Top 10 Best Road Trips in America

Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering marvel that traverses Glacier National Park in Montana, spanning 50 miles across the Continental Divide. Completed in 1932, this historic road is the only one that crosses the park, offering unparalleled access to its rugged interior. It reaches its highest point at Logan Pass, with an elevation of 6,646 feet, providing breathtaking views of glacial-carved peaks and alpine meadows. Due to heavy snowfall, the road is typically only fully open for about two to three months each year, usually from late June or early July through mid-October, making the window for experiencing its grandeur quite limited. Despite its relatively shorter length, the road's dramatic scenery, including waterfalls, ancient cedar forests, and abundant wildlife, makes it an unforgettable adventure.

The Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys offers a spectacular 113-mile drive that creates the sensation of driving on water, connecting 42 islands with 37 bridges. This All-American Road, a section of US1, was built in part on the route of the historic Overseas Railroad, completed in 1912. One of its most notable features is the Seven Mile Bridge, which was considered one of the longest bridges in the world upon its completion in 1982. The highway provides stunning views with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, making it a unique tropical savanna road trip.

The Utah's Mighty Five Loop offers a concentrated tour of five diverse national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. This ~1,100-mile road trip can be completed in 7–10 days, with 7 days being a tight but doable timeframe. The landscapes encountered are so unique that areas within these parks, such as the Mars-like terrain, have been utilized by NASA for testing Mars rovers. The loop is ideal in spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) for mild weather and fewer crowds. Visitors can witness over 2,000 natural stone arches in Arches National Park and the distinctive hoodoos of Bryce Canyon.

Maui's Hana Highway, a 52-mile (84 km) route from Kahului to Hana, is renowned for its challenging yet scenic drive. The road features approximately 620 curves and 59 bridges, many of which are one-lane, requiring careful navigation. This serpentine coastal road winds through a lush tropical jungle, past magnificent seascapes, and offers views of numerous waterfalls, with over 18 waterfalls identified along the route. Despite its twists and turns, the Hana Highway is paved throughout and is considered one of the best coastal drives in the world.

Trail Ridge Road, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, is recognized as the highest continuous paved road in North America, reaching a peak elevation of 12,183 feet (3,713 meters). This 48-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 34 connects Estes Park and Grand Lake, offering sweeping views of the Continental Divide and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Eleven miles of the road are above the tree line, at approximately 11,500 feet, where the landscape transitions to alpine tundra. The road, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built between 1926 and 1932 and is typically open from late May to mid-October, depending on snow conditions.

Following the Mississippi from Minnesota to Louisiana through 10 states, this 3,000-mile route covers more American history than any textbook—and it’s 500 miles longer than the iconic Route 66.

Charles Kuralt called it the most beautiful drive in America, and the 10,947-foot summit with views of 20 peaks over 12,000 feet makes a strong case he was right. It also outperforms the #2-ranked Going-to-the-Sun Road with 35% higher elevation gain, delivering a more dramatic alpine experience than the average mountain highway.