From Sea To Shining Sea: The 20 Coolest Roads To Drive On in the USA
How Many Of These Roads Have You Been On?
The US is one of the world's foremost road trip destinations. It's a vast country with incredibly varied terrain that's most reachable by car. It was one of the first countries to develop such an intricate interstate highway system, connecting much of the country. From the winding roads of the Rockies to the iconic mansion-studded drives of California, these roads offer a forgettable driving experience for motorists and passengers alike. Here are the coolest roads to drive on in the USA.
1. Route 66
Known as "The Mother Road," Route 66 is the most iconic road in the USA, stretching from Illinois to California. One of America's original highways, it's the ultimate road trip road that will allow you to traverse the whole vast country.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway in the Carolinas and Virginia winds 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains. It offers stunning mountain views all year round.
3. Going-to-the-Sun Road
The aptly named Going-to-the-Sun Road is 50 miles of majestic mountain bliss. It takes you along the cliffside of the snow-topped peaks of Montana's Glacier National Park.
4. Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway quite literally goes over seas, connecting Miami to Key West. To reach the southernmost point of the US, you need to cross the impressive 7-mile bridge, completely surrounded by pristinely blue water.
5. Hana Highway
Driving the Hana Highway is a great way to see America's most beautiful state, Hawaii. The storied highway takes you up a volcano through lush rainforests, past waterfalls, and above a shining blue sea.
6. Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway is the most elevated paved road in the US. The 68-mile road winds through the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains from Montana to the entrance of Yellowstone.
7. 17-Mile Drive
The 17-Mile Drive is a scenic route that hugs the Pacific coast of California's Monterey Peninsula. It passes numerous scenic attractions, including Bird Rock and Del Monte Forest, as well as impressive famous mansions and golf courses.
8. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
It has "scenic" in its name for a reason. The Zion Canyon Drive is an absolutely stunning route within Zion National Park. Along the way, you can stop at the park's most notable landmarks, like Zion Lodge, Angel's Landing, and Weeping Rock.
9. Dalton Highway
The Dalton Highway is a 500-mile road in Alaska, spanning from Fairbanks to Deadhorse and crossing the Arctic Circle. It's the northernmost road in all of North America. Spectacular mountain vistas can be seen along the way; however, the road isn't fully paved and can be tricky to navigate, so it's not for the faint of heart.
10. Kancamagus Highway
New Hampshire's Kancamagus Highway is considered one of the best autumn leaves viewing destinations in the world. However, the White Mountains are spectacular year-round.
11. Scenic Byway 12
Utah's Scenic Byway 12 connects Capitol Reef National Park with Bryce Canyon National Park. It's a stunning drive through the state's unique and mesmerizing red rock canyons.
12. Pikes Peak
Not only is Pikes Peak one of the most picturesque roads in the country, it's also the most fun to drive. It goes from Cascade, Colorado to the 14,000 foot summit of Pikes Peak, offering bindbowing views and plenty of hikes and pull-offs along the way.
13. Cascade Loop
This 440-mile road is the perfect way to experience Washington's scenic beauty. Starting at the Salish Sea, you can take the loop clockwise or counterclockwise. Either way, you'll get to see some of the state's finest natural settings, from lush evergreen forests to rivers and mountains.
14. Northwest Passage Scenic Byway
The Northwest Passage Scenic Byway is Idaho's foremost road trip road. It follows the same route that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark took on their 1803 expedition into the newly-purchased western part of the country, traversing the lush mountains and flowing rapids of the Clearwater River Canyon.
15. Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley is a scenic drive through Yellowstone National Park. It's known as "America's Serengeti" because of its abundant wildlife, including bison, deer, and wolves, who will casually cross in front of your vehicle or run alongside you.
16. Lake Shore Drive
One of the greatest roads for architecture-viewing in the world, Lake Shore Drive, traverses the perimeter of Chicago. With plenty of green spaces and beaches along the way, it offers the best of both worlds.
17. Natchez Trace Parkway
Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile stretch from Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. The route was forged not by humans but by buffalo who roamed the area, followed by hunters, traders, and eventually a trade route. The road offers gorgeous scenery as well as historic towns.
18. Florida Highway 1
Highway 1 in Florida is a 545 stretch that runs along the state's east coast from the southernmost tip up into Georgia. The road brings the driver through the famous Florida Keys with old, iconic hotels dotting the way. Driving this road is the perfect way to see a large chunk of the state.
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19. Badlands–Black Hills Loop
Driving the Badlands–Black Hills Loop is often described as an otherworldly experience due to the unique aesthetic of the mounded red rock formations lining the road. The twisted roads winding through those rugged rocks also make for an incredible driving experience.
20. San Juan Skyway
Colorado's San Juan Skyway is a road trip essential that takes you through some of the state's most famous destinations like Telluride, Ouray, and Durango. Take in the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains while enjoying some fun, windy driving.
