Looking for a great summer road trip? Check out ten of the most scenic drives in the United States.
Summer’s already halfway over, and if you haven’t planned a vacation yet, you’d better get moving if you want to make it out of town at all! The good news is, if you live in the U.S., you don’t need to spend much to see some of the world’s most beautiful sights—just pack everyone into the car and gear up for a road trip. Here are some of our favorite destinations in the lower 48.
Old Canada Road Scenic Byway. Being residents of Maine ourselves, we happen to think our home is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, especially in summer. While the coastal Route 1 drive is most famous, it’s a bit crowded this time of year for our taste—but the picturesque journey to Quebec crosses vast forests and stunning lakes. The 82.3-mile journey from Solon to the Canada border is one of our favorites, and it’s a great way to cross international borders without having to deal with the nasty airport inspectors.
The Pacific Coast Highway. Start off with a day or two in San Francisco, then travel south. You can dip your toes in the water at Half Moon Beach, see the amazing trees at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, then stop in the weird and wonderful town of Santa Cruz for some lunch, shopping, and a roller coaster ride at the Boardwalk. Continue south to the jaw-dropping cliffs of Big Sur and countless photo opportunities along the way, and then all the way down to Los Angeles, where you can check out great museums and restaurants, and, if you’ve got kids, finish it off with a day at Disneyland.
The Colorado Cliffs. The red sandstone cliffs of Colorado are absolutely breathtaking. This little-known three-hour scenic drive starts off in the city of Grand Junction, then crosses spectacular scenery on the way to the resort town of Telluride, with an optional detour to the Uncompahgre National Forest.
The Blue Ridge Parkway. Get away from it all with a journey through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The 469-mile drive passes two national parks: Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, and Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. The gorgeous drive is full of spectacular views, with plenty of places to stop along the way and marvel at both the scenery and the Civil War-era history.
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. If you’ve got a kid who loves dinosaurs—or if you never got over the obsession yourself—this 10-hour trip through Colorado and Utah offers both spectacular scenery and plenty of opportunities to dig into our prehistoric relatives’ lives. You’ll have the chance to see dinosaur skeletons and bones at dig sites and museums, as well as the beautiful sandstone at Canyonlands National Park.
West Cascades Scenic Byway. This two-day journey through Oregon’s West Cascades offers waterfalls, canyons, mountain vistas, and plenty of good fishing. Spend a night camping out at Detroit Lake, where you can do some swimming and boating, and then hike the South Breitenbush Gorge National Recreation Trail, where you’ll be awed by the beautiful old-growth giant trees.
Trail of the Ancients. If you have Native American ancestry, or are interested in the fascinating and often-tragic history of America’s First Nations tribes, this nine-hour drive offers a remarkable glimpse at the history of the Four Corners region. Stop at some of the fascinating archeological sites along the way, and see ancient Pueblo ruins. The Grand Gulch canyon offers otherworldly scenery, and the chance to explore many hiking trails. Finish your journey at the Four Corners Monument, where you can stand in four states (Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona) all at once.
Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. Rural Wisconsin is rarely mentioned as a driving destination, but it’s high time that changed. This 115-mile drive follows the stunning ancient glacial formations of the Kettle Moraine, with plenty of opportunities to stop and hike, bike, and fish along the way.
Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road. You probably won’t find a more descriptive road name than the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, which climbs the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in Montana’s spectacular Glacier National Park. The drive features a series of beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking peaks and glaciers, and views of the lush green valleys below. Located in Northern Montana near the Canada border, Glacier National Park receives fewer visitors than the also-stunning Yellowstone National Park, so you’ll have plenty of space to camp out and enjoy the sights.
Olympic Peninsula Drive. This stunning 454-mile loop covers Washington’s beautiful Olympic Peninsula, with incredible scenery that includes mountains, glaciers, beaches, and lush forests. The route includes access to Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest, and along the way, you’ll be able to take part in activities like kayaking, hiking, biking, berry picking, and even a llama trek.