Some roads are just a way to get somewhere. Others are the reason you went in the first place. America has a surprising number of the second kind, and they cover very different ground, from fog-wrapped cliffs to alpine passes close to the clouds.
The seven drives below were picked for variety as much as for views. Each one also comes with practical details from 2026, because a few of them have had a rough couple of years.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs across 469 miles of Appalachian ridgeline, with no stoplights and no commercial traffic. It’s a slow road by design, built around overlooks, old farmland and stone tunnels. Fall color is the headline draw, though spring bloom and summer haze have their fans too.
Hurricane Helene did serious damage here. The storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in September 2024 and dropped up to 30 inches of rain in localized areas along the Parkway.[1] By autumn 2026, the National Park Service said 458 of the 469 miles were accessible in its October 6 update.[2] The remaining gap is the 11 miles between NC-80 and Mount Mitchell State Park.[2] Officials project those storm-damaged sections will reopen before the end of 2026,[3] so check the live road status page before you go.
Pacific Coast Highway Through Big Sur, California
This is the stretch of California Highway 1 that ends up on posters. The Big Sur Coast Highway runs about 71 miles and is both a National Scenic Byway and a California Scenic Highway.[4] The road hugs the cliffs, crosses Bixby Bridge, and drops in and out of coastal fog.
It’s also one of the least predictable roads in the country. A 90 mile section reopened in January 2026 after three years of closures and repairs following landslides and a roadway collapse.[5] Then in late summer, two wildfires forced evacuations and shut a 40 mile stretch of Highway 1.[6] Short repair closures continue too, so checking Caltrans QuickMap the day before[7] is a sensible habit.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
Glacier National Park’s signature road is about 50 miles long and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, which sits at roughly 6,646 feet. It bisects the park[8], and the road clings to a mountainside above glacier carved valleys. Waterfalls, wildflower meadows and the occasional mountain goat are common sights.
The 2026 season brought a notable change. Vehicle reservations weren’t required anywhere in the park.[9] Instead, the park added an express shuttle to Logan Pass and limited private vehicle parking there to three hours beginning July 1.[9] Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are not allowed on the middle section.[8] The full road is typically open from early July through the third Monday of October, weather permitting.[10]
Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
The Overseas Highway is the stretch of U.S. 1 that links Key Largo to Key West, about 113 miles across a string of islands. It crosses 42 bridges, and the longest, the Seven Mile Bridge, gives you water on both sides with nothing but sky in between. Much of the route follows the path of Henry Flagler’s old railroad.
The scenery here is flat and bright rather than dramatic, and that’s the appeal. Turquoise shallows, mangroves and small fishing towns set the tone, and you can stop for key lime pie more or less anywhere. Early mornings tend to be calmer on the road, and the traffic thickens through the day, especially on weekends.
Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming
Between Red Lodge, Montana, and Cooke City, the Beartooth Highway climbs a series of switchbacks onto a high plateau. A few miles south of the Montana border, the road reaches almost 11,000 feet above sea level.[11] Alpine lakes, snowfields that linger into summer and sweeping views of granite peaks make it feel like another planet.
Timing matters a lot here. The Wyoming section’s 2026 opening was pushed from May 22 to May 23 because of a winter storm.[12] The highway is generally open from Memorial Day to October 15, weather dependent,[12] and temporary restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice.[13] That makes it a drive for the warmer months, and one to plan with a flexible schedule.
Trail Ridge Road, Colorado
Trail Ridge Road crosses Rocky Mountain National Park for about 48 miles between Estes Park and Grand Lake. It tops out at 12,183 feet, which makes it the highest continuous paved highway in the country. Roughly 11 miles of it run above the tree line, across open alpine tundra.
Elk grazing near the road are common, and the overlooks have a way of making you step out and stay a while. The road is seasonal, generally opening in late spring and closing again in the fall once heavy snow returns. Because conditions change quickly, it’s worth checking the National Park Service for the current status and entry requirements before heading up.
Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
The Million Dollar Highway is the roughly 25 mile section of U.S. 550 between Ouray and Silverton, part of the San Juan Skyway. It crosses Red Mountain Pass at about 11,000 feet. The road is narrow, with steep drop-offs and tight curves, and it keeps drivers alert.
The reward is the scenery around you. Jagged red and orange slopes, old mining ruins and towns that look much as they did over a century ago line the way. Drive it in daylight, take the turnouts when someone’s behind you, and give yourself extra time in shoulder seasons when snow can arrive early.
Before You Go
Several of these roads are seasonal, and a few are still recovering from storm or fire damage. Check the National Park Service, Caltrans or the relevant state transportation department on the morning of your drive. Fill the tank, download offline maps, and leave room in the schedule for pullouts.
