Are you planning to take a solo trip or a group vacation through America’s highways, byways, and routes? Well, the United States brims with the most scenic drives and vast landscapes blessed with a cornucopia of stunning scenery. Of course, the Pacific Coast Highway and Route 66 must be on your bucket list, but there are routes and highways across the U.S. that can make your vacation equally remarkable. So, take a deep dive into this article to get an inspiring opportunity to explore America’s history, natural beauty, culture and the most unique road trips the States has to offer.
Natchez Trace Parkway
From Natchez, MS, to Nashville, TN, the Natchez Trace Parkway offers 444 miles of recreational road and historic forest trail through three states. It features over 50 miles of fire trails designated for mountain biking or horse riding. There are also fishing activities in the streams, rivers, and lakes with fishing licenses issued by the Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi states. If you love camping, you can choose from three campgrounds that are available on a first come, first serve basis. Through the three states, the highway connects to the Tennessee River, Mount Locust Inn, and the iconic Jackson Falls.
The I-80 Road
If you are looking for a coast-to-coast trip across the US, the Interstate 80 road offers an extraordinary adventure with diverse landscapes and a good taste of the nation. From Teaneck, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California, the 2,900-mile journey is filled with scenic landscapes across 10 states. Here, you can stop over in one of the hottest spots on earth in the Death Valley National Park region or explore California’s historic and modern attractions in Sacramento, the state capital. For those who love wildlife, Antelope Island and Bear River State Park offer plains in the midwest with free-roaming wildlife.
Route 100: Vermont Byway
Passing through rolling hills, mountains, crystal clear ponds and lakes, quintessential towns, and unspoiled forests, the Vermont Route 100 byway is nothing short of spectacular. It winds curve to curve from the edge of Green Mountains National Forest at the Canadian border to the Massachusetts state line, making it Vermont’s longest state highway and most scenic.
Anchorage to Valdez
Alaska is known for its snow-capped mountains, magnificent coastlines, and vast wilderness in the north. Driving down the Richardson Highway, you’ll run into prehistoric views of glaciers, towering mountains, waterfalls, and domesticated musk oxen. Further north, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline is visibly seen from as far as you approach. Into the last mile of the highway, Valdez, home to a 30-mile drop from Thompson Pass, leads you to the sea through the waterfalls of Keystone Canyon.
Blue Ridge Parkway
This is one of the most scenic highways to take a drive through in the United States. It stretches through the Appalachian region, and the Blue Ridge Parkway comprises 423 counties across 13 states. Whether you are accessing it from Northern Mississippi toward Southern New York or vice versa, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a marvel by itself. It covers a 469-mile route with vibrant foliage, cascading waterfalls, and stunning mountains. There is much to explore for everyone with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park along the route. The Appalachian foothills route gives a scenic coastal appeal for those looking for breathtaking coastal drives in the US.
Byway 12
The scenic Byway 12 traverses through Utah’s Red Rock country from the west in Panguitch to the northeast in Torrey. It connects two of Utah’s national parks, Bryce Canyon National Park and the Capitol Reef National Park, offering travelers unique experiences only found in Utah. The Grand Staircase Escalante, Henry Mountains, and the red rock of Capitol Reef give a contrasting stand of subalpine fir and aspen to the surroundings.
Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway
With a loop of 87 miles and a landscape of 9,800 acres of wetlands, the Cayuga Lake byway forms one of New York’s true loop byways. It stretches from Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge through the community’s rich history of Aurora towards the south in Ithaca and the shores of Cayuga Lake. Driving through this route offers breathtaking views of waterfalls, rolling hills filled with vineyards, farms, and a farmers market. Remember to drink responsibly while traveling past multiple cideries and wineries.
Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway
Driving a 70-mile loop through the South Dakota landscape offers a mind-blowing experience of the Black Hills scenery. The Peter Norbeck byway complements all three parks’ scenic drives where you can watch white mountain goats, chipmunks, and deer. As you drive through, you are likely to make several stops for lunch in some of the best lodges and moments for photographs. So, what could be a 3- to 4-hour drive would end up longer but worth every moment.
The Mighty 5
If you are into national park trips, The Mighty 5 offers an immense exposure to iconic national parks and national monuments. The highway refers to the five iconic national parks of Utah, namely: Arches, which has the most concentration of over 2,000 natural arches in Utah; Bryce, which offers scenic views at dawn or dusk of mule deer grazing the plateau along the highway; Canyonlands, home to hikers and the most photographed landforms; Capitol, which is one of the most expansive and endless landscapes; and Zion National Park.
Overseas Highway Road
Using the U.S. Highway 1 route toward the southernmost leg of the highway, you will find yourself on a modern wonder—the 113-mile roadway. The stretch of road entails an astonishing 42 bridges leapfrogging from Key Largo in the mainland’s southern tip, connecting 44 tropical islands towards Key West. As you drive, you will get to enjoy stunning views of countless corals, mangrove forests, and limestone islets. It is one of the most scenic coastal rides for those who want to unwind and enjoy coastal cuisine.
Highway 50 in Nevada
You might ask, is Highway 50 the loneliest as perceived? Well, “Loneliest Road” shouldn’t fool you. Highway 50 blazed a new trail with the advent of new technology, making it the first transcontinental highway, stretching from San Francisco to New York. While most still believe it lives up to its nickname, there is more of a stop-over mix of towns and cities. It also leads to beautiful sceneries such as the Great Basin National Park, Nevada’s capital attractions such as Lake Tahoe, and to the far south, scenes of petroglyphs at the Grimes Point Archeological Area.
The Bankhead Highway
The Bankhead Highway is America’s first all-weather transcontinental highway that connects Washington D.C. and San Diego via a southern route that touches several states like Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Using the highway, you will find long-time eateries like the Arcade Restaurant and Peabody Hotel and stop locations for viewing southern history. The highway still plays a vital role as a transportation corridor, with some segments catering to interstate tourists.
The Trail Ridge Road
For 48 miles, the Trail Ridge Road snakes through Rocky Mountain National Park into Colorado’s wildest countryside. It is found in the high-altitude region of North America, where some points are at an elevation of 12,000 feet above sea level. The Trail Ridge Road twists through trees and steep drop-offs along switchbacks and hairpin turns. The route also offers various hiking trails, stunning views of alpine lakes and jagged peaks, and a wide range of wildlife, like bighorn sheep.
Route 163 in Utah & Arizona
Traversing through the redrock desert, this scenic highway covers 44 miles through Monument Valley and ends in Bluff, Utah. It links Navajo, AR, with San Juan, UT. En route, 18 miles of Route 163 in Arizona are designated among the scenic routes. In Utah, the gap between Monument Valley and Bluff is designated as a scenic byway and Ancient National Scenic Byway.
Richardson Highway
The Richardson Highway is a 368-mile road that will take you about 7–8 hours of travel time to complete. While it would take you more hours, the views of the landscape are so rewarding. And, like any other Alaskan highway, you will witness breathtaking views of towering mountains and glaciers. In fact, it is worth the time to make stopovers and take photos of all the spectacular moments along the highway.
