6 Unforgettable Road Trips Across The U.S. In 2026

Some of America’s most powerful places aren’t reached by flight or foot, but by following a ribbon of asphalt through landscapes that shift, rise, and open before you.

These six road trips turn the act of driving into a front-row seat to the country’s wildest beauty.

1. Big Sur Coastal Drive – California

Highway 1 clings to the edge of the continent, where cliffs plunge into the Pacific and fog drifts through redwood groves.

With every turn, the scenery demands your attention.

This is a place where stopping becomes instinctive.

2. Going-To-The-Sun Road – Montana

Cutting through the heart of Glacier National Park, this engineering marvel lifts you into a world of soaring peaks and icy valleys.

Wildlife sightings are common, and every overlook feels like standing inside a postcard.

3. Blue Ridge Parkway – Virginia & North Carolina

Built to slow you down, this winding route glides along the spine of the Appalachians.

Layered ridgelines fade into the distance, while pullouts invite quiet moments that linger long after the engine stops.

4. The Scenic Byway 12 – Utah

Few roads deliver such constant visual drama.

Towering rock formations, narrow canyons, and vast desert skies surround you, making every mile feel otherworldly.

This is the American West at its most raw and unforgettable.

5. Beartooth Highway – Montana & Wyoming

Rising nearly 11,000 feet, this high-altitude drive carries you above forests and into a stark alpine world of snowfields and mirrored lakes.

The views are vast, the air thin, and the experience unforgettable.

6. Joshua Tree National Park – California

The journey ends right in the state it started in: California.

Here in Joshua Tree National Park, the iconic Joshua trees stand against rugged rock formations, offering surreal desert landscapes that feel both peaceful and timeless.