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The most incredible road to drive in every state

Amy Daire   

The most incredible road to drive in every state
The Overseas Highway, Florida.FloridaStock / Shutterstock
  • The CDC says non-essential travel should be avoided amid the coronavirus pandemic, but as travel restrictions lift, many travelers might turn to road trips.
  • If you're thinking of taking a road trip this summer, there's a must-see road in every state.
  • Florida's Oversea Highway offers scenic views of piercing blue waters, while the Valley of Fire Highway in Nevada travels through the Mojave Desert.

With many travel plans canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, you may wish to take a road trip later this summer instead.

Whether you want to head to the West Coast to see the big, blue Pacific or travel through the Midwest to get a sense of rural America, there's a must-see road along the way. Some are major highways with views that could very well cause wrecks, but others are off the beaten path just waiting to be discovered.

Before you head out, just make sure you're staying safe amid the pandemic, and consult the latest CDC guidelines.

Here are the best scenic roads to drive down in each state.

Alabama: State Road 9

Alabama: State Road 9
State Road 9.      Donna Beeler/Shutterstock

Driving through Talladega National Forest along State Road 9 will give you bucolic views of tree-covered hills and small mountains. There are also several small side roads off the highway that lead to waterfalls and walking trails.

Alaska: Alaska Route 3

Alaska: Alaska Route 3
Alaska Route 3.      Lance King/Getty Images

Denali National Park is known for being home to North America's tallest peak. Driving on Interstate A-3 offers stunning views of the mountains, wildlife and greenery throughout the park.

Arizona: The Apache Trail

Arizona: The Apache Trail
The Apache Trail.      Chris Curtis/Shutterstock

The Apache Trail is one of Arizona's oldest highways. The partially unpaved drive takes you through the stunning canyons, desert scenes, and geologic formations that lie right outside of Phoenix.

Arkansas: The Pig Trail Scenic Byway

Arkansas: The Pig Trail Scenic Byway
The Pig Tail Scenic Byway      Ross Ellet/Shutterstock

The Pig Trail Scenic Byway will take you through canopies of greenery during spring and summer, and stunning fall foliage in autumn. The road winds its way through the Ozark Mountains, and is a favorite among motorcyclists.

California: The Pacific Coast Highway

California: The Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway      Pung / Shutterstock

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most famous drives in the world, and for good reason. The cliff side drive on state route 1 offers epic vistas and stunning views of the Pacific, and, if you take the road long enough, you'll pass the famous redwoods and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Colorado: The Trail Ridge Road

Colorado: The Trail Ridge Road
The Trail Ridge Road.      Steve Bower/Shutterstock

The Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park was specifically designed for optimal views — drivers and passengers can enjoy stunning panoramas from every turn.

Connecticut: Route 169

Connecticut: Route 169
Route 169.      Enfi/Shutterstock

There are several back roads, interstates and byways that will show off Connecticut's incredible autumn colors, but Route 169 might be the best. The small, two-lane road passes through quaint towns and offers stunning views of the state's famous fall foliage.

Delaware: Brandywine Valley

Delaware: Brandywine Valley
Brandywine Valley.      Above Ground Level Drones/Shutterstock

Delaware's Brandywine Valley, along the I-95 corridor, makes for a unique road trip by offering a glimpse into history: the rolling hills are where the 1777 Battle of the Brandywine took place, when George Washington and his army faced British General William Howe. It is also dotted with picture-perfect mansions and gardens.

Florida: The Overseas Highway

Florida: The Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway.      pisaphotogrpahy/Shutterstock

To get to the southernmost point of the continental US you have to take Florida's seven-mile bridge to The Keys. You'll be surrounded by piercing blue water for your entire drive on the Overseas Highway.

Georgia: US 41

Georgia: US 41
US 41.      Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

The Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway travels along several roads, the best of which is US 41. The route takes drivers through Chattahoochee National Forest, and offers can't-miss views of the Cohutta Mountains.

Hawaii: Hana Highway

Hawaii: Hana Highway
Hana Highway.      Chris Curtis/Shutterstock

The Hana Highway in Hawaii is another one of America's most iconic roads. The coastal highway takes 620 twists and turns along the outskirts of Maui. You'll see waterfalls, rainforests, and dramatic cliff sides.

Idaho: Sawtooth Scenic Byway

Idaho: Sawtooth Scenic Byway
Sawtooth Scenic Byway.      IDAK/Shutterstock

The Sawtooth Scenic Byway takes cars driving northbound on State Highway 75 into Sun Valley, a region famous for its many resorts and its white-capped mountains.

Illinois: Lake Shore Drive

Illinois: Lake Shore Drive
Lake Shore Drive.      MaxyM/Shutterstock

Chicago traffic may be a bit tedious, but Lake Shore Drive will offer a view like no other. With the big cityscape on one side and the Lake Michigan shoreline on the other, you'll get the best of both worlds.

Indiana: Highway 36

Indiana: Highway 36
Highway 36.      Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock

Parke County is the covered bridge capital of the world, and takes a lot of pride in its 31 covered bridges, many of which are from the 1800s. Highway 36 is the perfect road from which to explore this historic infrastructure.

Iowa: Loess Hills, Interstate 29

Iowa: Loess Hills, Interstate 29
Loess Hills, Interstate 29.      Igor Koalenko/Shutterstock

Iowa's vast plains might seem repetitive, but Loess Hills along Interstate 29 gives drivers a unique look into rural America.

Kansas: Interstate 70

Kansas: Interstate 70
Interstate 70.      marekuliasz/Shutterstock

Kansas' Castle Rock is an off-road attraction just off the seemingly endless Interstate 70. The small detour offers some much needed excitement if you're on a cross-state road trip through the plains.

Kentucky: Route 77

Kentucky: Route 77
Route 77.      ehrlif/Shutterstock

One of the best parts of Route 77 in Kentucky is the 900-foot Nada Tunnel.

Louisiana: Bourbon Street

Louisiana: Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street.      SeanPavonePhoto/iStock

Bourbon Street is one of the most iconic streets in the world. You can easily drive through it during the day, but be wary of party-goers and tourists at night.

Maine: Park Loop Road

Maine: Park Loop Road
Park Loop Road.      Joesph Sohm/Shutterstock

Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park is a 27-mile drive along the coast and through the park, which takes fall foliage to a new level every autumn.

Maryland: Old Frederick Road

Maryland: Old Frederick Road
Old Frederick Road.      Lone Wolf Photography/Shutterstock

The Loys Station bridge is a historic, 90-foot long covered bridge that you can still drive through on Old Frederick Road, just south of Route 77.

Massachusetts: Route 6

Massachusetts: Route 6
Route 6.      Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

Massachusetts' Route 6 starts at the very tip of cozy Cape Cod. The road takes drivers through the southern part of the state until it reaches Providence, Rhode Island.

Michigan: M-77

Michigan: M-77
M-77.      John McCormick/Shutterstock

Taking M-77 into Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore will lead straight to the south shore of Lake Superior. The relaxing drive will provide a bright, colorful scene during the spring and summertime, or a deep cascade of orange and red hues in the fall.

Minnesota: US 10

Minnesota: US 10
US 10.      Scruggelgreen/Shutterstock

US 10 in Minnesota takes you through a variety of landscapes. It's part of the Great River Road, which offers stunning views of the Mississippi River before continuing into Minneapolis, where you can see the state's grandest skyline.

Mississippi: Great River Road

Mississippi: Great River Road
Great River Road.      Joesph Sohm/Shutterstock

For scenic views of the Mississippi River, take the aptly named Great River Road. It'll drive you over, under, and alongside the river until Minnesota if you stay on it long enough.

Missouri: Route 66

Missouri: Route 66
Route 66.      Steve Lagreca/Shutterstock

Iconic Route 66 makes its way through Missouri, and past a quaint town named Devil's Elbow. A rusting bridge named the Devil's Elbow Bridge takes travelers over the Big Piney River and through scenic bluffs.

Montana: Beartooth Highway

Montana: Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway.      Jess Kraft/Shutterstock

Beartooth Highway makes its way into Yellowstone National Park, thus providing picturesque views of the world-famous vistas the park is internationally famous for.

Nebraska: Highway 61

Nebraska: Highway 61
Highway 61.      Vladimir Daragan/Shutterstock

Highway 61 in Nebraska propels drivers into true American farmland. There's not a lot of action on this drive, but it will give you a good look into the classic Midwest agricultural scene.

Nevada: Valley of Fire Highway

Nevada: Valley of Fire Highway
Valley of Fire Highway.      Evgeniya Lystsova/Shutterstock

The Valley of Fire Highway travels through the Mojave Desert for a little over 10 miles. The fiery red formations are a stunning sight, and there are several parking areas if you want to see them up-close.

New Hampshire: Kacamagus Highway

New Hampshire: Kacamagus Highway
Kacamagus Highway.      SNEHIT/Shutterstock

New England's fall foliage is world famous. See it in all its glory on New Hampshire's Kancamagus Highway.

New Jersey: Spring Road

New Jersey: Spring Road
Spring Road.      Andrew F. Kazmierski/Shutterstock

This small road in New Jersey lets cars pass under a canopy of white blossoms every spring. Spring Road in Holmdel is a popular drive for both locals and tourists, so expect slow moving cars and a bit of traffic during peak season.

New Mexico: The High Road To Taos

New Mexico: The High Road To Taos
The High Road To Taos.      Angel McNall Photography/Shutterstock

The High Road to Taos is a scenic, winding drive that runs through several small Pueblo Indian villages, which offer a glimpse into the high desert and the lives of those who live in it.

New York: Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway

New York: Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway
Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway.      Alexey Smolyanyy/Shutterstock

Driving through the Adirondacks is much more relaxing than navigating the crowded streets of the Big Apple. The Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway, also known as State Route 431, shows off the surrounding mountains as you make your way up Whiteface Mountain.

North Carolina: Blue Ridge Parkway

North Carolina: Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway.      Shutterstock

Visiting North Carolina without taking a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway would be a huge mistake. The Lynn Cove Viaduct, which wraps around Grandfather Mountain, is easily the best part of the entire drive.

North Dakota: Interstate 94

North Dakota: Interstate 94
Interstate 94.      Earl D. Walker/Shutterstock

The endless plains of North Dakota take a turn for the interesting at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where the badlands begin. You can catch a glimpse of them from Interstate 94, or take a detour on one of the side roads.

Ohio: Buckeye Falls Drive

Ohio: Buckeye Falls Drive
Buckeye Falls Drive.      Doug Lemke/Shutterstock

Sharon Woods may seem like a hotspot for hiking and other outdoor activities, but it also offers a scenic drive in the fall. Cruise down the tree-lined Buckeye Falls Drive for a breathtaking break.

Oklahoma: Highway 49

Oklahoma: Highway 49
Highway 49.      Tom Grundy/Shutterstock

Highway 49 leads right to Wichita Mountains. Watch out for free range buffalo, which are known to crowd the roads here.

Oregon: US 101

Oregon: US 101
US 101.      oksana.perkins/Shutterstock

Similar to California's Pacific Coast Highway, US 101 in Oregon travels along the Pacific coast, and offer over 300 miles of seaside driving and rugged cliffs.

Pennsylvania: US Route 30

Pennsylvania: US Route 30
US Route 30.      Hutch Photography/Shutterstock

US Route 30 will take you straight through several Amish and Mennonite towns and into Lancaster, one of America's oldest Amish communities. Don't be surprised if most of the traffic consists of horse-drawn carriages.

Rhode Island: Ocean Drive

Rhode Island: Ocean Drive
View from Ocean Drive.      Alexey Smolyanyy/Shutterstock

Ocean Drive in Newport will take you through the Ocean Drive Historic District, and thus past the many ostentatious homes built here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as it was a favorite spot to summer for the wealthy. If your legs need a stretch, take a stroll down Cliff Walk.

South Carolina: Botany Bay Boulevard

South Carolina: Botany Bay Boulevard
Botany Bay Boulevard.      Mike Ver Sprill/Shutterstock

South Carolina's Botany Bay on Edisto Island is one of the most famous roads in the south. Its canopied trees make for a stunningly shaded — and super Instagrammable — drive.

South Dakota: US 16

South Dakota: US 16
US 16      Jess Kraft/Shutterstock

Driving off Interstate 90 and heading west on US 16 will give you an amazing view of Mount Rushmore. If you want to stare a little longer, there's a spot to pull over and park.

Tennessee: Tail of the Dragon

Tennessee: Tail of the Dragon
Tail of the Dragon.      David P. Smith/Shutterstock

The Tail of the Dragon sees quite a few motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts thanks to the 318 curves that snake along the 11-mile, two-lane road. It doesn't hurt that the views are great too.

Texas: Highway 118

Texas: Highway 118
Highway 118.      Zach Frank/Shutterstock

The Big Bend National Park, which sits on the border of Mexico, can be seen by driving on Highway 118. You'll travel through a stone tunnel and get epic views of the Chisos Mountains.

Utah: US Route 163

Utah: US Route 163
US Route 163.      Yongyut Kumsri/Shutterstock

US Route 163 is also know as the road to Monument Valley. The highway cuts straight through the center of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, which is a Navajo Nation equivalent to a national park.

Vermont: Route 100

Vermont: Route 100
Route 100.      DonLand/Shutterstock

Route 100 travels nearly the entire length of Vermont and earned the title of Best Foliage Drive in Vermont.

Virginia: Skyline Drive

Virginia: Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive.      Pi-Lens/Shutterstock

Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park runs along the ridge of the mountains for 105 miles — pretty much the entire length of the park. Its views are some of the best in the state.

Washington: Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive

Washington: Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive
Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.      Kelly van Dellen/Shutterstock

Loop around Olympic National Park, and get breathtaking scenery that ranges from mountains to forests to the ocean, as well as several different ecosystems.

West Virginia: New River Gorge Bridge

West Virginia: New River Gorge Bridge
New River Gorge Bridge.      Shutterstock

The New River Gorge Bridge allows cars to continue on US 19 over the New River. The 3,030-foot steel arch bridge was once the world's longest single-span arch bridge (it's now the third longest), and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains.

Wisconsin: US 61

Wisconsin: US 61
A view of Lake Superior.      Sam Wagner/Shutterstock

US 61 runs along the Mississippi River offering stunning views of the northern parts of the river.

There's also the Lake Superior Byway, which runs on Highway 13, showing off Wisconsin's quaint, northernmost towns, as well as the Lake Superior shoreline they all share.

Wyoming: Beartooth Byway

Wyoming: Beartooth Byway
Beartooth Byway.      Jess Kraft/Shutterstock

Wyoming's section of Beartooth Byway runs on US 212, and is dotted with wildlife, mountain views, and scenic plateaus.

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