Does traveling by plane feel like traveling to you? I know to me it doesn’t. Of course, sometimes it can be exciting. You might be able to enjoy some beautiful views here and there, if you are lucky enough to have a window seat. But the view is still quite limited. That is why, most of the time, I don’t mind taking the longer route and traveling by car, bus or train as long as I can enjoy the beauty of nature.
I’ve always thought of traveling as a full journey. One that includes the views I get to see and the activities I get to do while heading to my destination. And I know I’m not the only one that thinks this way. There are a lot of you out there that have taken a few days off to hit a certain scenic road without a plan in mind. Just to enjoy the beauty of a road trip. Planning to hit the road again for the same purpose? The following list of America’s most scenic roads trips might give you some ideas where to head next.
Check out United States’ most scenic roads to travel
1 – Overseas Highway, Florida
Website for this image: jp-lugaresfantasticos.blogspot.al
This breathtaking overseas highway, a series of roads and bridges from Florida all the way to Key West, is the final result of years of construction and reconstruction. Henry Flagler’s construction, originally called the Florida East Coast Railway, began in 1905 and finished in 1912, but was seriously damaged after a 1935 hurricane. The railroads were then turned to highways, and the finished highway officially opened on March 29, 1938.
While driving through the 113-mile highway (U.S. Route 1) you will be able to enjoy the turquoise sea, cross the Seven Mile Bridge, and witness old railroad bridges’ remnants, as well as exotic animals, and coral reefs. If you’ve seen the True Lies movie, you might as well pretend to be taking part in the movie, as some parts of the highway are in some action scenes in the movie. (We have some suggestions for good movies you might want to see, check them out here.)
2 – Route 12, Utah
Do you ever have a feeling of virtually transporting yourself in a different place far away? Well, Utah’s Highway 12 is a perfect place to do so if you don’t get the chance to actually drive down there. If you do get the chance though, during the 124-mile trip you will be able to pass through lovely small towns, forested mountains, the red canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante and the Bryce Canyon National Park.
3 – Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia – North Carolina
Website for this image: sunsetfarmcabins.com
Established on June 30, 1936, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway, popular for its beautiful autumn colors. The 469-mile road, originally built for Appalachian Mountains travelers, spans through Virginia and North Carolina and passes through the Blue Ridge mountain chain, the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks. I would suggest you to take your time if you go that way and do some hiking while enjoying the white waterfalls, lovely oak trees, and blooming Wildflowers.
4 – Going to the Sun Road, Montana
Website for this image: pinnellstudios.com
This 52-mile road, a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, goes through Glacier National Park in Montana, crosses the Continental Divide in the Rockies and passes through Jackson Glacier Overlook where you can easily see glacial lakes and valleys. The good news is that there are plenty of places to pull over, enjoy the view, and take some pictures. And there is a bad news of course – due to heavy snows during the winter, Going to the Sun Road is open only from May to October, so keep this in mind before you make any plans.
5 – Pacific Coast Highway, California
Website for this image: travelchannel.com
Yet another road that feels like heading to fairyland. The Pacific Coast Highway (route 1), is not only one of the most scenic routes in the US, but in the entire world. The 332-mile highway passes through the Pebble Beach, Big Sur, Monterey Bay, Sonoma County, etc. If you want to fully enjoy the road, avoid passing there in the winter as it gets very dangerous, and during the months of July and August because that’s when the Highway 1 has the most traffic.
6 – US Route 66, Chicago – California
Website for this image: worldreviewer.com
In case you’ve heard Chuck Berry’s Route 66 song, you most probably know some information about the Main Street of America or also known as Mother Road. Historic US Route 66, designed on November 11, 1926, connects Chicago with Santa Monica. Covering a total of 2,448 mile, the trip can be quite long, so if you plan on driving down this road, you need to plan in advance and be ready to take at least 2 weeks off from work.
7 – Highway 2, Nebraska
According to Wikipedia, Nebraska Highway 2 is a discontinuous highway with 2 segments. “The western segment begins at the South Dakota border northwest of Crawford and ends southeast of Grand Island at an intersection with Interstate 80. The eastern segment begins in Lincoln and ends at the Iowa border at Nebraska City.” During this over 200- mile road you will be able to see plenty of sand hills, farmlands and The Great Plains.
8 – Route 6, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Website for this image: heritagedocumentaries.org
I will never forgive myself for having been two summers in a row in Martha’s Vineyard, and never visiting Provincetown. Especially now that I know this beautiful 117-mile route which goes through sand dunes, forests, cute little houses, beaches, and fishing towns, ends up at the Provincetown harbor. Are you reading this and are located near Massachusetts? Please don’t miss this route and pay a visit to Provincetown for me as well.
Did you pick the next road trip yet? Or are you having trouble picking just one? Whichever route you choose, make sure to check out our road trip songs reads – 20 road trips songs first and second part both listing amazing songs to accompany you during your trip. There is nothing better than enjoying the breathtaking landscapes while listening to great music, isn’t it?
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