Lisa O
You’ve got to hit the open road at least once and see this beautiful country by car. After all, road trips are what America is all about. They’re like a rite of passage—with winding highways, miles of cornfields, and red rocks rising in the distance. If you’re dreaming of a relaxed trip like in the movie Cars, you’re in luck. Here are the top 15 most iconic American road trip routes for you to check out.
Black Hills of South Dakota
For a mix of history, awesome views, and a real taste of American culture, start your road trip on I-90 and then take exit 131 for the Badlands Scenic Byway. While cruising through the Black Hills, don’t miss out on stopping at Wall Drug, Custer State Park, and Mount Rushmore. And watch out for bison on the road to Wind Cave National Park—they love to wander.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The 469-mile drive from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina is the most popular road managed by the U.S. National Parks System. Start in Front Royal, Virginia, cruise along Skyline Drive to check out Luray Caverns, then head south to see the Natural Bridge. From there, roll into North Carolina, where you can stop by Asheville before hitting up the sights of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Hana Coastline, Hawaii
The 59-mile highway on Maui’s eastern side, stretching from Kahului, takes you through black sand beaches, waterfalls, and across 59 bridges. Along the way, you’ll want to check out spots like the Pipiwai Trail, ‘Ohe’o Gulch (the Seven Sacred Pools), and Waimoku Falls in Haleakala National Park. Be sure to stop at the Hana Lava Tube and the Ho’okipa lookout—where you can catch Maui’s famous surfers riding the waves.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
You can cruise California’s longest highway, either north to south or south to north, along the breathtaking Pacific coastline. It’s a 653-mile adventure from Dana Point in Orange County up to Leggett in Mendocino County. Along the way, make sure to check out spots like Malibu, San Simeon, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Mendocino Headlands.
Seward Highway, Alaska
You can catch the train from Anchorage to Seward, but driving is way better if you want to stop and take photos—and you’ll definitely want to take lots of shots. The two-hour drive along the Turnagain Arm shoreline and Kenai Peninsula has fantastic views of the Chugach Mountains. Once you’re in Seward, don’t miss the Alaska SeaLife Center, where you can see some adorable puffins.
The Outer Banks, North Carolina
North Carolina’s Route 12, also called the Outer Banks Scenic Highway, has taken a beating from extreme weather lately, with hurricanes washing out parts of the road. It kicks off at Bodie Lighthouse in the north and runs along the narrow barrier islands that protect North Carolina’s mainland from the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll also check out the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, Oregon Inlet, and the historic Hatteras Lighthouse.
Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
On this city drive, the rock stars of American architecture line up like a parade along Lake Michigan. Chicago’s buildings are truly impressive, from the Willis Tower—formerly known as the Sears Tower, once the tallest building in the world—to the elegant Rookery by Burnham and Root and the sleek designs of Mies van der Rohe. It might just be the best road for spotting amazing architecture on the planet.
Ocean Drive, Rhode Island
Love The Gilded Age? While you wait for the next season, you can check out real Gilded Age mansions in Rhode Island along the famous Ocean Drive. This 10-mile scenic stretch (officially called Ocean Avenue, but everyone calls it Ocean Drive) runs along the southern coast of Newport’s Aquidneck Island. You’ll see state parks, Castle Hill Lighthouse, the quiet Gooseberry Beach, and historic estates like Hammersmith Farm, where Jackie Kennedy grew up.
17-Mile Drive, California
The 17-mile Drive takes you on a loop around California’s gorgeous Monterey Peninsula. Starting from Pacific Grove and ending in Carmel, this road (owned by Pebble Beach) hugs the Pacific coast and goes through parts of the Del Monte Forest, which is part of a fancy golf community. You’ll see rugged cliffs, harbor seal colonies, and many scenic viewpoints. The sunset views are spectacular and worth the $11.25 fee.
U.S. 1, Florida Keys
When you head from the mainland to Florida’s Keys, you’ll dive into a tropical paradise with beach bars, water sports, and plenty of Jimmy Buffett fans. The Overseas Highway links the islands from Key Largo to Key West, passing by lighthouses, coral reef parks, and the Seven-Mile Bridge, which is one of the longest bridges in the world. At the docks in Islamorada, you can even feed giant tarpons over six feet long by hand.
Pacific Coast Highway, Oregon
California’s part of Highway 101 gets a lot of hype, and it’s definitely stunning. But Oregon’s stretch of the Pacific Highway is just as amazing, if not even more captivating. You can check out the Peter Iredale shipwreck and visit Astoria, which is famous for being the hometown of The Goonies. It’s a bit cooler here, and the beaches aren’t as sunny, but you’ll see dramatic rock formations like Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach and Thor’s Well near Yachats.
Bluebonnet Trail, Texas
Bluebonnets are gorgeous blue wildflowers that pop up in the U.S. Southwest, especially in Texas, where they’re the state flower. Start your road trip in Austin and check out the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. After soaking in the flowers there, hit the road east on U.S. Route 290. You’ll spot bluebonnets along the way and get a real treat in Brenham, where the blooms are in full swing.
Route 12, Utah
Utah’s amazing red rock scenery really shows off on State Route 12, which winds between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks. This 124-mile stretch has cool small towns and only a few places to get on or off, so it takes a bit of effort to see the steep sandstone canyons, purple sage bluffs, and the thrilling cliff-hanging road called The Hogback halfway through.
North Shore Drive, Minnesota
Minnesota’s Lake Superior shoreline is amazingly beautiful and shaped by glaciers. In Duluth, you can stroll along a path by the lake to check out city highlights like a charming rose garden and a big aerial bridge. From Duluth, take a quick 30-minute drive to Two Harbors—where you can enjoy the lake’s sparkling waters on one side and tall birch and maple trees on the other.
Route 6, Massachusetts
The eastern end of Route 6—which actually stretches all the way to Bishop, connects Cape Cod’s sandy dunes, beaches, tidal ponds, and charming fishing towns. You can use it to check out Provincetown’s music festivals and art galleries or enjoy family-friendly beaches on the bay side. Our tip? Book a whale-watching boat tour between May and October to see a humpback whale, a true New England giant.