The most scenic roads in the US

[jw5]

Who doesn't love a good road trip? Often, the hardest part is narrowing down the options. In the US, there are many routes that take you past stunning natural landmarks, across deserts, between mountain peaks, and along continuous coastlines. Let's take a look at the wonderful roadways that snake through the country to help you plan your next getaway.

 

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Enchanted Circle, New Mexico -

An 83-mile loop circling Wheeler Peak, the Enchanted Circle will charm you with stunning scenery, eclectic towns, and the sparkle of quartz and feldspar rocks dotted along the way.

 

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North to South State Highway, Highway 100, Vermont -

Fall foliage is a huge draw to this highway that edges the eastern side of the Green Mountains, but even in the so-called "season of the sticks" (winter) the region's charm remains captivating. Visit in spring or summer to see the state in its verdant glory.

 

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Lake Shore Drive, Chicago -

Offering waterfront, beaches, parks, towers, and high-rise city landmarks, to truly appreciate the Chicago skyline and its location adjacent to Lake Michigan, take Lake Shore Drive southwards.

 

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Utah Route 12, Utah -

A scenic 122-mile stretch of road through Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park that finishes up at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah's Route 12 doesn't disappoint!

 

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Park Loop Road, Maine -

The short, 27-mile drive on Park Loop Road takes you to Acadia National Park along a rocky coastline past towering trees.

 

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"The Loneliest Road," Highway 50, Nevada -

The Wild West feels alive and well on this stretch of Highway 50 through Nevada, which still has the remains of abandoned mines, saloons, and opera houses; once dubbed the loneliest road in America.

 

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Monument Valley and Highway 163, Arizona -

From Kayenta, Arizona, to Mexican Hat, Utah, a 41-mile stretch of road passes through the awe-inspiring Monument Valley.

 

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Badlands Loop Road, Highway 240, South Dakota -

Unforgettable, out-of-this-world, rugged, layered rock formations will accompany your route through the Badlands Loop Road, in South Dakota.

 

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International Selkirk Loop, U.S. Route 2, Washington-Idaho -

Technically, this one is also in Canada. But that doesn't make it any less scenic! The 80-mile drive winds through Idaho and Washington before arriving in British Colombia, eventually looping back to the U.S.

 

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"Skyline Drive," Virginia -

Virginia's Skyline Drive, through Shenandoah National Park, offers 70 scenic outlooks as you pass along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking Piedmont Valley.

 

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Newfound Gap Road, U.S. 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee -

For 66 miles along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Newfound Gap Road provides awe-inspiring views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

 

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Pike's Peak Highway, Colorado -

A bucket list item if you're visiting Colorado, Pike's Peak is a 19-mile stretch of roadway near Colorado Springs that gives you a 360-view of the Rocky Mountains.

 

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Witchita Mountains, Oklahoma -

Winding roads pass through valleys between mountains down the Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway, in southwestern Oklahoma. Bison, prairie dogs, and deer are a common sight en route.

 

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Sun Road, Montana -

You'll understand why the state is called Big Sky Country with a visit to Sun Road, Montana. The 50-mile drive offers incredible views of Glacier National Park and the Rocky Mountains.

 

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Overseas Highway, Route 1, Florida Keys -

A seven-mile bridge dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Overseas Highway connecting the mainland to the Florida Keys is understandably a bucket-list drive.

 

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The Lonesome Highway, Texas -

One of the best Texas road trips, The Lonesome Highway passes the beautiful Guadalupe Mountain National Park. Nearby El Paso and Pine Springs offer interesting pitstops.

 

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Outlaw trail, Highway 20 West, Nebraska -

Get a taste of the US heartland on a drive through Highway 20 West beginning at Sioux City, Nebraska, along the routes traveled by the lawmen and outlaws of the Wild West.

 

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The entire Oregon coast, Oregon -

Before reaching the California border, Highway 101 passes 363 miles of breathtaking scenery as it hugs the Pacific coast of Oregon.

 

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Hawaii Belt Road, Hawaii -

The Mamalahoa Highway, known as the Hawaii Belt Road, traverses Big Island. It follows a narrow and winding route around the island's coast.