The Top 10 Most Beautiful Road Trips in the United States
The United States has some of the world’s most attractive views. There’s no better way to see these views than on a road trip. We are going to take you through this guide highlighting some of the top road trips within the nation’s borders ranging from one-day excursions around Hawaii all the way to transcontinental journeys; including olden day routes plus those going through various National Parks.
10. The Loneliest Road
In 1986 Life magazine called the Nevada part of U.S. Route 50 “The Loneliest Road” because of its vast desolate areas. Today, this road trip takes the whole US 50, covering over 3,000 miles throughout the United States.
Even though it officially begins in Sacramento; begin your journey from San Francisco where it started in 1972, but was later replaced by interstate highways west of California’s capital city. This route will pass through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington DC until it reaches Ocean City, Maryland. The entire drive takes about 45 hours without stopping.
Must-See Stops
- Lake Tahoe
- Canyonlands National Park
- Arches National Park
- Arlington National Cemetery
9. The Grand Circle
This National Park road trip is so well-known for a reason. This park road endeavor, which is among the most popular in the United States, meanders for nearly 1,000 miles through a USA tourist attraction characterized by six national estates that are found in Arizona and Utah namely Zion Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands and also Grand Canyon.
This road takes about two weeks but the time taken all depends on how much you want to enjoy nature at its best. Most people start off their journey from Las Vegas but it can as well start from other cities like Salt Lake City or Phoenix. And if this is not enough for you, after finishing this trip why not explore one of California’s parks as well?
8. Going-to-the-Sun Road
One of the most varied adventures in the park’s beauty is a drive on the one-way Going-to-the-Sun Road that crosses Glacier National Park in Montana for about 50 miles only 6,646 feet up on Logan Point, the highest place in it.
Must-See Stops
- Lake McDonald and its Lodge
- Avalanche Creek
- Jackson Glacier Overlook
7. Road to Hana
Another one-day trip, the Road to Hana in Hawaii, is a 65-mile highway along the northern shore of Maui linking Kahului to Hana. This long, curvy road offers breathtaking cliffs, panoramic waterfalls, over 50 bridges, and some black sand beaches.
Be sure to stop at Ho’okipa Beach Park, Maui’s Garden of Eden, the Keanae Peninsula, and the Pua’a Ka’a Falls, which is also a great swimming hole! Although 65 miles may sound short, you’ll need at least a whole day to do this road justice.
6. New York to Key West
This almost 2,000-mile road trip along the Atlantic Coast starts in New York and takes you through New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The best thing about this trip is its diversification: you’ll visit beach resort areas, old fishing villages, wetlands, woodlands, coastal wilderness, and miles of sandy beaches. One of the highlights of this trip is the 113-mile Overseas Highway, which links the mainland to the 1,700 islands of the Florida Keys.
Must-See Stops
- Assateague Island in Maryland and Virginia
- Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia
- Miami and Biscayne National Park in Florida
5. The Great Northern
U.S. Route 2, or U.S. Highway 2, spans 2,500 miles across the northern continental United States and consists of a western and an eastern segment connected by roadways in southern Canada. The western segment takes you through Washington State, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan, and reenters the US in New York State before going through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The Great Northern features more panoramic variety than any other US road trip, including Glacier National Park, the Columbia Plateau, and Acadia National Park.
Must-See Stops
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin
- Mackinac Island in Michigan
4. Olympic Peninsula Loop
This 330-mile loop in Washington State goes through most of the more than 3,500 square miles of the Olympic National Park, showcasing nature’s diversity. Lush rainforests, snow-covered mountains of the Cascade Range, and the picturesque Pacific Coast are all part of this trip. Take your time and don’t just stop to take pictures; explore the hiking trails, and coastline, or swim in Lake Crescent, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States.
Must-See Stops
- Dungeness Spit
- Hoh Rain Forest
- Ruby Beach
- Shi Shi Beach
3. Blue Ridge Parkway
This 469-mile scenic drive connects Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, offering lots of beautiful nature along the way. The banning of commercial traffic and billboards makes this drive even more special and pristine. While the best time to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway is in fall, when the trees are most colorful, it can be enjoyed year-round, with beautiful wildflowers in late spring.
Must-See Stops
- Natural Bridge
- Linville Falls
- Chimney Rock State Park
2. Route 66
This legendary road trip, known as the world-famous Route 66, spans 2,448 miles through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica. Although parts of Route 66 no longer exist and are replaced by interstates, this trip offers many unique stops.
Must-See Stops
- Cadillac Ranch in Texas
- Painted Desert in Arizona
- Gateway Arch in Missouri
- Gemini Giant in Illinois
- Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway in New Mexico
- Mojave National Preserve in California
- Grand Canyon National Park (a one-hour detour in Arizona)
1. Pacific Coast Highway
The most famous section of this trip is the California coastal section through Big Sur, but it can take you from Seattle to San Diego. This trip would take about five days with minimal stops, but to fully enjoy it, take your time to explore Seattle, detour to Portland, mine for gold in Eureka, escape from Alcatraz, taste wine in Santa Barbara, adore the Hollywood Hills from Griffith Observatory, and relax on the beaches in San Diego.
Must-See Stops
- Seattle
- Portland
- Eureka
- Alcatraz
- Santa Barbara
- Griffith Observatory
- San Diego
Conclusion
These road trips offer a glimpse into the vast and varied landscapes of the United States. Whether you’re seeking long, adventurous drives or shorter scenic routes, there’s something for every road trip enthusiast.
Tell us in the comments about your favorite road trip in the USA.
FURTHER READING
