From sea to shining sea, and from the granite mountains of New England to the desert flora of Arizona, America boasts a staggering variety of scenery, and one of the best ways to soak it all in is by car.
Detouring off the beaten path, scenic drives afford unique vantage points that aren’t easily accessed on foot, including faraway routes through the wildest part of the wildest west and soaring drives that hug the clouds. Fuel up the tank, buckle up, and experience the most epic drives in America.
Road trips are proof that the journey is the destination. (Photo Credit: Hana Fleur)
The Great River Road
Like a riverside Route 66, The Great River Road is a lengthy route that traces the Mississippi River for some 3,000 miles, passing through 10 states on its path from Minnesota to the Gulf Coast. Traversing the entire route is a bucket list undertaking, but if you’ve only got time for a briefer stint, might we suggest the northern terminus?
The Wisconsin portion of the Great River Road is a manageable 250 miles worth of byway, weaving its way through rolling green hills and 33 bucolic river towns that look straight out of a storybook.
Exploring off the beaten path is half the fun of a road trip. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
Roll the windows down and turn the playlist up — the Great River Road is calling. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
For the most wow factor, set out north from La Crosse, stopping in Fountain City for Irish eats at The Legendary Monarch House (the oldest continuously operating tavern in Wisconsin, since 1894), in Nelson for a cheese and ice cream at The Original Nelson Cheese Factory, and Stockholm for a slice of pie (the bumbleberry is a house favorite — a mix of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries) at Stockholm Pie & General Store.
Where to stay: Start your journey in Milwaukee at Kimpton Journeyman Hotel
The Loneliest Road in America
The wildest part of the wild west, The Loneliest Road in America is a roughly 400-mile stretch of US Route 50, bisecting Nevada from Carson City to the Great Basin National Park on the eastern side of the state. It earned its nickname from Life magazine in 1986, cueing road-trippers to the fact that vast portions of this dusty roadway are seemingly untouched by humans.
This means that, for hundreds of miles at a time, you won’t see any towns, any gas stations, or any businesses at all. You might not even cross paths with another car. For this willing to endure the daunting task, you’ll be rewarded with a kind of desolate serenity rarely seen in America today — where endless, wide-open skies converge with sweeping desert vistas.
The Loneliest Road in America is where desert skies meet sweeping solitude. (Photo Credit: Alex Moliski)
While much of the drive is still undeveloped, US 50 passes through some of the most authentic mining towns-turned-ghost towns in the country (like Eureka and Austin), and historic sites, like Fort Churchill State Historic Park, and Grime Point Archaeological Area. Be sure and clock some time in the town of Ely, a former Pony Express stop that has preserved its lore.
Where to stay: Start in Sacramento at Kimpton Sawyer Hotel and end in Salt Lake City at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City
17-Mile Drive
Easily one of the most luxe scenic drives in the country, where the megawatt mansions are as striking as the craggy coast of world-famous Pebble Beach, 17-Mile Drive packs a wallop in a short distance.
Since this is a residential community, the gated road has a per-vehicle entry fee ($12.25), which provides access to a meandering path through cypress forests and majestic homes — like the Fanshell Beach House, a modernist marvel whose design was inspired by shells from its namesake beach.
Don’t miss the iconic Lone Cypress that overlooks Carmel Bay. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
Because it’s always a great time to visit California. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
As you inch your way along the route, pause for views of the ocean (and watch for otters!), as well as iconic photo ops like Bird Rock, a favorite gathering spot for seals and sea lions, and the Lone Cypress, a solitary Monterey cypress tree perched defiantly on a granite headland overlooking Carmel Bay.
Where to stay: In San Francisco, at Kimpton Hotel Enso or Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf
Skyline Drive
National parks are some of the most idyllic backdrops for trails, waterways, railroads, and yes, roads. Home to some of the most famed scenic drives in the country, like Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, and the Redwood Highway that winds through Redwood National and State Parks, these federal lands offer well-preserved access to America’s most stunning beauty.
One particularly prime example is Skyline Drive, a gravity-defying route that traces the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 105 miles through Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. With vast views of the Shenandoah Valley on one side, and the lush Piedmont region on the other, the sky-high roadway offers 75 overlooks and numerous access points.
Skyline Drive is where the Blue Ridge Mountains brush the clouds. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
Shenandoah National Park is a site to behold. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
If you set out early enough, you might find yourself driving through plumes of fog, or even soaring above some low clouds. The primary gateway towns are Front Royal and Luray, both of which offer amenities and attractions like Luray Caverns (the largest caves in the eastern US), the Virginia Beer Museum, and River Hill Distillery.
Where to stay: Kimpton Forum Hotel in Charlottesville
Needles Highway
As the name suggests, Needles Highway is a narrow road that twists, turns, and carves its way through some truly otherworldly granite formations in South Dakota’s Black Hills. A 14-mile stretch of Custer State Park, in a part of the state where wild bison provide a thunderous soundtrack, Needles offers an intimate way in which to experience the region’s rocky spires, pine forests, and wildlife.
One of the most popular (and potentially claustrophobic) parts of the road is the Needles Eye Tunnel, a skinny portion that literally goes right through the middle of a giant slab of granite. Elsewhere, you’ll spot sweeping overlooks, and access to some of the Black Hills’ most quintessential stopovers, like Sylvan Lake and Black Elk Peak, the tallest mountain in South Dakota.
Traverse amongst the otherworldly granite formations in the Black Hills of South Dakota. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
Idyllic stopovers are an absolute must. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
This being a state park, there’s a $20/vehicle entry fee to Custer State Park, and while you’re in the area, stop for dinner at locally sourced Skogen Kitchen, where chef Joseph Raney serves up seasonal fare like fried chicken steam buns with smoked trout roe, dukka-scented duck confit with gooseberries and labneh, and beef tartare tacos with salsa macha and yuzu lime crema.
Overseas Highway
If you’ve ever wanted to drive on water, the closest you’ll get is the Overseas Highway, an island-hopping itinerary connecting Miami to Key West. Clocking in at 113 miles, 44 keys, and 42 bridges — including one that stretches for seven miles.
The road was built on the defunct Over-Sea Railroad, envisioned by Henry Flagler in 1912, and celebrated as the unofficial “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The railroad boosted tourism and transportation along the Florida Keys for decades, until it was irreparably damaged by a hurricane in 1935. When one door closes, another opens, paving the way for the Overseas Highway in 1938.
The Overseas Highway stretches across 42 bridges, 44 keys, and endless ocean views. (Photo Credit: Zoshua Colah)
Today, the highway provides the opportunity for travelers to island-hop and explore all that the Keys have to offer. Stop by Key West icons like Sloppy Joe’s Bar, a favorite watering hole of Hemingway’s, open since 1933, and sample conch fritters at — where else — The Conch Shack.
Where to stay: Start your journey in Miami at Kimpton EPIC Hotel, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, or Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach
Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway
As the saying in Tucson goes, driving to the top of the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway is like driving from Mexico to Canada. That’s due to the dramatic incline along the 27-mile road, which rapidly ascends from the Sonoran Desert — speckled with sky-scraping saguaro cacti — up through the Coronado National Forest, to a summit that is frequently flecked with snow.
En route, you’ll pass through various ecosystems and forests as the winding road gains more than 6,000 feet in elevation. The result? In addition to drastic transitions in environments, the summit is often 30°F cooler than Tucson down below. This explains the town of Summerhaven, a cozy mountaintop hamlet, lined with hiking trails and shops, that earns its name as a refreshing escape during Tucson’s scorching summer months.
From saguaros to snowflakes, the Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway has it all. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
Stop at the adorable Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin for a slice of pizza, or a super-sized cookie, and shop for souvenirs at the Mt. Lemmon General Store. Come winter, visitors can even ski at Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, the southernmost ski resort in the US.
Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix
Pig Trail Scenic Byway
Often described as a veritable automotive roller coaster, thanks to its sharp turns and elevation changes, the Pig Trail Scenic Byway is a tour de force through the rugged hills and valleys of Arkansas’ Ozarks National Forest.
A 19-mile segment of Arkansas State Highway 23, in the northwestern part of the state, the Pig Trail — so named for wild hogs that once traversed the area’s babbling waterways — carves its way through the foliage-filled Ozark and Boston Mountains, past cascading waterfalls, and over the Mulberry River.
Lose yourself in the Ozarks National Forest — in the best possible way. (Photo Credit: Kami Joy)
Mostly undeveloped, save for a smattering of quaint towns like Oark (stop for patty melts at Oark General Store), the road offers a glimpse into a bygone era, while still being accessible to nearby cities like Fayetteville and Little Rock. For those looking to extend their outing, the Pig Trail criss-crosses other scenic routes, like the 165-mile-long Ozark Highlands Trail.
Natchez Trace Parkway
One of America’s most visited national park sites, the Natchez Trace Parkway is a scenic byway that traverses 10,000 years of history. Once a Native American trail, crossing present-day Mississippi into Alabama and Tennessee, the 444-mile route is now a breathtaking expanse of understated beauty.
What it lacks in mountains and canyons, it more than makes up for in peaceful plains, river bluffs, and murky swamps. Hiking, camping, and waterfall-chasing are popular pastimes along the route, which boasts countless historic and cultural sites, like the John Gordon House, Rocky Springs ghost town, the Chickasaw Village Site, and portions of the Old Trace.
History meets beauty along the Natchez Trace Parkway. (Photo Credit: Matt Kirouac)
For a modern-day stop, the parkway passes through Mississippi cities like Jackson and Tupelo, both home to detour-worthy experiences like Elvie’s, an all-day eatery in Jackson serving farm-fresh fodder like fried oyster po’ boys and crab cake frites, and the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo.
Where to stay: Start your journey in Nashville at Kimpton Aertson Hotel and end in New Orleans at Kimpton Hotel Fontenot
