Hop in the car, drive anywhere in North Carolina, and you’re sure to be impressed with the passing scenery. Some roads are just better than others, though, and some roads are tailor-made for a beyond-scenic drive. Luckily, our gorgeous we have more than 60 North Carolina scenic byways for making the most of your view – but these are our picks for the 10 best scenic drives in North Carolina that you should take ASAP.

1. Outer Banks Scenic Byway
Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA
David Leavitt/Flickr
With the Pamlico Sound on one side and the Atlantic on the other - it's no wonder this gorgeous byway has been featured in multiple movies. It's one of the most breathtaking byways in North Carolina. Make sure to read more about the Outer Banks Scenic Byway. Then if you are enamored by the beautiful sand dunes make sure you check out Jockey's Ridge State Park in the area with the biggest active sand dunes on the East Coast. This place is magical and witness it for yourself by watching this Adventuring in the Moment video:


2. Pisgah Loop Scenic Byway
Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Hwy, North Carolina 28768, USA
Stan/Flickr
Rivaling the Blue Ridge Parkway (and running parallel to it in parts) the Pisgah Loop Scenic Byway gives you access to some of the most beautiful, untouched areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
3. Pamlico Scenic Byway
Pamlico County, NC, USA
-ted/Flickr
The byway starts you in historic Washington and you'll travel along the Pamlico River and through gorgeous, flat coastal plains until reaching Manteo. A perfect way to go from the inner to outer banks.
4. Waterfalls Scenic Byway
Waterfall Byway, NC
Jim Liestman/Flickr
Properly named, this beautiful byway runs West along the French Broad River eventually ending at the Toxaway River and Toxaway Falls. You'll be in close proximity to Panthertown Valley, which is a great place to stop for the waterfall lover. Check out all these beautiful waterfalls you can see on this amazing North Carolina drive!
5. Whitewater Way
Whitewater Way Northwest, Whitewater Way NW, Concord, NC 28027, USA
Stan/Flickr
Not far from Waterfalls Scenic Byway, Whitewater Way is named after Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies at 411 ft. This byway gives you access to some of the most beautiful waterfalls you'll find on the East Coast. Learn more about this massive waterfall with our Only In Your State YouTube video:


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6. Hanging Rock Scenic Byway
Hanging Rock, North Carolina 28604, USA
NCDOTcommunications/Flickr
Located amidst the gorgeous rolling hills of the northern Piedmont Region, this byway provides motorists with great views of Hanging Rock and the ancient Sauratown Mountain chain.
7. Meteor Lakes Scenic Byway
NC Wetlands/ Flickr
Starting in Elizabethtown, this byway takes you through some of North Carolina's most gorgeous fertile farmland. Perfect for sweeping, wide-open views and a different kind of scenery.
8. Black Mountain Rag
Black Mountain, NC 28711, USA
Kim Jenkins/Flickr
Stop by the quaint mountain town of Black Mountain then hop on the Black Mountain Rag for some great views. With close access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the byway puts you in close proximity to Mt. Mitchell.
9. Upper Yadkin Way
Yadkin Road, Yadkin Rd, Fayetteville, NC, USA
Susan Smith/Flickr
Drive through North Carolina's own version of Tuscany (or Napa) along this beautiful byway. Stop at wineries and vineyards, and maybe bring a DD with you. Between rolling hills, wide open spaces, and foothills in the distance, it's a gorgeous drive.
10. North Carolina Pottery Highway
Pottery Road, Pottery Rd, North Carolina 27341, USA
PunkToad/Flickr
Seagrove is known worldwide for its pottery legacy, and this byway takes you straight through. Perfect for the pottery lover, you begin in the Sandhills and end near the Piedmont. The drive is gorgeous with pottery shops hiding behind dense forest brush and some smack dab in the middle of rural fields. It's an interesting and beautiful place.

What do you think of these North Carolina scenic byways? Have you driven any of them? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for other scenic drives in North Carolina? We’ve got you covered. Now all you need to do is pack for a road trip then you are officially ready to hop in the car and go for a drive!

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More to Explore

North Carolina Scenic Byways

Tori Jane | September 04, 2021

What are some beautiful North Carolina byways to drive? 

Here are a few of the most beautiful North Carolina Byways to drive:

 

Considering that there are more than 60 scenic byways in North Carolina to explore, the options are plentiful! Some of our favorite scenic drives here include breathtaking gems like the Blue Ridge Parkway, which extends through both North Carolina and Virginia, and the Cherohala Skyway extends through North Carolina and Tennessee. The Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway is another wonderful scenic drive, and we cannot recommend experiencing these enough. Each scenic drive in this state is splendid, and you’ve got to truly experience them all at least once. For more of our favorite drives, check out these 11 backroad trips in North Carolina. 

Where are the most beautiful places in North Carolina? 

Here are just a few of the most beautiful places in North Carolina:

 

Luckily for those who love beautiful places (and honestly, who doesn’t?), North Carolina is full of them! Some of our favorite places include gems like Lake Lure, which is easily the most beautiful small town – and lake – in the state. The water is sparkling blue and reflects the perfect North Carolina sky, and we couldn’t dream of a more perfect place to take in the beauty of this region. Our state parks – of which there are 41 – are each perfectly beautiful in their own ways and well worth a visit. There are also 10 National Parks, so be sure to make time to see those, too! If you’re ever in Charlotte, we really love Freedom Park, so be sure to visit! It’s perfect for those who prefer their beautiful places to be within city limits!  

Where can I find some nice scenic overlooks in North Carolina? 

Here are a couple of places to find great scenic overlooks in North Carolina:

 

If you’ve never been to Chimney Rock State Park, you should bump it to the top of your to-do list. The views offered by this incredible place are second to none; you'll take in incredible sights of Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge, and it’s amazing year-round, too! The views at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are also absolutely incredible and well worth a visit (or ten). Finally, you can’t miss the views over the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are breathtaking, especially on one’s first visit.   

 

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