Road Trip! The 101 Most Scenic Drives In America

There's nothing quite like hitting the open road, and there are few places in the world where you can take that feeling to the extreme. We've scoured the country for some of the most beautiful and thrilling drives out there. From coast to coast, we've found 101 of America's most scenic routes for driving.

Alligator Alley, Florida

The Tamiami Trail is a scenic road that runs through the Everglades. It's a popular route for those who want to get from Miami to Naples, or vice versa. The name comes from the Seminole word "tamahami" meaning "old town."

Arkansas River Trail, Arkansas

The Arkansas River Trail is a scenic drive between Tulsa and Little Rock, along the same river it's named after. The drive can be done in either direction, but returning to your starting point makes for an easy loop that'll take you through historic towns like Muskogee, Fort Smith and Van Buren. The route is well-marked with signs on the side of the road and along railings—just watch out for cyclists!

The Ring of Kerry, Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful place, and the Ring of Kerry is one of the most scenic drives in all of Europe. The route offers breathtaking scenery, rich history and plenty of opportunities for adventure.

A circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, it's one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Covering just over 200 miles (322 km), you can experience some truly magical moments along this circuit as it winds through dramatic landscapes ranging from rugged cliffs to lush valleys and sandy beaches.

At its heart lies Killarney National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—where you'll find Ross Castle among other attractions along the way.

Elkhorn Scenic Byway, Oregon

The Elkhorn Scenic Byway is located in the mountains of southwestern Oregon. The byway begins in La Pine and ends in Klamath Falls. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the country, offering breathtaking sights at every bend and turn on its route through some of the most beautiful country you will ever see.

The views from this road are spectacular, and there are many viewpoints along its length where you can stop to enjoy them. There are also several opportunities for hiking along different parts of it—especially if you keep your eyes open for trailheads that aren’t marked with “no trespassing” signs or red tape across their entrances!

RV Ratto Road, California

RV Ratto Road is a road in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that leads to the top of a mountain pass. It is also known as Ratto Pass and passes through both Inyo National Forest and Ansel Adams Wilderness.

It's perfect for off-road vehicles, motorcyclists, hikers and campers. The road is challenging in places so be sure to check out any potential conditions ahead of time before heading out.

Mayfield Road, Oklahoma

The Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma are home to a two-lane road that runs through the region's grassy hills and tallgrass prairies. More than just a scenic drive, Mayfield Road is also popular among cyclists, hikers, and drivers with an eye for the country's beautiful pastures.

The route begins in the small town of Mayfield in west central Kansas on Highway 177. It winds through this area before crossing into Oklahoma and continuing southward on Highway 177A until it reaches its end at El Reno. Take time to stop along the way at one of several hiking trails or parks along this stretch: you'll find plenty of places to enjoy nature while admiring beautiful views without having to worry about traffic jams!

The Million Dollar Highway, Colorado and Utah

The Million Dollar Highway is a scenic byway that connects Durango, Colorado to Montrose, Colorado. It is named after the gold rush of the 1800s and has become a popular destination for road trips. The drive offers views of the San Juan Mountains and other peaks throughout Southwest Colorado. While most people visit this area during summer months, it's also worth noting that winter sports enthusiasts can take advantage of its snowshoeing trails!

Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts

The Mohawk Trail is a National Scenic Byway, a long-distance hiking trail, a scenic road trip, and a scenic motorcycle ride. The Mohawk Trail begins in Sturbridge (a short drive from Boston) and winds its way through the Berkshires to Albany. Along the way you will find charming towns with shops and restaurants housed in historic buildings; mountain vistas; forests of hemlock and pine; lakes teeming with trout; wineries; and many other great attractions that make the Mohawk Trail one of America's most beautiful drives.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile road that runs through the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and North Carolina. It's a National Scenic Byway, so you'll find all sorts of scenic stops along the way: Shenandoah National Park, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (including Grayson Highlands State Park and Peaks of Otter), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Roanoke Mountain Tunnel Tree and more.

Washington Coast Highway RX Routes 101 and 105, Washington

The Washington Coast Highway RX Routes 101 and 105 is a very scenic drive through the Pacific Northwest. The road winds along the coast of Washington, giving you views of the ocean and mountains. There are many places to stop along the way for food or sightseeing, and there are also lots of hotels if you want to stay overnight somewhere along your route (or even just stop for a few hours).

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a National Historic Landmark, named by the Department of Interior in 1958. The road starts at East Glacier Park and continues for 50 miles to the west entrance of Glacier National Park. This paved road offers spectacular views of Lake McDonald and Mount Reynolds (9,065 feet), which towers over the lake. As you drive along this route, there are several places where you can pull over and enjoy breathtaking scenery from an overlook or walk among wildflowers on a short trail that leads to Lake McDonald or even take a boat ride across the lake!

Col de la Bonette, France

The Col de la Bonette is a mountain pass situated on the border between France and Italy, and it’s one of the highest paved roads in Europe. It's 6,821 feet above sea level, making it higher than any other road in France—and just shy of being the highest road in all of Europe (that honor goes to Slovenia's Križnarica Pass at 7,049 feet).

The Col de la Bonette is only open from June through September because there are so many snowstorms in both the spring and fall months. If you plan your trip correctly, you can take advantage of an extra-long summer season with this unique driving experience.

Check out these scenic drives to see if you want to go on a road trip.

The United States is a big place, and you can drive for days without seeing anything that resembles civilization. For those who want to see something different than the normal hustle and bustle of city life, it's worth taking a scenic drive through a more rural area.

We've compiled a list of 101 scenic drives in America that we think are worth taking if you're in the mood for some exploration (and maybe even some adventuring). Each road has its own history and scenery, so it's best to plan ahead before hitting the open road.

Conclusion

There are still many more US coastal drive to explore. We hope this list has inspired you to embark on your own adventure.