Iconic U.S. Routes Filled with History, Beauty, and Adventure

From the Main Street of America to Highways of the Great American West, Grab your family and go

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina. Photo Credit: A. Heflin

The United States is home to many acclaimed driving routes, each with its own unique history, scenic beauty, and significance. Some are more recognizable than others, given their appearances in Hollywood flicks, inspiration for television series, and subjects of iconic American songs. But these highways, byways, and roads are not only important for their nostalgia factor (or necessary transportation across America), but also for their sheer ability to incite adventure and encourage discovery. 

So, if you’re looking to kick it up a notch this summer by hitting the open road, add these routes to your list of potential journeys. 

Route 66 

Known as the “Main Street of America”, Route 66 is one of the most famous highways in the world. It was established in 1926 and became a symbol of American freedom, travel, and the spirit of adventure—cutting through eight states and taking travelers through small towns, historic landmarks, and beautiful landscapes. 

Stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, Route 66 is approximately 2500 miles long. Famous stops include Lou Mitchell’s Diner (Illinois), Gateway Arch (Missouri), Cadillac Ranch (Texas), KiMo Theatre (New Mexico), the Grand Canyon (Arizona), and the Santa Monica Pier (California). Learn more about “The Mother Road” here.

Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway—known to most as simply “PCH”— is one of the most scenic drives in the United States, if not the world, offering 655 miles of breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged cliffs, and coastal bluffs. Stretching along California’s magnificent coast, this highway passes through iconic towns like Santa Barbara and Monterey. 

Stops to add to your list include Hearst Castle, Big Sur, Golden Gate Bridge, the Chandelier Drive-Through Tree, and Glass Beach. Check out this PCH road trip website for more ideas. Our recommendation is to make the trek in July or August in a convertible, in order to experience the maximum sightseeing possibilities with the wind in your hair. Tip: Perhaps consider wearing a scarf or a hat to avoid your very own Bridget Jones moment.

The Great River Road

This 3,000 mile scenic byway from Minnesota to Louisiana follows the path of the Mississippi River, one of the country’s most iconic and important waterways. Originally designed to showcase the 10 states bordering the Mississippi (bonus points if you can rattle them off in your head while reading this), the GRR route offers stunning views of the river, as well as access to numerous historic towns, landmarks, and cultural sites along the way.

Beyond the flat prairies and sprawling farms the Midwest is typically known for, Great River Road is lined with upland meadows, limestone cliffs, cypress swamps, and dozens of parks and wildlife refuges. Not to miss destinations include: Maiden Rock (Wisconsin), Natchez Trace Parkway (Tennessee to Mississippi), Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi), and NOLA’s French Quarter (Louisiana). For maps and trip planning tips visit Road Trips USA/GRR.

Blue Ridge Parkway

As the name implies, Blue Ridge Parkway is known for its spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and stretches nearly 500 miles from Virginia to North Carolina through Appalachia. It connects two major national parks—Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The parkway is also known as “America’s Favorite Drive”—and if you squirrel this road trip away for the Fall, you’ll find out why.

Regulations for Blue Ridge Parkway’s two lane road include a speed limit of 45 miles per hour and the ban of large trucking vehicles, making the trip leisurely and less prone to treachery. Along the way you’ll find access to hundreds of hiking trails, vistas, and natural wonders like waterfalls and people still wearing masks outside. Famous stops include Peaks of Otter, Linville Falls, and the Craggy Gardens. Check out this nifty interactive map to plan your official journey.

U.S. Route 1

Also known as East Coast Highway, U.S. Route 1 is the longest north-south highway on the East Coast, stretching 2,369 miles from the northernmost point in Fort Kent, Maine to the southern tip in Key West, Florida. It passes through some of the most historical and culturally significant areas in the U.S. including Acadia National Park, Washington D.C., and the Florida Keys.

Devoid of chain restaurants and big box stores, farm stands alongside the route offer fresh local food, while diners serve everything from hardy egg-laden breakfasts to locally sourced seafood. Rivaling Route 66 and Great River Road in length, it’s best to carve out at least two weeks if you plan on leaving time to relax between stops. And if you make it all the way to the Keys, our friends at the Southernmost Resort will be waiting for you.