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Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina
This majestic, winding 500-Mile roadway snakes all through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as the Shenandoah National Parks. The drive is worth making more than once, too, as this ever changing landscape is prime viewing in all seasons. From the lush green canopies of the dense forest or rolling hills of fiery oranges, yellows, and reds in the autumn, to the wintertime hillsides dotted with ski slopes and snow capped mountainscapes, it’s never the same experience twice! There’s no rush to get from one end to the other, as the speed limit is set to a blissful cruise speed of 45MPH for most of the duration, with other areas dropping to 25MPH! Lots of time to stop and smell the roses and get in touch with nature by observing wildlife along the route.
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Pacific Coast Highway in California
Clocking in at 656 miles, it’s the longest state route in California. It snakes southerly along the coast stretching from Washington State all the way through to the end of California. If you’re driving the California portion only, the trip will take you about 5 hours to complete all 123 miles. Recommended stops include Crescent City, a coastal town home to Battery Point Lighthouse and Pebble Beach, along with the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center sea lion rehab! Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a dense redwood forest with impressive trees towering high above like giants, some of which are 1,800 year old. Half Moon Bay resides just below San Francisco, and is home to scenic coastal cliff sides, sparkling tide pools teeming with sea life, and the intimidating Devil’s Slide Trail. Santa Cruz is a surfer’s dream, home to beaches such as Shark Fin Cove and Davenport Beach, and a beautiful downtown full of shopping and outdoor dining. Monterey is home to the Fisherman’s Wharf and 17-mile drive. Carmel-by-the-Sea was once home to Mayor Clint Eastwood, and is perfect for the self-proclaimed sommelier in your midst with its wine tours and beautiful restaurants. And although we could be here all day listing iconic stop-offs, we’ll end our short highlights with Big Sur, a gorgeous destination with misty Santa Lucia Mountains on the left and coastal views of the Pacific Ocean on the right. This area is a photographer’s dream with rocky beaches, mossy, fog covered forests, and crystal sparkling waters.
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Scenic Byway 12 in Utah
Clocking in at 123 miles and an elevation of about 9,200 feet, this is a Top 10 road trip drive as far as American Roadways go. This winding roadway dips in and out of red rock cliffs, mountainscapes, rural roadside towns, evergreen forests, and deep cut rock canyons. The city of Torrey is home to beautiful hiking trails and preserved parklands. Dixie National Forest is 2-million acres worth of plateaus, mountain peaks, lakes, and scenic valleys and would be a perfect overnight camping spot. Capitol Reef National Park is host to an impressive view of rainbow hued rocks and rolling hillsides, and you can add this as a stop-off or just enjoy as you pass through. In the city of Boulder, you’ll want to plan a day to explore the Anasazi State Park and Museum, so you can explore some of the history of the Indigenous people who used to live in the historic village. If you’ve got a hankering to get in touch with nature, we highly recommend spending some time camping and swimming at Lower Calf Creek Falls, a hiking spot hidden off the trails but well worth your time! Watch cascading waterfalls cut through the golden and red rock cliffs and marvel at Mother Nature! This Byway is home to so many vistas and hot spots we could spend all day giving you an itinerary, but we urge you to explore and find your own favourite stop-offs too.
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North Shore Scenic Drive in Minnesota
This 150-mile drive up Highway 61 stretches from Duluth, Minnesota, all the way up through to the Canadian border along the shores of Lake Superior, and it is a quintessential American road trip destination. It makes its way through eight state parks and through small shoreline towns filled with local seafood eateries, art galleries, and truly unique shops to explore. There are numerous historic sites dotting the map including the Split Rock Lighthouse, Grand Portage National Monument, the Great Lakes Aquarium, and much much more. You can explore the sights and sounds of nature and embrace the wilderness on Superior Hiking Trail, Mountain biking, waterfalls, and gorgeous cliffside vistas. Whether you choose to “rough it” at lakeside campsites or rent a cabin or book a luxury stay at one of the beautiful local hotels, there’s plenty to do as you traverse the roadway.
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Olympic Peninsula Loop in Washington
Take a ride through the deciduous rainforests of the Olympic National Park in Washington state. If you’re driving the entire length of the loop, it clocks in at an average of 8 hours and 329 miles, wow! You’ll find the area host to all manner of outdoor activities such as kayaking, canoeing, rafting, fishing, and plenty of hiking trails. You can visit the Hoh Rainforest, La Push Beach, Shi Shi Beach, Hurricane Ridge, Ruby Beach, and Lake Crescent If you prefer a shorter ride, try the Olympic National park Quinault Lake and Rainforest loop around the lake, it’s just 32 miles and is home to beautiful waterfalls, an impressive creek, and the world’s largest sika spruce. Either way, you’ll find yourself lost in magical, misty mountains and rich, emerald green treescapes. It’s simply breathtaking!
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Florida Keys Scenic Highway Florida
US Route 1 passes through every single state on the coast of the Eastern US, and is 2,376 miles long! It stretches all the way down to Florida’s east coast, and connects Key Largo to Key West in the Florida Keys island chain. Take US 1 all the way down and you’ll reach the 7-mile Bridge, one of the longest bridges on the planet! Driving the Overseas Highway and 7-mile Bridge will take about 4 hours one way, and we highly recommend making a few stop offs along the way! The water underneath the bridge is crystal blue and runs from shallow depth up to 7 feet. 7-Mile Bridge was completed in 1912, and was once known as the “8th Wonder of the world” for being such an ambitiously large project. The bridge has been reconstructed and improved for safety and longevity, but you can still view the old bridge as you drive along the modern updated one. We recommend stopping off for a break at Bahia Honda State Park, and keeping your eyes peeled for the beautiful local wildlife such as sea turtles and pelicans!
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High Road in New Mexico
Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “you should take the high road,” well friends it’s not just a catchphrase! You can quite literally take the higher ground from Santa Fe to Taos and back again. This 56-mile stretch of road weaves its way through the Southwest across an ever changing landscape: from deserts to mountains to forests to farms and indigenous villages and historic sites. The journey between these cities is a travel blogger’s dream! Stop along the way for some gorgeous views, to snap a selfie in each environment, or even to paint and sketch the evolving landscape. You’ll want it on your bucket list for sure.
Let us know your suggestions for Iconic Road Trip Destinations in the US that we should include on our next roundup!
