20 Amazing Road Trip Routes That Take You Through America’s Best-Kept Secrets

Taking a road trip is a right of passage for many Americans, offering a sense of freedom and adventure. While iconic routes like Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway are on the bucket list for many people, the U.S. is home to a number of hidden gems that provide equally breathtaking experiences. We take a look at  20 spectacular road trips that take you through America’s best-kept secrets.

Foothills Parkway, Tennessee

Nestled in East Tennessee, the Foothills Parkway offers serene vistas that rival the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. Stretching 33 miles from Chilhowee Lake to Wears Valley, this tranquil route provides mile-long views of the Smoky and Cumberland Mountains and scenic turn offs like Look Rock, which is perfect for adventurous hikers.

Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming

Dubbed “the most beautiful drive in America,” the Beartooth Highway traverses 68.7 miles between Red Lodge, Montana, and the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This hidden gem of a route, which peaks at Beartooth Pass at 10,947 feet, provides stunning vistas of snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and alpine landscapes.

High Road to Taos, New Mexico

The 56-mile High Road to Taos winds through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, connecting Santa Fe to Taos. This scenic byway meanders through high desert, lush forests, and historic Spanish land grant villages, where travelers can explore traditional artisan studios and ancient Pueblo communities as they immerse themselves in this rich culture.

Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, California

For those seeking a tranquil escape, the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway offers an 82.7-mile journey through the Sierra National Forest. Beginning near North Fork, California, this route climbs the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, showcasing granite domes, alpine meadows, and glacial valleys, with notable landmarks including Globe Rock and Fresno Dome.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Michigan

Located within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive offers sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding dunes. Accessible from M-109 between Empire and Glen Arbor, this route features interpretive markers that guide visitors through diverse ecosystems, including beech-maple forests and towering sand dunes.

Hatcher Pass, Alaska

Hatcher Pass is a hidden gem in the heart of Alaska that offers a scenic drive through alpine tundra and rugged mountains, running through historic mining areas, hiking trails, and breathtaking views all year round. In the summer, wildflowers fill the meadows, making for beautiful views and great picnic spots.

San Juan Skyway, Colorado

This 236-mile loop through southwestern Colorado traverses the majestic San Juan Mountains. The route passes through historic mining towns like Silverton and Ouray, offering views of towering peaks, alpine forests, and cascading waterfalls, with one segment known as the “Million Dollar Highway” that has particularly dramatic scenery.

Flint Hills Scenic Byway, Kansas

Stretching 47 miles along K-177, the Flint Hills Scenic Byway showcases the largest remaining expanse of tallgrass prairie in North America. Rolling hills, vibrant wildflowers, and expansive skies define this tranquil drive. Stops along the way include the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and the historic Chase County Courthouse.

Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee and North Carolina

Connecting Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina, the 43-mile Cherohala Skyway offers sweeping mountain vistas and lush forests. Reaching elevations of more than 5,400 feet, this route is well-liked by those who enjoy the outdoors since it provides access to numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, and vantage spots.

Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

Known for its stunning fall foliage, the 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) traverses the White Mountain National Forest. The drive features scenic vistas, waterfalls, and covered bridges, offering an insight into New England experience, especially in fall when the colors of the changing leaves create a stunning spectacle.

Great River Road, Mississippi

Following the course of the Mississippi River, the Great River Road spans multiple states, but the segment through Mississippi offers a journey through charming river towns, historic sites, and lush landscapes. Road trippers can explore antebellum homes, Civil War battlefields, and take part in many cultural festivals and local feasts along the way.

Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington

Encircling the Olympic Peninsula, this 329-mile loop offers diverse ecosystems, from temperate rainforests to rugged coastlines. Highlights of this route include the Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge and the western portion of the loop hugs the dramatic Pacific coastline, with its rocky cliffs, crashing waves, and sea stacks.

Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi to Tennessee

Extending 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, the Natchez Trace Parkway follows a historic travel corridor used by Native Americans and early European settlers. The route offers scenic beauty, archaeological sites, and opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing.

Lake Superior Circle Tour, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario

This international route circumnavigates Lake Superior, covering over 1,300 miles with the U.S. portion offering dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, and dense forests. Notable stops on this spectacular route include Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

While not entirely a hidden gem, certain less-traveled segments of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway offer peaceful landscapes and panoramic mountain views. The route connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and you should stop at Mabry Mill, a living history museum showcasing Appalachian life in the early 1900s.

Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway, Colorado

This 131-mile route traverses historic gold mining areas in Colorado, connecting the towns of Florence, Cañon City, and Cripple Creek. These towns are remnants of Colorado’s gold rush era, offering a glimpse into the boom days of mining. Explore historic buildings, museums, and even ride a narrow gauge railroad to experience the area’s rich history.

Seward Highway, Alaska

Stretching 127 miles from Anchorage to Seward, this scenic highway winds through fjords, glaciers, and the Chugach Mountains. The route offers breathtaking ocean views, opportunities for wildlife spotting, and access to Kenai Fjords National Park. Potter Marsh is also a great bird watching spot located just south of Anchorage, where you can see migratory waterfowl.

Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway

This 290-mile route runs from the Louisiana border through the Ozarks, offering picturesque views of the Ouachita and Boston Mountains. Travelers can explore the Buffalo National River and Hot Springs National Park is a short detour away and well worth the visit. For the chance to explore the historic bathhouses and enjoy the thermal waters.

Highway 12, Utah

Often overshadowed by nearby national parks, Highway 12 is a 122-mile scenic byway through some of Utah’s most striking landscapes, including Bryce Canyon and Grand Staircase-Escalante. The route features dramatic rock formations, slot canyons, and high desert plateaus, including the dramatic Red Rock Canyons.

Trinity Scenic Byway, California

This 140-mile drive through Northern California’s rugged landscape connects the Pacific Coast with the Trinity Alps. As the byway’s theme, “From the Valley Oaks to the Redwood Coast,” suggests, you’ll witness a fascinating transition in landscapes, with highlights including the Trinity River, picturesque mountain vistas, and historic gold rush towns.