Going on a road trip through America is a life changing experience. You must absolutely go for it if you enjoy traveling! You will cross vast deserts, drive along misty coastlines, through small-towns and into the shadows of mountain peaks. Every single mile driven on U.S. highways unfolds something new. Whether you're looking for remote wilderness or iconic pitstops, driving across the United States is still the best way to discover it's beauty. This article explores 15 of the most breathtaking driving routes across the country. They are each packed with distinct features, historical facts and views. You'll also find practical travel insights, route highlights and a useful reference table to start planning your next adventure behind the wheel with ease! What are the best road trips in the US? Let's find out!
| Route Name | Start Point | End Point | Route Character & Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🛣️ Route 66 | Chicago, IL | Santa Monica, CA | Classic diners, neon signs, retro Americana |
| 🌊 Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) | Port Townsend, WA | San Diego, CA | Coastal cliffs, surfer towns, Redwood forests |
| 🚤 Great River Road | Itasca State Park, MN | Venice, LA | Mississippi towns, civil rights history, river life |
| 🌌 The Loneliest Road (US-50) | Ocean City, MD | Sacramento, CA | Isolated desert towns, stargazing, mountain ranges |
| 🍂 Blue Ridge Parkway | Shenandoah NP, VA | Smoky Mountains NP, NC | Mountain tunnels, old park lodges, fall foliage |
| 🌴 Overseas Highway | Miami, FL | Key West, FL | Turquoise waters, coral reefs, bridges linking islands |
| 🏔️ Going-to-the-Sun Road | West Glacier, MT | St. Mary, MT | Glacier peaks, alpine lakes, grizzly habitat |
| 🌳 Natchez Trace Parkway | Natchez, MS | Nashville, TN | Native heritage, Civil War landmarks, rolling forests |
| 🦅 The Great Northern (US-2) | Everett, WA | Houlton, ME | Cross-continental, national parks, wide open spaces |
| 🥾 Appalachian Trail Drive | Georgia | Maine | Scenic byways, trail towns, Appalachian culture |
| 🐂 Oregon Trail | Independence | Oregon City, OR | Pioneer landmarks, historical interpretation sites |
| 🐻 Alaska Highway | Dawson Creek, BC | Delta Junction, AK | Moose sightings, mountain passes, wild landscapes |
| 🎺 Dixie Highway | Sault Ste. Marie, MI | Miami, FL | Architecture, southern cities, roadside oddities |
| 🏛️ Lincoln Highway | Times Square, NY | San Francisco, CA | First U.S. highway, small towns, Americana nostalgia |
| 🌵Southern Pacific | Savannah, GA | San Diego, CA | Deserts, Texas borderlands, Spanish colonial towns |
Route 66: The All-American Icon
Once the main route of American migration going west, Route 66 is loaded with motels, museums, vintage gas stations and kitschy landmarks. From the Blue Whale of Catoosa to the Petrified Forest and Santa Monica Pier, this road is nostalgia on wheels and one of the best road trip routes USA. Route 66 will drive you through eight states. You can even stop in Seligman, AZ for old-school charm or grab lunch at a classic diner that hasn’t changed in 50 years!
Are you planning a road trip on Route 66 and need some tips?
Pacific Coast Highway: The West Coast Classic
The PCH, also known as Highway 1, cruises along California’s coast with no shortage of photographic sceneries. Think of sunny mornings, surfers near Santa Cruz, cliffs dropping into the ocean and towns like Carmel and Malibu offering natural and charming luxury. Expect tight turns on the road and breathtaking stops. Whale watching is common during winter and beach towns like Pismo Beach offer cozy overnight stops. Don’t miss the Hearst Castle or the marine life in Monterey Bay.
To make sure you don't forget anything during your road trip on the Pacific Coast, here is a video of someone's experience on the Pacific Coast Highway. Get ready for breathtaking views!
Great River Road – Rolling with the Mississippi
Following America’s greatest river, the Great River Road touches ten states. You’ll find yourself driving by antebellum mansions, riverboats and cities like Memphis and New Orleans. These cities have shaped blues and jazz history. This is a route for travelers who appreciate slow travel. You can explore small river towns like Dubuque, Iowa, and Vicksburg, Mississippi. You can also enjoy museums, scenic levees and delicious Southern food! Take your pick. Find out more on the Great River Road here!
Roads were made for journeys, not destinations.
Confucius
The Loneliest Road in America – For Solitude Seekers
Nevada’s 50 mile stretch lives up to its name. However, as lonely it may be, it makes up for in silence, open desert and a sky full of stars. Make sure to stop in Austin (NV), explore Ely’s mining history! This route also passes through the heart of Great Basin country. Expect long distances between gas stations, eerie ghost towns and scenic vistas that feel untouched by time. Here's a beautiful presentation on YouTube!
Now it is your turn to plan your road trip on the most beautiful and Loneliest Road in America!
Blue Ridge Parkway – A Drive Through the Appalachians
This 469 mile drive is made to be driven slowly and to enjoy the nature that surrounds you. The route goes through Virginia and North Carolina with overlooks, as well as forest hikes and craft towns like Asheville. The best time to go is during autumn. You'll enjoy the forest's beautiful fall colors! Frequent trailheads offer access to waterfalls and incredible ridge hikes. Cyclists and bikers also favor this road! When spring comes, the bloom brings wildflowers and budding trees into a colorful display.
Overseas Highway – Island Hopping in the Florida Keys
The Overseas Highway is one of the most unique routes in the country. It is mostly made of bridges connecting key after key. You'll be driving over coral reefs with a key lime pie never too far away. Expect tropical views around every corner. You can snorkel at John Pennekamp Coral Reef or explore the quirky charm of Islamorada and Marathon!
Going-to-the-Sun Road – The Crown of the Continent
This road cuts straight through Glacier National Park. You'll be driving by cliffs and waterfalls!
It’s only 50 miles, but it's visually stunning. Late summer is the best time to catch it snow-free. The road is narrow, so RVs are limited, but cars and motorcycles will find it thrilling. However, parking at Logan Pass fills fast! Make sure to reserve your spot!
Keep an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep. If you're lucky, you might get to see a few!
Natchez Trace Parkway – Time Travel Through the South
Once walked by Native tribes and early traders, the Natchez Trace is now a federally protected parkway. It avoids modern sprawl, keeping it authentic and contemplative. Stop for Civil War sites, hardwood forests and quiet Southern towns. With a 50 mph speed limit and no commercial vehicles, it’s definitely a peaceful route. Fall colors make it a favorite among RV travelers!
The Great Northern (US-2) – A Wide Open Wander
US-2 is a road that is parallel to the Canadian border. The Great Northern offers a raw, less frequented road across the north. Hit up Glacier National Park, the Minnesota Iron Range and the rustic charms of Vermont and Maine. This route will give you forests, plains and snowy peaks! Stay in old railroad towns, catch a sunrise over Lake Superior or visit small museums that preserve frontier heritage.
Appalachian Trail Drive – Forest Roads and Mountain Culture
The Appalachian Trail Drive allows access to scenic routes running near the famous footpath. You’ll encounter charming inns, waterfalls and ridge views all the way from Georgia to Maine. Drive through mountain passes and visit towns like Damascus, Virginia, and Hanover, New Hampshire.
Check out this scenic Appalachian Drive video on YouTube! You'll definitely want to drive the Appalachian Trail after this.
Oregon Trail – History in Motion
Following the wagon tracks of 19th-century settlers, the trail passes museums, prairies and mountains. This is where modern travel meets historic perseverance!
Highlights include Chimney Rock, South Pass and the Columbia River Gorge, each rich with frontier tales. Make sure to stop at interpretive centers for immersive learning or to take a detour into National Parks like Craters of the Moon.
Alaska Highway – Into the Wild
Built in WWII, the Alaska Highway covers vast stretches of Canadian wilderness before ending in Alaska. Moose, bears and glaciers are your frequent companions on this road. It's a wild and breathtaking highway! It is important to know that remote gas stops and long days on gravel roads demand preparation. However, the wildlife, mountain ranges and feeling of total remoteness make it unforgettable!
Dixie Highway – Midwest Meets the South
Driving you from Michigan to Florida, this route connects you to dozens of authentic towns. Explore Kentucky bourbon country, Tennessee music halls and coastal Georgia beaches, all in one drive! You’ll cross dozens of regional cuisines and dialects. From Midwestern farmlands to swampy lowlands, the landscape around you is constantly evolving. Next stop? The Dixie Highway!
The Dixie Highway was a network of routes built in the early 1900s to help people in the Midwest drive all the way to Florida. Spanning over 5,700 miles, it connected small towns and boosted travel before interstates existed.
Lincoln Highway – The Original Cross-Country Route
Launched in 1913, the Lincoln Highway was America’s first transcontinental road. Today, it is a mix of original brick roads, quirky roadside stops and fading Midwest charm. This is the drive for fans of American vintage. Old gas stations, soda fountains and murals line the way. It’s a route rich in history! Here is a very informative video on the history of the Lincoln Highway on YouTube.
Southern Pacific – A Sun-Baked Southern Sojourn
From Georgia’s mossy oaks to California’s desert cities, this route travels through the hottest, driest and sunniest landscapes in the U.S. This road shows real variety, from the charm of Southern towns to the toughness of life near the border. In El Paso, Tucson and Yuma, you’ll find good food and strong local character. Expect desert blooms in spring and golden sunsets nearly every evening!
Why Use Superprof to Prepare for Your Road Trip?
Before hitting the road, why not brush up on some useful skills? Superprof connects you with reliable tutors who can help you learn anything from vehicle maintenance, road trip budgeting, photography and Spanish (especially useful for the Southern Pacific route). Whether you're interested in documenting your trip through writing or need to learn basic Spanish for the Southwest, Superprof offers flexible and affordable one-on-one sessions! Take a look on our courses today!
Wrapping Up Your Road Trip Plans
What did you think of these routes for the best road trips in the USA? Planning a road trip across the United States is a very exciting experience. It's about choosing a route that matches your curiosity, pace and goals. Which route was your favorite in this list? Do you prefer exploring forgotten highways, crossing state lines to try a regional dish or chasing sunsets down scenic roads? With these 15 epic routes, you’ll discover the beauty of this country. So grab your keys, charge your devices and don’t forget the snacks. Most importantly, don't forget to travel safely!
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