Perhaps you’ve heard others talk about “The Great American Road Trip.” Maybe you even went on road trips with your family while growing up. But now that you’re all grown up, why do any more road trips? Simply put, there’s nothing quite like a leisurely road trip to really delve into the lands and people that make America a uniquely fantastic place.
Take a look at our picks for epic road trips, and you might find some inspiration to hit the open road and embark on your own fantastic journey.
1. U.S. Route 66 – Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California
First established in 1926, the iconic Route 66 stretches around 2,448 miles across roughly two-thirds of the North American continent. This might not be the best route if you don’t think you can handle a long, multi-day road trip.
If you specifically want an extra long ride to enjoy a magnificent variety of scenery—from the grand Chicago urban skyline and the vast Great Plains to the colorful desert of Arizona and the California coastline at Santa Monica—this is the road for you.
2. Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1) – Los Angeles to San Francisco, California
When you begin to experience the wonders of California’s Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll quickly understand why it’s Highway 1. The Pacific Ocean views can be mesmerizing, and the dramatic scenery changes can feel downright magical.
Highlights include Santa Barbara County’s breathtaking coastline, Big Sur’s unrivaled majesty in Monterey County, and the rugged twists and turns in San Mateo County. Due to constant threats of wildfires, flash floods, and landslides, watch out for notices of road closures in extra sensitive areas.
3. The Road to Hana (HI-36/HI-360) – Kahului to Hana, Hawaii
If you prefer tropical scenery and rugged adventure, you may love this one-lane road that navigates Maui’s northeastern coast’s captivating twists and turns. Since it is one lane and this region is particularly prone to flash floods and rock slides, you’ll need to be extra careful when driving here. But if you’re up to the task, you will be rewarded with a treasure trove of beaches, rainforests, waterfalls, and so much more.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway – Ravensford, North Carolina to Rockfish Gap, Virginia
When you really want to take it slow, take Blue Ridge Parkway. Here, the speed limit is only 45 miles per hour, and this highway winds for 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains to connect North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It’s especially colorful during peak fall foliage season, but there’s no lousy time (except perhaps during a heavy snowstorm) to do this route.
5. Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow National Scenic Byway – Estes Park to Grand Lake, Colorado
Reaching a dazzling elevation of 12,183 feet above sea level, Trail Ridge Road is a great way to experience some of Colorado’s best views. This highway takes you to and through many of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most stunning corners. You’ll likely spot local wildlife like bighorn sheep, marmots, and elk.
6. “The Loneliest Road” (U.S. Route 50) – Ely to Carson City, Nevada
When you’re seeking maximum solitude, you will likely find an abundance of peace and quiet along the highway that Life magazine famously declared The Loneliest Road in America in 1986. From the uniquely “Wild West” towns of Ely and Austin to Nevada’s state capital of Carson City and the majestic blue water of Lake Tahoe, this is a road trip for folks who like desert scenery and love American Western culture.
7. Route 100 (VT-100) – Clarksburg, Massachusetts to Newport, Vermont
Stretching about 217 miles from the Massachusetts state line to a few miles south of the U.S.–Canada border, Route 100 is always a popular route for leaf-peepers to take when they’re out to spot some peak fall foliage. But even during other times of the year, this road is worth taking to reach the charming ski town of Stowe, the foodie heaven of Waterbury, and the tranquil beauty of Green Mountain National Forest.
8. Natchez Trace Parkway – Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi
This 444-mile journey may not include tall mountains or rugged coastline, but it does cover a historic travel corridor of the American South that tells the stories of indigenous Native American communities, European settlers, Black Americans striving to escape slavery, soldiers at war, and American presidents. Clearly, this is the ideal road trip for history buffs.
9. U.S. Route 101 – Tumwater, Washington to Los Angeles, California
When you’re ready for even more Pacific Coast adventures, try doing the whole historic Route 101 to Washington State. Farther north, you can reach the verdant rainforests of Olympic National Park, the home of Oregon’s famed Tillamook cheese, the iconic Haystack Rock, Redwood State, National Parks, and much of Northern California’s most beautiful wine country regions.
10. Overseas Highway – Florida City to Key West, Florida
Maybe you’ve seen those video clips of people driving convertibles down a highway that seemingly hovers over a vast sea. Those videos were probably filmed on this highway connecting Florida’s mainland to the Florida Keys. It only stretches for 113 miles, but it’s an excellent way to spend a lazy day off, especially if you’d like to cap it off with a beach day or night out in Key West.
11. Going-to-the-Sun Road – Glacier National Park, Montana
Going to the sun? OK, maybe that’s not actually possible, but you might feel like you’re doing just that during this 50-mile drive through Glacier National Park. Not only do you cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, but you also get jaw-dropping views of mighty mountains, grand glaciers, wondrous waterfalls, and maybe even a mountain goat or two.
12. The High Road to Taos – Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico
This is another road to take if you want epic mountain views, and this 105-mile journey through a stunning corner of New Mexico’s Rocky Mountains has long inspired artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams to create memorable masterpieces. The San Francisco de Asis Church is a prime stop for photo ops, as is the view of Truchas Peak in the historic town of Truchas.
13. Lincoln Highway – New York City, New York to San Francisco, California
Since 1928, this route has stretched for 3,389 miles through 14 states to take drivers from one coast to the other. This road trip is certainly not for the faint of heart (or, for that matter, for the easily antsy), but it’s definitely one for the most adventurous roadtrippers who want to see as much of America as possible.
Highlights include the eastern terminus in NYC’s Times Square, NORAD’s home base at Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs, and the western terminus at San Francisco’s Lincoln Park.
14. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway – Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This highway connects Wyoming’s two stunningly beautiful national parks: Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Named for the legendary conservationist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr., this highway may only span 27 miles, but it essentially lets you take your time exploring this marvelous corner of Wyoming, and it provides a great escape route when certain parts of Yellowstone get too crowded.
15. Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway – Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
Whoever said the Midwest was “too boring” and “lacked any landscapes” never traversed South Dakota’s Black Hills. Stretching some 70 miles, the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway is a perfect way to explore this unique region. Something about this epic landscape and the verdant pine forests makes this drive one to remember.