Is there anything more beautiful than hopping into your Grand Cherokee, turning on your favorite Spotify playlist, and beginning your road trip? Personally, we don't think so, which is why we're thrilled to share some of the most scenic roads in America. Whether you're new to the game, or a road trip veteran, these roads will bring you the inspiration you need.
The current situation might've put a pause on your summer vacation plans, but there's always the chance to explore and realize how incredibly diverse America is through the windows of your car. No matter where in America you are, chances are there's an incredible, accessible drive close to you. In Georgia alone, you can transition from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. Let alone all the other states, highways, beaches, harbors and lighthouses, waiting for you to pack your bags and enjoy the trip of your lifetime.
15 Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
In the northwest corner of the United States lies the paradise you've been searching for. Even if you're the laziest and most inexperienced outdoor person ever, you will be inspired to park your car, put on your hiking boots and begin exploring. The Olympic Peninsula is home to the Olympic National Park, where you can find endless beaches, waterfalls, and cliff views. The Loop Drive itself is a 329.2-mile loop trail that is primarily used for scenic driving. If you haven't driven there yet, you know where your next destination is.
14 Scenic Byway 12, Utah
Sometimes you find yourself on a road that feels truly special. It's not the landscape, although you can't keep your eyes off it. Nor the quality of the surface. It's how the road connects to the landscape, how the engineering of it makes you feel one with nature. Highway 12 in Utah is such a road - 122.863 miles of driving ecstasy. Highway 12 was classified as an "All American Road" back in 2002, and since then, all drivers have been enjoying the ultimate treasure of Utah.
13 Blue Ridge Parkway, The Carolinas and Virginia
Get your Jeep, play "Take me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver, and head to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a road that will genuinely take you home. The Blue Ridge Parkway is called "America's Favorite Drive." It is a road that winds for 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, connecting the Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's one of America's jewels and a must-visit. Make sure to slow down during your drive - you'll need to capture every scenic view there is. And believe us, there are plenty!
12 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois
The Lake Shore Drive, also known as the Outer Drive or as the LSD (because it genuinely sends you into a trip), is an expressway that goes alongside Lake Michigan, through the city of Chicago, Illinois. It's a historic and designated truly American road that will allow you to enjoy the urban architecture and the beautiful lake, at the same time. It's one of the most famous drives in America featured in dozens of movies and songs. You can get inspired by it too.
11 Bluebonnet Trail, Texas
The Bluebonnet Trail in Texas is not a Monet painting, although it looks like one. It's a trail that extends for over 10 miles, providing you with one of the most beautiful sceneries you've ever seen. Make sure you're driving a 4x4 and going there in late March or early April since it's the prime time to enjoy this Texas gem. The official Bluebonnet Trail begins at Pierce Park, and if you're in the mood for some celebrating, check the annual bluebonnet festival which takes place in the second week of April.
10 Going-To-The-Sun Road, Montana
The Going-to-the-Sun Road will satisfy your hunger for the outdoors. It's an experience, an engineering wonder that each motorist and road crew embraces at its fullest. You might ask where does this road send you, or why is it called so. Initially, the drive borrowed the name from the nearby Going-to-the-Sun Mountain. The stories say the mountain got its name from an Indian legend, in which a Sour Spirit came down from the mountain to teach the people the basics of hunting and surviving. The Road is 50 miles long and stretches from one end of the Glacier National Park to the other, covering glaciers, forests, and mountains. So no, the Montana road doesn't send you to the sun, but it offers more than that.
9 Hana Highway, Hawaii
The Hana Highway is one of the top destinations on the Maui island. Every twist and turn is something to see. We admit, it might look scary, but as soon as you see the cliffs cloaked in green and the lush valleys bursting with waterfalls, you'll forget all about it. Or you can always book your tour, so you won't have to worry about a thing. The scenic drive is located on the northeast coastline of Maui, and it will make it worth your while.
8 Titus Canyon Road, California
The Titus Canyon Road, also known as the Death Road, will make you feel alive regardless of its name. The Canyon, although considered dangerous, has it all: rugged mountains, a ghost town, petroglyphs, rare plants, and gorgeous canyon narrows. For this road, you'll need a four-wheel-drive, and you can start from the Nevada Highway, 2 miles east of Park Boundary Road. It's 26.6 miles long and is one of the most famous trails in America. So if you're in for a good ol' American adventure, the Titus Canyon Road is the way to go.
7 Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
This tongue-twister name shouldn't distract you from the real purpose of this paragraph. You can call it Kanc for short. The Kancamagus Highway is one of New England's most scenic drives, especially in the fall season. Don't confuse it for desktop wallpaper, although it looks like one. Some of the highlights include the Albany Covered Bridge, the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, and the Russell-Colbath Historic Site. The Highway is also one of the most relaxed driving tours to experience. You simply follow the Route 112 west from Conway to Lincoln, and the 34-mile Kanc Highway will be all yours.
6 Oregon Coast Highway, Oregon
The Oregon Coast Highway is a road that you should take slowly, simply because the whole route is a spiritual feast for your senses, so frequent stops are mandatory. The entire coastline stretches for 363 splendid miles. The Coast is a world of dozens of delights, crashing waves, sandy beaches, and rocky tide pools, making you feel like you were there. The Highway begins in the northwest corner of Oregon, and if you decide never to leave the Coast, it doesn't end.
5 Richardson Highway, Alaska
The Richardson Highway from Valdez to Fairbanks takes around 8 hours to complete. As such, it's a real investment that's extremely rewarding. Throughout the way, you'll see views of the Chugach Mountains and Alaska Range and some of the best glaciers in Alaska. Fortunately, the highway is in good condition, so you won't have to worry about your vehicle. It's Alaska's first road, known to the gold-seekers as the Valdez to Eagle Trail. Today, it might not be a place to seek gold, but the road itself is the true jewel.
4 Lemhi Pass, Montana & Idaho
The Lemhi Pass stretches on the Montana-Idaho border. It's a National Historic Landmark since it's been used from 1805 to leave the United States for the West. Remember that the road is unpaved and rocky, so you should acquire a high-clearance 4x4 with a spare tire. And to admit, parts of it will be nerve-racking, but the view is the payoff. To travel on such a historical and legendary road, through scenery that almost didn't change from two centuries ago, is an unforgettable event.
3 San Juan Skyway, Colorado
Riding through the San Juan Mountains and stopping at some of the essential historic towns, Colorado's San Juan Skyway is considered a necessary journey for all the people who are looking for an adventure and once-in-a-lifetime scenery. In 2012, Travel + Leisure named the San Juan Skyway one of "America's Best Spring Drives." With the 236 miles of wonder and pure bliss, it takes around 7 hours. So, if you're driving to Durango, make sure to ride on the San Juan Skyway.
2 Pacific Coast Highway, California
The Pacific Coast Highway starts in the historic Monterey and continues through Big Sur, where the mountains meet the Pacific. Farther south, the road passes Hearst Castle on its way to Morro Bay. It's one of America's designated routes and an exhilarating driving experience where the roads hug the cliffs for a full ten hours. The astounding highway itself is proof of the marvel of human effort, meant to be driven slowly while gasping and capturing all the beaches, mountains, and the endless sky. It's one of the world's most famous highways, and if you haven't visited it yet, you're seriously missing out.
1 Overseas Highway, Florida
You're having a hard time believing this Highway exists in real life and is not from some fantasy movie about Heaven? You should check it out then. The Florida Keys Highway starts at the southern tip of Florida near Miami and continues from Key Largo to Key West. It's a 106 miles stretch of paradise that connects island after island. Endless water and occasional dolphins or pelicans will follow you throughout all the way. And remember - it's not always about the destination it's about the road you're taking.