Here Are 13 Of America’s Most Classic Road Trips

As America’s first scenic highway and a designated National Historic Landmark, the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway is a 70-mile route that, when you traverse, you'll understand why it's been hailed as "King of Roads." Exploring one of the most wondrous places in the entire country, the scenic splendor of the Columbia River Gorge, with its 90+ waterfalls (on the Oregon side alone), dramatic vistas, and commanding canyons, is unrivaled along this bucket-list-worthy road trip.

If the ocean has your heart and soul, there's no better route than the Pacific Coast Highway. One of the most famous scenic drives in the PNW, the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway stretches along Highway 1 for 656 miles, connecting Northern California and Southern California, Oregon, and Washington. It is one of the most astoundingly scenic roads in the world, meant to be traversed slowly while ogling the mountains, towering trees, expansive beaches, and endless blue skies. Construction on this modern-day marvel began in 1933, with the highway completed in small segments over the next several years. In fact, it was not until the 1964 state highway renumbering that the entire route was officially designated as SR 1. On this epic route, you'll be treated to stunning ocean views right outside your car window for an iconic experience that's every road tripper's dream.

The U.S. is full of scenic byways and backcountry roads that will show you the best of America the Beautiful; of these routes, there’s one in Montana with a name that truly captures its splendor, and that's Going-to-the-Sun Road. This trans-mountain highway is 50 miles of pure Montana majesty, carved out of the rugged terrain and mighty mountains of Glacier National Park. And while Glacier is certainly one of the most wondrous national parks in the country, Going-to-the-Sun Road takes the experience to another level entirely.

More than 200 years ago, as Westward expansion ramped up, folks felt an undeniable pull out West. Today, intrepid explorers can travel the more than 2,000-mile route of the infamous Oregon Trail, which starts in Independence, Missouri, where, once upon a time, thousands of pioneers set forth upon the trail. Before heading out on your own modern-day odyssey, visit the National Frontier Trails Museum for perspective and inspiration. As you make your way across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon, you’ll be surrounded by plains and desert landscapes, viewing the same stark and untouched landscape seen by thousands of brave folks. Keep an eye out for the tombstones of those who perished on the Oregon Trail, as well as the wagon wheel ruts they left behind; it's a humbling reminder of a sad period in American history.

Utah's Highway 12 is one of the most scenic highways in the Southwest -- and country. Receiving the designation of 'All American Road,' the highway is bookended by two National Parks -- Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef -- with many scenic points of interest in between. Reaching elevations of up to 9,000 feet, this drive is an epic journey for those who are not afraid of heights. There are so many things to see along the way, as you drive through the jaw-dropping Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Dixie National Forest, and several small towns. After taking this amazing adventure, you'll surely agree that Route 12 is one of the most beautiful road trips in America.

We’ve all heard of the ‘Great American Road Trip,’ an epic adventure that leads travelers to all the amazing places this country of ours has to offer. But what about a road trip along the Great River Road? This resplendent road trip traces the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles through 10 states, and will open your eyes to America the Beautiful. This All-American Road is lauded as *the* single-best scenic drive in the country, and it's hard to argue with such a superlative. From the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in Illinois and the Trail of Tears State Park in Missouri to the bayous of Arkansas and bustling streets of New Orleans, Great River Road truly is an All-American adventure for your bucket list.

Music is an inextricable part of America's history and culture, and U.S. Route 61, also known as Blues Highway, is a true musical tour de force. This scenic route lets you drive through the land of the delta blues via Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, a route often taken by musicians heading north to try and "make it big" in cities like St. Louis, Chicago. and Detroit. As a result, this scenic stretch of road has inspired countless songs that bear its name in the title or lyrics, making it a must for all music lovers and historians.

To drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia is to experience one of the most scenic routes in the U.S. Shared between North Carolina and Virginia, this road is 469 miles long and winds its way through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, and connects with the Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Unlike the mountain passes in the West that go up and over mountains or the iconic "Notch" valley roads of the Northeast, Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the spine of the ridge, rolling up and down for the entire length. It's a prismatic feast for the eyes in all seasons, with dynamic displays of color in autumn, a lush forest landscape in summer, and dazzling white expanses in the winter.

If you're feeling the pull of the tropical paradise that is the Florida Keys, then U.S. Highway 1 is the road trip for you. Highway 1 is an epic route that runs all the way from Georgia’s St. Mary’s River down into Florida's Key West, clocking in at 545 magnificent miles. This highway literally leads straight to the sea; the dazzling, crystal-clear cerulean expanse otherwise known as the Florida Keys.

Considered by many to be one of the most scenic drives in the Northeast, if not the entire country, Kancamagus Highway is a treasure trove of natural beauty. At just 36 miles long, Kancamagus Highway packs quite the scenic punch, rolling through charming covered bridges, past wondrous waterfalls, and into the heart of the lush White Mountain range. This drive is especially lovely in the autumn, when fall foliage paints the landscape of the Northeast in fiery reds, bold oranges, vibrant yellows, and buttery golds.

It can take more than two and a half hours to travel the 52 miles from Kahului to Hana along the eponymous Hana Highway, which traverses past sea cliffs lush with blooming mango trees and vistas straight out of "Jurassic Park." But this drive is not for the faint of heart. Hana Highway is perhaps the most popular scenic drive on the island of Maui -- and possibly all of Hawaii -- but it’s also nerve-wracking, to say the least. This incredible highway is home to a staggering 620 curves, making it the windiest road in the Aloha State, and one best attempted with a slow and steady hand (and foot!). But if you happen to have a strong stomach, there's no better way to revel in the resplendence of the Aloha State, making Hana Highway a bucket-list must.