20 Best Road Trips in America: Scenic Highways, Cities, and Hidden Stops

Get in your car, roll down the windows, and tune in to your favorite playlist—it’s time to hit the road! America’s most iconic road trips combine culture, food, and natural beauty, with unforgettable stops in cities and small towns along the way. From coastal drives to mountain passes, each route tells a story through its landscapes, roadside attractions, and local flavors.

We’ve mapped out the 20 best road trips in America, each offering its own unique adventure. Whether you want sweeping coastal views, desert canyons, or a detour through historic towns, these drives guarantee memories worth the miles.

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most legendary road trips in the world. Stretching across Highway 1, Highway 101, and I-5, it hugs the coastline of the western United States and passes through surf towns, towering cliffs, and redwood forests.

Start in San Diego with its sunny beaches, roll past Los Angeles and Malibu, and take in the curves of Big Sur where the cliffs meet the Pacific. Further north, San Francisco greets you with the Golden Gate Bridge before the route heads into the Redwood National & State Parks and finally Seattle’s urban edge. Always check road conditions near Big Sur, where landslides sometimes block sections of the coastal highway.

Often called “America’s Favorite Drive”, the Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. This road offers stunning panoramas, rolling green mountains, waterfalls, and wildflower meadows that shift with the seasons.

It’s especially magical in autumn, when the forest turns fiery red, orange, and gold. The drive passes Pisgah National Forest, historic towns, and countless trailheads, offering hikers access to some of the most famous paths in Appalachia. Birdwatchers will also delight—more than 150 species call the Parkway home.

Known as the “Mother Road”, Route 66 is a nostalgic trip through America’s heartland. This legendary highway stretches across eight states, connecting Chicago to Los Angeles while offering diners, neon signs, and quirky roadside attractions.

On the way, you’ll pass the Cadillac Ranch in Texas, old motels with retro charm, and national parks that showcase America’s diverse landscapes. It’s a journey through time, celebrating the golden age of road travel and America’s love affair with the open road.

For a wilder road trip, Alaska’s Richardson Highway delivers unparalleled beauty. It is the state’s oldest highway, running from Fairbanks to Valdez through snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and untouched wilderness.

Adventurers will find opportunities to fish, hike, and even white-water raft along the way. The dramatic scenery shifts from forested hillsides to icy mountain passes, offering a glimpse of the untamed landscapes that make Alaska so unforgettable.

Running along Florida’s Atlantic coast, Highway 1 is a sun-soaked journey that stretches from Amelia Island down to Key West. The route passes historic St. Augustine, NASA’s Canaveral National Seashore, Daytona Beach, and the cultural hub of Miami.

The final stretch, from Miami to Key West, crosses the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys. With coral reefs, island culture, and lively nightlife in Key West, this drive captures the spirit of tropical Florida.

The San Juan Skyway is a scenic loop through the Colorado Rockies, connecting Durango, Silverton, Ouray, and Telluride. Its most famous stretch, the Million Dollar Highway, clings to steep cliffs with breathtaking views of alpine peaks.

Along the way, explore Mesa Verde National Park, home to ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Whether you’re into history, mountain hiking, skiing, or photography, this road trip showcases the dramatic beauty of Colorado.

Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 is a 122-mile stretch of red rock wonders, lush pine forests, and sandstone cliffs. Beginning near Bryce Canyon National Park, the drive winds its way through small towns and into Capitol Reef National Park.

The “Hogsback” ridge is one of its highlights—a narrow road with sheer drop-offs on either side. Along the way, quirky coffee shops like Kiva Koffeehouse in Escalante provide the perfect stop to soak in the views of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.

This East Coast Road trip combines history, beaches, and seafood. Starting in New York City, head north along the coast through Connecticut and Rhode Island’s sandy beaches, then stop in Massachusetts to explore Boston’s colonial history.

Continue to New Hampshire’s lighthouses and end in Portland, Maine, where lobster rolls and a working harbor make the perfect finale. Coastal charm and New England tradition make this trip a summertime favorite.

The Hana Highway is a tropical dream—64 miles of winding roads, sea cliffs, and more than 50 single-lane bridges. Waterfalls cascade along the route, while roadside stands offer fresh banana bread and coconut treats.

At the end, Hana’s secluded red-sand beach feels like paradise, and the Pools of Oheo in Haleakalā National Park invite you to take a refreshing dip under waterfalls.

Start your drive in the otherworldly landscapes of Badlands National Park, where jagged spires and colorful cliffs stretch across the plains. Continue west into the Black Hills, a region of pine-covered mountains and rich history.

Highlights include Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Wind Cave National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for bison herds roaming across the wide-open landscapes.

This privately operated drive winds along the Pacific coast from Pacific Grove to Carmel-by-the-Sea. It passes dramatic cliffs, world-class golf courses, and the iconic Lone Cypress tree perched on a rocky outcrop.

Nearby attractions include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, home to sea turtles, sharks, and ocean-view decks that bring the marine world up close.

Cross the famous Seven Mile Bridge on this drive across the Florida Keys, a stretch that links islands with turquoise waters on both sides.

Highlights include Islamorada, where you can feed giant tarpons, and Big Pine Key, home to the endangered Key deer. The tropical setting makes it one of the most unique drives in America.

Running along Lake Superior from Duluth to Split Rock Lighthouse, this route offers spectacular views of the largest freshwater lake in the world.

You’ll pass harbors, state parks, and rocky cliffs. Duluth itself offers a rose garden and the famous aerial lift bridge, while Split Rock Lighthouse stands as an iconic landmark on the lake’s wild edge.

Stretching 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the Natchez Trace Parkway follows an ancient trail once used by Native Americans and early settlers.

Today, it’s a quiet, scenic route filled with history. Small towns, Civil War sites, and forested landscapes make this a peaceful drive that feels like stepping back in time.

In New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway is famous for its autumn foliage. Reds, oranges, and golds blaze across the hills in fall, while spring brings colorful wildflowers.

Stop at Sabbaday Falls, just a short hike off the road, or stretch your legs on mountain trails. Each season brings a new personality to this scenic route.

Highway 101 in Oregon runs along rugged Pacific beaches, sea stacks, and small coastal towns. Stop at quirky attractions like Prehistoric Gardens, where giant dinosaur statues rise from the forest.

The Olympic Peninsula Loop in Washington offers rainforests, tidepools, and alpine views at Hurricane Ridge. It’s one of the most diverse road trips in the Pacific Northwest.

Route 6 cuts across Cape Cod, delivering rolling sand dunes, fishing villages, and endless stretches of beach. Stop at Provincetown to enjoy lively art galleries and music venues, or explore the Cape Cod National Seashore.

It’s a classic New England escape, filled with charm and ocean views.

Though only 7.4 miles long, this route in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore packs in sweeping views of Lake Michigan.

Cross a recreated covered bridge, climb the famous “Dune Climb,” and admire the forests, dunes, and shimmering waters that earned this area the title of “Most Beautiful Place in America” by Good Morning America.

This 10-mile loop offers ocean vistas alongside grand Gilded Age mansions. History lovers can tour Fort Adams, while beachgoers enjoy the salty breezes.

The short drive is packed with cultural and architectural treasures, making it an essential stop in Rhode Island.

For wine enthusiasts, the Silverado Trail winds through Napa Valley’s rolling vineyards. Visit world-class wineries like Stag’s Leap, or treat yourself to a fine dining experience in Yountville at the French Laundry.

It’s a road trip filled with vineyard landscapes, exceptional wine, and culinary excellence in California’s most famous wine country.