Part of the fun of going on a cross-country drive is seeing the beautiful vistas as you careen over the vast American landscape. From gorgeous forests to towering mountains and everything in between, the US is full of sights to behold. Here are the most scenic drives in each state.
Alabama
Start at Lookout Mountain and drive across the Lookout Mountain Parkway in Alabama and you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of massive waterfalls and the gently rolling hills of Little River Canyon National Preserve. The winding mountain path eventually leads you all the way into Tennessee!
Alaska
Denali Park Road is a downright legendary stretch of road through Alaska’s gorgeous frontier. Getting the chance to stream through this naturally stunning landscape will require winning a lottery to get the privilege, but it’s well worth the luck required to zoom through. You’re almost guaranteed to see numerous Alaskan animals.
Arizona
The iconic drive from Kayenta to Monument Valley famously appeared in the film Forrest Gump, where viewers got a great look at the red rocks that lead through Monument Valley. This stretch covers nearly 30 miles from Kayenta in Arizona up into the Navajo Nation in Utah.
Arkansas
The Ozark Mountains are home to some stellar vistas. One of them is a former stagecoach route known as the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop, which runs through US 71 and Interstate 49 and joins Fayetteville to the small town of Alma.
California
California is a massive state that spans numerous biomes. There’s one drive in particular that visitors have to check out, though. The Pacific Coast Highway, California’s Highway 1. You get to see the Pacific Ocean, elephant seals, towering cliffs, and downright gargantuan redwoods along the coast.
Colorado
You’ve got to visit a place called the “Million Dollar Highway,” right? This length of road is one of Colorado’s most famous, spanning the distance across a ghost town called Animas Forks and giving visitors a great look at the San Juans.
Connecticut
If you want a scenic drive in Connecticut, you need to check out Shoreline Drive. It’s a nearly 100-mile stretch from New Haven along Route 1 to Stonington terminates near Hammonasset Beach. There, you’ll find an idyllic coastal park.
Delaware
Visitors in Delaware need to check out the Auburn Valley State Park and slip into the Red Clay Valley Byway. This scenic route takes you into New Castle County’s historic roads and will take you by the Marshall Steam Museum and the pristine gardens at the Mount Cuba Center.
Florida
When you get to the very southern tip of the continental US, you’ll find the wondrous Florida Keys Scenic Highway. This feat of modern genius connects the Keys to the rest of the country and allows you to drive into a beautiful string of tropical islands.
Georgia
The Appalachian Mountains might not be as tall as the Rockies, but they’re no less beautiful. A trip over the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway in Georgia will show you that! This length of road takes you to the top of Georgia’s tallest mountain and gives you a stunning view of the surrounding forest.
Hawaii
This is an easy one. Drive nearly anywhere in Hawaii and you’ll find something genuinely beautiful. One such scenic road is the trip to Hana, which will take you from Kahului to east Maui and past waterfalls, rainforests, and some truly astonishing hiking trails.
Idaho
If you’ve never been to the Sawtooth Range, you’d be forgiven for thinking there weren’t many scenic views in Idaho. But if you drive from the resort town of Kailey through Ketchum and Sun Valley, you’ll discover the natural landscape that captivated Hemingway when he visited the state.
Illinois
The Mississippi River cuts through the middle of the country and snakes all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Right alongside it runs the Great River Road, and one of it’s prettiest stretches can be found in Illinois. This section passes right by the Shawnee National Forest, offering great hiking trails.
Indiana
Driving near rivers gives some really phenomenal vistas. Case in point: check out the Ohio River Scenic Byway in Indiana, a nearly 1,000-mile-long length of road that was one of the US’s first 14 scenic byways. You’ll even get to pass by some ancient fossil beds, so you can get your dinosaur fix on this drive!
Iowa
Iowa’s a relatively flat state, but there’s a cool geological feature along its western border. The Loess Hills were created during the most recent Ice Age, creating gently rolling hills that are now dotted with farms and the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway.
Kansas
Is there anything interesting to do in Kansas? Of course there is! You can drive the gorgeous Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway and learn about the history of Native Americans on the Great Plains. And, what’s more, you can view buttes, floodplains, and tablelands that will defy your expectations of the “flattest” state.
Kentucky
Anyone who’s spent any time in Kentucky knows how gorgeous the Red River Gorge is. Nestled in the Daniel Doone National Forest and home to world class natural rock-climbing walls, it’s also home to the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. You can even take a break to hike over the Sky Bridge Trails!
Louisiana
Of course, the Creole Nature Trail is the finest scenic drive in the state of Louisiana! This span of road will take you through varied biomes like marshes, prairies, and across the Gulf shore. You’ll also get to glimpse alligators and other natural denizens of this unique part of the world.
Maine
The Schoodic National Scenic Byway is on the less-famous end of Acadia National Park. However, it offers some one-of-a-kind views of the rough and rocky coast of Maine, a starkly beautiful natural scene that will make you respect the ocean that much more.
Maryland
Western Maryland is home to the nearly 200-mile Mountain Maryland Byway, a winding route that starts in Keysers Ridge and climbs to Cumberland. Those looking to spot waterfalls or go for a dip in a lake will love this remote wilderness ride.
Massachusetts
Learn more about the Native Americans of Massachusetts by traveling across the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway. The nearby Mahican-Mohawk Trail offers a similar journey, but on foot! The byway winds past five different major rivers, all of which provide ample opportunities for whitewater rafting.
Michigan
Michigan’s famous Tahquamenon Scenic Byway in the Upper Peninsula offers a very unique, contemplative look at a remote part of the country. The region is very nearly in Canada and circles around the Porcupine Mountains near three different Great Lakes.
Minnesota
Lake Superior is a stunning natural beauty, complete with deep blue water and towering waves. If you want to appreciate this sea-sized “lake” a bit more, take a trip through the North Shore All-American Scenic Drive and explore the small, creative towns that dot the shoreline.
Mississippi
The Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi was once a trail used by Chickasaw Native Americans and later taught to European settlers in the region. The path became an important location for soldiers years later. You can learn more about its history by traveling through the region and visiting Tishomingo State Park.
Missouri
There’s just one scenic byway in Missouri, and it’s the Glade Top Trail. For the best drive, visit this byway in the fall. The stunning red, yellow, and orange leaves that mark the ridges through Mark Twain National Forest in October make for a truly magical sight.
Montana
Montana is renowned for its rugged natural beauty. That’s in full effect on the aptly named Going-to-the-Sun Road, a snaking path created in the 1930s that cuts through Glacier National Park and climbs ever higher until it reaches campgrounds at high elevations in the gorgeous mountain range.
Nebraska
The western edge of Nebraska is home to an old pioneer trail preserved today as the Western Trails Scenic and Historic Byway. If you plan to visit, check out the region in July so you can enjoy the historic Oregon Trail Days Festival that celebrates the western expansion of the US.
Nevada
Some people say the Las Vegas Strip is the best-looking drive in the US, but for those looking for a more natural scene, check out the Valley of Fire Highway. This rolling highway through Valley of Fire State Park takes you through striking red canyons and past soaring arched rocks.
New Hampshire
The White Mountains in New Hampshire offer more hiking trails and scenic views than you can shake a walking stick at. If you want to enjoy the best of these stellar sights, drive the White Mountain Trail past Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Franconia Notch State Park.
New Jersey
New Jersey is home to many miles of stunning river views along the Delaware River Scenic Byway. For over 30 miles you can find glimpses of Revolutionary War history, including the iconic Washington Crossing Historic Park where General Washington crossed the Delaware River!
New Mexico
The beautiful volcanic cliffs of Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway are the most impressive things you can find in New Mexico. These cliffs are home to Native American dwellings carved into the rock centuries ago, making them a living testament to the area’s original inhabitants.
New York
The Catskill Mountains are well-known as a natural retreat from the hustle and bustle of New York City, and they’re well worth visiting even if you’re from out of state. The Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway gives the best overview of the region, allowing for vistas of the mountains and surrounding foothills.
North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway over North Carolina is the very best place to view the colors of fall. Just remember before you visit that it can be late October or even early November in the Southeast before the leaves start to turn!
North Dakota
When a trail is named after Teddy Roosevelt, you know it’s going to be replete with wildlife. That’s the case with Theodore Roosevelt National Park-South Unit Scenic Drive, a stretch of road that cuts through badlands and valleys. Roosevelt himself said this span of wilderness sparked his love for the natural world.
Ohio
Hocking Hills Scenic Byway in Hocking Hills State Park is the best natural sight in all of Ohio. The tall waterfalls, breathtaking cliffs, and deep caves make this an area that outdoorsy people need to visit if they travel through Ohio.
Oklahoma
Head to Choctaw County in Oklahoma around mid-October. There, you’ll get to see Talimena National Scenic Byway at its very best as all the nearby trees reveal the fiery colors of fall. While you’re at it, you can hike through the nearby Ouachita National Forest and enjoy the crisp fall air!
Oregon
Hells Canyon is the deepest ravine in the country, and you can experience it in all its glory by driving Hells Canyon Scenic Byway. This path starts at La Grande and winds all the way down to Baker City, passing through many recreational areas along the way.
Pennsylvania
Route 6 might not sound like the name of a stunning scenic route but trust us on this one. If you travel through Pennsylvania, head to Route 6 and discover nearly 400 miles of adventure through the rural sights of Kinzua Skywalk, Pine Creek Gorge, and genuinely charming small towns.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s finest scenic drive, The Coastal Route, isn’t the longest road in the country, but it makes up for its small size with its stunning views. You can travel over 60 miles across the northeast-running path to visit Watch Hill Lighthouse and Point Judith.
South Carolina
The Blue Ridge Mountains stretch into South Carolina and offer some of the state’s most beautiful natural vistas. Driving the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway allows for views of rivers and lakes and brings you up near Table Rock from Interstate 85.
South Dakota
The Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway is the best way to view South Dakota’s most famous biome. Why is it the best, you ask? Well, it’s too cold to visit in winter, and the summer heat makes the badlands unbearable to navigate on foot.
Tennessee
The beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee allow for some of the most beautiful views in the country. For example, take the Foothills Parkway from Chilhowee Lake south of Pigeon Forge and through to Highway 321. You can also visit the nearby Smoky Mountain Loop if you have a bit more time.
Texas
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a remote stretch of road that cuts across Big Bend National Park in Texas. You’ve probably never heard of it, though, which is a shame. If you’re remotely a fan of the history of the American West, you should check out this path that goes past classic ranches and scenes straight out of cowboy movies.
Utah
There’s something so blunt and straightforward about a path called simply Highway 12 being the most beautiful road in Utah. It’ll take you through Capitol Reed and Bryce Canyon National Park, showing off the red rocks and slot canyons the state is renowned for.
Vermont
Don’t get angry if you visit Mad River Byway in Vermont! Just enjoy the historic district of Waterbury and drive along Route 100 to Granville, discovering gentle green hills and numerous hiking trails along the way. If you visit in the winter, you can even ski at Mad River Glen.
Virginia
Virginia is home to some really stunning vistas across the Blue Ridge Mountains—a lengthy mountain range within the Appalachians. Skyline Drive will take you nearly directly over the Shenandoah National Park and offers genuinely unbelievable overlooks of rolling farmland and expansive forests.
Washington
North Cascades National Park is home to Washington’s most beautiful natural scenery. If you want to soak it in from your car, check out the Cascade Loop that dances around the cliffs of Whidbey Isle and over Lake Chelan. It’s basically a “greatest hits” of Washington’s coolest natural environments.
West Virginia
One of the newest national parks in the US is New River Gorge (ironic!), which is bisected by Route 60. If you follow Route 60 through the gorge and past Cathedral Falls, you’ll discover the Midland Trail National Scenic Byway.
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Wisconsin
We might call it “Lake” Superior, but it’s as big as any sea. Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway will give you a good feel for just how massive Superior is and will take you alongside the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, where you can camp or even go for a swim!
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Wyoming
Beartooth Highway in Wyoming is one of many beautiful scenic routes through the rugged state. It ends near Yellowstone National Park, so you know it’s among the most beautiful car routes in the world! Be warned, this highway is at a very high altitude, so your ears might pop a few times.
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