12 Iconic American Road Trips That Will Take You Back to the ’60s and ’70s

Back in the ’60s and ’70s, the open road wasn’t just about the destination, it was the whole vibe. Mixtapes played loud, windows rolled down, and every gas station was a story. These 12 legendary routes capture that spirit, full of neon lights, desert stretches, mountain views, and funky roadside stops. If you’re craving old-school freedom with modern road trip ease, throw on some vintage rock and hit one of these timeless American drives.

Route 66 (Illinois to California)

No road screams classic American adventure louder than Route 66. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, it winds through sleepy towns, faded neon signs, and roadside oddities like Cadillac Ranch and Wigwam Motels. Along the way, you’ll find diners with checkered floors, vintage postcards, and jukeboxes still spinning old hits. It’s a 2,400-mile drive back to a simpler time when the journey was just as cool as the destination.

Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1)

Rolling from SoCal up to NorCal, the Pacific Coast Highway delivers cliff-hugging turns, breezy beach towns, and timeless ocean views. From Malibu to Big Sur, you’ll pass vintage motels, retro surf shops, and sea-salted air that’s pure California nostalgia. Stop for a milkshake at a seaside diner or catch the sunset from a hidden cove. This route isn’t just scenic, it’s a full-on golden state daydream.

Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)

Nicknamed “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway is all winding roads, rolling mountains, and no billboards in sight. Starting in Shenandoah National Park and ending in the Smokies, it’s a 469-mile slow cruise through forested hills and historic pull-offs. The vibe? Peaceful, scenic, and totally unplugged. Perfect for those who want to swap city noise for Appalachian folk tunes and quiet beauty.

U.S. Route 1: Florida Keys Highway (Miami to Key West)

U.S. Route 1 through the Florida Keys is a sun-soaked throwback to pastel motels, seafood shacks, and open-air convertibles. This overwater highway hops from island to island, offering unbeatable views and a soundtrack of seagulls and classic rock. Grab conch fritters, stop at a tiki bar, and watch the ocean glow at sunset. It’s a dreamy, retro drive straight out of a beachy ’70s postcard.

Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi to Tennessee)

Cruising the Natchez Trace Parkway is like slipping into a quieter, older South. With no trucks or billboards, this 444-mile road curves through forests, fields, and centuries of history. It’s the kind of trip where you stop for homemade pie, explore Native American mounds, and snap photos under Spanish moss. The rhythm of the drive is slow, soulful, and completely in tune with the analog age.

The Loneliest Road (U.S. Route 50: Nevada)

Don’t let the name fool you, The Loneliest Road is full of stories. Crossing Nevada, U.S. 50 takes you past abandoned mining towns, sagebrush plains, and diners that haven’t changed since the ’60s. With endless horizons and near-empty roads, it’s a meditative drive perfect for reflection, or blasting Zeppelin with the windows down. You’ll find beauty in the vast silence and retro weirdness along the way.

Great River Road (Minnesota to Louisiana)

The Great River Road follows the mighty Mississippi and flows through 10 states filled with blues bars, delta culture, and timeless Americana. From riverboats in St. Louis to catfish joints in Mississippi, the trip is steeped in rhythm and soul. Roadside murals, jazz clubs, and small-town diners line the route. This isn’t just a scenic drive, it’s a musical, cultural, and historical journey on four wheels.

Trail Ridge Road (Colorado)

Soaring through Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., and a time warp to vintage alpine drives. Switchbacks lead you past snow-dusted peaks, herds of elk, and visitor centers straight out of the park ranger heyday. Open only in summer, it’s a crisp, high-altitude cruise where the air is thin and the views go on forever. Pack a thermos, cue the folk rock, and ride sky-high in true retro style.

Black Hills & Badlands Loop (South Dakota)

This rugged loop delivers Americana at its wildest. From the stone faces of Mount Rushmore to the psychedelic rock spires of the Badlands, it’s part national park, part roadside circus. Wall Drug’s giant billboards, old-west towns, and buffalo sightings bring the ’70s road trip energy alive. You’ll feel like a time traveler in a muscle car as you cruise past tumbleweeds and tourist traps.

Mohawk Trail (Massachusetts Route 2)

Originally a Native American trade route, the Mohawk Trail is now a classic New England drive with mountain views, antique shops, and fall colors that look airbrushed. Drive past wooden covered bridges, grab cider donuts at a roadside stand, and browse general stores frozen in time. The mix of forest serenity and small-town charm makes this feel like a folk song you can drive through.

Joshua Tree to Palm Springs, CA (via Route 62)

This short but unforgettable stretch takes you from the alien landscapes of Joshua Tree to the retro-chic heart of Palm Springs. Route 62 is lined with vintage signs, desert art, and faded glory motels that haven’t changed since Nixon’s first term. With cacti on one side and palm trees on the other, it’s where the psychedelic spirit of the ’70s still lingers under California sunshine.

Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire)

Known for fall foliage but magical year-round, “The Kanc” is a 35-mile escape into New England wilderness. Winding through the White Mountains, it offers covered bridges, scenic overlooks, and picnic pull-offs perfect for slow travelers. No fast food, no distractions, just you, the road, and a forest soundtrack. This drive feels like your grandparents’ honeymoon route, romantic, real, and refreshingly analog.