Usually, vacations and traveling are more about the excitement of exploring new destinations. Road trips, on the other hand, tend to focus more on the journey itself rather than the final destination. The experience is even more fulfilling when scenic landscapes surround the route and offer a fun driving experience. Those who enjoy such getaways should look into certain routes across the country that deserve a place on their bucket list.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The 469-mile-long Parkway, which passes through the Blue Ridge Mountains, is considered one of the most beautiful routes in the country. It spans the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Along the way, the Parkway offers various hiking spots and a chance to spot hundreds of bird species. Overall, the road trip journey might take around two to five days to complete. A great thing about the Blue Ridge Parkway is that it offers a scenic drive with sweeping views, regardless of the season.
Pacific Coast Highway
Those who love the sea will love driving along the Pacific Coast Highway in California. It is around 650 miles long and spans Napa Valley to San Diego. True to its name, the highway runs alongside the stunning California coastline, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean throughout the journey. Moreover, the route passes through some popular cities, including San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles, before finally ending at San Diego, making it one of the most iconic road trip destinations. Given its location, the Pacific Coast Highway is best visited during either summer or spring months. Covering the entire highway can take around seven to ten days.
Route 66
Route 66 stands out as one of the most popular road trip destinations. It spans almost 2250 miles, connecting Chicago to Los Angeles. Along the way, it passes through eight different states. The main attraction of this route is its peculiar roadside stands and rusty stops. Along with that, the route also passes through several national parks. So, depending on the number of stops and the activities one participates in, covering the entire route can take one to two weeks.
San Juan Skyway
This route is a 236-mile-long loop in Colorado; it starts in Durango and goes through places such as Mancos, Dolores, Rico, Ouray, and Silverton before finally returning to Durango. The road is located along the Rockies, meaning travelers will enjoy majestic views of the mountains during their journey. Given its short length, a drive along the route can be completed in one to three days. However, due to the road being in a mountainous region, it is frequently closed. So, before embarking on a road trip there, it is better to check for any warnings beforehand.
The Loneliest Road
Contrary to how its name may make it sound, The Loneliest Road is among the country’s most visited road trip destinations. Located in Nevada, the official name of the route is Highway 50. The road starts from Baker, passes through Austin (Nevada), Eureka, and Virginia City, and ends at Carson City. Among the most notable destinations on the route is the Great Basin National Park, located in Baker. In addition, the town of Ely, known for its mural walk and Renaissance society, is a must-visit during the road trip.
Route 12
Scenic Byway 12, also called Route 12, is located along the red rock canyons in Utah. So, when driving by this route, travelers watch some of the most unique and breathtaking natural rock formations. They can also visit the iconic Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks. Route 12 is not too long, spanning only around 122 miles, and can be completed in a day.
North Shore Drive
Highway 61, also known as the North Shore Scenic Drive, stretches from Duluth, Minnesota, to the Canadian border near Grand Portage, also in Minnesota. The unique selling point of this route is its stunning views of Lake Superior, allowing travelers to enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the entire journey. In addition to the picturesque lake, the route features beautiful natural landscapes filled with pine and birch trees and rugged cliffs. Travelers can also spot several lighthouses along the way, enhancing this scenic drive’s charm.
Highway 101
Yet another bucket-list road trip route, located along the shorelines, is Highway 101, which is in Oregon. The coastline covers a good chunk of the route—around 400 miles. Highway 101 is a part of the Pacific Coast Highway, which is, in total, around 1600 miles long. Several iconic spots are worth adding as stop points along the Oregon chunk of the highway. These include Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park, and Ecola State Park. Also, when driving along the route, do not miss spotting the farmlands in the small towns of the state and the sea cliffs along the coast.
