25 Best Scenic Drives in the U.S. to Add to Your Travel Bucket List

For sweeping views of national forests and the Appalachian Mountains, take a scenic ride along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, winding through Virginia and the Carolinas. Time your trip for fall and you’ll be rewarded with a brilliant display of foliage in every direction.

Beartooth Highway offers jaw-dropping scenery, dramatic alpine terrain, and the chance to spot wildlife along the way. With plenty of scenic pull-offs and lookout points, it’s the kind of drive that begs you to stop often—and take photos, of course!

Natural beauty is on full display along New Hampshire’s iconic Kancamagus Highway—often hailed as one of the top fall foliage drives in the world. There are multiple overlooks, waterfalls, and trailheads along the way, including Sabbaday Falls and the C.L. Graham Wangan Grounds scenic overlook.

Spanning 113 miles and connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland, the world-famous Overseas Highway takes you across 42 bridges (including the iconic Seven Mile Bridge). You'll feel as if you're floating across the sparkling blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Embark on an unforgettable West Coast drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles, where crisp ocean air, dramatic cliffs, and endless Pacific views set the tone. Along the way, make time to explore postcard-perfect seaside towns like Monterey, Pebble Beach, Santa Barbara, and Malibu, each offering its own unique charm, local bites, and scenic stops.

While Maui is known for its stunning beaches, the real adventure lies on the legendary Road to Hana—a breathtaking 52-mile journey from Kahului to Hana. This winding highway curves around steep cliffs, past cascading waterfalls, and through lush, tropical rainforest. Take your time to enjoy the view and to stay safe!

Winding through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the 105-mile High Road to Taos between Santa Fe and the historic pueblo of Taos is as culturally rich as it is visually stunning. You can take in the sweeping views as you cruise the curving mountain roads—or make leisurely stops in centuries-old villages like Chimayó, Truchas, and Las Trampas, known for their Spanish colonial roots and artisan traditions.

While Lake Superior offers no shortage of scenic routes, there’s something truly magical about Minnesota’s North Shore. Stretching from Duluth to the Canadian border, this coastal drive delivers rugged natural beauty at every turn. Think: rocky beaches, misty cliffs, and dense pine forests. Along the way, you’ll also pass unique beaches, harbors, and three stunning lighthouses.

Cape Cod is packed with charm, and one of the best ways to take it all in is with a leisurely drive along Route 6. This iconic stretch can take you all the way up the tip of Provincetown and winds through quaint seaside towns, rolling sand dunes, and pine forests, offering a perfect blend of scenery and New England character.

Get your kicks on Route 66! This iconic highway includes some of the most unforgettable scenery the Golden State has to offer, from the wide-open spaces of the Mojave Desert to the sea views of Santa Monica. Whether you're chasing stunning landscapes or quirky roadside stops, this legendary drive offers a trip full of character.

This breathtaking byway links Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks, guiding you through a landscape carved by time. Along the route, you'll encounter dramatic sandstone canyons, towering rock spires, and sweeping views of Utah's red rock country.

Spanning 440 miles through some of Washington state’s most breathtaking landscapes, the Cascade Loop is a road trip dream. Whether you travel clockwise or counterclockwise, you’ll pass through a stunning mix of natural beauty—from the sparkling waters of Puget Sound to snowcapped mountain passes, fertile farmland, alpine lakes, and charming small towns.

Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the world’s most breathtaking and daring mountain drives. This legendary route winds along cliffside curves through the snow-dusted peaks, glacier-carved valleys, and alpine meadows of Glacier National Park. With every twist and turn, you'll be treated to unforgettable high-elevation scenery.

Coast along the ridgeline of the Blue Ridge Mountains on Skyline Drive, the crown jewel of Shenandoah National Park. This scenic 105-mile route offers sweeping mountain views, wildlife sightings, and countless pull-offs for photos and fresh air. It’s also a hiker’s dream, with access to more than 500 miles of trails—including a picturesque stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

Journey through 54 miles of winding, forested beauty on the Talimena Scenic Drive, nestled within the stunning Ouachita National Forest. This route delivers sweeping mountain views, rich foliage, and peaceful overlooks around every bend. For a truly unforgettable experience, plan your drive between late October and early November.

Soak in rugged coastal views and towering redwoods as you cruise down Highway 101 through California, Oregon, and Washington. This stretch is known for its blend of wine country and beaches so you're sure to get your fill of both!

Architecture lovers will enjoy this 15-mile urban drive around the city of Chicago. Get the best of both worlds with green space, beaches, and Lake Michigan on one side and a mix of parkland and striking skyscrapers on the other.

Anyone who loves flowers has to try this scenic trail, which is the oldest one in Texas. You'll enjoy endless views of pretty blue wildflowers as you drive through gorgeous fields, prairies, and parks.

Climbing as high as 12,183 feet, this road holds the honor of being America's highest continuously paved highway. Also known as the "Highway to the Sky," it winds through stunning mountain peaks, high-alpine tundra, and some of Rocky Mountain National Park's best views.

There's so much to explore on the adventurous drive from Anchorage to Valdez! It's dotted with mountain ranges, glaciers, and a rugged canyon featuring waterfalls and an old railroad tunnel.