1. Route 66 (Illinois to California)
No road trip list would be complete without the “Mother Road.” Route 66, which originally ran from Chicago to Santa Monica, is pure Americana on wheels. While the original highway was decommissioned, you can still follow large portions of it, hitting classic diners, kitschy roadside attractions, and small towns that feel like time capsules. The route spans eight states, covering over 2,400 miles, with highlights like the Cadillac Ranch in Texas, the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma, and the Wigwam Motel in Arizona.
This is a trip where you really want to embrace the nostalgia. Grab a milkshake at an old-school soda fountain, snap pictures with vintage neon signs, and take detours to national parks like Petrified Forest in Arizona. The best part? The people you meet along the way—whether it’s an old-timer with stories from the road’s heyday or a fellow traveler chasing the same dream.
2. Pacific Coast Highway (California)
If you love ocean views, rugged cliffs, and charming seaside towns, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is an absolute must. This legendary drive along California’s Highway 1 stretches from Dana Point in Orange County all the way to Leggett in Mendocino County, covering about 650 miles. The most famous stretch, though, runs between Los Angeles and San Francisco, where you’ll pass through iconic spots like Malibu, Big Sur, and Monterey. The views of the Pacific Ocean are unbeatable, especially as you drive along the Bixby Bridge or pull over at McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
Take your time and explore the stops along the way. Santa Barbara’s wine country, Hearst Castle in San Simeon, and the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea are all worth a visit. The winding roads of Big Sur can be a little nerve-wracking, but they’re also some of the most breathtaking in the world. And if you’re lucky enough to time it right, catching the sunset over the ocean from one of the roadside turnouts is a memory you won’t forget.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)
For a slower, scenic drive through the Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway is perfection. Stretching 469 miles from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, this road is famous for its rolling hills, dense forests, and stunning overlooks. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the foliage explodes in reds, oranges, and yellows.
One of the best things about this drive is how peaceful it is—no billboards, no commercial trucks, just you, the winding road, and endless views. Stop at places like Mabry Mill, hike to waterfalls like Linville Falls, and explore Asheville’s artsy downtown before reaching the Smokies. If you love nature and want a road trip that feels like a true escape, this is it.
4. Overseas Highway (Florida Keys)
Driving the Overseas Highway feels like floating across the ocean. This 113-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 1 connects the Florida mainland to Key West, hopping from island to island via 42 bridges, the most famous being the Seven Mile Bridge. The water is an unbelievable shade of turquoise, and if you time it right, you can catch a sunrise at the start of your journey and a sunset by the time you reach Key West.
Make time for snorkeling or kayaking in the crystal-clear waters of Bahia Honda State Park, and stop for fresh seafood at a roadside shack in Islamorada. And, of course, don’t skip the quirky, laid-back charm of Key West, where you can visit Ernest Hemingway’s house, see the Southernmost Point, and enjoy a slice of the best Key lime pie you’ll ever have.
5. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)
If you’ve ever dreamed of driving through an alpine wonderland, Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is the trip for you. This 50-mile road cuts through the heart of the park, climbing up to Logan Pass at 6,646 feet. Expect waterfalls cascading down the cliffs, jagged peaks dusted with snow, and wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep grazing near the roadside.
The road itself is a marvel of engineering, hugging the side of the mountains with sharp drop-offs and breathtaking views. Be sure to stop at Lake McDonald, where the colorful rocks beneath the clear water make for postcard-worthy photos. If you can, visit in early summer when the snow is melting, creating dramatic waterfalls along the cliffs.
6. Great River Road (Minnesota to Louisiana)
This is one of the longest road trips on the list, following the Mississippi River for over 2,000 miles through 10 states. It’s a journey through America’s heartland, with historic river towns, rolling farmland, and cities that have shaped the country’s culture.
Start in Minnesota at the river’s source in Lake Itasca and wind your way south through places like Hannibal, Missouri (Mark Twain’s hometown), Memphis (for barbecue and blues), and New Orleans (for jazz and Creole flavors). The road changes character as you go, from the industrial Midwest to the sultry Deep South, making it a fascinating slice of American history.
7. The Loneliest Road (Nevada)
Highway 50 across Nevada is called “The Loneliest Road in America” for a reason—there’s a whole lot of nothing. But that’s exactly what makes it magical. This 400-mile drive from Ely to Carson City passes through vast desert landscapes, old mining towns, and mountain ranges that seem to go on forever.
You’ll see abandoned structures, quirky roadside attractions, and possibly even wild mustangs roaming the open land. Austin and Eureka, two small but historic mining towns, offer a glimpse into Nevada’s past, while Great Basin National Park is a hidden gem worth a detour. If you love wide-open spaces and a true sense of solitude, this is the road for you.
8. Skyline Drive (Virginia)
If you want a road trip that feels like driving through a painting, Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park is the one. This 105-mile route runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, offering stunning views, winding roads, and endless opportunities to spot wildlife like deer, black bears, and wild turkeys. It’s especially breathtaking in autumn when the fall foliage turns the mountains into a sea of red, orange, and gold.
Unlike some of the longer road trips on this list, Skyline Drive can be done in a day, but you’ll want to take your time. There are 75 scenic overlooks where you can pull over and soak in the views, plus plenty of hiking trails that lead to waterfalls and rock outcroppings. If you have extra time, you can continue your journey onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for an even longer mountain adventure.
9. Alaska’s Seward Highway
The drive from Anchorage to Seward along Alaska’s Seward Highway is nothing short of jaw-dropping. This 127-mile route packs in everything you could want from an Alaskan road trip—glaciers, fjords, towering peaks, and wildlife sightings galore. One minute, you’re driving along the Turnagain Arm, watching beluga whales swim in the bay; the next, you’re surrounded by dense forests and snow-capped mountains.
Stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see rescued bears, moose, and bison up close, or take a detour to hike to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. When you reach Seward, you can hop on a boat tour to see puffins, sea otters, and even humpback whales in Resurrection Bay. If you want a road trip that feels like stepping into a National Geographic documentary, this is it.
10. Highway 12 (Utah)
Utah’s Highway 12 is one of the most visually stunning roads in America, winding through red rock canyons, slickrock plateaus, and dense forests. This 124-mile stretch between Panguitch and Torrey connects Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park, with plenty of jaw-dropping scenery in between.
One of the most famous parts of the drive is the “Hogsback,” a narrow, winding ridge with steep drop-offs on both sides—definitely not for the faint of heart! Stop at Kodachrome Basin State Park to see towering rock spires, hike through the slot canyons of Escalante, or take a scenic detour down Burr Trail Road for even more dramatic landscapes. This is the kind of road trip where you’ll constantly be pulling over to take pictures.
11. Beartooth Highway (Montana to Wyoming)
If you want a drive that feels like you’re on top of the world, Beartooth Highway is calling your name. This 68-mile route from Red Lodge, Montana, to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park climbs to nearly 11,000 feet, offering sweeping alpine views, glacier-fed lakes, and switchbacks that will test your nerves.
This road is only open from late May to October due to snow, and even in summer, you might see patches of ice and snow at the higher elevations. Stop at Beartooth Pass for one of the best panoramic views in the Rockies, and don’t be surprised if you see mountain goats perched on the cliffs. By the time you descend into Yellowstone, you’ll feel like you’ve just driven through an entirely different planet.
12. Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi to Tennessee)
For a road trip that’s as much about history as it is about scenery, the Natchez Trace Parkway is a must. This 444-mile route follows an ancient Native American trail from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, passing through quiet forests, rolling hills, and historic sites along the way.
The road itself is a dream to drive—no stoplights, no billboards, just smooth pavement and peaceful landscapes. Stop at Mount Locust, one of the oldest inns on the Trace, explore the hauntingly beautiful Cypress Swamp, and check out the Sunken Trace, where thousands of travelers once walked, eroding the path into the ground. If you love slow, scenic drives with a side of history, this one is worth every mile.
