14 Epic U.S. Road Trips to Plan for Your Bucket List Adventure

There’s no better way to experience the sheer variety of American landscapes than hitting the road. From towering red rock canyons and endless ocean coastlines to peaceful lakeshores and historic byways, these 14 road trips offer a rich mix of scenery, culture, and adventure. Whether you’re craving solitude or quirky roadside stops, this list includes iconic drives and hidden gems perfect for your next big journey.

Pacific Coast Highway

This California classic hugs the coast from Dana Point to San Francisco, offering nonstop ocean views and dramatic cliffs. You’ll wind through Big Sur, pass redwood forests, and explore beach towns like Carmel and Santa Barbara. Stops at Hearst Castle and Bixby Bridge are iconic. It’s a photographer’s dream route and perfect for a slow, scenic drive.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, this drive is all about mountain views. Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” it features countless overlooks, hiking spots, and charming mountain towns. Expect wildflowers in spring and blazing foliage in fall. Perfect for a peaceful, nature-filled road trip.

Route 66

Stretching over 2,000 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 is a journey through American history and nostalgia. Along the way, you’ll find vintage motels, retro diners, kitschy roadside attractions, and desert highways that seem to go on forever. Highlights include the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Cadillac Ranch in Texas, and Arizona’s Petrified Forest. It’s less about speed and more about savoring slices of Americana at every turn.

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Located in Montana’s Glacier National Park, this alpine road cuts through towering peaks and glacial valleys. The drive is short but intense, with sharp turns and unbelievable scenery. You’ll pass waterfalls, icy lakes, and maybe even mountain goats. Best done in summer, when the road is fully open and wildflowers are blooming.

Overseas Highway

Spanning 113 miles from mainland Florida to Key West, this coastal drive is unlike any other. With 42 bridges crossing turquoise waters, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge, you’re always between sea and sky. Pass through quirky, pastel-colored island towns and enjoy stops for snorkeling, conch fritters, and coral reefs. The sunrises and sunsets here are unforgettable. It’s road tripping with flip-flops on and windows down.

Alaska’s Seward Highway

This dramatic route from Anchorage to Seward blends mountains, forests, and ocean in one drive. Along Turnagain Arm, watch for beluga whales or bore tides. Continue through the Kenai Peninsula for hikes, glaciers, and wildlife sightings. It’s a wild, untouched stretch of road with jaw-dropping scenery around every bend.

Utah’s Scenic Byway 12

One of the most geologically diverse drives in the country, Scenic Byway 12 links Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef in southern Utah. You’ll pass sandstone cliffs, red rock canyons, alpine forests, and lunar landscapes. Hell’s Backbone Bridge and the slot canyons of Escalante are major highlights. It’s a road that constantly surprises, with vistas that feel like they belong on another planet.

Lake Superior Circle Tour

Looping around the largest Great Lake, this road trip touches Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario. Expect rugged shoreline, waterfalls, and hidden beaches. The drive through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is especially wild and quiet. You’ll find lighthouses, copper mining towns, and miles of unspoiled forest along the route.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Stretching from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, this route follows a historic Native American trail. It’s slow and peaceful, lined with Spanish moss, wildflowers, and Civil War sites. Cyclists and history buffs love it. You’ll pass through three states and get a real feel for the Deep South’s natural and cultural heritage.

Beartooth Highway

This thrilling high-altitude drive spans from Red Lodge, Montana to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone. At nearly 11,000 feet, it crosses alpine tundra with hairpin turns, switchbacks, and epic views. Snowbanks linger into summer, and marmots often scamper along the road. It’s a bold, adventurous ride best tackled in good weather. Bring your camera—every curve reveals a new jaw-dropper.

Highway 101 Oregon Coast

This windswept route hugs Oregon’s coastline from Astoria to Brookings. You’ll pass giant sea stacks, coastal lighthouses, and dramatic beaches. Highlights include Cannon Beach, Cape Perpetua, and the Sea Lion Caves. Don’t rush—pull over often and savor the ocean views and charming fishing towns.

San Juan Skyway

Looping through southwestern Colorado, this drive takes you through historic mining towns like Silverton and Telluride. With snowcapped peaks, river valleys, and alpine forests, the scenery is constantly changing. The Million Dollar Highway section is steep and narrow but unforgettable. A great choice for fall colors and mountain air.

Great River Road

Following the Mississippi River through 10 states, this historic route is all about culture, nature, and Americana. From Minnesota’s headwaters to Louisiana’s bayous, the drive includes river bluffs, steamboats, and blues music landmarks. Each state adds its own flavor—Wisconsin’s dairy towns, Missouri’s caves, and Mississippi’s plantation homes. It’s a long journey, but never dull.

Highway 395 California

This lesser-known gem runs from southern California through the Eastern Sierra and up toward Lake Tahoe. The route passes hot springs, alpine lakes, ghost towns like Bodie, and views of Mount Whitney. The contrast between high desert and snowcapped peaks makes it unforgettable. It’s a quiet, spacious, often spiritual drive that showcases a different side of the Golden State.