Best Roads in America for Driving

The Pacific Coast Highway, California

Love the oceans? Then this one's for you. Part of California State Route 1, it runs from San Luis Obispo in southern California to Monterey. Zoom by this highway with the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean on one side. Feel the cool breeze in your air as you cruise along beautiful redwood groves, dangerous cliff tops, and beaches dotted by sea-lions. One of the most famous recreational areas on this state route is Big Sur, where the Santa Lucia mountains rise majestically from the ocean. It has lots to offer, from creekside campsites to luxury hotels.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, Virgina/North Carolina

Winding through the Appalachian mountains on the east coast of US, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a traveler's delight. It connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. No "Best Road Guide" is complete without the mention of this amazing parkway. Drive during October to view fall foliage at its breathtaking best, with a myriad of hues ranging from the deepest red to the lightest pink. Or pay a visit in May to see wildflowers blooming in all their glory along the mountainsides. Little wonder then, that it's referred to as "America's Favorite Road". Be on the lookout for wildlife though - bears, white-tailed deer, and moose abound.

Red Rock Scenic Byway, Arizona
	Starting in Sedona and coming to a close in Oak Creek, Arizona, this modest highway packs in a whole lot of adventure along with amazing vistas. Beautiful monolithic red rock formations with the sun blazing down upon them and stretching as far as the eye can see, are a visual delight. Escape the desert heat and visit the Red Rock Country to experience one of America's most beautiful drives.

Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi/Tennessee

Featuring a two-lane parkway from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee, this road runs for a length of 444 miles. Drive through to experience North American history and culture and enjoy excellent views. It is famous for its landmark double-arched Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge, made of concrete that spans a heavily wooded forest. Cypress swamps and cascading waterfalls are some of the high points of this parkway.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
	Passing through the majestic Glacier National Park in Montana, it cuts right through the Continental Divide. Feast your eyes on some of the best sights northwest Montana has to offer. Drive through the park's wild interiors and take in the splendid sights featuring glacial lakes and sprawling cedar forests. This road is generally closed in the harsh winter months.

Highway 12, Utah

Spanning a length of 124 miles, it travels through picturesque and rugged landscapes in Utah. Awe-inspiring canyons, plateaus, and suntanned cliffs are a major highlight of this highway. It travels through national and state parks and through small towns that have an old-world charm. Linking Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, it is one of the best roads to drive on for a short weekend getaway.

Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

A spur of US Route 550, this highway connects Silverton and Ouray in Colorado. True to its name, there are a million-dollar sights to behold when you drive this road - from resplendent fields of wildflowers to never-ending stretches of terrain dotted with elk and mountain goats. It is laced with numerous hairpin bends and switchbacks. Waterfalls falling into the Uncompahgre Gorge are a spectacular sight. Million Dollar Highway is a quintessential example of true American outdoors.

Overseas Highway, Florida

A 127-mile highway that carries US Route 1 into the Florida Keys. There are plenty of warm sandy beaches all along this highway. Drive along this route, and you will undoubtedly want to sail and swim at the same time! It has been built over former railroad tracks which were extensively damaged in a hurricane in 1935. It is also commonly called "Highway that Goes to the Sea". Enjoy the brilliant sunrises and sunsets as you cruise along to the southernmost tip in Key West. The 7-Mile Bridge is a wonder in itself, and driving over it might give you the feeling that you are gliding on water!

Taconic State Parkway, New York
	Referred to simply as "Taconic", this is the longest parkway in New York state, from Chatham to Kensico Dam. Drive over stone bridges and pretty valleys nestled in mountains to get away from the maddening city life. The roads have been constructed with travelers' safety as the main concern. Aesthetically designed, the parkway is called a "highway masterpiece" by the Lonely Planet.