Bruno Pugh
Some roads demand attention, and the views along them refuse to be ignored. Highways like these turn ordinary drives into truly unforgettable experiences, offering a mix of adventure and the pure thrill of the open road. Every mile leaves a lasting impression, thereby making memories that stick long after the trip ends. Here are 10 American highways worth hitting the road for.
Route 66
Commissioned on November 11, 1926, Route 66 runs 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. Known as “The Mother Road,” it started mostly without proper roads, with only 800 miles paved. Today, it’s a classic drive filled with small towns, old diners, and pieces of real American history.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, linking Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. Built in 1935 as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal, a program that created jobs during the Great Depression. This route is particularly loved for its peaceful mountain views and colorful fall leaves.
Million Dollar Highway
This 25-mile stretch of U.S. Route 550 connects Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. You’ll travel steep cliffs and hairpin turns with few guardrails while soaking in stunning San Juan Mountains views. The name comes from either its construction costs or the valuable ore beneath the road.
Hana Highway
Drive 64.4 miles along Maui’s famous coastal road, the Hana Highway, from the town of Kahului to the town of Hana. The journey takes you over 59 bridges—mostly single-lane—through tropical rainforests and waterfall-filled valleys. Completed in 1926, it connected remote communities and facilitated the transportation of sugarcane across East Maui.
Pacific Coast Highway
California’s Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) runs along the coastline beginning in the southern city of Dana Point and ending in the northern town of Leggett. It passes iconic landmarks like Big Sur and Malibu, thereby delivering breathtaking coastal views. Honestly, there’s no better way to soak in California’s beauty than driving this route.
Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway is a 68-mile scenic drive from Red Lodge, Montana, to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Along the way, you’ll reach 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass, a high mountain pass in the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges. Open late May to mid-October, it provides stunning alpine views that truly live up to its reputation.
Scenic Byway 12
If you love road trips, Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 is a must. It stretches 123 miles between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park. Along the way, it guides travelers through Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, a vast protected area filled with colorful cliffs, deep canyons, and stunning desert scenery. Definitely an All-American Road worth exploring.
Overseas Highway
Florida’s Overseas Highway runs 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West, crossing 42 bridges, which include the iconic Seven Mile Bridge. This highway was built atop a railroad destroyed in the 1935 hurricane, giving travelers amazing ocean views while showcasing clever engineering and a touch of history.
Highway 101, Oregon Coast
Looking for a road trip with ocean views at every turn? Oregon’s Highway 101 delivers exactly that. Stretching over 360 miles from Brookings near the California border to Astoria on the Columbia River, this coastal route passes beautiful state parks, historic bridges like the art deco Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport, and amazing whale-watching spots.
Going-To-The-Sun Road
Montana’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 50-mile scenic route through Glacier National Park that climbs to 6,646 feet at Logan Pass along the Continental Divide. Open only a few months each year due to snow, it is a National Historic Landmark and an engineering marvel. The road provides breathtaking views and a true alpine driving experience.