Few things relieve modern stress like taking a road trip. Roll down the windows, put on some music you enjoy listening to and marvel at America’s incredible natural beauty–from beachy Route 66 coast roads to mountain vistas along Blue Ridge Parkway.
These scenic routes are also rich with cultural and historical significance, providing ample opportunity to visit historic towns, landmarks, and cultural heritage sites.
1. Florida Keys to Los Angeles
Visit this scenic byway to witness another side of Florida, featuring tropical beaches, coral reefs and mangrove forests that beckon. Go fishing, swimming, kayaking and boating or simply unwind and soak up some sun!
This byway provides an abundance of landscapes, wildlife and recreation opportunities ranging from lush subtropical forests to crystal-clear spring waters and historic towns along the route. Spot eagles diving for fish; gray whales breaching; and otters swimming along the coast while hiking or riding horseback or ATV along wild shorelines or learning about Native American cultures – plus more!
From Civil War sites to pastoral river valleys, this byway provides an enthralling cultural journey. Enjoy authentic Southern hospitality during your travels through this region, whether that means learning the finer points of barbecue traditions or hearing tales about its participation in revolutions and civil wars.
The Keys Overseas Highway connects Florida’s Keys islands by traveling 113 miles. Along its route are stops that feature snorkeling or diving among colorful marine life in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park; learn about area history at Indian Key Historical Park and Museum; or just cruise from Key Largo to Key West along its scenic roadway.
2. West Coast to East Coast
With enough flexibility in your work schedule, road tripping across America may be entirely feasible. But to make the trip truly worthwhile, choose an appropriate time of year to travel.
Travel with kids typically is limited to the summer months when they’re out of school; but without children you can enjoy America from its many scenic byways year-round.
Travel from Yellowstone’s rugged terrains to Oregon’s coastal charm via scenic routes throughout this nation. One of the greatest journeys can be taken along Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road for breathtaking mountain vistas that include snow-topped peaks, subalpine meadows and sparkling lakes – an experience not easily forgotten!
Cross-country road trips offer the chance to see cities like Chicago with its iconic Sears Tower from afar or Key Largo with its charming island life; or driving along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway that wind past limestone caverns and Appalachian splendor, providing various breathtaking vistas depending on the season.
3. Alaska Highway
At nearly 1300 miles long, the Alaska Highway is one of the ultimate road trips. Beginning from Dawson Creek in British Columbia Canada and traveling northward into Alaska state, it winds its way through traditional homelands of Athabascan Peoples while offering beautiful mountain, river, alpine, wilderness views that stretch for as far as the eye can see. Wildlife also thrives along this incredible journey while visitors can stretch their legs on hiking trails such as Tangles Lakes or Clearwater Summit to stretch their legs during their drive.
This scenic byway connects Alaska’s two major cities – Anchorage and Fairbanks. Additionally, it gives access to Denali National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park as well as being an appealing route for northern lights seekers in winter months.
There are numerous unforgettable stops along the route, such as Mile Zero Park at Denali and Walter Wright Pioneer Village in Fort Nelson. Additionally, this highway parallels the stunning Trans-Alaska Pipeline which can be viewed from viewpoints along the road or by booking an up close tour. Cell service may not always be reliable on this stretch so make sure you arrive with an emergency kit, full size spare tire and vehicle capable of off-road driving – these may all come in handy during your adventure!
4. Kancamagus Highway
Locals refer to this 34.5-mile stretch of Route 112 in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest as “the Kanc,” offering one of the finest scenic road trips in New England. From stunning overlooks at Hancock, Sugar Hill and Pemi Overlooks to historic Albany Covered Bridge – The Kanc has it all, including plenty of Instagram-worthy photo opp stops; just be sure to leave enough time as traffic may build during peak fall foliage days!
Fall is the ideal season to drive the Kancamagus Highway, when its mountains become an astonishing display of vibrant reds and oranges. Peak leaf-peeping season typically runs between late September and mid October – if planning on visiting then, start early to avoid crowds!
The Kanc is home to an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, from hiking trails and waterfalls to National Forest campgrounds in easy reach of its banks, such as Jigger Johnson and Covered Bridge campgrounds near Albany Covered Bridge. Keep an eye out for wildlife; you might just see moose along its banks! These large yet gentle creatures combine features from cow, giraffe and chandelier, making them dedicated vegetarians that need lots of greenery as sustenance for survival.
5. Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive winds along the Blue Ridge Mountains from Shenandoah National Park, offering spectacular panoramic views. This National Scenic Byway attracts more than one million visitors yearly with spring wildflowers, summer’s green vistas and amazing sunsets, and autumn’s breathtaking foliage displays all adding up to make one amazing journey.
On this drive there are over 70 stunning viewpoints to stop and picnic at. Particularly noteworthy are Dickey Ridge Dining Hall / Visitor Center; Thornton Hollow Overlook; Crimora Lake Overlook as well as Skyland Resort with a view that spans more than 150 miles!
For those in search of more challenging hikes and overlooks, several trails provide more adventurous treks and paths leading to Hawksbill Summit or Old Rag summit. Two such routes include 3.9 mile loop to Hawksbill Summit and more rugged climb to Old Rag summit.
Front Royal is home to both ends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, spanning 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. Check out our blog post for an in-depth and mile-by-mile overview of its highlights!
6. Star-Spangled Banner Byway
Switch up your road trip routine and cruise the Star-Spangled Banner Byway instead, an all-terrain route connecting historic sites in Virginia, Maryland and DC. From epic battles to the development of our national anthem – this trail covers it all! An RV is an ideal way to experience its landmarks and fascinating history while taking in its distinctive Chesapeake Bay region landscape.
This path provides an in-depth exploration of events surrounding the War of 1812, an international conflict fought between America and its allies that began over trade and economic issues, eventually culminating in the Battle for Baltimore which inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. Visit places attacked or burned by the British, forts and battlefields, museums, and other locations to gain more insight into this significant conflict. Enjoy nature with recreational activities like hiking, boating and geocaching on the Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine offers visitors a trip back in time, to where Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner”, an everlasting symbol of American courage and sacrifice. Take part in deck tours, day sails, or set sail yourself if you can to recreate an experience reminiscent of daring privateers embarking on daring voyages.
7. Utah Scenic Byway
Utah’s Scenic Byway will captivate those who enjoy driving, motorcycle touring or epic bike rides alike. Boasting endless natural wonders and outdoor recreation activities to discover, this route provides a feast for the eyes. Utah boasts an incredibly diverse geography including two national parks (Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef) plus several state parks (Kodachrome Basin and Escalante Petrified Forest), state monuments and Dixie National Forest all within its borders to discover.
The route’s north-south trajectory offers dramatic variations in geology, such as those offered by Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument’s towering cliffs – perfect for breathtaking scenic vistas! Ultimately the road winds its way towards Kanab where Mormon pioneers once traversed this memorable mountain path featuring stunning topographies that makes this journey both exciting and breathtaking.
Travelers along this route can discover Utah’s red rock landscapes at Capitol Reef and Canyonlands National Parks, visit Blanding’s Navajo Heritage Center to gain insights into Ancestral Puebloan culture, or go camping – camping opportunities are abundant throughout this route. Gather some friends or family together, put on your favorite playlist, and embark on this epic road trip for an unforgettable journey.