Who’s ready for an adventure? It’s just you and the open road on these scenic drives in Pennsylvania! Roll down the windows. Let the wind rustle your hair. Explore the rolling hills, lush forests, and shimmering lakes of the Keystone State from the comfort of your car with tunes blaring or in the peaceful quiet. These are the 10 best scenic drives in PA, and they’re perfect for a leisurely drive any time of the year. So, buckle up and hit the road because your search for “scenic drives near me” is has just paid off!

1. Bucktail Trail Scenic Byway
Sproul State Forest, 15187 Renovo Rd, Renovo, PA 17764, USA
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Pack plenty of snacks for your picturesque drive along the Bucktail Trail Scenic Byway (PA Route 120). Drive all or part of the 100-mile road that spans from Sproul State Forest to Ridgway. During your journey, you'll pass forests, valleys, hills, and wildlife. Visit our previous article for more information on the Bucktail Scenic Byway.
2. Brandywine Valley Byway
Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway, Wilmington, DE 19807, USA
Flickr/James Walsh
Travel from Kennett Pike to Wilmington, Delaware, as you drive the Brandywine Valley Byway (Routes 100 and 52). The brief 15-mile scenic byway boasts winding roads that pass fields of wildflowers, tulips, and protective oak trees. Visit our previous article about the Brandywine Valley Byway website for more information.
3. National Road
Highway 40 West, US-40, Hopwood, PA, USA
Flickr/David Fulmer
Journey along National Road - Route 40 - for a truly memorable experience. Route 40 in Pennsylvania winds through Somerset, Washington, and Fayette Counties. Stop and visit such landmarks as Bowman's Castle and Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Check out our previous article about the Historic National Road website for more information.
4. Conestoga Ridge Road
Conestoga Stone, 1101 Ridge Rd #8703, Pottstown, PA 19465, USA
Flickr/Thomas Gehrke
Merge onto Route 23, Conestoga Ridge Road, in Lancaster County for a breathtaking drive. Watch the cozy country homes, gentle streams, hills and valleys, and rolling farmland pass as you drive. You might also want to stop at such attractions as Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve and Poole Forge Park. Visit the National Scenic Byway Foundation website for more information on Conestoga Ridge Road.
5. West Branch Susquehanna Byway
Bilger's Rocks, 1921 Bilgers Rocks Rd, Grampian, PA 16838, USA
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Gas up your car for the spectacular 72-mile drive along the West Branch Susquehanna Byway. Drink in unspoiled views of the Susquehanna River while stopping at such popular landmarks as McKees Mills Covered Bridge and Bilger's Rocks. Check out our previous article about the West Branch Susquehanna Byway for more information.

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6. Longhouse National Scenic Byway
Longhouse Scenic Drive, Longhouse Scenic Dr, Hamilton Township, PA 16735, USA
Flickr/Andy Arthur
Pack a picnic and your hiking gear as you set out on the Longhouse Scenic Byway. The 29-mile byway loop travels through the Allegheny National Forest. There, you can go hiking, enjoy an old-fashioned picnic in the forest, or stop to admire the views of the Allegheny Reservoir. Check out our previous article for more information about the Longhouse National Scenic Byway.
7. Lake Wilhelm Scenic Byway
Lake Wilhelm, Pennsylvania, USA
Flickr/Melissa
Hop onto the 6.4-mile Lake Wilhelm Scenic Byway in Mercer County for a truly enchanting experience. Gaze out the of window at the sprawling farms, rolling hills, and picturesque bridges as you travel to Lake Wilhelm in Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources website for the official website of Maurice K. Goddard State Park.
8. High Plateau Scenic Byway
Snow Shoe, PA 16874, USA
Flickr/John McCullough
Snap photos of local wildlife - elk and bear, for example - as you drive from Snow Shoe to Renovo along the 27-mile High Plateau Scenic Byway (Route 144). Sweeping views await as you stand at Fish Dam Run Scenic View and Two Run Rock Vista in Sproul State Forest. Check out our previous article about the High Plateau Scenic Byway for more information.
9. Lincoln Highway
1404 Lincoln Hwy, North Versailles, PA 15137, USA
Flickr/Brad
Join countless other Americans who have eagerly set out on an epic drive along the Lincoln Highway, which stretches from New York to California. While in Pennsylvania, you'll drive by such tourist spots as the Lincoln Highway Experience in the Laurel Highlands. Be sure to also stop for a selfie with the Koontz Coffee Pot in Bedford. Visit the Lincoln Highway website for more information.
10. Seaway Trail
Pennsylvania 5, PA-5, Erie, PA, USA
Flickr/Matthew Warner
Allow yourself to be mesmerized by the sweeping views of Lake Erie as you drive along the Seaway Trail (Route 5). However, you don't have to stay in the car to admire the views. Hop out for a visit to Presque Isle State Park, where you can go swimming, boating, or just kick back and relax as you enjoy the unspoiled lake views. Visit the Seaway Trail website for more information.

The best scenic drives in Pennsylvania promise a spectacular adventure no matter what time of year you hit the road. In your opinion, what are the best driving roads in PA? Let us know in the comments! If you’re up for some more exploring, check out these 11 scenic drives in PA.

If you’re wondering what could be better than a scenic PA drives, the answer is byways that lead to beautiful destinations. For example, you could embark on the 23-mile Gettysburg National Military Park Auto Tour, and then climb a historic tower for unparalleled views of the battlefield (and make sure you have all the hiking gear you need before you go!):

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More to Explore

best scenic drives In Pennsylvania

Beth Price-Williams | March 21, 2020

What are the best roadside attractions in Pennsylvania?

You’ll find an abundance of unique roadside attractions in Pennsylvania, including:

Yep, you’ll get to see just what the Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe felt like when you enter this building-sized shoe. A popular fixture in York since 1948, the Haines Shoe House welcomes visitors to embark on a guided tour and enjoy a delicious ice cream treat.

You’ll find it at Archbald State Park, a tiny, 150-acre state park. The pothole is 38 feet deep and 42 feet by 24 feet at its widest point.

Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in Pennsylvania?

Gas up the car; turn up the tunes, and hit the road. Other scenic drives in Pennsylvania include:

This historic road spans a whopping 620 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to Vandalia, Illinois. Ninety of those miles meander through Pennsylvania, from Addison to West Alexander. Along the way, you’ll see such sights as Fort Necessity Battlefield, Fallingwater, and Laurel Caverns.

A two-hour drive, this scenic byway stretches through Fayette and Westmoreland Counties. Stop by such towns as Ohiopyle, Ligonier, and Donegal.

Are there other similar things to do in Pennsylvania when you have a free afternoon?

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Pennsylvania, consider:

This will take you through the Forest Cathedral in Cook Forest.

Tucked in Loyalsock State Forest, the scenic trail also features an abundance of lush trees and streams.

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