10 of America’s Most Adventure-Filled Road Trips

As the days grow longer and summer gets closer and closer, the open road starts to call out to curious travelers from across the land. A call that can only answered by shaking the dust off the map and filling up the gas tank. From sea to shining sea, there are more than 164,000 miles in the national highway system in the United States. This means there is a practically endless variety of options for hitting the road, which can make it difficult to know where to begin. To ease the burden we’ve put together 10 route ideas to inspire your next great adventure, starting from shortest to longest. Don’t be fooled by the distance on some of these—the shorter routes still pack quite a punch, and we chose routes with enough to do that you can easily stay busy for a few days (or even weeks).

1.Southwestern Utah: Panguitch to Torrey

Distance: 131 miles

Packed with breathtaking scenery from end to end, traveling through the otherworldly landscape of red rocks and dramatic land formations along Utah’s State Route 12 gives new meaning to the term epic. Often making the list for "most beautiful drives in the world," this remote stretch, which has been designated an All-American Road, links Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks. Taking almost four decades to build, it’s clear to see why the rugged landscape made things challenging for the highway engineers.

Tack on another 30 miles to your trip and start south of Panguitch at Dixie National Forest, then stop by Kodachrome Basin State Park and the Anasazi State Park Museum as you drive through the banded canyons that Utah is known for. You’ll find rock climbing, mountain biking, and some of the best hiking in the world—though it’s worth noting that this is a desert landscape and many outdoor activities can only be done very early in the day during peak summer months.

2. Overseas Highway: Miami to Key West, Florida

Distance: 166 miles

Look for crocodiles while skirting the Florida Everglades along this journey that leapfrogs across turquoise tropical waters through the Florida Keys. This stretch of US-1, called the Overseas Highway, is an engineering feat of concrete and steel arches linking keys (small islands) together from Miami to Key West, the southernmost point in the contiguous United States. The route runs through the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and is dotted with national and state parks all along the way.

In addition to its truly unique natural appeal, the highway boasts the spectacular Seven Mile Bridge that, at the time it was built in the early 1900s, it was one of the longest bridges in the world. Perfect for snorkelers, sea kayakers, and scuba divers this route provides access to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Home to a wide variety of birds and fish, it’s also an anglers paradise.

3. Salmon River Scenic Route: Stanley, Idaho, to Darby, Montana

Distance: 192 miles

Idaho has a lot more to offer than headline-generating survivalists and the "Famous Potatoes" their license plates proudly claim. Starting off in the true Western frontier town of Stanley, Idaho, it will be hard to find a more authentic Old West experience anywhere. The eclectic mix of homesteaders, outdoorsmen, and artists give this unique town its flair and make it a worthy destination to begin a true Western adventure. As the name suggests, this route follows the Salmon River as it winds through the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Sawtooth Mountains.

During the right seasons, the highlights along this route that can turn four hours of driving into days of jam-packed adventure with opportunities for whitewater rafting, fly fishing, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, hot springs soaking, and mountain biking. During the winter months, the roads to Stanley can be closed due to snow, but if clear, it’s also a fantastic destination for some of the best backcountry snowshoeing and cross-country skiing around.

4. Highway 101 in Oregon – Astoria to Brookings Harbor

Distance: 339 miles

Old growth forests, craft breweries, and a spectacularly rugged coastline set the scene for this camera-worthy road trip. There’s no need to hurry on this journey along the Pacific, as there is something to see around every bend. Dotted with quaint towns and quirky attractions, there are thrills aplenty for the whole family.

Running between the Pacific Ocean and the Oregon Coast Range, there is plenty of hiking and surfing, and with miles and miles of spectacular coastal views, there’s also prime camping the entire way. For those looking for a ‘roadie trip’ it’s also one of the premier cycle touring routes in the United States, if not the world. Some of the top picks for this itinerary include: walking Cannon Beach to see the famous Haystack Rock, trekking through the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, making a pit stop at the impressive Sea Lion Caves in Florence, stopping for a drink at Rogue Ales Public House, and visiting the aquarium in Newport.

5. Southeast Coast: Outer Banks, North Carolina to Charleston, South Carolina

Distance: 422 miles

Surfers and swimmers can unite for a road trip along the southeastern coast, featuring beaches, beaches, and more beaches (with some spectacular sunsets thrown in for good measure). In addition to the fun in the sun, there are a number of historical attractions from the Civil War era and all kinds of down-home Southern cooking to be eaten.

Some of the North Carolina attractions include looking for sea turtles and wild horses at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (and the famous lighthouse), kayaking and fishing in the Croatan National Forest, and surfing at Wrightsville Beach. South Carolina offers the excitement of Myrtle Beach, and the historic charm of Charleston where history buffs can explore Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began.

6. Blue Ridge Parkway: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Distance: 469 miles

Touted as "America’s Favorite Drive," the Blue Ridge Parkway is a trip through the pastoral beauty that is the Appalachian Highlands, with just about every mile offering opportunities for taking postcard-worthy pictures. Spectacular any time of year, this route is especially brilliant during the fall from late September through October, when the leaves are bursting into color. The serpentine road often has a slow speed limit, and commercial vehicles aren’t allowed, making it ideal for leaf-peeping. In recent years it’s also become known for a Southern food movement, making for some extraordinary eating along the way, too.

With over 300 miles of hiking trails along the way, there are plenty of chances to stretch your legs and get your boots dirty. In addition to hiking, there’s also paddling one of the many waterways, waterfall hunting, horseback riding, rock climbing, and some of the best stargazing on the East Coast. Try your luck with a bit of mining in one of several commercial gem mines.

The trip planning app from the Blue Ridge Parkway Association is a super helpful tool if you want to do this one.

7. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH): San Francisco to San Diego, California

Distance: about 500 miles

With its lush countryside views, diversity of state and national parks, culinary excellence, world-class shopping, and some of the best weather in the world, there is something for everyone on a PCH road trip. Amidst charming seaside villages and majestic redwood-covered mountains, it could be hard to choose what to do on this one.

There are tons of camping, hiking, and biking spots along this journey, starting in San Francisco’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area. From here, head south through Big Sur, known for its beautiful coastline and arch bridges. Don’t miss Morro Bay State Park, where you can spot blue herons and charming sea otters year round, and Monarch butterflies in the winter. If you have time, take a trip from Santa Barbara out to the Channel Islands National Park and snorkel and kayak your way around the "Galapagos of North America." As you get further south, you’ll meet the hustle and bustle of LA, the beaches of Orange County, and about 17 miles before you hit Mexico, you’ll arrive in San Diego.

Note: Parts of the PCH in the Big Sur area are closed due to mudslides and bridge damage. Everything is planned to reopen by fall of 2017.

8. Pacific Northwest: Portland, Oregon to Bellingham, Washington

Distance: up to 750 miles

Wildlife, mountains, and wine make this the perfect mix of outdoor adventure and cultural enrichment on this route with healthy doses of both. Pack your boots and a waterproof shell, and bring an appetite for exploration on this diverse route.

A start in Portland offers the magic of the famous VooDoo Donuts and Powell's truly epic bookstore. Some other highlights of the region include over 400 wineries that dot the coastline, and tons of side trips to places like Mount Hood, the Pacific Crest Trail, and Olympic National Park. Don’t forget about Mount Rainier National Park (an ideal springtime destination for wildflowers and snowshoeing), the Seattle and Puget Sounds, and whale and seal watching in the San Juan Islands near Bellingham.

9. Route 66: Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California

Distance: 2,448 miles

Affectionately called the "Mother Road," Route 66 is practically where American road tripping began. The road still holds iconic status among travelers and has inspired novels, songs, and movies for generations. Passing through a marvelous cross-section of the country and offering a classic ‘Americana’ experience of neon signs, kitschy tourist stops, the 2,000-plus mile trip is a glimpse into America’s past as it nestles right up against its present.

Highlights of this tour include the skyscrapers of Chicago, the Land of Lincoln in Illinois, the famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Cadillac Ranch in Oklahoma, Tinkertown in New Mexico, the majestic Grand Canyon in Arizona and the glitz of Hollywood.

Want a sneak peak? Check out this three-minute time lapse of the whole Route 66.

10. Lincoln Highway: New York City, New York to San Francisco, California

Distance: 3,400 miles

Go all the way on the first transcontinental highway in the United States. Officially opened in 1913, most roads at the time were bumpy, washboard affairs that didn’t really go anywhere except from town to town. A visionary named Carl Fisher proposed developing a gravel road that would be the fastest, most direct, route from the East Coast to the West Coast. Starting in Times Square in New York City, the Lincoln Highway passed through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada ending in Lincoln Park in San Francisco, California. The road has changed a lot over the years, but the history-minded traveler can still drive the (mostly) original path of this historic road from coast to coast.

Resources

Some of the best road trip companions are apps that can help make life a whole lot easier:

• Roadtrippers** – **Discover interesting places along your route.

• GasBuddy – Compare gas prices to get the best deal.

• SitOrSquat – Helps you find a clean public bathroom, wherever you are.

• Oh, Ranger! – Find a nearby park.

• iExit** -** Tells you what’s ahead when driving on the interstate.

• TollSmart **Toll Calculator**- Road tolls can add an unexpected chunk to travel costs. This app will quickly look up the price of all toll bridges, roadways, and tunnels from the beginning to the end of your trip.

• WiFi Map – Find reliable internet while on the road.

Originally written by RootsRated for Craghoppers.

Featured image provided by Jonathan Miske