When the roads in and around where you live don’t inspire you, it’s time for a road trip. If you’ve always wondered what lies beyond that next turn or the county over, there’s only one way to find out—a road trip. Need an excuse to crank up the music and get behind the wheel with no destination in mind? (You get the idea.)
The guide below includes 16 of the best road trips in the U.S., perfect for experiencing what it’s like to live in this great nation. Whether you’re planning a trip for this summer, next spring, or any time during the year, these road trips are worth plotting on a map. It’s also worth subscribing to Drift to take some of your favorite scents on the road with you.
1. Blue Ridge Parkway
This 469-mile scenic route through Virginia and the Carolinas passes through national forests and the Appalachian mountain range. Strikingly beautiful during autumn, when the fall colors are at their brightest, Blue Ridge Parkway has slight curves and plenty of sights to see.
2. Beartooth Highway
If you’re someone who enjoys seeing wildlife on your road trip, the Beartooth Highway that runs through Montana and Wyoming should be at the top of your list. Driving the 68 miles that comprise the Beartooth Highway brings you directly into Yellowstone National Park, where you’re bound to see elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, ospreys, moose—and plenty more.
3. Kancamagus Highway
Simply known as the “Kanc,” the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire is known for its rich fall colors. Reds, oranges, yellows, and greens abound along this highway, which promises to delight any time of the year.
4. Overseas Highway
Driving across the ocean to visit the Florida Keys requires driving along a 113-mile highway, complete with 42 bridges. The Overseas Highway connects the Florida Keys to the continental U.S., spanning the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
5. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
A list of the best road trips in the U.S. wouldn’t be complete without Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, as it’s fondly called. A full 650 miles along the California coast, PCH runs from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back. Popular towns along the way include Monterey, Pebble Beach, Malibu, and Santa Barbara.
6. Hana Highway
As if Hawaii wasn’t enough to take in by the eyeful, Hana Highway takes travelers along the base of steep cliffs and for 52 miles. Stretched between Kahului and Hana, the Hana Highway exemplifies everything to love about the Hawaiian islands.
7. High Road to Taos
Spanning 105 miles across New Mexico, the High Road to Taos connects to Santa Fe. Several communities dot the landscape along this road, each with its own historically rich past.
8. North Shore Drive
Travel from Duluth to the Canadian border along Lake Superior along North Shore Drive. Featuring three lighthouses and two harbors along the way, North Shore Drive showcases the Minnesotan landscape.
9. Route 66
This iconic highway covers 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. Drivers pass through eight states on Route 66. Sites to see along Route 66 are many, including Petrified Forest National Park, the Meteor Crater, and Flagstaff.
10. Scenic Byway 12
Snaking through Utah is Scenic Byway 12, a winding road that connects Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Travelers can experience the prominent cliffs, sandstone canyons, and looming rock formations that the state is known for by driving along this scenic path.
11. Cascade Loop
At a total length of 440 miles, the Cascade Loop in Washington can be driven clockwise and counterclockwise. You’ll find plenty of reasons to reverse your direction the next time you visit this breathtaking road.
12. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Nestled in Glacier National Park, Montana, is Going-to-the-Sun Road. Sprawling verdant foothills climb the majestic peaks of the Lew, Livingston, and Clark Ranges. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of elk, grizzly bears, mule deer, moose, mountain goats, black bears, mountain lions, and all manner of local birds.
13. Lake Shore Drive
Although Lake Shore Drive is one of the shorter scenic routes on our list at 15 miles long, it showcases the tranquil beauty of Lake Michigan and its beaches. Lake Shore Drive runs along Chicago’s border, couching travelers in skyscrapers to one side and deep blue water on the other.
14. Trail Ridge Road
Likely one of the highest scenic routes on our list, Trail Ridge Road occupies land at 12,183 feet above sea level in Colorado. This road is known as America’s highest continuously paved highway, or “Highway to the Sky.” Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, the road is closed for several months during the year due to the massive amounts of snow it receives, making it impassable at times.
15. Cherohala Skyway
Stretched between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Cherohala Skyway is well-known to motorcyclists and locals who enjoy the breathtaking views. Complete with waterfalls, mountainscapes, and scenic overlooks, this road begs to be experienced.
16. Park Loop Road
The shorelines and craggy mountains of Acadia National Park in Maine hide a stretch of road 27 miles long. The Park Loop Road incorporates towering forests, looming mountain peaks, calm lakes, the restless ocean, and miles of coastline. If you ever find yourself in Maine, the Park Loop Road is worth every mile.
Drift Premium Car Fresheners: Your Go-To Road Trip Staple
As you travel the U.S., take pictures, and experience everything along the way, return to a vehicle that smells just as good as adventure tastes. Drift premium car fresheners add a scent-sory experience to any road trip to make it something to remember. Subscribe to the Scent of the Month Club today and join our email list for notifications about limited-edition scent drops.
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