22 beautiful North American road trips

You can’t mention British Columbia without including these two top destinations. Luckily, the drive between the two, along Highway 99, is one of the most breathtaking in Canada. From Vancouver, you’ll follow Howe Sound, a stunning fjord (the sea section of the drive) up to the mountains of Whistler. The journey lasts between 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.

The Cascade Mountains are some of Washington’s most famous landmarks, which is why there’s an entire road trip route dedicated to them. The full route is massive, lasting 440 miles from the Puget Sound islands of Whidbey and Camano, through the Skagit Valley, across the North Cascades, down through Lake Chelan, and back over the mountains via Highway 2. Along the way, you’ll be spoiled with choices for hikes, waterfalls, and epic vistas.

Arguably one of America’s most iconic road trips, the 1 has delighted travelers for decades. Start in the storied city of San Francisco, then head south towards Santa Cruz. Stop in for a fun boardwalk experience, then continue to Monterey, the fairytale town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and finally, Big Sur.

If you’re up for a northern adventure, the nine-hour drive from Montreal to the tranquil Gaspé Peninsula will surely delight. Stop in Kamouraska for cute cafes and Carleton-sur-Mer for hikes and beer. Finally, hit up the Percé Peninsula before continuing to Gaspé.

This massive, scenic byway is over 3,000 miles long, running from the northern part of Minnesota down to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, you follow the roaring Mississippi River. Of course, you can split it up into shorter road trips, as the total drive time would be 36 hours without stops. 

If you Google “best views in Canada,” chances are either Banff or Jasper will pop up. If you’re lucky enough to visit this amazing part of the country, you’ll likely drive the Icefields Parkway. Make sure to stop at Bow Lake, Peyton Lake, the Weeping Wall (a series of waterfalls on a flat mountainside), the Columbia Icefield, and more along the way!

Thousands of scenic miles await you in these two often-overlooked provinces. Make sure to make a point of visiting the Ferryland Lighthouse (one of the oldest settlements in the area), the Avalon Colony, The East Coast Trail, and Conception Bay. 

This 130-mile scenic route from Mobile to Baldwin follows the Gulf of Mexico and provides beautiful scenery. The cute coastal towns, numerous nature preserves, and sandy beaches ensure any stop is a good one!

Nova Scotia has become increasingly popular each year, and it’s no surprise why. Stop in New Glasgow, Chéticamp, and Cape Breton Highlands National Park for breathtaking landscapes, hikes, and wildlife.

Another pretty route that follows the Mississippi, this one will take you through old plantations and mansions. You can stop at most, but an absolute must-visit is the Whitney Plantation, home to a slavery museum, the reality of which can’t be ignored in the South.

Another old icon of the American highway system, Route 66, has delighted travelers for generations. Affectionately called “The Main Street of America,” the route features a couple hundred historic buildings, structures, and sites. Complete the full 2,448-mile trip, or split it up!

Start in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains before heading through the Blue Ridge Mountains through amazing peaks and dense forests. Hike your way through multiple states before ending in Shenandoah National Park.

This 40-mile trip through the Texas Hill Country showcases these lovely flowers yearly. Stop in quiet and lively towns and enjoy sprinklings of bluebonnets and other wildflowers in the hills.

The eastern side of Florida’s coast often receives the most attention among vacationers, with Miami, West Palm Beach, and Melbourne all located there. However, the western half is just as fun. Start in the resort town of Destin before heading south to St Petersburg and Naples, enjoying beaches along the way.

This road through the Rocky Mountains is famous for being America’s highest-elevation-maintained road. You’ll drive 48 miles between Grand Lake and Estes Park through some of the country’s most beautiful mountain scenery.

This 130-route around Lake Winnipesaukee is great no matter the time of year. However, fall, when foliage is at its height, is the most spectacular.

Similar to Highway 1 in California, the 101 is an American road icon. Start on Washington’s southern coast, near Westport or Long Beach, before heading east to the 101 and down to Oregon. Once you cross the state border, stop at Cannon Beach, Pacific City, and Florence.

This 300-mile trip from Alaska’s largest city (by population) Anchorage to Valdez has amazing views along the way. Enjoy vistas of Prince William Sound, ancient glaciers, and endless mountain ranges with numerous unnamed peaks.

The “Ocean State” is home to one of the most beautiful seaside routes in the nation. This 10-mile trip starts in downtown Newport and ends along the coast. During your drive, marvel at the Atlantic and Gilded Age mansions (or cottages, as they’re oddly called.)

At 77 miles, this cross-state drive isn’t too far for an easy road trip. You can enjoy the sites no matter the time of year, so make sure to stop in Chimayo and other smaller artist settlements. And if you like to hike, you’re in luck with wildflowers, desert scenery, and the Taos Mountains at your doorstep.

This drive, through Fundy National Park, is full of breathtaking coastal scenery. Start in Moncton, follow the coastal scenery, and check out some of the world’s highest tides. Depending on the time of year, you might see whales, critter-filled tidepools, or even fossils in the mud flats. And don’t forget to check out the many walking trails and cute inns along the way.

This massive 440-mile route starts in Alaska and heads all the way to the Yukon Territory. You’ll follow an old gold rush-era path with old dredgings on the side of the highway. Make sure to stop in Whitehorse and the McBride Museum to learn all about the area’s history.