1. Route 66 (Illinois to California)
Few roads are as iconic as Route 66, a symbol of the American spirit and adventure. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, it’s lined with quirky roadside attractions. Yet, many parts of this historic route have already fallen into disrepair, and small towns along the way struggle to maintain its legacy.
2. Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi to Tennessee)
This historic route follows ancient Native American pathways and offers a peaceful escape into Southern history. But urban sprawl and development are encroaching on its quiet charm, making it harder to preserve its untouched beauty.
3. Cape Cod Scenic Byway (Massachusetts)
Winding through Cape Cod’s charming villages, dunes, and marshes, this coastal drive is a slice of New England perfection. However, rising seas and shifting shorelines threaten the very landscapes that make it so special.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)
Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway is a serene journey through the Appalachian Highlands. Its vibrant fall foliage is a major draw, but invasive pests and climate change threaten the forests that make this drive so spectacular.
5. Overseas Highway (Florida Keys)
Connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland, this 113-mile drive is a tropical paradise on asphalt. You’ll skim over turquoise waters and pass through quaint island towns. But with rising seas and stronger hurricanes, sections of this highway are becoming increasingly vulnerable.
6. Beartooth Highway (Montana to Wyoming)
The Beartooth Highway, often called “the most beautiful drive in America,” takes you through snow-capped peaks and wildflower meadows. However, its remote location makes it hard to maintain, and extreme weather conditions threaten its accessibility.
7. Big Sur Coast Highway (California)
This section of Highway 1 meanders along cliffs above the crashing Pacific, offering views you won’t forget. Landslides and erosion, though, have led to frequent closures, raising concerns about the long-term stability of this beloved road.
8. Pacific Coast Highway (California)
The Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, offers jaw-dropping views of the rugged California coastline. From San Diego to San Francisco, you’ll pass golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and quaint seaside towns. But with coastal erosion and rising sea levels, some parts of this iconic highway are at risk of crumbling into the Pacific.
9. Denali Highway (Alaska)
This gravel road through Alaska’s wilderness gives you a front-row seat to majestic mountains and sprawling tundra. However, thawing permafrost and changing weather patterns threaten its rugged appeal, while increased development could disrupt its solitude.
10. Hana Highway (Maui, Hawaii)
The Hana Highway is famous for its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and black-sand beaches. But increased tourism and the impact of extreme weather events are making it harder to preserve this unique and delicate environment.
11. Million Dollar Highway (Colorado)
This stunning route takes you through the San Juan Mountains, with hairpin turns and panoramic views. Landslides and harsh winters make it a challenging drive to maintain, and changes in weather patterns could make it even trickier in the future.
12. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)
This high-altitude drive through Glacier National Park is a masterpiece of engineering and scenery. Winding through alpine forests and past ancient glaciers, it’s a feast for the senses. But as the glaciers melt and unpredictable weather takes its toll, the landscape—and the road—may not look the same for much longer.
