There is a lot of scenic beauty in our country and it doesn’t take a lot to experience it. Chances are some of these scenic areas aren’t far from where you live and you just need an automobile and enough time to go visit them. We spoke with Kayser Chrysler Center of Watertown, WI, a full-service Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealer, and they suggested 7 scenic drives in the United States that are breathtaking.
1) Florida’s Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway is a highway snaking through the Florida Keys. It follows a 113 mile path originally established in 1912 when the Florida East Coast Railroad stretched all the way from Miami to Key West. The bridges along the route are engineering marvels and offer incredible views. This is an exotic roadway that passes over the large coral reefs in the United States. Many of the islands along the route are home to exotic animals such as the tiny Key Deer.
2) Alaska’s George Parks Highway
The George Parks highway, which parallels the Alaska Railroad, is a 323 mile road that simply is one of the most scenic roads in Alaska. It is the main route between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Along the route you will pass Denali National Park and hundreds of miles of Alaskan scenery.
3) California’s Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway stretches along the California coast. In particular, the stretch between Los Angeles and San Francisco is among the most iconic stretch of highway in the country. You will recognize much of it because it’s featured in many Hollywood movies. Be sure and stop at the Hearst Castle when you drive by.
4) Napa’s Silverado Trail
The Silverado Trail begins near the top of San Francisco Bay and travels northward through the most famous winegrowing region in America: Napa Valley. It is the first permanent road linking the town of Napa to Calistoga. Not only is the scenery breathtaking but a major draw is that you can stop along the way and enjoy wine tours and tastings at any of the dozens of wineries along the route.
5) Maine’s Acadia Park Loop
Acadia National Park in Maine is one of America’s most beautiful places. The Park Loop swirls around Mt Desert Island and offers breathtaking ocean views, rocky coastlines and crystal clear lakes. Take a trip up Cadillac Mountain in the early morning and you will see the first rays of sun that hit American soil.
6) Utah’s Scenic Byway 12
Utah’s Route 12 is a trip through incredible geological formations. For over 120 miles, you are treated to the sights of Bryce Canyon and Dixie National Forest. Along Route 12, multi-colored limestone cliffs and red rock formations tower over the road. Seeing the sunset from just about anywhere on Route 12 is an experience you will never forget.
7) North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina and Virginia are arguably the most scenic parts of Appalachia. The Blue Ridge Parkway that was built through them connects Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.