I get restless every spring when road trip photos flood my feed. Those endless highways and scenic overlooks call my name.
After 15 years of chasing the best road trips in the USA, I’ve learned which routes deliver and which disappoint. This guide maps out 20 proven road trips across the USA.
From coastal drives to mountain passes, desert blooms to fall foliage loops. You’ll find practical planning tips, coast-to-coast classics like Route 66, regional gems worth the detour, and seasonal routes timed perfectly.
Plus insider tricks for saving money, staying safe, and capturing memories. Whether you want ocean views, national parks, or small-town charm, these tested routes deliver the adventure you’re craving.
Most Scenic Drives in America
These four routes below are regularly crowned among the best road trips in the USA for jaw-dropping views. Each mile outdoes the last.
1. Pacific Coast Highway / Hwy 1
San Diego to Seattle serves 1,650 miles of coastal drama. This drive takes 3-5 days without stops. September and October bring clear skies. McWay Falls drops 80 feet onto the beach.
Cannon Beach features Haystack Rock rising from the sand. Drive north to keep your car between you and the cliffs. Fill up in towns since gas stations get scarce between Big Sur and San Simeon. This shoreline classic appears on every “best road trips in USA” list year after year
2. Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive
Appalachia’s fall-color corridor stretches 574 miles through mountain ridges. Plan 2-3 days for the full experience. Mid-October delivers peak fall colors.
Craggy Gardens offers 360-degree mountain views. Natural Bridge frames Virginia’s limestone arch. Mile markers count backward on Skyline Drive. Pack snacks since services close early in the fall.
3. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Glacier National Park’s alpine masterpiece packs drama into 50 miles. The drive takes 2-3 hours without stops. The road opens from late June through September only. Logan Pass sits at 6,646 feet with mountain goats nearby.
Wild Goose Island provides the park’s most photographed scene. Start before 8 am to beat tour buses. Vehicle length restrictions apply for RVs. Short but mighty, it still ranks as one of the best road trips in USA for alpine drama.
4. Overseas Highway
Miami to Key West floats 113 miles over turquoise water. Drive time runs 3.5 hours straight through. December through April dodges hurricane season.
The Seven Mile Bridge feels like flying over the ocean. Bahia Honda State Park claims the Keys’ best beach. Return drive at sunset beats morning glare.
National parks offer even more concentrated scenic beauty ahead.
Best USA Road Trips to National Parks
If wild landscapes call your name, these circuits are some of the best road trips in the USA for raw nature. These four loops showcase nature’s greatest hits.
5. Utah’s Mighty Five Loop
Southern Utah packs five national parks into one 900-mile circle. Allow 7-10 days minimum. Spring and fall beat summer heat. Arches has 2,000 natural stone arches.
Bryce showcases orange hoodoos. Zion features massive red cliffs. Book lodging months ahead. Gas up in gateway towns. Consider camping for sunrise colors on red rocks.
6. Yellowstone–Grand Teton–Glacier Triangle
This 1,400-mile triangle hits three Rocky Mountain jewels. Budget 10-14 days for exploration. July through September offers the best access. Jackson Hole shows jagged Teton peaks.
Yellowstone delivers geysers and wildlife. Glacier adds alpine lakes. Wildlife jams happen daily. Lodge reservations fill a year ahead. Pack layers for changing mountain weather.
7. Alaska Highway: Dawson Creek to Fairbanks
The wilderness drive covers 1,387 miles through Canada into Alaska. Plan 4-6 days one way. June through August provides the longest daylight. Wildlife includes bears, moose, and caribou.
Liard Hot Springs offers natural pools. Watson Lake displays 80,000 license plates. Carry a spare tire and extra gas. Download offline maps. Border crossings require passports.
8. Colorado Rockies & Trail Ridge Road
Rocky Mountain National Park’s road climbs to 12,183 feet. The 48-mile route opens Memorial Day through mid-October. Allow 3-4 hours with stops. Alpine tundra spreads above the treeline.
Medicine Bow Curve provides mountain views. Elk bugle in the fall. Altitude affects some visitors. Afternoon thunderstorms roll in during summer.
Regional Hidden Road Trip Routes in the USA
Beyond famous highways lie lesser-known treasures. These routes reward curious travelers.
9. Badlands to Black Hills, SD
Prairie moonscapes meet monuments in this 300-mile loop. Drive time totals 6-8 hours over two days. May and September avoid crowds. Badlands reveal colored rock layers.
Needles Highway threads granite spires. Custer State Park guarantees buffalo sightings. Book Sylvan Lake Lodge early. Fill up in Rapid City first.
10. Tail of the Dragon & Cherohala Skyway
Thrill seekers tackle 318 curves in 11 miles on Tennessee’s Dragon. Combined with Cherohala, this creates a 100-mile driving paradise. Allow half a day for both. October brings fall colors.
Deals Gap marks the Dragon’s start. Cherohala climbs to 5,400 feet. Weekdays see fewer vehicles. Check the weather since fog creates danger.
11. Kancamagus Highway, NH
New England’s fall foliage drive spans 34.5 miles through the White Mountains. Takes 1-2 hours without stops. The first two weeks of October hit peak.
Lower Falls offers easy waterfall walks. Hancock Overlook frames mountain views. No services exist along the route. Arrive before 9 am on October weekends. Book lodging by July for peak season.
12. Texas Hill Country Bluebonnet Trail
Spring wildflowers transform this 300-mile Austin loop. Peak season runs late March through mid-April. Highway 16 offers dense displays. Willow City Loop provides country road views.
Respect private property for photos. Fredericksburg features German food. Book early since weekends fill up. Add Enchanted Rock for granite dome hiking.
Road Trips That Are Seasonal Spectaculars
Timing changes these routes from good to unforgettable. Each season brings its own magic.
13. New England Fall Loop
Leaf-peeping reaches its peak on this 1,200-mile circuit through six states. Start in Boston, loop through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Allow 7-10 days for full immersion.
Peak colors hit late September in northern areas, early October southward. Route 100 in Vermont offers covered bridges and maple farms. White Mountain scenic roads add mountain views.
Book accommodations by midsummer or face sold-out towns. Check foliage reports weekly starting in September. Pack layers since mornings start at 30 degrees, and afternoons reach 65.
14. Cascade Wildflower Loop, WA–OR
Mountain meadows explode with color on this 600-mile Pacific Northwest circuit. July through early August hits peak bloom. Mount Rainier’s Paradise area lives up to its name. Mount Hood’s Timberline Trail showcases lupines and paintbrush.
Drive time spans 3-4 days with hiking stops. Wildflower apps help identify species. Weather changes fast above treeline. Pack rain gear even in summer. Book lodges early since wildflower season coincides with peak tourism.
15. Lake Superior Circle Tour
Summer shoreline cool-down covers 1,300 miles around the world’s largest freshwater lake. The route crosses three states and Ontario. Budget 5-7 days for the full circle.
July and August offer the warmest weather and calm waters. Pictured Rocks shows colorful cliffs near Munising. Split Rock Lighthouse perches above Minnesota’s north shore.
Apostle Islands add sea cave detours. Border crossing requires passports. Gas stations are spread thin across Canadian sections. Book Bayfield and Grand Marais lodging early.
16. Icefields & Northern Lights
Winter changes the Anchorage to Fairbanks drive into a frozen wonderland. This 360-mile route showcases Alaska at its wildest. December through February offers the best aurora viewing.
Matanuska Glacier allows winter access for ice climbing. Denali appears crystal clear on cold days. Chena Hot Springs provides warm soaking under the northern lights. Drive only during daylight hours.
Carry emergency supplies, including sleeping bags. Check road conditions daily. Many services close in winter, so plan carefully.
USA Road Trip Urban Culture Corridors
America’s cultural highways connect music, art, and heritage. These routes feed both soul and stomach.
17. Great River Road, MN to LA
Follow the Mississippi for 2,069 miles from Lake Itasca to the Gulf. Plan 8-12 days. September offers crisp air and river festivals. Stop at Hannibal for Mark Twain’s boyhood home. Natchez showcases antebellum mansions. Carry binoculars for bald eagle spotting. River towns serve catfish and stories.
18. Blues Highway (US-61), Memphis to New Orleans
Drive 395 miles through the Delta in 2-3 days. April brings music festival season. Clarksdale’s Ground Zero Blues Club oozes juke-joint vibes. Vicksburg’s riverfront murals chronicle Civil War history. Sample hot tamales in Greenville. End with beignets in New Orleans. Music history lives at every mile marker.
19. New Mexico Art & Pueblo Loop
This 300-mile circuit connects Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque. Adobe architecture meets Georgia O’Keeffe landscapes. September’s Fiesta de Santa Fe adds color.
Visit UNESCO-listed Taos Pueblo. Gallery hop on Canyon Road. Pack layers for 30-degree daily swings. High desert surprises with its beauty.
20. Kentucky Bourbon & Horse Country
Spend 250 miles touring distilleries and bluegrass farms. Louisville to Lexington takes 2-4 days. April’s Keeneland races thrill. October fall colors stun.
Reserve tastings early at Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve. Appoint designated drivers. Horse farms offer morning tours. Sampling counts as breakfast here.
Tips for Having the Best Road Trips in the USA
Smart preparation turns good trips into great experiences. A little maintenance keeps even the best road trips in the USA running smoothly.
1. Vehicle Prep & Safety Checkpoints: Check tires and fluids. Pack an emergency kit. Download offline maps. Test the spare tire. Keep paper maps backup. Schedule maintenance if you’re close to service intervals.
2. Eco-friendly Hacks: Use cruise control. Pack reusables. Camp more. Buy local. Drive slower. Leave no trace. Offset carbon emissions through verified programs.
3. Capturing Memories: Shoot golden hour. Back up photos daily. Use the Day One app. Mail yourself postcards. Print favorites at drugstores along the route.
Conclusion
These routes barely scratch the surface of America’s road trip possibilities. Each highway leads to unexpected detours and hidden treasures.
The best findings happen when you take that unmarked exit or follow a local’s recommendation. Choose any route here and you’ll experience why travelers call them the best road trips in the USA.
Road trips teach patience, flexibility, and wonder. They remind us that the journey matters more than the destination. Start with one route from this list. Add your own twists.
Create memories worth more than any souvenir. The open road waits for no one. Your epic American adventure starts with turning the key and choosing a direction. Pack light, drive safe, and embrace the detours.
Which road trip calls your name? Share your route plans in the comments below!
