both sides. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument offers countless hiking opportunities to stretch your legs. I was amazed by ancient petroglyphs hidden among the canyons just steps from the road.

11. Cascade Loop: Washington’s Diverse Beauty

This 440-mile circuit showcases the incredible diversity of Washington State’s landscapes. Starting near Seattle, you’ll experience everything from alpine peaks to desert canyons, lush rainforests to vineyard-covered valleys.

The North Cascades Highway section delivers mountain views rivaling the European Alps. I particularly loved the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth nestled against the mountains. Orchards and wineries in the Wenatchee Valley provide perfect stopping points, while the Methow Valley offers charming western towns surrounded by stunning wilderness.

12. Skyline Drive: Virginia’s Mountain Showcase

Running 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through Shenandoah National Park, this scenic byway offers 75 overlooks with spectacular vistas of the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont.

Wildlife sightings are common – I spotted black bears, deer, and wild turkeys during my drive. The 35 mph speed limit encourages slow travel, perfect for appreciating the changing ecosystems as you climb in elevation. Waterfalls accessible via short hikes make for perfect breaks from driving.

The park’s fascinating history includes the controversial displacement of mountain families when it was established in the 1930s.

13. Alligator Alley: Florida’s Monotonous Expressway

Despite its evocative name, this 80-mile stretch of I-75 crossing Florida’s Everglades is mostly a straight, flat highway with limited views of the unique ecosystem it traverses. Concrete barriers block most potential wildlife sightings.

You’ll spend about 90 minutes seeing nothing but sawgrass and canals. While there are a few rest areas with observation platforms, they offer minimal payoff for stopping. If you’re hoping to see actual alligators, you’re better off visiting Everglades National Park proper or taking an airboat tour.

14. I-95 Corridor: East Coast’s Congested Nightmare

Running 1,908 miles from Maine to Florida, this major interstate might be efficient but it’s far from scenic. The section between Washington D.C. and New York is particularly grueling, with constant traffic, endless suburban sprawl, and industrial zones.

Toll booths and construction seem perpetual companions on this journey. The highway often bypasses the charming coastal towns that make the Eastern Seaboard special. If you’re traveling the East Coast for pleasure rather than necessity, consider the more scenic coastal routes that parallel I-95.

15. Lake Shore Drive: Chicago’s Overhyped Urban Route

While this 15-mile urban expressway does offer some nice views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, it rarely lives up to its romantic reputation. Traffic congestion often transforms what should be a pleasant cruise into a frustrating crawl.

High-rise buildings increasingly block lake views that made the drive famous. Construction and special events frequently cause closures or detours. If you want to truly appreciate Chicago’s lakefront, you’re better off parking and exploring the adjacent parks and beaches on foot or bicycle.