Our country is brimming with some of the most beautiful roadways you could possibly imagine. From lush jungle trails, to cliff-hugging mountain highways, to oceanside routes that go on for hundreds of miles, there’s no end to the beautiful trips you can take, just so long as you have a car, gas money and a sense of adventure. Here are 50 of our favorite stretches of road across America that you simply must put on your road trip bucket list.
Route 12, Utah
The red rock majesty on this route between the Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks will blow your mind.
US 1, Florida Keys
This roadway appears to float on the water in between the islands. It’s a positively surreal driving experience.
Blue Ridge Parkway
This parkway that spans the 500 miles through the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks is spectacular in every season.
17 Mile Drive, California
It costs $9 to drive this private road that skirts the Monterey Peninsula, but you’ll know why when you see those vistas.
Lakeshore Drive, Chicago
This great stretch of roadway skims Lake Michigan and showcases the history of Chicago’s grand architecture.
Hana Highway, Hawaii
The Jurassic flora, fauna and dangerous cliffside curves make this Hawaiian road trip totally unforgettable.
Blue Bonnet Trail, Texas
Drive it between Austin and Houston between March and April, and see more blue flowers than you’ll see elsewhere in a lifetime.
North Shore Drive, Minnesota
If you want to see some glacial beauty, it’s on North Shore Drive in Minnesota.
Trail Ridge Road, Colorado
There’s your mountains majesty right there.
Great River Road, Louisiana
Get a big ol’ taste of southern antebellum style by coasting down this lazy, Louisiana road.
Highway 101, Oregon
The state owns all of Oregon’s coastline, so this drive has completely unobstructed views of beach, cliffs and nature.
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Michigan
The giant, bald dunes you see from this short, lakeshore drive are truly breathtaking.
Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
For all those leaf peepers out there, this is your go-to autumn roadway.
Ocean Drive, Newport, Rhode Island
You can ogle the opulent houses of old and new money on this lovely 10-mile coastal drive.
Sun Road, Montana
As it snakes through the snowy Rockies, this road is only open from May through October.
Anchorage to Valdez, Alaska
However, if you have a thing for mountains and snow, take the 300-mile drive from Anchorage to Valdez.
Route 6, Massachusetts
Route 6 takes you to one of the most eastern points of the United States — Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
This road is the only one you can take through this terrain, which is otherwise unspoiled by man.
Silverado Trail, California
However, if great food and tons of wine is your thing, go for the gorgeous Silverado Trail through the Napa Valley.
Park Loop Road, Maine
This 27-mile stretch of coast ride runs right through the gorgeous Acadia National Park.
Route 61, Along the Mississippi River
This incredible 1,400-mile highway follows the Mississippi River from New Orleans all the way up to Minnesota, Wyoming.
High Road, New Mexico
The photo ops on this New Mexico road are endless, because the scenery changes every few miles.
Highway 2, Nebraska
Highway 2 is filled with golden waves of grain for days and soft, soothing road curves.
Route 78, Alabama
This is where you go to see changing leaves in the south — through the Alabama portion of the Appalachian Mountains.
Route 179, Arizona
Just outside of Sedona, this “Red Rock Scenic Byway” boasts some of the most beautiful red rock formations in Arizona.
Loess Hills Trail, Iowa
These loess hills are actually made of silt, which makes for some super interesting topography across Iowa.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
Otherwise known as the 1, this breathtaking coastline highway stretches from Los Angeles all the way up to San Francisco.
Old State Road 56, Indiana
On this lovely scenic route, you’ll hit this bridge, which is over 140 years old.
Route 66, Kansas
Yes, Route 66 hits awesome points across the entire country, but in Kansas, you’ll see the epitome of America.
Pikes Peak, Colorado
No. Words. Necessary.
Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA
While definitely more of a walking street than a driving street, this one deserves notice, because Mardi Gras.
Route 197, Connecticut
This country highway shows the most New England side of Connecticut.
Route 197, Georgia
You can easily stumble on falls like these if you get out of your car and walk a bit off route 197 in Georgia.
Western Heritage Historic Byway, Idaho
Tightly winding roads, and birds of prey. That’s this roadway in a nutshell.
Grandview Drive, Illinois
Theodore Roosevelt once called it “the world’s most beautiful drive.”
Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway, Maryland
If you’re a history buff, you must take a trip down this byway that’s brimming with historic sites.
Route 77, Kentucky
This is the entrance to Kentucky’s amazing Red River Gorge, and yes it’s only big enough to fit one car at a time.
Woodward Avenue, Michigan
If you like amazing cars, old and new, 40,000 of them cruise down this street in Detroit once a year.
Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts
This trail has been used for hundreds of years and is often sited as one of the most scenic roads on the East Coast.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi
Scenic and steeped in history, this 444-mile route used to be walked by boatmen who were floating supplies to towns up the river.
Beartooth Highway, Montana
This is the super glorious route many use to reach Yellowstone National Park.
Las Vegas Strip, Nevada
Much like seeing a dog walk on its hind legs, you need to witness the sheer craziness of the Las Vegas Strip at some point in your life.
El Camino Real, New Mexico
One of the most historic roads on this list, El Camino Real was used by Spanish explorers in the late 16th century.
Hawks Nest, New York
Curves, cliffs and an unspoiled view of the Delaware River.
Sakakawea Scenic Byway, North Dakota
Lewis and Clark camped along this road, and the Missouri River is not too far off.
Route 52, Ohio
If you love classic Americana (especially well-made old barns), Route 52 has your name on it.
Botany Bay Road, South Carolina
It’s just a 0.4-mile road, but this old plantation road on Edisto Island is as creepy southern as it gets.
Needles Highway, South Dakota
You can probably see why they call it Needles Highway. It also happens to go right past Mount Rushmore.
Tail Of The Dragon, Tennessee
You can see where this road gets its name. As such, it’s a thrill-seeking motorist’s dream.
Connecticut River Byway, Vermont
If you enjoy crossing bridges, this road is your new best friend. There are about 20, with a new one coming up every few miles.
Marinette County Waterfalls Tour, Wisconsin
And finally a 125-mile stretch of road that features over 14 different waterfalls along the way.
Road Trips
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