The United States is home to thousands of scenic roads offering breathtaking views and memorable experiences. These renowned routes bring you through otherworldly landscapes such as rocky coastlines, towering trees and misty fog – providing unforgettable travel adventures!
No matter the occasion – whether it’s an unforgettable beach drive or exploring some of America’s best autumn foliage – these road trips will leave lasting memories behind.
1. Going-to-the-Sun-Road
The GTSR, commonly referred to as Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR), is an essential stop on any Glacier National Park adventure. This two-lane highway winds its way through the heart of Glacier and crosses Logan Pass before offering stunning mountain scenery, crystal clear lakes, cascading waterfalls and jaw-dropping views of Logan Pass and Logan Lake – as well as accessing incredible mountainous terrain, crystal clear lakes and cascading waterfalls along its route. Furthermore, this spectacular drive has been designated both National Historic Landmark and Civil Engineering Landmark designation as well as one of America’s premier scenic drives!
For an incredible sightseeing experience on this breathtaking road, driving and taking advantage of all its pullouts and viewpoints is the best way. Otherwise, sign up for a bus tour which allows you to relax while admiring the landscapes from behind a window. However, keep in mind that alpine sections may close due to weather issues when planning ahead for this excursion.
Pack plenty of food, water and sun protection before embarking on your Glacier road trip! Unfortunately there won’t be many places selling food or beverages once past Lake McDonald, so be sure to be prepared ahead of time. It would also be wise to bring hiking shoes as well as a Nalgene bottle for drinking water at various lookouts along the route.
There are numerous hiking trails near the road and you’re sure to come across wildlife like grizzly bears and mountain goats during your journey. Additionally, Sun Point provides stunning views of snowcapped mountains in the distance as the sun sparkles on them with glittering serenity.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, making it one of the longest scenic road trips in America. As America’s favorite drive, it connects you to breathtaking landscapes featuring mountain vistas, forests and pastoral land along with hiking trails, campgrounds and picnic areas along its path.
The Parkway’s long history demonstrates the spirit and foresight of those who constructed it. Part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal program designed to revive the economy after the Great Depression, including the Civilian Conservation Corps which recruited young men for work projects like building roads and trails nationwide.
Today, the Blue Ridge Parkway has evolved into much more than just a road. Here, nature and culture meet at every turn – whether visiting historic Mabry Mill to capture its beauty or Peaks of Otter for living-history museum and camping opportunities; there’s something special on every turn of this remarkable path.
Linn Cove Viaduct, an engineering feat that gracefully wraps itself around Grandfather Mountain and offers magnificent views of surrounding forests and mountains, is one of the Parkway’s top attractions. At Waterrock Knob you can take in breathtaking mountain vistas while relaxing and gazing upon their grandeur from wide open spaces.
No matter what activity you choose to undertake on the Parkway, its sights will leave an indelible imprint upon you. No wonder it was the most visited unit of the National Park System last year with 16.7 million visitors — more than twice that of Great Smoky Mountains National Park located to its south! For more information, check out Outside’s sister site National Park Trips’ Blue Ridge Parkway road trip itinerary.
3. Arkansas Scenic Byway
Arkansas Scenic Byway provides visitors with some of the state’s most breathtaking sights, and is part of the National Scenic Byways program established by Congress in 1991 to assist communities in striking a balance between economic development, resource conservation, and environmental protection.
This scenic highway runs past rolling forested hills, river valleys dotted with lakes, the Arkansas and Ouachita mountain ranges and several towns along its route, giving travelers an insight into its rich history and culture.
Numerous parks along this scenic byway provide outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, boating and camping. Furthermore, its home to Arkansas Observation Tower for stunning panoramic views of its surroundings landscape.
The byway offers scenic drives through five lakes that are popular destinations for water sports and fishing, most notably DeGray Lake – which draws vacationers as well as locals alike – and Hot Springs is well known for its thermal waters and historic downtown district.
This scenic byway is well known for its breathtaking fall foliage displays, when forests along its route light up with vibrant hues. Furthermore, several charming small towns along its route provide visitors with a glimpse into local cuisine and hospitality.
4. Star-Spangled Banner Byway
The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail stretches 560 miles through Maryland, DC and Virginia. Visitors to this scenic route can learn about the War of 1812 as well as what inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. Along the route families can participate in outdoor activities such as paddling a canoe or visiting museums; junior ranger badges can also be earned while adults explore its rich history that once stood for independence and freedom.
The Maryland Heritage Trail offers travelers a wonderful way to experience Maryland’s breathtaking scenery and heritage, from wide-open country at Solomons to Baltimore city itself. Here you will discover towns raided or burned by British forces during World War I; battlefields; towns raided or burned by German forces during WWII; towns raided or burned by Germans during WW II; towns raided or burned by Nazi forces during WWII; battlefields that played key roles in shaping a nation and inspiring its national song; breathtaking sweeping views of Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River; natural ecology in general abounds as do parks and nature preserves located along this route – such as Calvert Cliffs State Park located just west of Lusby which features dramatic cliffs, shoreline wildlife; home to 600 types of fossils among other treasures!
Star-Spangled Banner’s proximity to Washington, DC makes it an attractive tourist attraction. Travelers can combine a visit to this byway with sightseeing trips through America’s capital for an immersive cultural and political experience.
Though the National Scenic Byways program has been dormant since 2012, there are signs of its revival soon. Congress is currently deliberating legislation that would reopen nominations to this byway program; this bill is supported by both National Park Service and other members of House Transportation Committee as co-sponsors.
5. Atlantic Road
The Atlantic Road is one of the world’s most breathtaking road trips thanks to its breathtaking bridges and breathtaking landscape. Stretching between Kristiansund and Molde, connecting small islands and skerries of Hustadvika via low bridges exposed to some of Norway’s wildest weather, making for an unforgettable journey across Western Norway’s untamed wilderness and incredible engineering marvels.
As you plan your Atlantic Road adventure, keep in mind that its route could close due to snow, ice or wind conditions. Furthermore, this route is highly seasonal; expect gale-force winds in autumn that could cover roads in sea spray. But this trip offers you the unique chance to witness nature meet architecture with powerful gusts shaping the coastlines and crashing waves – creating an amazing journey along this mystical road!
No matter the weather, this route remains popular throughout Europe. Drive along it to take in its breathtaking scenery and explore different experiences on its islands. Island-hop by boat before dining on seafood at Haholmen; an attractive fishing hamlet featuring original historic wharves and fishermen’s huts that offer protection from stormy seas.
Askevagen offers breathtaking views of the coastline and nearby islands from its glass box vantage point; wind and salt spray protection is provided through tinted glass. Alternatively, for a more interactive approach to Atlantic Road journeying visit Geitoya island or Myrbaerholmbrua bridge to take advantage of fishing walkways.
The Atlantic Road offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to experience Norway’s fjords, mountains, and icy blue water up close and personal. Additionally, its island-dotted landscape makes for ideal angling opportunities in an area rich with fish species.