These 15 best scenic drives in America aren’t ranked first to last — they’re organized by region, because “best” here means best for a specific kind of road trip, not objectively superior to the next road over. A coastal drive and an alpine one aren’t competing for the same traveler. For each route below, you’ll find length, best season, a realistic time to budget, who it suits, and how demanding the driving itself is—plus the one detail that explains why it’s on this list rather than a generic “breathtaking views” line.
What “All-American Road” Actually Means
The FHWA designates roads as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads under its National Scenic Byways Program. A National Scenic Byway needs at least one archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, or scenic quality at a regionally significant level. An All-American Road needs at least two of those qualities at a nationally significant level, with features distinctive enough that the road is considered “a destination unto itself.” The program has added new roads over time, so for the current full list, check the FHWA’s official byways page rather than relying on a fixed count.
Quick Comparison
| Route | Length | Best Season | Time Needed | Best For | Driving Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Coast Highway (CA) | ~450–500 mi (SF–LA) | Spring/fall | 3–7 days | Coastal scenery, photography | Moderate |
| Historic Columbia River Hwy (OR) | ~75 mi | Apr–Oct | Half–full day | Waterfalls | Relaxed |
| Going-to-the-Sun Road (MT) | 50 mi | Late Jun–mid Oct | Full day | Alpine scenery, hiking | Moderate |
| Beartooth Highway (MT/WY) | ~68 mi | Late May–mid Oct | Half day | High-elevation scenery | Moderate |
| Million Dollar Highway (CO) | ~25 mi | Summer–early fall | Half day | Mountain switchbacks | Demanding |
| Route 66 (IL–CA) | ~2,400 mi | Year-round (regional) | Days to weeks | History, Americana | Relaxed |
| Blue Ridge Parkway (VA/NC) | 469 mi | Year-round* | 2–5 days | Fall foliage, mountains | Relaxed |
| Natchez Trace Parkway (MS/TN/AL) | 444 mi | Year-round | 2–4 days | History, easy driving | Relaxed |
| Cherohala Skyway (NC/TN) | 43 mi | May–Oct | Half day | Quiet mountain scenery | Moderate |
| Overseas Highway (FL Keys) | 113 mi | Year-round | 1–2 days | Ocean views, bridges | Relaxed |
| Great River Road (multi-state) | Varies by section | Year-round | 1 day–weeks | Riverside towns | Relaxed |
| North Shore Scenic Drive (MN) | 154 mi | Summer/fall | 1–2 days | Lake Superior, waterfalls | Relaxed |
| Kancamagus Highway (NH) | 34.5 mi | Year-round | Half day | Fall foliage | Relaxed |
| Needles Highway (SD) | 14 mi | May–Oct | Half day | Granite spires | Moderate |
| Hana Highway (HI) | ~64 mi | Year-round | Full day | Waterfalls, tropical scenery | Demanding |
*Sections can close temporarily for weather or maintenance even within the “year-round” season.
The 15 Best Scenic Drives in America
1. Pacific Coast Highway — California
Mileage varies depending on exactly which stretch of CA-1 you count as “the PCH.” The commonly cited San Francisco-to-Los Angeles figure is roughly 450–500 miles, rather than one fixed official distance. This is an All-American Road and one of the few entries here that works especially well as a true multi-day centerpiece road trip rather than a single-day drive. Give yourself extra time for viewpoints, coastal towns, and unplanned stops along the way. Don’t miss: Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls. See our PCH guide for a more detailed breakdown.
2. Historic Columbia River Highway — Oregon
Built in the 1910s specifically for scenic automobile touring rather than commercial transportation, the Historic Columbia River Highway is one of the country’s earliest purpose-built scenic roads. The route packs an impressive concentration of waterfalls, forested viewpoints, and Columbia River scenery into a relatively short distance. It is particularly easy to combine with a Portland trip, making it a good option for travelers who want a scenic drive without committing to several days on the road. Don’t miss: Multnomah Falls and the several smaller waterfalls located within a few miles of it.
3. Going-to-the-Sun Road — Montana
Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass inside Glacier National Park, providing some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. It is an All-American Road and one of the shortest routes on this list that can still justify a full day, largely because you’ll want to stop frequently for overlooks, hikes, and wildlife viewing. Vehicle length restrictions apply on the narrowest sections, so RV travelers should verify current requirements with Glacier National Park before setting out. Don’t miss: Logan Pass and Jackson Glacier Overlook.
4. Beartooth Highway — Montana/Wyoming
The Beartooth Highway climbs above 10,000 feet through five distinct climate zones on its way toward Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. Its high-elevation landscapes include alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and broad mountain vistas, making the route feel dramatically different from the lower-elevation roads nearby. Because it connects naturally with Yellowstone, it works best as part of a larger national park road trip rather than as a standalone drive. Don’t miss: The Beartooth Pass summit overlook and the sweeping views along the higher sections of the highway.
5. Million Dollar Highway — Colorado
The Million Dollar Highway follows narrow, winding roads between Ouray and Silverton through the spectacular San Juan Mountains. There are steep drop-offs, tight switchbacks, and sections without traditional guardrails, so the route can be demanding for drivers who are uncomfortable with exposed mountain roads. For confident drivers, however, the scenery makes the challenge worthwhile, particularly in fall when the surrounding aspen-covered slopes turn brilliant shades of gold. Don’t miss: The stretch through the Uncompahgre Gorge just south of Ouray.
6. Route 66 — Illinois to California
Route 66 earns its place on a scenic-drive list for a very different reason from mountain and coastal routes. Its appeal comes from historic towns, neon signs, classic diners, quirky roadside attractions, vintage gas stations, and the surviving character of America’s pre-interstate highway era. The original route no longer exists as one continuous signed highway, so today’s experience involves following preserved sections and historic alignments across multiple states. Don’t miss: Preserved neon signage and roadside Americana in towns along the Illinois and Missouri stretches.
7. Blue Ridge Parkway — Virginia/North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway is an All-American Road famous for its mountain overlooks, forests, and spectacular seasonal scenery. Its speed limit is capped at 45 mph along most of the route, encouraging a slower style of travel that is as much about stopping and exploring as it is about covering miles. The parkway is technically open year-round, but individual sections can close temporarily because of snow, ice, severe weather, or maintenance, so check current conditions before a winter drive. Don’t miss: The fall foliage, which typically peaks from mid-to-late October, although timing varies by year.
8. Natchez Trace Parkway — Mississippi/Tennessee/Alabama
The Natchez Trace Parkway offers a quieter and more relaxed driving experience than many of the country’s better-known scenic routes. Commercial traffic is prohibited along the entire parkway, helping preserve its peaceful character and making it particularly appealing for travelers who want to slow down. Its attractions extend beyond scenery, with historic sites, archaeological locations, and remnants of the original Natchez Trace connecting the drive to centuries of human history. Don’t miss: Sections of the original sunken trace that remain visible near several mile markers.
9. Cherohala Skyway — North Carolina/Tennessee
The Cherohala Skyway provides a quieter alternative to some of the busier mountain routes around the Great Smoky Mountains. The road climbs to elevations above 5,000 feet while crossing large stretches of national forest, creating long stretches of uninterrupted mountain scenery. It is particularly appealing to travelers who want Smokies-style landscapes without the heavier traffic found on some of the region’s more popular roads. Don’t miss: The high-elevation overlooks around the North Carolina/Tennessee state line.
10. Overseas Highway — Florida Keys
The Overseas Highway crosses more than 40 bridges over open water, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge, creating a driving experience unlike almost any other route in the United States. Instead of winding through mountains or forests, the road connects the Florida Keys across a chain of islands surrounded by bright blue water. The route itself is relatively flat and straightforward, so traffic and congestion are generally more of a concern than difficult driving conditions. Don’t miss: The Seven Mile Bridge crossing near Marathon, particularly around sunrise or sunset.
11. Great River Road — Multiple States
The Great River Road is one of America’s longest designated scenic routes, following the Mississippi River through 10 states from its northern reaches toward the Gulf of Mexico. Because of its enormous length, most travelers are better off selecting one regional section rather than attempting the entire route in a single trip. Its appeal comes from the combination of river landscapes, historic communities, small-town stops, and local culture, with each state offering a somewhat different experience. Don’t miss: The historic river towns and viewpoints along your chosen regional section rather than focusing on one specific overlook.
12. North Shore Scenic Drive — Minnesota
The North Shore Scenic Drive follows Lake Superior from Duluth toward the Canadian border, offering a landscape shaped by one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes rather than an ocean coastline or mountain range. The route combines rocky shoreline, forests, waterfalls, state parks, and historic sites, making it easy to turn a straightforward drive into a multi-day getaway. Summer is popular for hiking and waterfalls, while autumn brings spectacular foliage to the forests surrounding the highway. Don’t miss: Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse.
13. Kancamagus Highway — New Hampshire
The Kancamagus Highway is one of New England’s best-known fall-foliage drives, winding through the White Mountains and offering frequent mountain and forest viewpoints. Peak foliage typically arrives from late September into early October, although the exact timing changes from year to year and varies with elevation. The route is relatively short, making it easy to combine with other New England destinations instead of building an entire trip around the highway itself. Don’t miss: The elevated overlooks around the highway’s high point through White Mountain National Forest.
14. Needles Highway — South Dakota
The Needles Highway winds through Custer State Park and takes its name from the distinctive granite spires that rise dramatically above the surrounding landscape. The road combines tight curves, narrow sections, unusual rock formations, and tunnels carved directly through granite, making the journey as much about the road itself as the scenery. Larger vehicles and trailers can face significant restrictions at the tunnels, so RV travelers should check current vehicle dimensions before attempting the route. Don’t miss: The Needles Eye tunnel and the surrounding granite formations.
15. Hana Highway — Maui
The Hana Highway stretches for roughly 64 miles but contains more than 600 curves and dozens of one-lane bridges, making it a classic example of why mileage alone doesn’t tell you how long a scenic drive will take. The route passes through lush rainforest, waterfalls, coastal viewpoints, and beaches, with numerous places worth stopping along the way. Although the distance is relatively short, most travelers should budget a full day—or longer if they plan to explore extensively—rather than treating it as a quick point-to-point drive. Don’t miss: The waterfalls and coastal scenery around the Kipahulu district near the road’s southern end.
Which Scenic Drive Fits You?
- One day: Cherohala Skyway, Needles Highway, Historic Columbia River Highway, Hana Highway.
- A weekend: Overseas Highway, North Shore Scenic Drive, Beartooth Highway paired with a Yellowstone stop.
- A multi-day centerpiece: Blue Ridge Parkway, Pacific Coast Highway, Route 66.
- Fall foliage: Blue Ridge Parkway, Kancamagus Highway, North Shore Scenic Drive.
- Mountain scenery: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Beartooth Highway, Million Dollar Highway.
- Coastal scenery: Pacific Coast Highway, Overseas Highway.
- History over landscape: Route 66, Natchez Trace Parkway.
- RV travelers: Natchez Trace and the Great River Road are the most forgiving; Going-to-the-Sun Road, Million Dollar Highway, and Needles Highway all have documented restrictions worth checking first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most scenic drive in America? There’s no single objective answer — it depends on whether you’re drawn to coastline, mountains, desert, or forest. The Pacific Coast Highway and Going-to-the-Sun Road are two of the most consistently mentioned across independent lists.
What does “All-American Road” mean? An official FHWA designation, the highest tier under the National Scenic Byways Program, for roads with multiple nationally significant qualities and features unique enough that no comparable road exists elsewhere.
When’s the best time for scenic drives in general? It depends on the route — coastal drives like the PCH suit spring and fall, while mountain routes like Going-to-the-Sun and Beartooth are only fully open in summer due to snowpack.
Are these free to access? Most are, though stretches running through national parks (Going-to-the-Sun Road, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway near park entrances) typically require the park’s entrance fee.
Can you drive these in an RV? Several can, but not all — check individual vehicle-length or width restrictions before committing a larger rig, especially on Going-to-the-Sun Road and Needles Highway.
PLAN YOUR TRIP YOUR WAY
Build a day-by-day itinerary around your time, pace, interests, and budget.
The best scenic drive isn’t necessarily the most beautiful one — it’s the one that fits your trip. Tell the Miles & Mapped planner where you’re starting, how many days you have, what scenery you want, and who’s coming along, and it builds a route around that instead of a generic top-15 list. Start with our Pacific Coast Highway guide for a full day-by-day example.
