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Popularity of US Road Trips (2026 Projection)
Projected percentage of adults planning road trips for the summer season.
Primary Sources
10 scenic American drives known for their natural beauty and routes
© roadtrippers 1. Pacific Coast Highway, California Running along California's rugged coastline from San Francisco down to Los Angeles, Highway 1 is arguably the most famous scenic drive in the United States. The road clings to cliffsides above the Pacific Ocean, passing through Big Sur's dramatic wilderness, the bohemian towns of Carmel and Cambria, and the rolling vineyards of Morro Bay. Elephant seal colonies rest on beaches below, condors circle overhead, and the sea fog rolls in and out unpredictably. There is very little between you and the raw Pacific for long stretches, making this one of the few drives where the road itself feels like a natural feature rather than something imposed on the landscape. Budget at least two to three days to do it properly.Best Season: April to October for clear skies; winter offers dramatic fog and fewer crowdsDrive Length: Approx. 655 miles; typically driven over 2–3 daysTraveler Tip: Book accommodation in Big Sur months aheadRoad Note: Landslides occasionally close sections near Big Sur © Dave Mani 2. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana Cutting through Glacier National Park, this 50-mile drive crosses the Continental Divide and offers views of glacial valleys, sheer rock faces, and cascading waterfalls. Completed in 1932, it remains one of the most remarkable engineering feats in the U.S. wildlife sightings like mountain goats and bighorn sheep add to the experience. Traffic can slow in peak season, but the scenery remains consistently impressive throughout the route.Best Season: Late June to mid-OctoberDrive Length: 50 miles; 2–3 hours with stopsTraveler Tip: Vehicle size restrictions applyRoad Note: Timed-entry permits required in peak season © blueridgeparkway 3. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia & North Carolina Stretching 469 miles along the Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway is designed purely for leisure driving. With no commercial traffic, billboards, or traffic lights, the route offers uninterrupted scenic overlooks, hiking trails, and forest landscapes. In autumn, the foliage transforms the region into one of the most visually striking drives in the eastern U.S.Best Season: October for fall foliage; May–June for wildflowersDrive Length: 469 miles; best over 3–5 daysTraveler Tip: Plan around milepost stopsRoad Note: Winter closures are common © Shutterstock 4. Historic Route 66, Illinois to California Route 66 is less about scenery alone and more about cultural history. Running approximately 2,40...
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10 Best Scenic National Park Drives Around the U.S. From Death Valley to Shenandoah, these national parks are perfect for a road trip.
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From Kansas tallgrass to Nebraska dunes and South Dakota river bluffs, these seven drives reveal the Great Plains at road level in every season.
