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Kancamagus Highway at sunset, in White Mountain National Forest

Top 10 Off the Beaten Track Road Trips in the USA

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By Tilly Adams


With a playlist full of John Denver, Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles, there is no better way to travel than taking to the open road. You may have heard of the iconic Route 66, but the USA has so much more to offer, with many lesser-known but equally spectacular road trips all across its 50 states.

Here are a few of our top off the beaten track road trips in the USA to inspire your next adventure.

Generals Highway

Length: 45 miles


State: California


Connecting two of California’s most beautiful national parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, this marvellous drive through forests and the Sierra Nevada promises many unforgettable experiences. Drive through a tunnel carved into a fallen tree and make stops to learn about the area at the Giant Forest Museum. Take in panoramic views from Moro Rock and witness the tremendous scale of the world’s largest tree, General Sherman.


Making it happen: Experience this scenic drive on our California's National Parks holiday, along with plenty of other breathtaking scenery across the state's legendary national parks.


 

Sequoia National Park, California

Kancamagus Highway

Length: 34 miles


State: New Hampshire


Also known as ‘the Kank’, this spectacular road crosses the magnificent White Mountain National Forest. Renowned for its picturesque autumn foliage, this road is also a fantastic option for a New England adventure in the spring and summer, with less crowds and pleasant weather. 


Making it happen: Visit for the peak foliage with our New England’s Autumn Colours fly drive holiday or see this inspiring region at any time of year with our Best of New England fly drive holiday.


 

Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, USA

Blue Ridge Parkway

Length: 469 miles


States visited: Virginia and North Carolina


From Shenandoah to the Great Smoky Mountains, this incredibly scenic route promises to amaze. With roads snaking around undulating hills, enjoy frequent stops for to take in breathtaking Appalachian panoramas. During autumn the landscape comes alive with fiery orange leaves, and spring and summer are also fantastic times to make the most of hiking stops along the way. 


Making it happen: Spend two weeks driving the length of the road with our Washington DC to Nashville - Monuments, Mountains & Moonshine fly drive holiday.


 

Great River Road

Length: 3,000 miles


States: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana


A truly epic journey, the Great River Road winds alongside the route of the Mississippi River, the USA’s second longest river and the setting of Mark Twain’s famous novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This mammoth drive combines culturally rich cities, vast agricultural landscapes and intriguing history. Pass through the heartland of Delta blues and take in the landscapes that inspired some of America’s music greats. 


Making it happen: Combining the Great River Road from St Louis south to New Orleans with a stretch of the iconic Route 66, our fabulous The Rhythm Road - Chicago to New Orleans fly drive is a popular road trip for a reason. 


 

Rim Drive

Length: 33 miles


State: Oregon


Formed by a volcanic eruption 7,000 years ago Oregon’s Crater Lake is the deepest in the USA. Encircling the lake is the scenic Rim Drive. With over 30 lookout points en route, there are plenty of opportunities to take in the impressive views of the intense blue waters. 


Making it happen: Looping around Oregon, see Crater Lake and plenty more natural beauty on The Wonders of Oregon fly drive holiday.


 

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon

Going to the Sun Road

Length: 50 miles


State: Montana


Crossing the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains, this spectacular road winds around towering peaks through the mesmerising scenery of Glacier National Park. Along the way witness vistas of glacial lakes, cascading waterfalls and verdant forests around every bend. Movie fans may recognise this picturesque scenery from the opening scenes of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror film, The Shining. 


Making it happen: On an epic journey across the northwest, From Glaciers to Geysers, include a drive on the Going-to-the-sun-road while visiting Glacier National Park. 


 

Glacier National Park, USA

Trail Ridge Road

Length: 48 miles


State: Colorado 


Experience the sense of elation John Denver felt when he penned his famous song ‘Rocky Mountain High’, as you ascend towards the clouds on this fantastic mountain road known as the ‘Highway to the Sky’. Reaching a maximum elevation of 3,713m, the Trail Ridge Road holds the record for the highest continuously paved road in the United States. All around landscapes of alpine tundra and snow-capped peaks unfold on this mesmerising journey. 


Making it happen: Discover the landscapes of Colorado on our Colorado Pioneer fly drive holiday.


 

Rocky Mountain National Park, Denver

Seward Highway

Length: 125 miles


State: Alaska


Designated as a National Scenic Highway and All-American Road, this road ventures through the dramatic Alaskan wilderness from Anchorage down the Kenai peninsula to the harbour town of Seward. Great for wildlife lovers, stop beside Turnagain Arm and look out for beluga whales breaching the waters, Dall sheep climbing on the cliffs and eagles soaring overhead.


Making it happen: Make the drive to Seward and explore more of Alaska on our Wild Alaska motorhome holiday or Denali Adventure - Where the Mountains meet the Sea fly drive holiday.


Aerial View Of Downtown Anchorage, Cook Inlet, And The Chugach Mountains In Autumn

Turquoise Trail

Length: 50 miles 


State: New Mexico


An adventure into the Wild West, between Albuquerque and Santa Fe this wonderful route combines historic mining towns, unique art galleries and stunning desert scenery. Stop in charming towns to purchase local crafts including turquoise jewellery, vintage Western attire and Native American pottery. Don’t miss Golden, a ghost town once prosperous during the gold rush and now a well-preserved slice of history. 


Making it happen: Journey through New Mexico as well as Texas and Arizona with the Southwest Adventure - Cowboys, Cacti & Culture.


 

Senior Native American Navajo Woman Wearing Traditional Turquiose Jewellry

Hana Highway

Length: 64 miles


State: Hawaii  


Skirting tropical rainforests, magnificent waterfalls and black sand beaches, Hana Highway is home to some of Maui’s most awe-inspiring views. Narrow and winding, with over 600 curves, this road trip is the ultimate way to see Hawaii. Plenty to do on the way, take a dip in the refreshing pool of the Twin Falls, visit the rare flora of the lush Garden of Eden Arboretum, and make a pit stop for some banana bread at the Halfway to Hana Stand.


Making it happen: With our Hawaiian Horizons holiday, see the highlights of Maui as well as the Island of Hawaii, Oahu and Kauai. 


 

Hana Highway turns to cross a one lane bridge beside a waterfall on the north coast of Maui.

For more inspiration, take a look at our USA Fly Drive Holidays and our USA Motorhome Holidays pages.

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Written by Tilly Adams

Tilly is a Content Executive based in our Kensington head office. Tilly has worked at Trailfinders since 2023 and has travelled to 41 countries. Her favourite destinations include South Africa, Thailand and the Galapagos Islands.

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