9 Most Scenic Drives in the United States
Though some routes may look like flirting with danger, there are drives every American needs to experience at least once in his or her lifetime. The United States has drives through switchbacks that will churn your intestines, roads that cling to cliffs, and stupendously unreal views; they almost look fabricated. Ready for the discovery? Fill your gas tank, pack a good camera, and explore what many Americans unfortunately only read about. The following are the nine most scenic drives in the United States.
US Highway 101 between Arcata, CA and Bandon, OR
US Highway 101 features stunning views of the Pacific coastline, coupled with the beautiful redwood forest, wild rivers, and dramatic ocean cliffs. The section between Arcata, California, to Bandon, Oregon, is about 185 miles. Ordinarily, slightly more than three hours. The drive along this stretch is unrivaled for its terrifying beauty, and can make any road tripper instantly want to jump behind the wheel. Aside from Arcata, a small, beautiful town of less than 20,000 residents, and Bandon, the “Cranberry Capital of Oregon,” the drive features several interesting sights to pull over and capture the moment. Others may demand a longer time because of their scope and vastness. Redwood National and State Park, for instance, is a vast woodland system with some of the largest and tallest trees on earth. Meanwhile, Trees of Mystery in Klamath, California, is a captivating space that boasts massive statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Further afield is Harris Beach State Park, just north of Brookings, which features the largest island off the Oregon coast.
Road to Hana on Maui, Hawaii
Officially known as Hāna Highway (HI-360), the road to Hana on Maui Island is about 65 miles. It starts from Kahului, smack dab in the middle of Central Maui, to Hana, on the eastern rim of the island. Kahului is the largest town on the island and hosts Maui’s main airport. It is also the only place on the island where you can get the authentic Tasaka guri guri. The road to Hana is not just a drive, it is an adventure that needs a stable heart and steady hands. Mark Twain described the island's “leaping cascades” in Roughing It in the Sandwich Islands. Grab a hearty breakfast at Paia Town, then continue to Twin Falls, the first waterfalls along the Road to Hana. Other highlights along the way include the Garden Of Eden Arboretum, where you will find a 100-year-old mango tree; Kahanu Garden, home to the only accessible view of Pi'ilanihale Heiau, which is the largest Temple in the entire state; and Wai'anapanapa State Park, known for its black-sand beaches.
The Blue Ridge Parkway Between Asheville and Blowing Rock, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway, dubbed “America’s Favorite Drive,” takes trippers through forests, past sparkling waterfalls, and into several charming small towns along its 252-mile length. The stretch between Asheville, a stunning location cradled by the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Blowing Rock, whose tree-lined downtown looks like something straight from a postcard, is often considered the most beautiful segment of the world-famous parkway. It is about 90 miles but can easily take up to 3 hours. Unmissable highlights include Craggy Gardens, which features one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Western North Carolina. There is also the Museum of North Carolina Minerals in Spruce Pine, which displays over 300 varieties of minerals and gems in the United States. You shouldn't miss Linville Gorge, the deepest and one of the most rugged and scenic gorges in the Eastern United States.
Interstate 64 (I-64) Through West Virginia
Interstate 64, which winds through the rugged Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains, is an east-west highway extending from the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, to Chesapeake, Virginia. If West Virginia is Almost Heaven, you can imagine the scenery that accompanies the road that cuts through it. Start at Huntington, after checking out the Huntington Museum of Art, which boasts two miles of hiking trails and more than 16,000 objects. Continue to Milton, if just to spend some time at the Blenko’s Glass Museum, a fun place to learn about the history of glass, and admire the beautiful displays of Blenko’s past pieces. In Charleston, West Virginia’s gold-domed Capitol sits on the banks of the Kanawha River and provides an awesome photo-op. History lives here. You will need to keep tabs on Grandview Overlook, about 15 mins off I-64 east of Beckley. This heavenly place features one of the best panoramic views in the entire state.
The Drive from San Simeon north to the 17-Mile Drive near Carmel-by-the-Sea
Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, links the towns of Carmel-By-The-Sea, one of the cutest villages in the world, and San Simeon, associated with a magnificent hilltop estate with opulent architecture known as Hearst Castle. The 90-mile stretch runs through a gorgeous, undeveloped coastline and features incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. The unbroken coastal drama from San Simeon to the many gates that provide access to the 17-mile drive feature several highlights to pull over, including the panoramic Ragged Point, dubbed the “Gateway to Big Sur,” and the Point Sur Lighthouse, which stands as a dramatic sentinel over the ocean, as it has been doing for over 130 years. When you start the 17-mile Drive between Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, you will immediately know you are in the realms of the extraordinary. The most famous sight along 17-Mile Drive is probably the famed Lone Cypress Tree, which looks like nature's advertisement for rugged individualism. Although it is now closed and fenced off, you can still see it from a distance.
Going To The Sun Road
Teeming with both legend and reality, Going To The Sun Road needs no introduction. The once-in-a-lifetime experience is the most beautiful drive through Glacier National Park, and the contest is not even close. You will see interesting rock formations, tumbling rivers, glimmering lakes, snow covers, wildlife, and beautiful wildflowers. The “transmountain highway” is short. It stretches about 50 miles between the West Entrance and St. Mary Entrance. You will want to stop at St Mary’s Lake for what is among the most beautiful views on the planet, Logan Pass, the highest and most iconic point on the road, and Big Bend Overlook, which reveals incredibly layered mountain ridges. Ensure you check the current status of the road before you travel because the highway is open seasonally, and opening and closing dates depend on weather conditions. West Glacier, Montana, is the closest town to the west entrance, and Whitefish, Montana, is a short drive away. St. Mary, Montana, is the closest town to the east entrance.
Beartooth Highway
Dubbed the “most beautiful drive in America,” Beartooth Highway starts at Red Lodge, Montana, runs for about 69 miles, and ends at the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park near Cooke City, Montana. The highway embarks on an incredible climb, eventually grazing the clouds at nearly 11,000 feet above sea level. In the process, it reveals one of the most rugged and wild areas in the world, as well as hanging valleys and beautiful alpine lakes. Places to pull over and admire nature at its most stupendous include Vista Point Observation Site (watch out for chipmunks), Gardner Lake, and Beartooth Pass, the highway’s crown jewel. Although usually open from late May to mid-October, ensure you check its status before getting behind the wheel.
Utah Highway 12 (US-89 to Torrey)
Car and Driver Magazine ranks Utah Highway 12 among the most scenic drives in the United States. But it should not take a glossy magazine to appreciate this heart-melting adventure that features pillars of enchanting red rocks and endless acres of unspoilt public land. The highway cuts through Garfield County, which boasts three national parks, and starts its bewitching journey near Panguitch, Utah. It then dances for about 120 miles before terminating in Torrey, Utah, just west of Capitol Reef National Park. Notable highlights on the way include Bryce Canyon National Park (a section of it), Calf Creek Canyon, and Escalante, the gateway to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The Million Dollar Highway in Colorado
As the name implies, the Million Dollar Highway is eye candy that provides terror and thrill in delicious doses. Tight turns, narrow lanes, and steep drop-offs, especially near Red Mountain Pass, provide several heart-in-the-mouth moments. To add to the thrill, certain sections don’t have guardrails. Although it spans just 25 miles, the section between Ouray and Silverton is particularly unforgettable. Notable landmarks and attractions along the way include the unmissable Coal Bank Pass, which juts up more than 10,000 feet, Molas Pass, the highest point between Durango and Silverton, and Red Mountain Pass, named for the red color of rocks visible from much of the road.
Road trips do not just offer much-needed breaks from the everyday; they are therapeutic in several ways. While you will find roads that run through prosaic landscapes, a decent number can cause your heart to leap in sheer awe so adventurers, be sure to buckle up! The most scenic roads in America can also be the scariest. But they all promise one thing: sheer bliss. Some drives are not just outdoor adventures; they make the open road seem almost spiritual, and these are some of the best the US has to offer.
