America’s Best Drives: 10 Scenic Road Trips That Aren’t Route 66

Spanning 50 miles across the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, this “transmountain highway” is an engineering marvel. It reaches its peak at Logan Pass, 6,646 feet above sea level [5].

• Best Time to Visit: July to September (due to heavy snow, the alpine section is closed most of the year).

• Highlight: The “Big Bend” offers a panoramic view of glacier-carved peaks and vibrant wildflowers [1].

• Expert Tip: Vehicle reservations are required during peak summer months [5].

Designated as an “All-American Road,” this 123-mile route connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks [2].

• Geography: It traverses a diverse landscape of red rock “hoodoos,” pine forests, and the “Hogsback”—a narrow ridge where the road drops off steeply on both sides [2].

• Actionable Advice: Stop at the Kiva Koffeehouse near milepost 73 for high-altitude views of the Escalante River canyons.

Part of the San Juan Skyway, this 25-mile stretch between Ouray and Silverton is famous for its lack of guardrails and steep drop-offs [1].

• The Experience: You will climb three mountain passes, all over 10,000 feet, including Red Mountain Pass [1].

• Safety Note: This drive is not recommended for those with a fear of heights or during active snowstorms.

Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” this 469-mile road connects Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains [1].

• Visuals: In autumn, the hardwood forests turn vivid shades of orange and red. For a shorter trip, the 90-mile segment between Asheville and Blowing Rock offers the highest density of overlooks, including Craggy Gardens [1].

• Recommendation: Visit the Linville Gorge, the deepest canyon in the eastern U.S. [1].

Specifically, the section from San Simeon to Carmel-by-the-Sea provides the most iconic coastal views in the country [1].

• Key Landmark: The Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world due to its aesthetic arch and cliffside location [1].

• Experience: The “17-Mile Drive” near Pebble Beach costs approximately $11.75 to enter but gives access to the famous Lone Cypress tree [6].

For enthusiasts of New England charm, Route 100 runs the length of the state through the Green Mountains.

• Theme: This is a “foodie” route. You will find artisanal cheese shops, maple syrup sugarhouses, and local cider mills [3].

• Pairing: If you enjoy these pastoral views, you might also appreciate the landscapes in our Baltic States travel guide: best historic & scenic sites.

The late journalist Charles Kuralt famously called this the “most beautiful drive in America.” It reaches nearly 11,000 feet at Beartooth Pass [1].

• Wildlife: Travelers frequently spot mountain goats, grizzly bears, and marmots.

• Route: The road runs 69 miles from Red Lodge, Montana, to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park [1].

This 113-mile highway (U.S. 1) uses 42 bridges to connect the Florida Keys to the mainland [6].

• Visuals: You are surrounded by turquoise water for hours. The Seven Mile Bridge is the architectural highlight, providing an unobstructed view of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

• Stop: Visit Bahia Honda State Park for some of the best beaches in the Keys.

Located on Maui, this 64-mile drive features 620 curves and 59 bridges, many of which are single-lane [1].

• Scenery: The route passes through tropical rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and black sand beaches at Wai’anapanapa State Park [1].

• Practical Tip: Start before 7:00 AM to avoid the heavy tourist traffic that clogs the narrow road by midday.

This 70-mile loop in the Black Hills includes “pigtail bridges” and tunnels framed to view Mount Rushmore [6].

• Wildlife: It cuts through Custer State Park, home to a herd of 1,500 free-roaming bison [6].

• Action Plan: Drive the Needles Highway portion to see the granite spires that resemble giant needles.

As you plan, remember that the ultimate USA road trip: best routes and tips can help you budget for gas and find unique roadside lodging.

• Diverse Landscapes: US scenic drives range from 11,000-foot alpine passes (Beartooth) to tropical island-hopping (Overseas Highway).
• Seasonal Awareness: High-altitude mountain roads like Going-to-the-Sun and Beartooth Highway typically only open from late June to early October [5].
• Booking Requirements: Popular National Park roads (Glacier, Rocky Mountain) often now require timed-entry vehicle reservations during peak season [5].

Action Plan

1. Check Openings: Use the National Park Service website to check road closures for alpine routes before booking flights.
2. Download Maps: Many of these routes (especially in Montana, Utah, and Hawaii) have zero cellular reception. Download offline maps via Google Maps or specialized road trip apps.
3. Vehicle Suitability: Ensure your rental car has adequate braking power for the Million Dollar Highway’s steep descents and consider a 4WD if you plan to explore the unpaved “backways” off Utah’s Highway 12 [2].

America’s geography is too varied to be summarized by a single historic highway; by venturing off the standard path, you’ll encounter the true topographical extremes of the continent.