The 10 best road trips in the USA

Breathtaking views, spectacular canyons, rugged coastlines, colorful forests: there is no other place on earth where a road trip is as exciting as in North America! Are you in the mood for adventure and freedom for your next holiday? Then join us on the 10 most scenic road trips in Canada and the USA.

#1 Highway 1

Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, winds its way along more than 1,000 km of the California coastline. As you soak up the radiant sun and salty ocean air, your road trip will take you to the scenic wilderness areas of the Big Sur region, rugged cliffs, charming coastal villages, and glittering metropolises like San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Tip: If you have more time, you can extend your road trip further to the North. Explore the state of Oregon with its vibrant capital Portland and Washington State with the “Emerald City” Seattle. Your journey will finally take you to beautiful Vancouver in Canada.

#2 Overseas Highway

A unique road trip on the water – the Overseas Highway takes you 180 km across the turquoise blue waves of the Gulf of Mexico. You will not only drive over numerous bridges and dams but also across the archipelago of the Florida Keys. On your tour through Southern Florida, you will also discover charming towns and a variety of restaurants, bars, and local attractions that invite you to stop along the way.

#3 Niagara Falls and Ontario

A road trip par excellence starts at the Canadian-American border, where the water masses of the world-famous Niagara Falls plunge into the depths near the city of Buffalo. From North America's largest waterfalls, a short drive will take you to Canada's largest city, Toronto. If you follow the Northern shore of the beautiful Lake Ontario, you will reach the “Limestone City” Kingston, where the lake flows into the mighty St. Lawrence River. Some 280 km downstream, you will reach the French-influenced metropolis of Montréal.

#4 Utah State Route 12

Embark on an adventure through some of Utah's most legendary landscapes on Utah State Route 12! The 197 km road winds through Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Along the way, your gaze will sweep over towering rock formations and deep canyons, whilst you will also find numerous hiking trails and viewpoints, which provide great opportunities for physical exercise and active recreation in the great outdoors.

#5 Blue Ridge Parkway

Join us for a road trip on one of the most scenic roads in the Eastern USA. The 750 km Blue Ridge Parkway takes you from the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. On your journey, you will encounter rolling hills, lush forests, and waterfalls. A particularly impressive natural spectacle can be experienced in autumn when the leaves turn a brilliant orange!

#6 Trail Ridge Road

Get ready for sharp switchbacks, steep slopes, and breathtaking mountain views! On Trail Ridge Road in Colorado, you'll be driving on the highest continuous paved road in the United States. The 77 km route reaches altitudes of more than 3,650 m, leads you through Rocky Mountain National Park, and opens up spectacular views of the alpine tundra, towering peaks, and colorful wildflowers.

#7 Going-to-the-Sun-Road

Breathtaking views of rugged mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and the vast Montana wilderness: the roughly 80 km long Going-to-the-Sun-Road is a must for every visitor to Glacier National Park. The legendary mountain road winds through narrow canyons, along steep cliffs, and across the Continental Divide. Make sure you take plenty of time and stop at the various rest areas and viewpoints to enjoy the spectacular scenery of this region.

Tip: From the North of Montana, it is not far to the Canadian Rocky Mountains with their picturesque national parks Banff, Yoho, and Jasper. Unforgettable impressions await you on a visit to the gigantic Columbia Icefield!

Remember that you need an eTA authorization to cross the Canadian border.

#8 State Highway 89-A

State Highway 89-A runs North-South through Arizona, connecting the cities of Prescott and Sedona. Your road trip will take you to some of the state's most scenic areas, such as Prescott National Forest and Coconino National Forest, and provide access to popular outdoor recreation areas like Oak Creek Canyon and Red Rock Country.

#9 Hana Highway

Is there anything more magical than a drive along Hawaii's most beautiful panoramic route? The Road to Hana stretches 100 km along the Northeast coast of the island of Maui. The trail begins in the small town of Paia and winds along the coast over 59 bridges, through 620 curves, and past lush rainforests, thundering waterfalls, and magnificent viewpoints.

#10 Great River Road

The Great River Road follows the course of the Mississippi River for over 4,800 km from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy the scenic views of the Mississippi River and its surroundings as you explore 10 states and numerous attractions – from the river's headwaters at Lake Itasca to the river bluffs in Iowa, the historic city of St. Louis, and the French Quarter in New Orleans.

The classic: Route 66

No road trip in the USA represents the dream of freedom as strongly as a journey along the legendary Route 66. The classic among America's road trips takes you from the "Windy City" of Chicago on the shores of the Great Lakes to the sunny Pacific coast in LA. On your adventurous cross-country tour, you'll see spectacular natural attractions like The Painted Desert and Palo Duro Canyon State Park, as well as quirky roadside attractions like Cadillac Ranch, The Blue Whale, and Ed Galloway's Totem Pole Park.

More tips for your USA road trip

Do you need some practical tips for your road trip in the USA? With our travel guides for the USA, you'll be prepared for any situation – find out everything you need to know about rental cars, travel health insurance, credit cards, and visa-free travel with ESTA.