10 Epic American Drives That Are Road-Trip Worthy

I’m generally an easy guy to get along with, but I’ve heard a few people suggest that America doesn’t have any good driving roads. That bothers me. Actually, it quite bothers me. The continental United States is over three million square miles in size, with four million miles of roads covering it. That’s enough to go around the Equator 160 times. There are hills, lakes, oceans, buttes, badlands, major mountain ranges, and endless grasslands that disappear into the horizon. And somehow there are no good driving roads here? Please.

So I’m going to share some of them with you, and to make it more interesting, I’ll omit the two driving road meccas that most people associate with America: The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway that runs through the mountains between Virginia and North Carolina, and Deals Gap - AKA Tail of the Dragon - that boasts 318 curves in 11 miles between North Carolina and Tennessee.

Those two spots are motoring heaven, but their popularity sometimes makes it tough to properly enjoy the drive. So instead, here are some alternative epic road trip adventures to be had in America. And since there are hundreds of “secret” driving roads for every location listed here, share your favourite stretches of asphalt with us in the comments.

Arkansas Ozarks - U.S. 65

The Ozarks have long been a favourite southern U.S. vacation destination, but even if you’re just passing through, take the 140-mile trip on U.S. 65 from Branson, Missouri to Conway, Arkansas. The rolling hills provide epic views of the countryside as the highway winds through small resort towns and endless wilderness.

New Hampshire White Mountains - U.S. 302

The northern sections of the Appalachian Mountains are some of the most spectacular sites in the eastern United States. Appropriately named the Presidential Range in this particular area, U.S. 302 from Littleton, New Hampshire cuts and winds around these mountains which boast the highest peaks on the East Coast. For an epic drive, follow 302 all 120 miles to Portland, Maine and get some of the best tasting lobster in the world.

Nevada Area 51 - Hwy 375

Officially called the Extraterrestrial Highway, Nevada State Route 375 is a long, desolate stretch of road slicing through the Nevada desert. It would be otherwise unremarkable, save for its proximity to the most talked about “secret” military base in the world - the infamous Area 51. You must do this drive at night, so you can have the proper heart-in-your-throat suspense that only comes from being so close to this place. In the dark. With all the rumours of aliens and UFOs bouncing through your head. They don’t call it the Extraterrestrial Highway for nothing.

South Dakota Spearfish Canyon - U.S. 14

I could make a list of epic drives just from the roads near my western South Dakota home, but I’ll limit the local promotion to just two amazing locations. The first is Spearfish Canyon - 33 miles of blissfully twisting canyon road cutting through 1000-foot cliffs with waterfalls, Bald Eagles, and meandering creeks. This is literally canyon carving at its finest.

California Pacific Coast Highway - SR-1

Do you have any idea how many iconic Hollywood driving scenes have been shot on SR-1, known around the world as the Pacific Coast Highway? It spans most of California’s West Coast, alternating between metropolitan madness and unbelievably tranquil switchbacks framed by cliffs, mountains, forests, and the ever-present Pacific Ocean.

Michigan Tunnel of Trees - M-119

Hidden along the far northwest Michigan coastline is a winding stretch of tarmac called M-119. It’s by no means a high-speed route, and at roughly 45 miles it won’t take you long to complete. But you’ll drive it over and over, because the narrow road bends and dives enough to make even slow speeds exciting. And as the name suggests, forest coverage surrounds much of the route to create a virtual tunnel that’s simply breathtaking in autumn when the leaves change.

Utah Scenic Byway - SR-12

Utah has areas that look like another planet, and SR-12 passes through some of them. It also curves, climbs, drops, and corkscrews through cliffs, forests, lakes, national parks, national monuments, and rock formations that are simply unbelievable to behold. Getting to Utah is a major road trip by itself, but the things you’ll see whilst whipping along in your convertible will stay with you for the rest of your life.

West Virginia Canaan Valley - Rt. 32

The mountain roads of West Virginia are notorious for being narrow and packed with hairpins. And while tourists flock to the Blue Ridge Parkway in neighbouring Virginia, the roads of West Virginia are a bit less traveled. Route 32 only runs about 20 miles on the east side of the state, but the views are wonderful, the road is amazing, and if you’re not exhausted after negotiating the twists, you’re not trying hard enough.

Everyone knows Pikes Peak, the infamous Colorado 12.5-mile hill climb to 14,000 feet on a road filled with hairpin curves and sheer drops. Once a year racers from around the world blast up this mountain pass, but the rest of the time it’s just another road that anyone can use. Granted, local authorities frown on people trying to set new record times. But conquering the same road as so many great drivers from the past is borderline transcendental for petrolheads. And the views en route to the top are properly awe-inspiring.

South Dakota Badlands - SD 240

Approximately 50 miles east of my Rapid City home lies Badlands National Park, and South Dakota highway 240 is the road that winds through this amazing landscape. Open prairie combines with eroded buttes and cliffs to create a stunning landscape, and the road is such that you literally get up close and personal with the rock formations that led people to label this area The Badlands. It’s stunning, exciting, and for cross-country travellers, it’s a quick two-hour detour right off Interstate 90.