There’s magic in embarking on the open road with nothing between you and the horizon but miles and miles of possibility. I’ve spent a lifetime driving this country, and these ten routes never fail to deliver the kind of breathtaking vistas and once-in-a-lifetime excitement that will leave you recalling why road trips are the quintessential American adventure.
1. Pacific Coast Highway (California)
This 655-mile coastal drive from San Francisco to San Diego is a driving fantasy. You’ll wind through Big Sur’s rocky cliffs, taste wine in Paso Robles, and sunset on Malibu’s beaches. Don’t miss the elephant seals at Hearst Castle or fresh clam chowder in Monterey—even if it means fighting tourist throngs.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)
Winding 469 miles through the Appalachian highlands, this drive is nothing short of magical when the fall colors are in peak bloom. Start in Shenandoah National Park and end in the Great Smoky Mountains. Pro tip: schedule your drive for late September to early October, and pack layers—mountain weather is mercurial.
3. Route 66 (Illinois to California)
The mother of all American road trips covers 2,400 miles of pure nostalgia. Although much of the original road has been supplanted by interstates, you can still drive real stretches through Oklahoma and Arizona. Stop for pie at the Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, and take snapshots at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.
4. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)
This 50-mile mountain road through Glacier National Park is short but packs in more dramatic scenery per mile than anywhere else in America. The narrow, winding road is not for the timid, but alpine lakes and glacier-carved peaks reward every white-knuckle minute. Drive between July and October when the whole road is usually open.
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5. Great River Road (Minnesota to Louisiana)
Along the Mississippi River for 2,340 miles, this road trip slices through the heart of America. You’ll travel from the urban jungle of Minneapolis to the jazz clubs of New Orleans. Don’t miss barbecue in Memphis, Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, and beignets at Cafe du Monde.
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6. Overseas Highway (Florida)
The 113-mile drive from Miami to Key West is tantamount to driving on the ocean itself. You’ll hop from tropical island to tropical island via 42 bridges, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge. Stop for key lime pie in Islamorada and fresh conch fritters wherever you see them—this is an island living at its finest.
7. Million Dollar Highway (Colorado)
This 25-mile section of US Highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray is so named for the million-dollar views (and the million dollars’ worth of gold ore that’s rumored to be in its roadbed). The hairpin turns and lack of guardrails will get your heart pounding, but the scenery of the San Juan Mountains is absolutely breathtaking.
8. Scenic Byway 12 (Utah)
Utah’s Highway 12 winds through some of the most diverse scenery in America over 124 miles. You’ll drive through red rock canyons, dense forests, and high desert plateaus on a route that connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks. The highway itself is an attraction—especially the narrow ridge section near Boulder.
9. Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi to Tennessee)
This 444-mile trip follows an ancient path that Native Americans and pioneers traveled. As you go, you’ll pass by Civil War battlefields, antebellum mansions, and some of the South’s best comfort food. Don’t forget to stop for Mississippi Delta hot tamales and Nashville’s hot chicken.
10. North Cascades Scenic Highway (Washington)
Highway 20 through Washington’s North Cascades offers alpine scenery that rivals the Swiss Alps. The 140-mile trip is typically closed from November to April due to snow, making summer and fall the best time to see pristine wilderness, turquoise lakes, and towering peaks.
Each of these routes offers something uniquely American—from coastal grandeur to mountain majesty to cultural treasures. The real magic happens between destinations, in those unexpected roadside discoveries that make every mile memorable.
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