Ah, the good old American road trip. There is no better way to explore the continental USA than by jumping in your car and hitting the open road.
There’s something about a road trip that feels different from any other form of travel. You’re not rushing through airports. Or sitting on a train watching the scenery blur past. Instead, you’re also in complete control of the journey, which means you can go where you want. When you want. For however long you want.
On an American road trip, there is so much to discover. The country is full of dramatic coastlines, huge mountain ranges, deserts, forests, and lakes that will blow your mind. Then there are thousands of cities, towns, and villages you can head to. Many of which you’ve probably never even heard of before.
If you fancy exploring the country by car, you are not short of options. In fact, your biggest issue might be knowing where to start! That’s why we’ve put this post together to give you some inspiration. Here are 10 scenic weekend road trips that are definitely worth taking in the USA.
Why Take a Scenic Weekend Road Trip?
If you have never done a road trip before, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, as many Americans and international tourists will tell you, travelling around the country by car gives you complete freedom.
Primarily, this is because you are not tied to a timetable or a strict schedule. Hence, if you see a viewpoint, a small café, or a beach that looks inviting, you can simply stop as the mood takes you.
That flexibility is exactly why weekend getaway road trips are so popular. You can leave on a Friday afternoon and spend the next couple of days exploring somewhere new. By Sunday evening, you’ve seen incredible scenery, experienced a small slice of the country, and had a wonderful time.
The USA also has some of the world’s best scenic driving routes. Many of which were built with travellers in mind. These roads take you to scenic lookouts, walking trails, national parks, and charming small towns, which make the journey just as exciting as your intended destination.
Of course, if you want to do a road trip, you’ll need a good car. Depending on where you are heading, it might be worth hiring a rental vehicle. If you do, services likeRentalCover can help to reduce the excess you’ll have to pay on it.
10 Brilliant Scenic Weekend Road Trips
The USA has hundreds of scenic drives that you can do on a weekend road trip, depending on where you are starting from. Here are ten that might take your fancy.
1.Pacific Coast Highway, California
If you’ve ever seen photos of California’s dramatic coastline, then the chances are they were taken along the Pacific Coast Highway.
This west coast route runs from Port Townsend, Washington, at its northern point to San Diego, California, in the south. You can join it at any point between the two and visit plenty of beaches, lookout points, and small seaside towns where you can stop for lunch or a walk along the sand.
The stretch coming up to Big Sur is especially spectacular. Here, the road winds along cliffs high above the ocean, as waves crash below. Don’t be surprised if you keep stopping and starting. There are sweeping views around every bend that you’ll want to get out and photograph.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina to Virginia
The Blue Ridge Parkway is often described by travel experts as the most beautiful scenic drive in the United States.
The road runs through the Appalachian Mountains and connects Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains. The entire route is incredibly beautiful, though over the course of a weekend, it might be advisable to explore smaller sections in more detail.
Autumn is an especially popular time to do this trip because that is when the forests explode with the colour of fall foliage.
3. Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
The drive from Miami, through the Florida Keys to Key West, is unlike any other in the USA.
During it, the Overseas Highway links a chain of tropical islands that are connected by bridges. For long parts, the Atlantic Ocean stretches out on both sides of the road. It’s a truly stunning sight because, depending on the sunlight, the water shifts between deep blue and bright turquoise.
Once you get to Key West, make sure you see the sunset at Mallory Square.
4. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon to Washington
Sitting between Oregon and Washington, the drive to the Columbia River Gorge will take your breath away.
The highway follows the Columbia River, leading you through a landscape defined by towering cliffs and lush green forests. Along the route, you’ll have the opportunity to see several waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah Falls.
There are also numerous scenic viewpoints to visit and walking trails to explore.
5. Great River Road, Mississippi River
The Great River Road is a national scenic byway that follows the mighty Mississippi River. It flows for some 3,000 miles through several states, starting in Northern Minnesota, before eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
You don’t have to drive the entire route to enjoy it because a weekend exploring one section is enough to appreciate its magnetic charm. However, this road trip gives you the opportunity to see several notable attractions, including crossing the famous Blue Bridge, which connects La Crescent to La Crosse, and checking out the magnificent views at the Apple Blossom Scenic lookout.
6. Scenic Byway 12, Utah
You could be forgiven for thinking you have ventured onto another planet when you drive Utah’s Scenic Byway 12.
The road cuts through red rock landscapes, deep canyons, and desert plateaus that look like something out of Star Trek. It connects two incredible national parks – Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef – where you can spend a good portion of your day.
7. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire
New England is renowned for its stunning autumn scenery, and one of the best places to experience it is at the Kancamagus Highway.
This route takes you through the White Mountains and is flanked by bosky forests and flowing rivers. During the fall season, the colours transform the landscape into something amazing. You’ll need to remember to keep your eye on the road, because it’s very compelling.
8. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is undoubtedly one of the most dramatic mountain drives in North America. Located in Glacier National Park, you’ll venture into alpine landscapes that offer soul-lifting views across glaciers, valleys, and waterfalls.
There are over 700 miles of hidden trails in the park, some of which take you to the impossibly idyllic Hidden Lake. Wildlife sightings are also common. So, keep an eye out for black and grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats.
9. Texas Hill Country Scenic Loop
Just outside San Antonio, the Texas Hill Country offers a road trip experience you might not have had before.
This 250+ mile route starts in New Braunfels, about 30 miles north of San Antonio, and loops in a clockwise direction to Austin. Here, you can drive past rolling hills, along quiet country roads, and visit charming towns like Fredericksburg and Bandera, which is known for being the “Cowboy Capital of the World”.
Spring is a great time to take this drive because the hills are filled with colourful wildflowers. That said, the fall season makes the landscape fabulous, too.
10. Lake Superior North Shore, Minnesota
The North Shore drive along Lake Superior delivers rugged landscapes and wide-open lake views that will leave you agape.
The road follows the shoreline past cliffs, waterfalls, and quiet beaches and leads to several state parks, including Tettegouche State Park and Gooseberry Falls State Park. Both offer good hiking trails and lovely scenic lookouts.
