The 30 Most Scenic Road Trips in America for Every Traveler and Adventurer

The road trip: Beginning in Seattle, cross the Hood Canal Bridge to the Olympic Peninsula on Highway 101, and follow along a 300-plus-mile road trip. The lush wilderness and snow-capped Olympic range makes this loop a hiker's dream.

The pit stops: Olympic National Park is a must. It's home to the summit of Mt. Olympus and is woven with gorgeous hiking and backpacking trails. Lake Crescent is another natural wonder of the state off of Highway 101.

The road trip: Drive from Valdez to Fairbanks, Alaska to experience 368 miles of pure beauty. You'll pass by glaciers, crystal clear glacier lakes, and the iconic Rainbow Ridge, which is covered in red and green with volcanic ash.

The pit stop: Valdez Glacier Lake is one-of-a-kind, offering unimpeded views of the Chugach Mountains. Be sure to visit Horsetail Falls, Thompson Pass, and Big Delta State Historical Park.

The road trip: Known for its gorgeous foliage and charming towns, Mohawk Trail in northern Massachusetts is well worth the 63-mile drive. The two-lane highway winds through rural Berkshire countryside, where you're guaranteed to see a few early 20th century cabins.

The pit stops: Head south of the highway to hit Bridge of Flowers, an old trolley bridge in Shelburne Falls transformed into an arboretum. There you will also see the famous Big Indian statue.

The road trip: At 216.6 miles, Vermont’s longest state highway is one of the most scenic roads in the Green Mountain state. Speaking of the Green Mountains, this five-day trip weaves you right through them.

The pit stops: Fall is the best time to do this road trip, with the fall foliage and lush green Green Mountains as a breathtaking backdrop. Stop by the Gifford Woods State Park, Buttermilk Falls, and Main Street in Westin.

The road trip: Coast through this 50-mile drive along Montana’s Glacier National Park for crystal blue lakes and mountainous backdrops. The historic Going-to-the-Sun Road was built in 1932 to encourage travelers to explore the national park. You'll definitely want to do this trip when it's warmer since it closes each winter.

The pit stops: Stroll along the Sun Point Nature Trail for sunny views of St. Mary Lake. Continue along the road to reach Logan Pass, which is the highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Keep an eye out for mountain goats at all times!

The road trip: Starting in Shell, travel through Bighorn Scenic Byway until you reach Bighorn National Forest, home to Shell Falls and more than 30 campgrounds. The 58-mile trip is designed for campers, hikers, and adventure-seekers.

The pit stops: Bighorn National Forest and Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark are the key attractions along this gorgeous road trip.

The road trip: You'll definitely want to take this 469-mile road trip in the fall, when the trees turn gorgeous shades of amber, gold, and sage. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs beside the Appalachian Mountains.

The pit stops: The Shenandoah National Park is home to wetlands, rocky peaks, forests, and waterfalls, with long-distance trails for avid hikers. You'll also find the world’s largest freestanding man-made star: the Roanoke (Mill Mountain) Star, which is comprised of 2,000 feet of neon lights.

The road trip: Travel 28 miles through the Santa Catalina Mountains, where you'll find desert terrain like wildflowers and native saguaro cacti. Catalina Highway is the only paved road that leads to the top of Mount Lemmon.

The pit stops: Hike Babad Do'ag Trail, which is about 4.5 miles out and back. In addition to breathtaking views of the canyon, you just might catch a waterfall about halfway through.

The road trip: This 153-mile journey connects two of Louisiana's most charming cities: Lafayette and New Orleans. Marshes and bayous welcome swamp creatures, like alligators, wading birds, and fish.

The pit stops: Visit the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge to spot some of Louisiana's black bears and trek through exciting hiking trails. Lake Fausse Point State Park also has beautiful trails and water sports like canoeing for adventure-seekers.

The road trip: This 50-mile stretch follows along Oregon's scenic Columbia River. You can start in Portland and end in volcanic Mount Hood.

The pit stops: The charming town of Portland is home to quaint bookshops, dive bars, and farmers markets, so you can stock up before hiking through the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. Multnomah Falls, Maryhill Museum of Art, and Mount Hood cannot be missed!

The road trip: If you're looking to check all of the Great Lakes of the U.S. off of your bucket list, here's the perfect trip to America's largest, Lake Superior. The Black River Scenic Byway weaves alongside the river, starting in Bessemer and continuing along Highway 513, until you reach the lakeshore.

The pit stops: Visit historic mines and learn about 19th century U.S. history in the former iron-mining town of Ironwood.

The road trip: Did you know that the Great Plains of Nebraska are more than twice the size of Rhode Island? Experience the beauty of the Midwest by driving the 52-mile Highway 2, where you'll see lots of rolling Sandhills.

The pit stops: The historical Arrow Hotel in Broken Bow was built in 1921 and is a must-see. Carhenge, a formation of 39 automobiles that resembles Stonehenge, is another famous point of interest.

The road trip: Home to charming small towns and a red rocky backdrop, State Route 12 in Utah offers 124 miles of beauty. With ample opportunities for fishing, camping, and hiking, you'll certainly not run out of things to do on this scenic road trip.

The pit stops: Stop by Red Canyon, the eye-catching feature that inspired Disneyland's Thunder Mountain ride. Bryce Canyon National Park is another key attraction with stunning trails and campgrounds.

The road trip: Kancamagus Highway, also known as New Hampshire Route 112, is a 56-mile road that connects Bath to Conway. Because it weaves through White Mountain National Forest, you'll find rolling hardwood forests and majestic alpine peaks around every corner.

The pit stops: If you're a big fan of skiing, visit Loon Mountain on the Lincoln NH side of the Kancamagus Highway. The road also winds through gorgeous waterfalls, like Rocky Glen Falls, Kinsman Falls, and Diana's Bath Waterfall.

The road trip: The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway spans 70 miles through Custer State Park. In addition to rock tunnels and granite spires, you'll run straight into the iconic monument known as Mount Rushmore

The pit stops: Mount Rushmore, of course, is a must-see, though Custer State Park has a lot more to offer on this scenic road trip. The 18-mile park is home to forests, prairie grasslands, and plenty of Black Hills wildlife.

The road trip: If you’re a beach person, then consider taking a drive alongside California’s magnificent Pacific Coast Highway. The scenic road trip stretches 365 miles, starting at Dana Point in Orange County to Leggett in Mendocino County, with miles of white sand, spectacular mountains, and ocean views at your fingertips.

The pit stops: While you’re winding your way down the coast, key places to visit include the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Barbara Zoo, Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Point Sur State Historic Park in Big Sur, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Monterey, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

The road trip: From crystal blue lakes to snow-topped mountains and everything in between, Colorado’s I-70 road trip has it all. The Colorado Department of Transportation carefully constructed the interstate through Glenwood Canyon to leave natural landmarks intact. Start in Denver and enjoy 12 miles of beauty until you make it to Glenwood. Ambitious road trippers can continue to drive the rest of the 449-mile-long interstate.

The pit stops: After hitting the slopes in Denver, a popular ski destination, a stop at Hanging Lake is a must. Veer off I-70 at Exit 125, where you’ll find the waterfall tendrils, green pines, and an emerald lake. Continue to Glenwood Canyon, where you can spend multiple days hiking, rafting, and more.

The road trip: Take a drive down the beautiful Overseas Highway, which stretches 113 miles from Miami to the southernmost point of Key West, Florida. Also known as “The Highway That Goes to the Sea,” the ocean views literally submerge you in the dynamic beauty of the Keys, spanning 42 bridges and weaving through iconic landmarks along the way.

The pit stops: In addition to the endless dining options (where you’re guaranteed an amazing slice of key lime pie), don’t miss the Pennekamp Coral Reef Park and Key Largo’s Dolphin Research Center during your road trip.

The road trip: One of the most famous roads in the U.S., Route 66 runs a whopping 2,448 miles from Chicago to LA. While you can no longer drive the historic route straight through, you can weave through marvelous cross-sections for an unforgettable journey through middle America. Our suggestion? Start in downtown Chicago through Illinois for 301 miles until you reach St. Louis.

The pit stops: The must-see attraction on this road trip is the Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac, Illinois, where you can learn all about one of America’s first paved highways.

The road trip: Known for its beautiful, alpine scenery, the Enchanted Circle Byway stretches 84 miles in the northern region of New Mexico. Following this scenic road trip should be easy enough: It’s a circle, beginning in Taos Plaza, weaving through Eagle Nest, Elizabethtown, Gold Hill, and ending right back in Tao.

The pit stops: You’ll drive past a number of historic towns, amazing hikes, camp grounds, and some of the oldest rocks in the Southwest. Don’t miss a stroll through Red River—a family-oriented town that was settled by miners the late 1800s—for saloons, theater, and skiing or snowboarding in the winter.