Driving down a mountain road outside Estes Park Colorado taking in the highway scenery

Day Trips with Highway Scenery In the US

The United States is renowned for its stunning drives that not only get tourists where they are going but also give them the chance to take in some of the most breathtaking highway scenery while they travel. They can drive on roadways that extend more than a hundred miles (160 km) over the ocean or get a close-up view of some of the nation’s most impressive mountains.

There are highway sections that will prompt road trippers to pull over and take a photo, whether they are traveling through the west, the south, or the east coast. Here some of the best highway scenery in the U.S.

A view from the seaside cliffs overlooking the beach and Pacific Ocean along the Pacific Coast Hwy north of San Diego CA taking in the highway scenery

Prior To Taking That Drive to Take in The Highway Scenery

Make sure your classic car is ready to hit the road with some of our tips on keeping your vintage car cool as well as car preparation.

Take The Splendid Pacific Coast Highway, California

Although the image of California that comes to mind may be of palm-fringed beaches, the drive along Highway 1 which is also known as the Pacific Coast Highway and stretches from San Diego up to San Francisco is anything but that.

There are enormous redwood trees, rugged shorelines, old bridges, and a lot of morning fog. Whatever road trippers do, they should make sure to visit Pebble Beach’s famous 17-Mile Drive.

Get Lost on Cascade Loop Scenic Highway, Washington

The Cascades Loop in Washington extends from Seattle to Puget Sound. It is a well-known path that draws many travelers who are keen to visit magnificent natural ecosystems.

They will have the opportunity to stop in tiny towns along the way, where they can locate a place to spend the night or a restaurant where they can sample regional food.

They will also have wonderful recollections of lovely scenery, and they will also enhance their travel experience.

  • Distance: 400 miles (643.7 km)
A map oof Utah showing the route along Route 12 to take in the highway scenery

Enjoy A Scenic Drive on Route 12, Utah

Vacationers can plan a drive down Route 12 to view the red rocks that this state is known for in all their splendor. This route connects Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks.

They will probably find themselves making pit stops at quaint. Even though it only takes three hours to drive the entire length of the route, vacationers will want to allow much more time to fully enjoy everything that it has to offer.

  • Distance: 124 miles (199.5 km)

Drive Down the Magnificent Trail Ridge Road, Colorado

The finest way to view the Rocky Mountains is from Trail Ridge Road if road trippers do not enjoy skiing on Colorado’s black diamond slopes.

Rocky Mountain National Park is traversed by the route for several miles.

When they reach Rainbow Curve, they can look out the window for a breathtaking view of Beaver Ponds and the valley below, which is covered in pine trees.

  • Distance: 48 miles (77.2 km)

Cross The Marvelous Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia To North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and is among the most well-known scenic routes in the USA. The long road passes through 29 counties and a mountain range.

While traveling, road trippers can see wildlife, or they can stop and stay somewhere along the way to give themselves more time to explore the lovely surroundings.

  • Distance: 469 miles (754.7 km)

Drive The Gorgeous Hana Highway, Hawaii

Day trip cruisers will love to get lost in the tropical sanctuary of Maui’s rainforest on this winding route, which is covered in exotic trees and passes beautiful waterfalls, distinctive black-sand beaches, and well-known tourist destinations. They will pass by scenic panoramas and lookouts and can visit interesting attractions.

Even the gorgeous Garden of Eden Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which served as the setting for Jurassic Park’s opening scene, is nearby.

  • Distance: 64 miles (102.9 km)

Get A Ride on Going-To-The-Sun Road, Montana

This route that cuts through Glacier National Park is not a simple one to travel. The route frequently remains fully impassable owing to snow and rain until June, when it finally opens.

However, once vacationers start their drive up the Going-to-the-Sun Road, they will see why it is all worth the concentration. A true sense of beauty may be found at the summit of this route when the white mountain peaks meet the clear blue sky.

This road passes through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire Northern Rockies.

  • Distance: More than 50 miles (80.5 km)
A map showing a section with hughway scenery along the Columbia River Hwy in Oregon

Tour The Astonishing Columbia River Highway, Oregon

The most thrilling aspect of road trippers’ journey might be the drive between Troutdale and The Dalles. They are fascinated and impressed by the view on the exceptional and amazing Columbia River Highway (Hwy 30), which encourages them to travel, live, and be inspired.

On the long highway, it can be difficult to believe that such a variety of hues, cliffs, shapes, and falls exist. Vacationers shouldn’t miss exploring the Columbia River Highway’s (Hwy 30) natural attractions on their own.

  • Distance: 75 miles (120.7 km)

Savor The Beauty of The Jaw-Dropping Overseas Highway, Florida

The Overseas Highway (Hwy 1) in Florida, is nicknamedThe Highway That Goes to Seabecause the entire picturesque road is beside the water.

The engineering team needed a lot of resources, money, and labor to build this road. People are enchanted by its beautiful seascapes, where the sky meets the ocean, and its tropical vegetation.

Road trippers should take their time and savor the breathtaking sunsets and amazing ambiance of this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

  • Distance: 127.5 miles (205.1 km)

Drive The Dazzling Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

The Kancamagus Highway is beautiful all year round, but the ideal time to travel is in the fall when the foliage is at its most vibrant.

Just so road trippers know, the changing of the leaves typically begins in mid-to-late September and peaks in mid-October. They can also stop at the 120-foot (36.5 m) Albany Covered Bridge, built in 1858, for a taste of history.

Finally

From coast to coast (and everything in between), America is one big map for classic car scenic drives or cruises to explore for adventures. There are a multitude of great roads and scenic routes throughout the US and the above list are just some of the possibilities of great highway scenery to take your classic car on a great trip on the scenic highways in each state.

The only question for the car cruise lover is: which scenic drive will you tackle first?

As always be safe out there.

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