The USA is the land of road trips, and there are pretty much endless routes, rides and detours to take. But some highways and byways stand out even among such riches. Here we've picked 30 that soar above the competition, slicing through the country’s most beguiling and breathtaking landscapes. It's time to step your road trip up a gear.
San Juan Skyway, Colorado
Winding for 233 miles (375km) through the red-peppered San Juan Mountains, the San Juan Skyway is one of those roads that really is all about the drive. There are fascinating places to stop, from the historic railroad town Durango to the ski resort Telluride. But it’s the twists and turns, at some points revealing mountain-ringed lakes and at others bringing you to the edge of dramatic canyons, that’ll linger longest in the memory.
Highway 299, California
The road-trip state has more famous drives than this one – but Highway 299 should not be overlooked. This squiggly route, which curls like an unfurled ribbon in the breeze, is much less traveled and all the better for it. It wends its way across north California, beginning near Eureka and ending at the Nevada state line. It also passes through national forests and the Trinity Alps, where mountains are reflected in inky lakes.
Ocean Drive, Miami, Florida
You needn’t be a Lighthouse Family fan to cruise down this easy, sea-breezy stretch in Miami – though we reckon having their Ocean Drive hit drifting through the speakers adds to the occasion. En route, you'll pass by pastel-hued Art Deco hotels and rustling palm trees, with the ocean in the near distance. If your ride is a retro convertible, it is even better.
Alaska Route 1, Alaska
Alaska’s vast swathes of wilderness make for the perfect road trip, especially if you don’t much like the company of other cars. Alaska Route 1 glides from Homer towards the Canadian border, cutting through Anchorage and passing snow-hatted mountains and glistening glaciers. You'll glimpse glorious views of Cook Inlet too.
US Route 50, Nevada
The US Route 50 spans the entire country, crossing from Sacramento, California in the west to Ocean City, Maryland in the east. The Nevada portion of the highway was dubbed “The Loneliest Road in America” by Life magazine in 1986, which had the perverse effect of making it pretty popular, actually. You’re still likely to enjoy some stretches of the undulating desert highway to yourself, with only mountain-pierced skies and the open road for company.
Valley of the Gods Loop, Utah
A 17-mile (27km) dirt and gravel road loops through the Valley of the Gods, passing flat-topped buttes and spindly spires and rewarding road-trippers with views of apricot, peach and rose-tinged rock that stretch for miles. The road is bumpy and steep in places, so you may need a 4x4 in wet conditions. Otherwise, just take a full tank of petrol, some snacks and a sense of adventure.
Bold Coast Scenic Byway, Maine
This route could be named for the bold blue of the water, which the road skims right alongside. Or perhaps it's just called the Bold Coast because this part of Maine, from Milbridge to Eastport, is so strikingly, confidently beautiful. Either way, you’ll want to drive this undulating 125-mile (201km) byway at a snail’s pace, so you can gawp at scenery from mudflats and lobster wharfs to granite outcrops and fir forest.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
Allow a few hours to zigzag your way up this 50-mile (80km) iconic mountain road in Glacier National Park. As you climb higher, and the air becomes thinner, the scenery gets ever more spectacular. Mountain goats cling to cliff sides, glaciers peek above pine forest and flower-strewn valleys tumble down to glassy lakes. Plan stops at Jackson Glacier Overlook, with a perfectly framed view of the park’s seventh-largest glacier, and Logan Pass, the highest spot you can reach by car. See jaw-dropping pictures of the world's most dangerous roads.
Cascade Loop Scenic Byway, Washington
You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve ended up in the Alps as you drive this 440-mile loop. There’s Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style town whose picture-perfect thatched houses are backed by mountains, crystalline lakes, verdant valleys (brightened by tulips in spring), pine-studded slopes, and cute wooden huts selling ice-cream and cakes. The southern part skims by the Skykomish River before the route slices east through the Methow Valley, nicknamed Washington’s wild west.
Forrest Gump Road, Utah
Remember that bit in Forrest Gump where the eponymous character, having run for three years, decides he’s finally had enough? Maybe he just wanted to enjoy these Utah views. You can visit the same spot-on US-163, known as Forrest Gump Point, and you don’t even have to run there. In fact, we’d advise you to drive in the red sandstone buttes of Monument Valley without the risk of collapsing in a hot, tired heap.
Blue Ridge Parkway, multiple states
The Blue Ridge Parkway links up Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the North Carolina portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so you’re guaranteed a spectacular start and finish. In between are 469 glorious miles (755km) of highlights, including views of the mist-shrouded Appalachian Highlands, thick forest (particularly gorgeous in fall) and waterfalls.
Don’t ask me why, but I simply love the thrill of hitting the open road on an exciting road trip adventure. Perhaps it’s because you never quite know what to expect or what you’ll encounter along your journey. Either way, it’s an exciting endeavor for many travelers!
