When going far isn't an option, a road trip is just the ticket, allowing plenty of opportunities to discover incredible places closer to home. And with 40 new scenic routes recognized in 2021, there's ample opportunity to combine a road trip with some brilliant destinations along the way. Buckle up and hit the road as we take a closer look at the new National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. When planning a trip, remember to check state travel advisories.
A total stunner of a road trip, this 72-mile (116km) route winds its way along a narrow barrier island, hugged by the Atlantic on one side, the Intercoastal Waterway on the other. It's worth driving this road for the glistening views and inviting white sand beaches alone, but there are plenty of stops to make too, like the historic city of St Augustine and multiple nature reserves and wildlife refuges. Technically, the drive starts at Ponte Vedra Beach and ends at Flagler Beach, but many road trippers continue their way further south to Daytona Beach.
Ancient indigenous myths, checkered pasts of Spanish conquistadors and troubled lives of gold prospectors are all part of the fabric of the land that surrounds this scenic byway in southern Colorado. Also known as State Highway 12, the road stretches from La Veta to Trinidad for 82 gorgeous miles (132km) of steep mountain passes and valleys, forests and historic sites. And when the driving's done, Trinidad is a relaxing resort town with stunning Victorian architecture and some of the state's best fishing.
This route could have been named for the bold blue of the water, which the road skims right alongside, or perhaps it's just called the Bold Coast because this part of Maine, from Milbridge to Eastport, is so strikingly, confidently beautiful. Either way, those embarking on a trip will want to drive this undulating 125-mile (201km) byway at a snail’s pace to take in the rugged granite shore, weathered lobster wharfs and fishing boats bobbing in the sea.
A road trip that takes in everything from alpine peaks to rocky beaches, the Cascade Loop is 440 miles (708km) of uninterrupted beauty that can easily be divided into smaller sections too. Exploring the Puget Sound on Whidbey Scenic Isle Way, following the Skykomish River as it winds its way through the Cascades to Stevens Pass, or driving through the North Cascades along Highway 20 come highly recommended. Head straight for the latter section of the Cascade Loop to see the otherworldly Diablo Lake (pictured).
Connecting Chesapeake City with Chestertown and Stevensville, this byway also includes a spur along Route 20 and Route 445 to Rock Hall and the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. A National Scenic Byway since 2002, this 90-mile (145km) stretch has now been recognized as an All-American Road. Traveling through historic towns and scenic stretches of farmland, the road offers plenty of opportunities to appreciate the unique beauty of this tidewater region. Chesapeake Maritime Museum (pictured) is a great stop to make along the way.
Around 23 miles (37km) long, the Western Highlands Scenic Byway is a series of rural roads that hug the spine of Hamburg Mountain along Routes 515 and 94. Just an hour away from the New York metropolitan area, this road trip is a true escape to the countryside, the road flanked by farms and greens valleys in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The main gateway to the Vernon Valley and its ski resorts, this road trip also offers ample opportunities for exploring more of the area on foot – Pinwheel Vista, one of the best viewpoints in New Jersey, is a great start (pictured).
One of the earliest transcontinental highway routes in the US, Lincoln Highway is regarded among the country's most important roads. Various sections of the historic highway have already been recognized as scenic byways in states like Illinois and Kentucky. Covering 328 miles (528km) from Council Bluffs in the west to Clinton in the east, the byway is a great opportunity to explore fascinating museums, from the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and the Union Pacific Railroad Museum (pictured) to Grant Wood Studio, where the painter of 'American Gothic' worked.
Shining a light on Florida's panhandle coast, this short but sweet scenic byway follows the Gulf of Mexico coastline that hugs Walton County. The 28.5-mile (46km) route connects mostly residential beachfront communities between Dune Allen and Rosemary Beach, taking in the emerald waters and stunning white sand beaches. Any visitor will do well by slowly making their way from town to town, just soaking up the relaxed atmosphere, funky beach bars and 15 unique freshwater coastal dune lakes mere steps from the salty ocean.
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Running for nearly 120 miles (193km), Colorado's Silver Thread connects two historic districts – Lake City and Creede (pictured). The roadside remains strewn with abandoned mining structures and other remnants of decades gone by, leaving clues of what life would have been like in these rugged parts. There are plenty of natural wonders to take in as well. Following Highway 149, the road shadows the upper reaches of the Rio Grande, revealing North Clear Creek Falls and the shark-like fin of Uncompahgre Peak.
Stunning rock formations, an expansive lake and abundant wildlife all await on this scenic drive through southwestern Wyoming with a slight detour via Utah. The 150-mile (241km) drive starts in Rock Springs and mostly follows US Highway 191 south through the high desert country where untouched landscapes unfold all around. The route's namesake, Flaming Gorge Reservoir (pictured), is an exceptional area for recreation, especially trophy fishing. Visitors shouldn't miss spotting the wild horses roaming the Red Desert either.
This year the Pennsylvania side of this scenic byway has joined the Delaware section to form a fascinating loop through America's chateau country. The road carves out a figure of eight north from the state border along Route 52, looping round Route 162 and returning via Creek Road back to Delaware. For those familiar with the Du Ponts, destinations like the acclaimed Longwood Gardens (pictured) or the jaw-dropping residence Winterthur might be of interest.
Running along the Delaware Bay and Delaware River, the main stretch of this scenic byway begins in Cape May, New Jersey's southernmost tip, and runs for 122 miles (196km) to Mannington Township. Natural and historic attractions sit side by side along the way, from the site of the Greenwich Tea Burning of 1774 to East Point Lighthouse (pictured). Families shouldn't miss Bridgerton City Park and its nature trails, large splash park and free-admission Cohanzick Zoo.
More than 300 miles (483km) of the Mother Road belong to California and arguably its best section within the state is the stretch between Needles and Barstow. Extending for just over 140 miles (225km), the road grazes the southern border of the Mojave National Preserve and travels through several small historic towns. It also connects travelers with the mountains, sand dunes and hiking trails of the Mojave Trails National Monument.
Traveling some 50 miles (80km) south from Wilmington to Dover on the Bayshore Byway, previously known as Route 9 Coastal Heritage Scenic Byway, the route slices through multiple wildlife refuges and road trippers are rewarded with glorious views of the Delaware River. Top stops along the way include the sprawling Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (pictured), where the tidal salt marshes are home to abundant birdlife, and Woodland Beach fishing pier.
It might be the lowest driveable byway in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but it still reaches a height of 5,046 feet (1,538m), offering alpine-like scenery and stunning vistas as far as the eye can see. Perfect for a day trip, the byway runs for 31 miles (50km) along US 441 from Cherokee in North Carolina to Gatlinburg in Tennessee. It's possible to combine this road trip with hiking part of the Appalachian Trail as well as scaling the park's highest summit, Clingmans Dome, and its observation deck (pictured).
Nestled away in the northern 'thumb' of Wisconsin, Door Country is fringed by 300 miles (483km) of lake shoreline so this coastal byway getting national recognition isn't a surprise. The waterside city of Sturgeon Bay can be used as a springboard to discover the tip of the thumb, which takes around three hours to drive. Unmissable stops along the way include the brilliant Door County Maritime Museum, Toft Point and its views across Lake Michigan as well as the Curvy Road (pictured) – a stretch on Highway 42 near Northport where the road curves 15 times.
Spanning Seminole, Volusia and Lake Counties, the 120 miles (193km) of the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor connect a number of lakes and waterways with the surrounding cities and towns, as well as the area's historic and cultural sites. Highlights include Stetson Mansion, Florida's first luxury home from the 19th century, and airboat and gator charters from DeLeon Springs that take in plenty of wildlife like wild hogs, deer, birds and, of course, alligators.
Following in the footsteps of British soldiers, who used this route at the start of the American Revolution, this drive may be short but it's packed with history. Running for just under 13 miles (21km) between a leafy residential street in Concord and shopping plazas in urban Arlington, the route traces the main road through Minute Man National Historic Park. Alongside the historic taverns, restored 18th-century buildings and museums, visitors will also find the homes of two famous 19th-century writers – Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott (pictured).
Another part of the Lincoln Highway recognized on a national level, the Nebraska section stretches for 400 miles (644km) across the state, following US 30. The historic route runs between Omaha and the Wyoming/Nebraska state border, following such significant routes like the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, Pony Express Route and Union Pacific Railroad. Best stops along the way include the Fort Sydney Museum Complex, Buffalo Ranch State Historical Park (pictured), Joslyn Art Museum and Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center.
Traversing 10 states in total, this epic patchwork of highways and roads follows the Mississippi River for around 3,000 miles (4,828km) – eight of those stretches of road have been designated an All-American Road this year. Passing through sprawling cities like New Orleans, Memphis and St Louis, following the Natchez Trace Parkway and winding past prehistoric burial mounds at Effigy Mounds National Monument (pictured), the route is dynamic and wonderfully eclectic with myriad attractions along the way. Just one constant remains though – the legendary river itself.
The state's only scenic byway, Revolutionary Heritage Byway might be short but it packs a mighty punch. Centered around the town of Bristol, the drive is just six miles (9.5km) long on State Route 114 and High Street. However, there's lots to see and do along the way, including the Coggeshall Farm Museum, the state's largest wildlife refuge at the Audubon Society Nature Center and Aquarium, and the splendid Linden Place, dating back to 1810. There are also opportunities to take to the water aboard a sunset cruise or on a whale-watching excursion.
Bridging the distance between the National Road and the Ohio River, the Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway is 76 miles (122km) of scenic and historic surroundings, taking in a variety of canals and authentic canal features. Along the route, road trippers will spot locks, a working grist mill, historic homes-turned-museums and the Whitewater Valley Railroad Museum (pictured). Those who'd rather combine the short road trip with stretching their legs too should explore more of the Whitewater Canal Trail.
Also known as Route 2, the scenic Mohawk Trail driving route opened in 1914 and was one of the first scenic byways in the country, but it was not recognized on a national level until this year. The 69-mile (111km) route runs east from North Adams towards Greenfield and although it passes by world-class art museums and through historic towns, nature is the big draw here. Anyone who visits will do well by leaving the car behind and embarking on a short but scenic hike along one of the many paths leading away from the road.
Covering 19 stunning miles (30.5km), the Palisades Scenic Byway connects the George Washington Bridge at Fort Lee in New Jersey with acres of parkland across the state border in New York. The byway makes the most of the 500-foot-tall (152m) Palisades Cliffs (pictured), offering countless scenic viewpoints and picnic spots along the way. Traveling north along the Hudson River, the byway is an excellent outdoor escape from the city and the surrounding urban areas.
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With miles of stunning natural landscape, the drive along this scenic byway is dominated by Katahdin (pictured) – Maine's tallest mountain. Starting at Baxter State Park and following Route 11 and the Penobscot River, the 89-mile (143km) route has several stops along the way, including Ash Hill which provides an incredible view of Katahdin, and the surrounding mountains and forests. Visitors can make the most of the outdoors by canoeing the remote East Branch of the river with its seven waterfalls or whitewater rafting in the West Branch.
Tracing the history of the ups and downs of Louisiana's oil, gas, lumber and farming industries, Boom or Bust Byway runs along Highway 2, paying tribute to fortunes made and lost here through the ages. Taking in the natural beauty of this part of the state, with its rolling hills, tall pines and beautiful lakes and bayous, the scenic byway connects Homer to Vivian with loops through historic small towns along the way.
Old King's Highway, otherwise known as Route 6A, showcases the best of what Cape Cod has to offer. Skimming for 63 miles (101km) by Cape Cod Bay and passing beaches, lighthouses and state parks, the route connects some of the most historic towns on this peninsula. Most travelers start in Sandwich, exploring the historic town center and boardwalk (pictured), then head east towards Barnstable, Yarmouth and Brewster. The route ends in Orleans but many make their way further along the road to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod.
Another section of the Mother Road to earn its All-American Road designation this year, the Missouri part of Route 66 stretches from St Louis on the Illinois state border to Joplin near Kansas. Some 300 miles (483km) long, the road crosses the Ozark Highlands of southern Missouri, with dozens of old motels, gas stations and motor courts, their neon signs still lining the way. The most notable stop is Meramec Caverns – a set of limestone caverns that were among the primary attractions of Route 66.
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An epic adventure in the northwestern corner of New Mexico (the byway also covers Colorado and Utah), this evocatively-named route travels from the Chaco Culture National Historic Park to Farmington, looping via El Malpais National Monument. The byway offers a chance to explore several prehistoric archaeological and geological sites, like the Chaco Canyon (a ceremonial center for Puebloan people for centuries), the badlands of El Malpais and El Morro National Monument.
Connecting the Cumberland Gap (pictured) to the Cumberland River, this byway dips, bends and curves for around 200 miles (322km), taking in the landscape that would have been enjoyed by the early Frontiersmen. Highlights along the route include the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, Standing Stone State Park and the historic Clay County Courthouse. A fascinating attraction that shouldn't be missed is the Historic Rugby Colony – a living Victorian village, founded in 1880 by English author Thomas Hughes as an experimental utopian colony.
This 125-mile (201km) route meanders its way alongside the Bayou Teche, a stream that twists and turns through the rugged Teche Country in southern Louisiana. Characterized by lush semi-tropical vegetation and ancient oak trees, the route runs roughly from Morgan City to Arnaudville via Franklin and New Iberia. There are plenty of stops to make along the way too, from more than 100 historic properties to the Avery Island Factory where Tabasco sauce is made.
If the lakeside is calling this year, Wisconsin's scenic 70-mile (113km) drive along Lake Superior won't disappoint. For most of its length, the road hugs the shoreline, dipping in and out of historic fishing villages, along fascinating rock formations and past scenic lighthouses, sandy beaches and green forests. Starting at the small town of Barksdale, the scenic byway follows Wisconsin State Highway 13 and stretches along the Bayfield Peninsula through Bayfield (pictured) to the Brule River Boreal Forest State Natural Area.
Straddling the Canadian border along the St John River, this scenic byway offers unparalleled landscapes of wildflower meadows, forests and farmlands. Traveling a total of 129 miles (208km) between Dickey and Hamlin, the byway offers several notable stops. There's the Acadian Village near Keegan, Fort Kent, and the Allagash Historical Society museum that traces the history of the people who have inhabited these parts through the ages.
Dubbed the "gateway to Ohio's scenic wonderland", the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway loops and twists for 26 miles (42km), connecting Hocking Hills State Park with Rockbridge. Most of the two-lane road, also known as Route 374, is shaded by thick forests that open up to mountain vistas, rocky outcrops and misty waterfalls that tumble into emerald pools. It would be unforgivable not to leave the car here as the abundance of trails promises to lead visitors to spots like Ash Cave (pictured) – a horseshoe-shaped cave with a thin waterfall that cascades 90 feet (27m) over the rim of the cave.
Recognized for its historic significance as the route to Norris Dam (pictured), the Tennessee Valley Authority's first hydroelectric project in the 1930s, the Norris Freeway is a lot more than just an access road. Running from Rocky Top to the dam, the road offers opportunities for multiple outdoor pursuits in the Norris Dam State Park, including hiking, trout fishing and boating.
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A rural route traversing 272 miles (438km) of sand dunes, plains and the Nebraska National Forest, this scenic byway is the perfect place to spot some of the millions of birds who cross the North American Central Flyway (it's especially scenic in spring when migrating sandhill cranes fill the skies). Those who stay the night in these parts will be rewarded with some of the best stargazing in the world.
Slicing through 130 miles (209km) in southern New Jersey, the Pine Barrens Byway guides travelers through the area known as Pinelands. Covering 22% of the state's land mass, the Pine Barrens is a heavily forested area, renowned for its unspoiled nature, abundant and diverse wildlife and cranberry bogs. Excellent for a weekend getaway thanks to the variety of activities available here – from kayaking and hiking to cycling and fishing – it's a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
Running through the three counties within the Sequatchie Valley (pictured), this scenic byway extends north along US 127 through Crossville, eventually joining up with I-40. Framed on either side by the Cumberland Plateau and Walden's Ridge, the valley is a top spot for outdoor recreation as there are four state parks, two state natural areas and three state forests to discover in the byway counties.
Winding its way through one of the state's most famous landscapes, the Zion Scenic Byway follows Utah State Route 9, from La Verkin to the south entrance of the Zion National Park. The drive then takes in towering mesas, hoodoos and sandstone cliffs as it follows the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway to the park's east entrance. Break up the drive with a hike – explore the ghost town of Grafton, an abandoned spot featured in 1969 western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Often touted as one of the most picturesque drives in the country, this 15-mile (24km) scenic byway connects Lexington and Frankfort. The short route passes along multiple Thoroughbred farms for which Kentucky is famous, giving the road its nickname – Thoroughbred Alley. Surrounding the road for most of the route is a wide range of trees, from red and white oak to sugar maples, that often form a canopy above the road in summer. Plus, there are four properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places to visit too.
Now take a look at the most beautiful scenic byway in every state