Most Scenic Roads in the U.S. For Summer Travel

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rab a buddy and hit the road this summer. Throughout the United States there are a lot of scenic highways to drive on. Some of them are less than 10 miles long while others are over 100 miles long.

  • Silverado Train In California

Surrounded by vineyards and over 40 wineries, this is a paradise for wine lovers. Located right on the edge of Napa Valley, if you find yourself driving down this highway, you must stop to go on a wine tour or to grab a bite to eat. A favorite among locals and visitors is the French Laundry restaurant.

  • 17-Mile Drive In California’s Monterey Peninsula

While the 17-mile drive is actually only around 10 miles long, it offers drivers a lot to see. There are cliffs, towns and forests. The road is privately owned and costs $9 to use it. However, those who have experienced the “17 Mile Drive” claim that it’s worth the money.

  • Trail Ridge Road In Colorado

This paved road is considered to be the highest one in the United States. It takes drivers on a 12,183 high journey through Rocky Mountain National Park. A massive tundra can be seen from the roadway as well as a variety of animals like bighorn sheep and deer.

  • Highway 101 In Oregon

This road is definitely diverse. Spanning around 300 miles, drivers can see sea cliffs and the ocean and even farmland in the distance. There are also plenty of places along the way to stop and explore.

  • U.S. 1 In The Florida Keys

This 120-mile-long strip, just past Miami, is a travelers dream if they love boats and water. The highway offers them not only a view of both, but many small islands along the way. The 7-Mile Bridge, which happens to be one of the longest bridges in the world, is an experience in and of itself. If you don’t want to go all the way to Key West, you can always stop at Islamorada. This small little town has a lot to do including watersports and a variety of restaurants and shops.

  • Blue Ridge Parkway In The Carolinas and Virginia

This is probably my favorite road on the list since I have experienced it during various times of the year and can say it’s beautiful in all seasons. It’s spans close to 500 miles and winds through Shenandoah national parks and the Great Smokey Mountains. During the summer the thick forests, that are visible from the road, are filled with quite a few birds. The view of the nearby waterways is also spectacular. There are many places to pull over and take pictures as well.

America’s most scenic roads are an adventure in themselves. Combine your road trip with our advisors’ Fall Foliage Tour guide for autumn color on the country’s most beautiful byways.

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.