10 Road Trips in the United States: Scenic Adventures Across America

There is something quintessentially American and romantic about the idea of driving across open road in the US. With curving ocean roads to rocky desert paths, the USA has a road trip to suit all types of travelers-—those in search of mountains vistas, national parks, or small-town USA.

Looking to take one of the best road trips in the U.S.? Here are 10 scenic drives that are filled with hidden gems and will create lifetime memories.

1. Pacific Coast Highway (California)

Route: San Francisco to San Diego
Why Go: Iconic coastal cliffs, seaside towns, and sunsets that’ll take your breath away.
Drive the Highway 1, curving through Big Sur, Santa Barbara and Malibu. Visit the Bixby Creek Bridge, grab some fresh seafood in Monterey and visit beaches that embrace the shores of America.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)

Route: Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains
Why Go: Lush forests, misty mountains, and a painter’s palette of fall foliage.
This is a 469-mile long quiet and slow-paced ride through the Appalachian Highlands and is ideal for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers.

3. Route 66 (Illinois to California)

Route: Chicago to Santa Monica
Why Go: America’s “Mother Road” is full of nostalgia, neon, and roadside Americana.
Pass through eight states, visit classic diners, kitschy museums and retro motels. It is a history-filled trip into the mid-century America.

4. The Oregon Trail (Missouri to Oregon)

Route: Kansas City to Oregon City
Why Go: Trace the footsteps of pioneers through the Great Plains and the Rockies.
It is not just a history lesson, it is an exquisite journey across the country as you go through valleys, mountain passes and wide open skies.

5. Arizona’s Monument Valley Loop

Route: Loop through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Why Go: Otherworldly red rock formations and desert silence that feels like Mars.
This drive is featured in a number of the Westerns, and you can enjoy panoramic views, Navajo culture, and sunset in gold over the dramatic landscape.

6. Overseas Highway (Florida Keys)

Route: Miami to Key West
Why Go: A tropical road trip across 42 bridges and island after island of paradise.
This is a must-drive belt with turquoise waters, island cuisine, coral reefs and a relaxed pace of life. You should not miss the Seven Mile Bridge or the southernmost point in the U.S.

7. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)

Route: Glacier National Park
Why Go: Snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and hairpin turns through untouched wilderness.
This is a 50 mile drive through the middle of Glacier National Park where one can see glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife including bighorn sheep and mountain goats.

8. The Loneliest Road (Nevada section of US-50)

Route: Ely to Fallon, Nevada
Why Go: Solitude, silence, and dramatic desert beauty.
It is commonly referred to as The Loneliest Road in America, it is a reflective journey that passes through ghost towns, salt flats, and Great Basin National Park.

9. The Great River Road (Minnesota to Louisiana)

Route: Along the Mississippi River
Why Go: Historic towns, riverboats, and blues music through the American heartland.
Travel along the great Mississippi River in 10 states enjoying local culture, the civil rights history, and Southern hospitality.

10. Alaska’s Seward Highway

Route: Anchorage to Seward
Why Go: Glaciers, fjords, and wildlife galore.
It is one of the most beautiful drives in the world, through 127 miles of moose, whales, bald eagles and majestic mountains- all in one afternoon.

Final Thought

Do you need the ocean breeze, the mountain air, the desert quiet, or a cultural experience? These American road trips have something phenomenal in store. Take a camera, create a playlist, and go on the road you have no idea what may wait around the next turn.