7 Iconic American Road Trips to Plan Now

There’s something about hitting the open road that feels both nostalgic and brand new. So many things to experience, from sea-sprayed coastlines to endless country roads and everything in between. But how do you decide which road to take?

 

Mountain America Credit Union has narrowed down all the scenic highways and byways across the country. If you’ve got a bucket list, these seven iconic drives should be on it!

 

Overseas Highway

Key Largo to Key West, FL

113 miles

 

Claiming the title of the largest segmented bridge in the world, the Overseas Highway crosses the water in 42 places, crossing countless coral and limestone islets that make up the Florida Keys. You can traverse the span of the highway in less than four hours. But plan to take enough time to enjoy the adventures that lurk just off each side street—sunbathe, take a bike or hike, or snorkel through a shipwreck. And, if ever there were a perfect place to watch a sunrise (or sunset), this is it. Don’t miss it!

 

Monument Valley

Kayenta, AZ to Mexican Hat, UT

43 miles

 

If you’re experiencing this dusty landscape for the first time, be prepared to be stunned by the beauty of the alien-like structures that jet from the desert floor. There’s no shortage of photo-ops along this short, but oh-so-postcard-perfect drive. Mountainous red rock mesas and freestanding rock formations with boulders impossibly balanced atop sandstone spires—no wonder so many western movies have been filmed in this valley. Just before sunset, the valley turns even more eerie as the shadows of the rocks add a sinister layer to the scenery.

 

Mount Evans Scenic Byway

Idaho Springs to Mount Evans Summit, CO

28 miles

 

Because of the altitude of this byway, inclining 7,000 feet in less than 30 miles, it has one of the shortest driving seasons of all the scenic American road trips—Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting. Another of its claims to fame is that it is North America’s highest paved road. If you happen to be lucky enough to take this beautiful drive through the Rocky Mountains, you’ll see some of the most picturesque landscape and wildlife on Earth including bighorn sheep, the unbelievably glossy surface of Summit Lake and pastures of yellow wildflowers.

 

Pacific Coast Highway / Route 1

Orange County to Mendocino County, CA

655 miles

 

If your goal is to see as much ocean as possible on your road trip, this is the one for you—more than 400 miles of this scenic drive are in view of the beautiful blue! And, if you can peel your eyes away from the water, you’ll see some of the most diverse coastline from beginning to end. Experience the immaculate beaches of Malibu, the soaring cliffs of Big Sur, the exhilaration of the Golden Gate Bridge and the awe of the giant redwoods of Humboldt County. Don’t miss the new Devil’s Slide area located on the San Mateo County coast near Pacifica. Drivers used to white-knuckle the drive across this treacherous roadway—sheer cliffs and the mesmerizing Pacific Ocean were to blame. Recently, though, this stretch of highway was converted to a viewing area and new tunnels were built to safely get drivers to the other side of the promontory. Walk or bike across to take in the incredible panorama.

 

Great Lakes Seaway Trail

Massena, NY to West Springfield, PA

518 miles

 

This is a great road trip for people who want to take their time and camp along the way. With access to 40 state parks, the camping opportunities are ample along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, to say the least. There are so many things to see and do along this byway—bird-watching, shipwreck diving, lighthouse tours, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie and, of course, the thundering Niagara Falls.

 

Blue Ridge Parkway

Waynesboro, VA to Cherokee, NC

469 miles

 

With its dozens of hairpin turns and 26 tunnels burrowed into Appalachian granite, this road trip isn’t for anyone who gets woozy. The Blue Ridge Parkway connects Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park with North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains and is the nation’s first rural parkway. Its construction began during the Great Depression in the 1930s and took over 52 years to complete. Travelers are treated to endless oceans of wildflowers in the spring and summer, and some of the most breathtaking fall foliage in the country.

 

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Glacier National Park, Montana

50 miles

 

As the only drivable way through the park, Going-to-the-Sun Road at times clings to the edge of the Rocky Mountains. The views from these spots are nothing short of heavenly—seemingly impenetrable cedar forests, glass-topped lakes and, unfortunately, diminishing glaciers. Abundant wildlife can be seen from the car as well. Look for grizzly bears, moose, bald eagles and more.

 

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