Don’t miss out on these amazing road trips!
Since we got married, we’ve done 5 cross country road trips and dozens of shorter ones. In our opinion, road tripping is the best way to see the beauty of the United States. There is so much this country has to offer. Here is a list of 21 American Road Trips that we think everyone needs to put on their bucket lists.
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Last Updated: July 26, 2023
21 Best Road Trips in USA to Put on Your Bucket List
Whether you love the mountains, want to drive above the clouds, or cruise over the ocean, there’s a road trip for you. Here are 21 of the best road trips in the United States. Let us know in the comments below if there are more we should add to the list.
1. Pacific Coast Highway →
Location: California | Distance: 123 Miles
Enjoy the endless views of the ocean and drive through some of the best beach towns on California’s Route 1. Don’t forget to stop at Hearst Castle, spend some time in Big Sur (one of our favorite places in the US), and Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.
Local Tip: Check the news to see if there are any big events occurring. We’ve done this road trip a handful of times with no issues, but the last time we went, there was a bike race and we were stuck in traffic for hours.
See More: Recap of Our Endless Caravan
2. Historic Route 66
Location: Illinois to California | Distance: 2,451 Miles
Route 66 is one of the most iconic drives in America. The best stretch of this highway runs from the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River. To dive into the history, visit the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac, Illinois.
Local Tip: Unfortunately they’ve painted over most of the Route 66 signs on the road because it was dangerous for people to try to take photos with it. Apparently some still exist, but we haven’t found them yet.
See More: Your Ultimate Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Road Trip
3. Overseas Highway
Location: Florida | Distance: 120 Miles
We just came back from a trip to the Keys and ended up driving the Overseas Highway. It was unbelievably beautiful.
Unlike any other drive in the country, this route takes you on bridges right over the ocean. It gives you the sensation of floating over the water. Plus, the Florida Keys ain’t a bad destination either.
See More: 7+ Remarkable Things to Do in Key West Florida
4. Million Dollar Highway (San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway)
Location: Colorado | Distance: 305 Miles
Twist and turn through the winding roads between two historic gold-mining towns. Take in the amazing views and don’t forget to take deep breaths as you’ll be over two miles above sea level.
5. Columbia River Scenic Highway →
Location: Oregon | Distance: 75 Miles
See the amazing Columbia Gorge on a highway built purely for scenery. This drive gives you views of waterfalls and mountains, and there are plenty of pull-offs. Here are 21 best hikes in the Columbia River Gorge from short and easy day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips.
Local Tip: Part of the charm of this area is the rainy weather. Come prepared with solid waterproof boots and a raincoat ; the hikes are magical.
See More: 21 Best Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge Oregon
6. Skyline Drive
Location: Virginia | Distance: 105 Miles
This scenic drive takes you along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park. Drive through the Appalachians and stop to enjoy any of the 75 overlooks.
7. Hana Highway (Road to Hana) →
Location: Maui, Hawaii | Distance: 51.1 Miles
Explore the coastlines of Maui along the Hana Highway. You’ll find black sand beaches, waterfalls, jungles, and roadside stands. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!
See More: 19 Incredible Road to Hana Stops You Shouldn’t Miss
8. Black RIver Scenic Byway
Location: Michigan | Distance: 11 Miles
Tucked away in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Black River Scenic Byway has a lot to offer in a short distance. Pass by waterfalls and dense forests as you follow the river to the lakeshore.
9. The Loneliest ROad in America (HWY 50) →
Location: Nevada | Distance: 408 Miles
Named for the largely uninhabited region that you drive through, explore mining camps, cross mountain ranges, and stop in small cafes. Don’t forget to look up at the stars at night for some of the most spectacular views.
See More: Ultimate Nevada Road Trip – Best Places to Visit in NV
10. Route 12
Location: Utah | Distance: 124 Miles
Drive through some of the most breathtaking views and explore Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. You can even stop in Boulder Mountain for a night’s stay and a great meal.
See More: 15 Amazing Things To Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
11. Kancamagus Highway
Location: New Hampshire | Distance: 34.5 Miles
Make a trip down this highway in the fall to get some of the best fall foliage views. Enjoy the crisp breeze with your windows down and take in all the colors of the leaves.
The first time we did this drive, we missed the peak of the fall foliage by one day. The rain and wind the day before we arrived took out most of the leaves.
12. THe High Road to Taos
Location: New Mexico | Distance: 56 Miles
This scenic, winding road takes you through deserts, mountains, forests, and ancient Indian pueblos. You’ll find beautiful wildflower meadows and there are art galleries scattered throughout the drive. You can also take the Low Road through the valleys on the way back.
13. Beartooth Highway
Location: Montana and Wyoming | Distance: 68 Miles
Drive through southwest Montana and northwest Wyoming with breathtaking views of the Absoroka and Beartooth Mountains. You’ll drive by glacial lakes, forest, waterfalls, and wildlife. To top it off, you end at the entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
See More: Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park + Essential Tips For Your Visit
14. Highway 2
Location: Nebraska | Distance: 200 Miles
See the Great Plains of Nebraska and the rolling sandhills that make up nearly one-fourth of the state. You’ll also see huge farmlands, marshes, and winding rivers. Certain times of the year will bring huge numbers of migrating birds too.
15. ROute 6
Location: Massachusetts | Distance: 117 Miles
Explore the Cape Cod area on this scenic drive. Drive through forests, colonial villages, and tidal pools, and explore the harbor.
16. Park Loop ROad →
Location: Maine | Distance: 27 Miles
This coastal drive gives you views of Acadia National Park and is one of the best places for spotting bald eagles and peregrine. You’ll get amazing views from above but also from the harbor below.
See More: 15 Incredible Things to Do in Acadia National Park
17. Going to the Sun Road →
Location: Montana | Distance: 50 Miles
This drive through Glacier National Park gives you views of mountain peaks and alpine lakes while having the least negative impact on the delicate environment.
Local Tip: It closes every winter because of snow, which can reach up to 80 feet in depth. When we went in late June, they had just opened the road the week before.
See More: What You Need to Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park
18. Tail of the Dragon
Location: Tennessee and North Carolina | Distance: 11 Miles
This drive is more about the drive and less about the scenery. Known for its degree of difficulty and sheer excitement when driving, the Tail of the Dragon is full of sharp curves, twists, and turns that demand your full attention.
19. Route 100
Location: Vermont | Distance: 216 Miles
Route 100 runs through almost the entirety of Vermont and takes you right through the center. See the fall foliage, stop for ice cream, and enjoy the views of the lush mountains.
20. Cascade Loop →
Location: Washington | Distance: 400 Miles
See rainforests, apple orchards, beautiful lakes, small towns, and more on this 400-mile loop that takes you through some of the best of what Washington has to offer.
See More: 7 Best Things to Do in North Cascades National Park
21. Mount Washington Auto Road
Location: New Hampshire | Distance: 8 Miles
This short drive climbs nearly 5,000 feet allowing you to stop at viewpoints, see waterfalls, and gaze out at sprawling meadows. The end offers a spectacular view from above.
Bonus: Cross Country Road Trip
There’s no better way to see the country than to drive across it. There are many different routes to take, but if you’re ambitious, check out this road trip plan that was computed to be the most optimal way across the United States.
Map of Great American Road Trips
More US Road Trip Ideas for Your Bucket List
- 17-Mile Drive, CA
- Alaska Highway, AK
- Big Island Loop Road, HI
- Black Hills, SD
- Bluebonnet Trail, TX
- Blues Highway (Route 61), TN
- Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
- Great River Road, LA
- Highway 143, TN
- Historic National Road, MD
- Lake Shore Drive, IL
- Maine Lobster Trail, ME
- North Shore Drive, MN
- Ocean Drive, RI
- Olympic Peninsula, WA
- Oregon Coast, OR
- Outer Banks Scenic Byway, NC
- Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, MI
- Silverado Trail, CA
- Trail Ridge Road, CO
- Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, CA
Essential Tips
- Take your time! These trips are all about the journey so enjoy the views and pullouts. Don’t try to cover too much ground each day.
- Avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, have a car emergency kit ready to go.
- Stay safe on the road by picking up a dash cam.
- Stay hydrated by bringing enough water and beverages with you. These insulated water bottles will keep your drinks cool (or hot). These are the best water bottles for travel we tested on the road.
- Bring a few extra bags to collect garbage in the car.
- We love having this cooler with us on our road trips. Helps us keep anything we need cold.
- It’s always good to have a physical road map with you just in case you lose service.
- Worried about bathroom stops, we always have these handy in our car in case we just can’t hold it anymore. Wet wipes are always handy too.
Can you think of any other road trips in the US to be added to this list? What’s the best road trip you’ve been on?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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Amazing link – thank you! But you missed one of the top 5 – Rocky Mountain National Park – the Great Divide. That is breathtaking! I’ve been to many of the above listed destinations and believe Colorado’s Eastern as well as the Western (the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton) slopes have much to offer.
Thanks!
We have been fortunate to have driven on half of these. Route 12 in Utah and Beartooth stand out. And the Tail of the Dragon was sheer fun. But the Going to the Sun Road was in my opinion, the most scenic, plus fun to drive and in the middle of my favorite National Park. Hope to get back there some day
That’s one of our faves too!
All of these sound amazing! Glad Acadia made your list – there are lots of other scenic drives in Maine as well (the western part of the state is gorgeous!). And I’ve only done parts of Skyline Drive but I can attest that it is absolutely incredible. I would love to do a cross country road trip one day though! Life goals. :)
I’ve been n a few. And the ones I have been on I want to do again!!!
What a great post! We need more like this. There are hundreds of posts on must visit places but not enough on must do road trips! These certainly look like some awesome places.