Ready to hit the open road? Some states are simply built for road trips – long scenic highways, national parks stacked back-to-back, quirky roadside stops, and landscapes that change by the mile.
From rugged coastlines and alpine passes to desert highways and tropical drives, these are the best states for a road trip in the United States, whether you’re chasing mountain views, coastal sunsets, or classic Americana.
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Washington: Evergreen Beauty Meets Rugged Coastline
Washington delivers serious road trip range.
Drive the Olympic Peninsula Loop for beaches, rainforests, and mountain passes all in one sweep. Cruise the North Cascades Highway (seasonal but spectacular) for alpine lakes and jagged peaks. Or circle Mount Rainier National Park, where the volcano dominates the skyline like it owns the place.
From Seattle’s urban buzz to the quiet ferry rides across Puget Sound, Washington blends wild scenery with culture seamlessly.
Oregon: Coastlines, Volcanoes & Waterfalls in One State
Oregon is made for scenic driving.
The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway hugs dramatic cliffs and winds past lighthouses and seaside towns like Cannon Beach. Inland, you’ll find Crater Lake National Park, home to the deepest, bluest lake in the country.
Add in Mount Hood, waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, and craft coffee stops along the way you’ll find that Oregon packs variety into every mile.
Pro Tip: Be sure to check the weather when you’re planning your trip, some roads, like the ones to Crater Lake are closed when it snows.
California: The Ultimate Coastal & Mountain Road Trip State
If one state defines American road trips, it’s California.
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) for ocean cliffs, Big Sur, Monterey, and Malibu. Head inland for Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, and giant sequoias.
Prefer desert drama? Joshua Tree and Death Valley bring surreal landscapes. Napa Valley offers vineyard views and scenic backroads.
In California, you can surf at sunrise and hike alpine peaks by sunset, all in the same day!
Montana: Big Sky & Iconic Mountain Highways
Montana is road trip freedom in its purest form.
The legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park cuts through alpine meadows and glacial valleys. The Beartooth Highway offers jaw-dropping elevation and views on the way to Yellowstone.
In Western Montana you’ll find Mission Mountains and Swan Range. As you travel the Seeley-Swan Valley you’ll see massive mountains reflecting off glass-smooth natural lakes.
Montana’s wide-open roads, charming small towns and glassy mountain lakes make you slow down, in the best way.
Pro Tip: Before you leave on a road trip make sure your car is checked for oil, wiper fluid, etc. Always bring things you’ll need for an emergency. We bought this roadside assistance emergency kit; it has everything you need in case of an emergency.
Read Next: Hit the Road Smart: Essential Road Trip Tips for a Safe and Stress-Free Journey
Wyoming: National Parks & Wild West Landscapes
Wyoming feels untamed.
Drive through Yellowstone National Park for geysers, wildlife, and dramatic scenery. Loop around Grand Teton National Park for postcard-perfect mountain views.
Outside the parks, places like Wind River Canyon and Cody bring cowboy culture and open prairie skies into the mix. If you love wide horizons and western grit, Wyoming delivers.
Pro Tip: When visiting the northern states, be sure to bring layers as it can warm up during the day, but the nights can get cold.
Colorado: High Alpine Roads & Mountain Town Charm
Colorado road trips mean altitude and attitude.
The Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton is equal parts thrilling and beautiful. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park climbs above 12,000 feet making it one of the highest paved roads in North America.
Add in small towns like Telluride, Crested Butte, and Estes Park for cozy stops. Add in fall foliage and you’ve got one seriously scenic state.
Utah: The Mighty Five & Scenic Byway 12
Utah might be the most dramatic road trip state in America.
The “Mighty Five” National Parks – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Park, are all connected by jaw-dropping highways.
Scenic Byway 12, often called one of America’s most beautiful drives, connects many of these wonders in one unforgettable route along with Bears Ears National Monument and Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs. The northern part brings the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island State Park.
Desert mesas, hoodoos, slickrock, alpine forests insure no two stretches look the same.
Pro Tip: If you want to get some great video while you’re driving, get this dash cam. We love ours and use it even around home, you never know what you might see when you’re driving.
Nevada: Desert Highways, Ghost Towns & Outdoor Adventures
Nevada is wildly underrated for road trips.
Yes, Las Vegas is here, but so are Red Rock Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead. Drive north on the Free-Range Art Highway for roadside art and ghost towns. Cruise the Loneliest Road in America (Highway 50) or the Extraterrestrial Highway for pure open-road vibes.
And the Great Basin Highway? It’s an outdoor lover’s dream.
We may be a little biased since we live here but Nevada will never let you down with options for great road trips.
Arizona: Desert Wonders & Iconic Southwest Drives
Arizona road trips come with fiery sunsets and massive landscapes.
The Grand Canyon is obvious but driving through the Painted Desert, Antelope Canyon or Monument Valley reveals colors and formations that seem to shift with every mile.
For a more remote adventure, the drive to Canyon de Chelly offers a glimpse into Navajo history and heritage.
Sedona’s red rocks, the Sonoran Desert and Route 66 just add more fun and solitude.
This state mixes desert solitude with cultural history and dramatic natural beauty in a way few others can. It’s one of our favorite states for road trips.
New Mexico: Enchanted Desert & Cultural Routes
New Mexico feels like a living painting.
Drive the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway near Taos brings mountain views and historic villages. Cruising the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe brings art-filled towns, adobe architectures, and history.
Explore White Sands National Park’s surreal dunes and Roswell’s extra-terrestrial history.
Add Route 66 nostalgia and Pueblo heritage, and every mile tells a story. Another of our favs.
Texas: Big Roads & Bigger Landscapes
Texas doesn’t do small.
Explore Hill Country vineyards and river towns like Fredericksburg. Head west to Big Bend National Park for desert canyons and Rio Grande’s dramatic views.
The Gulf Coast adds another dimension, with beach towns like Corpus Christi and Galveston providing laid-back escapes.
In Texas, road trips feel expansive and bold – just like the state itself.
Tennessee: Mountains, Music & Southern Charm
Tennessee mixes culture with scenery.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park features winding routes like Newfound Gap Road, where misty peaks and waterfalls create a serene backdrop.
The Natchez Trace Parkway, stretching from Nashville to Mississippi, adds history and southern charm to the journey
Add Nashville’s honky-tonks and Memphis blues stops, and you’ve got a road trip with rhythm.
Florida: Overseas Highway & Gulf Coast Escapes
Florida brings tropical road trip energy.
Drive the Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West – one of the most famous drives in the world, connecting islands with sweeping ocean views.
The Gulf Coast offers a slower pace, with white sand beaches and charming towns like Sarasota and Naples. In northern Florida, routes through Ocala National Forest and historic St. Augustine offer a different kind of beauty.
Sun, ocean views, and palm-lined highways make Florida feel like vacation mode from mile one.
North Carolina: Mountains to Coast in One Trip
North Carolina gives you two road trips in one.
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway for Appalachian overlooks and waterfalls. Then head east to the Outer Banks Scenic Byway for lighthouses and barrier island views.
Few states offer this much variety in one itinerary.
Maine: Coastal Lighthouses & Acadia Views
Maine invites you to slow down.
Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park combines ocean cliffs and mountain views in one compact drive. U.S. Route 1 winds through lobster towns, harbors, and classic New England charm.
It’s nostalgic, rugged, and scenic all at once.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning on camping, check out Campspot.com. They provide some great campground ideas and make booking really easy.
Alaska: Untamed & Unforgettable
Alaska is next-level road tripping.
The Seward Highway from Anchorage to Seward is one of the most scenic routes in North America, with glaciers, fjords, and amazing scenery.
Denali Highway and Dalton Highway offer remote, rugged drives through unspoiled wilderness and breathtaking scenery.
Wildlife sightings aren’t rare, they’re expected.
Hawaii: Tropical Scenic Drives
Hawaii proves road trips aren’t just about distance, they’re about experience.
On Maui, the Road to Hana winds through rainforests, waterfalls, and ocean cliffs, offering one of the most famous drives in the world.
The Big Island’s Saddle Road starts at the coast and ends at a volcano showing the stark contrasts in its landscape. Oahu’s coastal routes, like the Kamehameha Highway, showcase turquoise waters and tropical beauty. Every island offers its own version of paradise.
Windows down. Ocean breeze. Paradise unlocked. Bucket list worthy.
Final Thoughts: The Best Road Trips Start with the Right State
You can plan a road trip almost anywhere in America, but these states make it unforgettable. Whether you want mountain passes, coastal highways, desert solitude, or classic Americana, there’s a route waiting. If you need some help planning a road trip, check out roadtrippers.com. They give ideas for places to eat, stay and places of interest. Use code BTR5QTP to save $5.
Pick your scenery. Pack the snacks. Cue the playlist. The open road is calling.
We love sharing tips and information we learn along the way to help you plan your next trip. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.