Embarking on Unforgettable Adventures: Exploring the Best Scenic Drives in the USA
There’s something enchanting about a road trip that lets you experience the true essence of America. The journey becomes as important as the destination itself, with miles of awe-inspiring vistas, opportunities to pull over for breathtaking views, take selfies against stunning backdrops, or embark on short hikes into nature’s wonders.
In this exhilarating exploration, we’re thrilled to share with you our carefully curated list of the best scenic drives in the USA. Each route promises a remarkable adventure through some of the nation’s most captivating landscapes and iconic destinations.
- Scenic Drives vs. Road Trips: Understanding the Distinction
As we navigated the vast options of America’s roadways, we encountered the challenge of distinguishing between the best road trips and the most scenic drives, as many drives can fall under both categories.
To categorize for this post, we deemed a drive as scenic if the entire route offers captivating scenery and is (mostly) doable within a single day. Some road trips, on the other hand, encompass scenic drives but may also incorporate charming small towns and other attractions, extending the journey beyond a day’s exploration.
- All-American Roads: A Touch of Distinction
Numerous drives on this list have been bestowed with the prestigious designation of All-American Roads, a title reserved for a select third of America’s scenic byways. These routes embody the epitome of scenic splendor and are well worth the drive.
- Skyline Drive, Virginia: A Gateway to Breathtaking Vistas
The Skyline Drive gracefully takes the baton from the Blue Ridge Parkway, leading you on an unforgettable journey across the 105-mile expanse of Shenandoah Valley National Park, adorning the crest of the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains.
Prepare to be awed by boundless viewpoints over the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Massanutten Mountain Range. Plan your drive carefully to incorporate hikes, picnic spots, the best viewpoints, and inviting lodges.
Notable viewpoints along the drive include the Range View Overlook, which offers a breathtaking view of the northern section of the park, the South River Overlook, a favored spot for catching sunrise, and the Baldface Mountain Overlook and Moormans River Overlook, each offering unique perspectives.
Embrace the opportunity to partake in several captivating hikes, including the relatively easy Dark Hollow Falls Trail, perfect for immersing yourself in nature’s beauty.
- Independence Pass, Colorado: A Journey to Alpine Heights
At an elevation of 12,095 feet, Independence Pass reigns as the highest paved mountain pass in Colorado. This 32-mile scenic drive offers a spellbinding journey through clear rivers, picturesque valleys, steep peaks, and extensive aspen forests.
Prepare to traverse the Continental Divide and pass through the highest incorporated city in the US, Leadville, which sits at an impressive 10,152 feet above sea level.
- Kancamagus Scenic Highway, New Hampshire: A Symphony of Fall Foliage
No USA scenic drive list is complete without mentioning the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, a 34.5-mile scenic byway that boasts some of the most splendid views of Fall foliage in the country.
This captivating drive, also known as The Kanc, takes you through the White Mountain National Forest, offering stunning vistas of the White Mountains, the Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls, and Rocky Gorge.
As you embark on this scenic journey, be prepared to witness trees of maples, alder, and birch ablaze in their full autumnal glory, creating a spectacle that will stay etched in your memory forever.
- Highway 12 Scenic Drive, Utah: A Tapestry of Colors and Landscapes
Utah’s Scenic Highway 12 emerges as one of the most splendid drives in the USA, a journey that should not be missed when exploring the state’s natural wonders.
Stretching across 124 miles, this captivating drive connects U.S. 89 near Panguitch to S.R. 24 near Torrey, taking you through some of the most diverse and striking landscapes imaginable.
Passing through the captivating terrain of Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks, the Highway 12 drive boasts lunar-like landscapes intertwined with a kaleidoscope of colors and rock formations that defy imagination.
- Pacific Coast Scenic Byway (Highway 101), Oregon: A Journey Along the Water’s Edge
Spanning 363 miles along the Oregon Coast, Highway 101 earns the prestigious title of an All-American Road, deserving of recognition for its scenic splendor.
Hugging the coastline for most of its journey, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway promises endless opportunities for capturing stunning views of the ocean, cliffs, and rugged coastline. A multi-day trip is recommended to savor every moment of this breathtaking journey.
South of the route, the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor beckons with some of the most captivating views, featuring dramatic cliffs and impressive sea stacks.
Another enchanting stretch lies between Gold Beach and Humbug State Park, as well as the section from the historic Heceta Head Lighthouse through Cape Perpetua to Thors Well, where jagged coastline, sea stacks, and forest cascades into the ocean will leave you mesmerized.
- Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina – Virginia: America’s Beloved Scenic Drive
As the label of America’s favorite scenic drive through the Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles across the North Carolina mountains, concluding at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It also provides easy access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Mileposts along the parkway serve as handy reference points, while numerous opportunities abound to stop for hikes, viewpoints, and wildlife spotting. With over 50 resident bird species, the parkway has become a paradise for birdwatchers, boasting more diversity than the entire continent of Europe.
Whether you embark on this panoramic drive during any season, the Blue Ridge Parkway will mesmerize you with its breathtaking beauty. During autumn, however, the drive transforms into a spectacle of vivid Fall colors, making it an especially popular time for visitors.
- Going to the Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana: A Journey to the Highest Peaks
Regarded as one of the most spectacular drives in the USA, the Going to the Sun Road ascends from the valley to Glacier National Park’s highest peaks in Montana.
Covering 49 miles, this engineering marvel traverses the mountain’s edges, offering panoramic views, sheer drop-offs, and, perhaps, a touch of trepidation.
The road winds its way up to Logan’s Pass before descending eastwards toward St. Mary Visitor Center, concluding on the eastern shore of St. Mary Lake.
- Lamar Valley + Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park: A Wildlife Wonderland
Prepare yourself for a drive that promises encounters with captivating wildlife, from packs of wolves in the distance and herds of bison causing traffic jams to grizzly bears wandering the vast wilderness.
The Lamar Valley stands out as a scenic drive to remember within Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, often referred to as “America’s Serengeti” due to its abundant wildlife population.
Delight in spectacular views and numerous hikes, making this region a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts.
Hayden Valley also proves to be a spectacular drive in Yellowstone, teeming with bison and featuring rolling green hills intersected by the Yellowstone River, with steam rising from the road’s sides, a reminder of the unstable world beneath.
- Lost Coast Scenic Drive, California: A Hidden Gem Along the Northern Coast
We take pride in including lesser-known scenic drives in our list, and the Lost Coast in Northern California stands as a testament to the beauty of exploration.
Though reaching this destination demands some effort, the Lost Coast rewards you with its dramatic coastal views and black sand beaches, offering a taste of Hawaii’s allure.
Lose yourself in the splendor of Black Sand Beach, a stunning California rarity, where the views and the serenity will take your breath away.
- Avenue of the Giants, California: A Journey Amongst Majestic Giants
As the Lost Coast road trip nears its conclusion, you will soon discover the Avenue of the Giants, a scenic road winding through the Humboldt Redwood State Park, nestled between Phillipsville to the south and Pepperwood to the north.
This 31-mile journey is renowned for the towering redwoods lining the road, with trees so close, you could extend your hand out the window and touch them. Humboldt Redwood State Park proudly claims the largest remaining old-growth redwood forest globally, boasting over 17,000 acres of ancient coast redwood and Douglas-fir trees.
- Columbia River Scenic Byway, Oregon: A Cornucopia of Natural Wonders
If you revel in waterfalls, hiking, wineries, fruit-picking, and scenic drives, the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon is tailor-made for your adventurous spirit.
Flowing along the Oregon-Washington border, the Columbia River winds over 80 miles through the Cascade range before emptying into the Pacific Ocean near Astoria.
As you traverse the All-American Road, you’ll encounter lush forests draped in ferns and firs, framed by sheer basalt walls and cascading waterfalls, creating a captivating experience to cherish.
One of the most iconic and renowned waterfalls in the USA, Multnomah Falls, stands as a star attraction along this scenic drive.
Embrace the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, a protected land that attracts outdoor enthusiasts, offering an unforgettable road trip in the Pacific Northwest.
The list of America’s most scenic drives may be boundless, but these captivating routes capture the essence of the nation’s diverse and mesmerizing landscapes. Embarking on any of these drives promises unforgettable memories and exhilarating experiences. So, buckle up and get ready for a journey of a lifetime as you traverse these scenic roads, unveiling the breathtaking beauty and wonders of America one mile at a time.
From lofty mountain passes to coastal panoramas and everything in between, each drive will leave an indelible mark on your heart, forever reminding you of the splendor of the USA’s scenic wonders.
