10 Scenic Drives USA Travelers Should Take

Often, the best scenic drives for travelers in the U.S. aren’t necessarily the most direct routes between points of interest. More often they’re drives in which a fog bank rolls away over the Pacific, a bison walks past on the shoulder or a hand-painted sign beckons travelers off the main road for local food. And time is needed for those kinds of things. A good drive is more about openness in an itinerary than about miles covered. And here are some of the best places in the country for that kind of openness.

10 Scenic Drives USA Travelers Should Take

1. Pacific Coast Highway, California

California State Route 1 is arguably the classic coastal drive in the U.S. And for good reason. Between Monterey and Morro Bay travelers will find sea cliffs, elephant seals, cypress forests, coastal towns and views worthy of every turnout along the road.

Most people head out here for Big Sur, but it’s the smaller stops along the way that matter too: tide pools at Cambria, art in Carmel-by-the-Sea and a picnic at sunset near Pfeiffer Beach.

Conditions along this road can change quickly, especially after winter storms. And before settling on a route, check for possible closures. Be ready too to head inland. If a backup route is built into a trip planner, this kind of change will cause less stress.

This isn’t a drive designed for quick passage to Los Angeles. This is a drive for a compact itinerary.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

In the Blue Ridge Parkway, sweeping Appalachian ridgelines replace the ocean. So do primary forests, overlooks (meant for a reflective pause) and layers of terrain. It connects Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park. And could well form the basis of a longer trip into the mountains.

In fall, the leaves along this drive are spectacular. But so is traffic. In spring, wildflowers can be found. In summer, a cool reprieve from heat in the cities below.

RVers should check tunnel heights and other restrictions on this drive. And before heading out, vehicle height can be entered into a route planner for RVs (e.g. Roadtrippers) to pick up which tunnels might be a problem.

3. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

This is a drive that even seasoned travelers will drive in silence. Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts through alpine meadows, past glacial lakes and over Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. Often in this setting mountain goats and bighorn sheep can be seen.

Here there is strong demand for a short season. In summer, snow can keep some of the high elevation road closed, and in peak season reservations may be required for vehicles.

And large motor homes aren’t allowed on key sections of the road. So if a motorhome is being driven, consider using a campground in the park as a base and then using a smaller car, bicycle or shuttle to explore.

4. Overseas Highway, Florida Keys

In many ways, the drive along the Overseas Highway to Key West becomes as much about the journey as the destination. For more than 100 miles, bridges arch over water in the Keys. It’s so colorful, in fact, that it seems almost unreal.

Starting in Key Largo, consider slowing down in Islamorada to take in the sportfishing and seafood of the Keys. And plan to have daylight left over for the Seven Mile Bridge. Best times to take this road are early spring and winter, when much of the country is cold and the Keys are mild.

In hurricane season, travelers will want to be flexible. And on weekends, there could be heavy traffic. Leave early in the day, plan on plenty of fuel and don’t spend too much time at each island. Pick two or three islands to more thoroughly explore.

5. Trail Ridge Road, Colorado

In Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road climbs above 12,000 feet. Here, without needing to go on a mountaineering trip, it is possible to drive over tundra. As the drive goes up, the tree line disappears, the horizon opens up and the Continental Divide seems very close.

At higher elevations, the road is quite different. Walk briefly, pace oneself, and be prepared for much colder temperatures than at lower elevations. Like many roads at high elevation, this one has a season. And it’s best for people who realize that maintenance crews, weather, and wildlife will determine when the road is open.

6. The Loneliest Road in America, Nevada

U.S. Route 50 in Nevada has a reputation that can sound daunting. And in some ways, that’s part of what makes it so appealing. It’s basin-and-range country here: long straight stretches, far-off mountain ranges, old mining towns, geothermal springs and starry nights with little light pollution. Along the way, Ely and Eureka give the road a human dimension.

Here you’ll need to think more carefully than you would on a national park road. Top off your tank wherever you can, download offline maps, bring water and don’t count on cell service over the next hill. Best preparation for this road would be to plan refueling stops on your phone before you lose signal. In return, you’ll find a rare kind of solitude on this road.

7. Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming

Beartooth Highway is a string of switchbacks, granite mountains, snowfields and alpine lakes. It runs into Yellowstone from the northeast, but more than anything else, it’s a road worth more than just as an entrance to the park. At pullouts along the highway, you’ll glimpse a landscape that could well be the setting for a wilderness trip, not just a drive.

Usually, the road is open from early summer to late fall, depending on snow. This isn’t a road for the timid, or for large vehicles. But for those with confidence behind the wheel, it’s one they’ll remember. Check the weather frequently. Conditions can change quickly in the mountains.

8. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon and Washington

Another good scenic drive for those who want variety without long distances is the Columbia River Gorge, on the Oregon-Washington border. Here you can easily include waterfalls, trailheads, historic architecture of the highway, good food and views of the river in one short trip. On the Oregon side, you could take the Historic Columbia River Highway toward the waterfalls. On the Washington side, there are viewpoints of the canyon and a very different sense of the landscape.

In wet weather, the waterfalls are spectacular but the trails can get slippery. In summer, parking at many of the popular spots fills up quickly. Pick a couple of hikes and a few overlooks along the gorge. Don’t try to do it all in one day.

9. Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee

If you’d like a more leisurely drive, try the Natchez Trace Parkway. From Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, it passes through Civil War history, Native cultural sites, farmland, forests and small Southern towns. Commercial traffic is light on this road and there aren’t any billboards. That gives it a quiet rhythm. This road would be good for families, couples and anyone who wants frequent short stops on their drive.

In the fall there’s foliage, in spring redbuds and dogwoods, and in summer long days on the trails and for picnics. There aren’t services along the road every few miles, so plan fuel, food and overnight stops in nearby towns. Rather than worrying about finding food, gas and a campsite every few miles, you could look for them off the Parkway along your route.

10. Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

Between Ouray and Silverton, the “Million Dollar Highway” is short in distance, but dramatic. On all sides stretch the San Juan Mountains; the road weaves through historic mining territory, around cliffs and up into the mountains. A good place to start your drive would be Ouray’s hot springs and, at the other end, Silverton’s historic downtown.

There are stunning views along this road, as well as steep drops. In some places the road has little shoulder, sharp curves and a narrow lane. For this reason, best travel it in good weather and daylight. If someone in your party is prone to vertigo, let them know up front that there will be switchbacks along the road.