50 Breathtaking Scenic Drives in 50 Different States ...

50 Breathtaking Scenic Drives in 50 Different States ...
By Neecey • Feb 1, 2023 MD

Every US state has glorious scenery that can be enjoyed on a drive. And thanks to the good folks at Yahoo Travel I can bring you a gorgeous scenic route for all 50 states.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Want more like this? Subscribe for personalized picks.

Successfully subscribed.

Check your inbox for personalized content.

1. Alabama

US Highway 431 from Huntsville to Dothan
Alabama You'll drive through forests and past rivers and pass through Gadsden, Columbus and Eufaula. Be sure to stop off to go antiquing or a bbq picnic.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

2. Alaska

The Seward Highway
Alaska Stretching for 127 miles between Seward and Anchorage the road crosses the stunningly beautiful Kenai Peninsula and along the edge of the Turnagain Arm.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

3. Arizona

State Highway 67
Arizona Kaibab Plateau – North Rim Parkway, SR 67 takes in the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and heads through the .Kaibab National Forest.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

4. Arkansas

State Highway 7 between Hot Springs and Oklahoma
Arkansas The road runs through the Ouachita National Forest and is one of the state’s first designated scenic byways.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

5. California

Highway 1 Santa Monica to Oxnard
California The road runs along the beauteous California coast and includes Big Sur.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

6. Colorado

Trail Ridge Road
Colorado Trail Ridge Road is a stretch of U.S. Highway 34. It is the highest continuous paved road in the United States and traverses Rocky Mountain National Park.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

7. Connecticut

State Highway 148
Connecticut Any road trip is made better with a ferry. Drive the State Highway 148 where it crosses the Connecticut River and take the Chester/Hadlyme ferry en route to Gillette Castle State Park.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

8. Delaware

State Highway 1 heading north
Delaware From Seal Island Preserve, north through the Delaware Seashore State Park, is one of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline on the entire East Coast.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

9. Florida

Overseas Highway
Florida A truly iconic drive of 127 miles through the Florida Keys.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

10. Georgia

Highway 60
Georgia The section of Highway 60 that traverses the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is a charming winding beauty.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

11. Hawaii

Hana Highway
Hawaii This stunning route winds along the Maui coast around mountains, over rivers and past waterfalls - all with the ocean on one side.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

12. Idaho

Highway 75 heading north
Idaho The recommend route is from Shoshone into the Sawtooth National Forest. If the picture is anything to go by ...

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

13. Illinois

Route 66
Illinois The Mother of all US roads. It begins on Adams Street in downtown Chicago.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

14. Indiana

Route 12
Indiana Head from Michigan City towards Gary and your scenic drive will take you alongside Lake Michigan though the
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

15. Iowa

Great River Road National Scenic Byway
Iowa Travel along the Mississippi River on the state's eastern border as part of this National Scenic Byway that stretches through 10 states.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

16. Kansas

Flint Hills National Scenic Byway
Kansas The best place to see the Great Plains is Kansas and this byway is the best route. See swaying fields of crops or take a drive as evening comes - the sunsets are magnificent.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

17. Kentucky

The Red River Gorge National Scenic Byway
Kentucky This has everything you look for in a spectacular road: mountains, rivers, a tunnel, and stunning scenery, as well as the historic 900 foot Nada Tunnel.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

18. Louisiana

Highway 82
Louisiana The road is from Abbeville to Port Arthur, Texas running parallel the Gulf of Mexico and is part of the Creole Nature Trail.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

19. Maine

The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
Maine The byway is a scenic corridor running 78 miles from Solon to the Canadian border.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

20. Maryland

US Highways 50 and 301
Maryland This has been chosen as Maryland's most scenic route because these two highways cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, offering stunning views from both sides.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

21. Massachusetts

Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway
Massachusetts The byway is Highway 20 from Russell to Lee. It is an untouched rural roadway that runs through the foothills of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

22. Michigan

Highway 2
Michigan Drive across the southern edge of the Upper Peninsula for a spectacular way to experience the northern reaches of Lake Michigan.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

23. Minnesota

North Shore Scenic Drive
Minnesota Highway 61 between Duluth and Grand Portage runs alongside Lake Superior.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

24. Mississippi

Natchez Trace Parkway
Mississippi This National Parkway commemorates the historic Old Natchez Trace and preserves sections of the original trail. It runs for 444 miles from Natchez to near Nashville.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

25. Missouri

Ozark Mountain High Road
Missouri The Highroad is state highway 465, which begins five miles north of Branson off US 65 and travels seven miles to state highway 76 offering lovely views of the Ozarks.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

26. Montana

The Going-to-the-Sun Road
Montana The Going-to-the-Sun Road runs right through the interior of the breathtaking beauty of the Glacier National Park.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

27. Nebraska

Lincoln Byway
Nebraska U.S. Highway 30 is a trip through the history of the Great Plains, including a sample of the Pony Express route and the Union Pacific first transcontinental railroad.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

28. Nevada

Drive across the Hoover Dam
Nevada Yes, you can still drive across the Hoover Dam despite the construction of the bypass bridge. It's an incredible view.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

29. New Hampshire

Kancamagus National Scenic Byway
New Hampshire The byway is a 32 mile stretch of the NH112 and takes you through the White Mountain National Forest with breathtaking views of the White Mountains.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

30. New Jersey

Delaware River Scenic Byway
New Jersey The short stretch from Frenchtown to Trenton is 33 miles through the very scenic Delaware River Valley and it includes the massively historically significant "Washington's Crossing".

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

31. New Mexico

US Highway 64
New Mexico The highway starts at the Arizona border and travels through some of the most spectacular scenery of New Mexico. Traverse desert and mountain and passes and travel through historical towns such as Taos.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

32. New York

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
New York Connecting Brooklyn and Staten Island the bridge is a marvel of engineering and offers incredible views of New York and The Narrows.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

33. North Carolina

Tail of the Dragon
North Carolina Much beloved by motorcyclists, the Tail of the Dragon is a very winding stretch of US. Highway 129 south of Deals Gap.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

34. North Dakota

Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway
North Dakota This byway bucks the trend in a state criss-crossed by straight roads. Following the natural bends and curves, the road runs for 63 miles through the tree-lined, rolling hills of the river valley.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

35. Ohio

Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
Ohio This trail runs for 293 miles along the shore of Lake Erie from Toledo to the New York border.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

36. Oklahoma

Talimena National Scenic Byway
Oklahoma Beginning at Talimena State Park your drive will take you through the Ouachita Mountains to Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas, passing mountains and streams and lots of photo opportunities. Keep an eye out for the wildlife.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

37. Oregon

Historic Columbia River Highway
Oregon Sometimes called the "King of Roads" this highway runs along the state's northern border and as well as including waterfalls and views of the river gorge the route is suffused with the history of Lewis and Clark.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

38. Pennsylvania

Highway 6
Pennsylvania Highway 6 through Pennsylvania crosses the Allegheny Mountains and along the way you can get acquainted with small, historic towns and small state forests.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

39. Rhode Island

State Highway 138
Rhode Island This highway gives views of some of the state's best scenery and passes over the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge and the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

40. South Carolina

Savannah River Scenic Byway
South Carolina The Savannah River Scenic Byway is 100 miles long and connects 5 routes which run parallel to the river. It is characterized by farms, woodlands, lakes and small towns. There are numerous historical sites along the way.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

41. South Dakota

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
South Dakota This route winds through South Dakota's storied Black Hills, weaving together towering granite formations, narrow tunnels, spiral bridges, and hairpin curves, with blockbuster sights like iconic Mount Rushmore and the nearby, yet-to-be-completed Crazy Horse Memorial

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

42. Tennessee

Cherohala Skyway
Tennessee Also known as Overhill Skyway, it stretches 43 miles from Tellico Plains to Robinville, running through both the Cherokee National Forest and the Nantahala National Forest It reaches elevations of over 5,400 feet with many sweeping curves. The byway provides access to several viewpoints, recreational areas, and vistas.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

43. Texas

Highway 16
Texas The drive through Texas Hill Country from Fredericksburg through Kerrville to Bandera presents great views of the diverse scenery of the Lone Star State.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

44. Utah

Antelope Island Road
Utah The road crosses the Great Salt Lake from Ogden to the island with is a state park renowned for its wildlife - particularly bison and bighorn sheep.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

45. Vermont

Route 100 Byway
Vermont This scenic route of 128 miles takes in 20 picturesque Vermont towns including Rochester, Andover, and Wilmington. It criss-crosses the spine of the Green Mountain from the Mad River Byway to the Massachusetts’s border.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

46. Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway
Virginia Coursing its way for 469 miles through the gorgeous Appalachians, this parkway connects the Shenandoah National Park with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

47. Washington

US Highway 410
Washington Travelling east from Puyallup on highway 410 takes you through Mount Rainier National Park with jaw-droppingly awesome views.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

48. West Virginia

Washington Heritage Trail Scenic Byway
West Virginia The trail forms a loop through the three counties and traces the footsteps of George Washington and the marks his family left in the Eastern Panhandle.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

49. Wisconsin

Lake Superior Byway
Wisconsin This is a drive along Highway 13 from Barksdale to Parkland where you can really appreciate the vast beauty of Lake Superior.

Thinking...

Please leave your email and we’ll get back to you on that.

50. Wyoming

US Highway 287
Wyoming Highway 287 is almost 1,800 miles long from Montana to Texas but its most scenic stretch is the 30 miles between Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.

So let's see. Did the experts get it right? Do you think there are better scenic drives in your state?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Want more like this? Subscribe for personalized picks.

Successfully subscribed.

Check your inbox for personalized content.

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Faith

    2018-01-10T22:08:01.888Z

    Where's Tennessee ?
  • GJP

    2015-10-15T21:51:35.078Z

    Very nice.
  • Veronica

    2015-10-11T18:36:01.321Z

    I love how NY's scenic route is a bridge. Do people forget there's an entire state besides the city? There are so many beautiful backroads to drive through in Upstate New York. Much more "scenic" than a bridge...
  • Nancy

    2015-10-11T18:30:37.775Z

    Highway 1 Santa Monica to Oxnard - You'll love this road. Trust me!
  • Inna

    2015-10-11T17:38:24.310Z

    I've been to Frenchtown, and to Trenton! (I live in NJ)
  • Adelasingz

    2016-12-09T11:48:23.306Z

    Indiana needs a better picture haha. I live less than a mile away. If only we could add pictures to these comments! It looks absolutely stunning with the shelf ice in winter.
  • Linda

    2015-10-11T21:51:12.864Z

    The one in Indiana is really pretty. I've been on it and I was blown away.
  • Tinamarie

    2015-10-12T21:53:23.844Z

    I agree with Veronica. I lived most of my life in New York and there are a lot more beautiful and scenic drives then the one shown!! How about the Adirondack's up the mountain or the long winding roads thru Upstate
  • XristosXristopoulos

    2015-12-10T19:10:25.661Z

    Wonderful sceneries
  • Brittany

    2016-12-09T18:03:35.165Z

    Yes Route 100 is the best in Vermont! You can take it all the way from Pittsfield to Stowe and beyond! Excellent during the fall and summer too
Commenting as
Add allwomenstalk.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Allwomenstalk app icon

Don't Miss the Latest Version

Get the latest stories, save favorites, and share with friends — all in one place.

New Earn badges & level up while you read

Create your profile. Earn badges. Level up your reading.

Join Allwomenstalk to track your streaks, collect badges, and earn XP for the things you already do—reading, sharing, and taking quizzes.

  • 🔥
    Daily streaks with gentle boosts for 3, 7, and 30 days.
  • 🏅
    Collect badges like Reader I–III, Socialite, and Quiz Ace.
  • ⚡️
    Earn XP for reads, deep reads, likes, comments, and shares.

It’s free. Takes 30 seconds. Already have an account? Sign in.

10,000+ badges earned last month

Level

3

Streak

7 🔥

XP420 / 700

Badges

🔥 On a Roll
📖 Reader I
📣 Socialite

Trending products

Other Cool Reads

Related Topics

hames turrell best places to travel for history buffs instagrammed chinese new year entertainers natural wonders in the us parades on thanksgiving day places to see before they disappear santa paid a visit bolzano christmas markets location native american female coming of age rituals
Featured article image