Who doesn’t love a scenic drive? The U.S. is filled with iconic roads that are famous for stupendous views. Some scenic drives are part of longer road trips. Others stand alone as beautiful day trips to be experienced over and over again. Our list of scenic drives touches on regions from across the United States.
Take a look at some of our favorites. Alan and I call it “driving the dots” as that’s how scenic drives are usually designated on road maps. We find many of them by browsing our collection of Benchmark Road & Recreation Atlases. If you’re looking more for inspiration, The Most Scenic Drives in America includes 120 spectacular drives.
Boomer Travel Tip
Be sure to come back often as we continue to add to this growing collection of scenic U.S. drives. Or subscribe to the My Itchy Travel Feet Weekly Road Trip Newsletter to be the first to know!
Best Scenic Drives in the U.S. for boomer travelers
You may be familiar with some of our favorite scenic drives, like the one through Monument Valley. But we’ll also be introducing you to some out-of-the-way roads that are feasts for the eye. And some of them just might include a dirt road adventure or two.
How to See and Explore Leslie Gulch on a Boise, ID day trip
Are you looking for a day trip from Boise that will take you into the remote area of Eastern Oregon that’s just across the Snake River from Idaho? I recommend a day trip to Leslie Gulch. Alan and I were wowed by our visit to Leslie Gulch and can’t wait to return for more active […]
Exploring Florida’s Big Bend Scenic Byway on a Road Trip
Are you planning a trip to Florida? From historic St. Augustine to the funky Florida Keys, there’s a travel experience for every interest. But For boomers who enjoy a scenic drive, be sure to add a Big Bend Scenic Byway road trip to your Florida road trip itinerary. When you’ve had enough of beaches, enjoying […]
Take the High Road To Taos
Have you driven the High Road To Taos while visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico? This scenic road is a great way to get out of town for a bit. Or do like Alan and I did when we drove the High Road, spend a couple of nights on a Taos getaway before returning to “The […]
Driving Cape Royal Road on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim
Is driving Cape Royal Road at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on your national park itinerary? Let me show you why it should be. Hint: you’ll avoid the crowds on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon plus enjoy a North Rim scenic drive with gorgeous views of the canyon. If you’re a long time […]
Fall in the South: Admire Autumn Without the Crowds
Fall in the South is a gorgeous time for a road trip. Ask me, this Georgia girl knows what she’s talking about. However now that I live in Montana, I’ve lost touch with the South’s secret leaf-peeping destinations. Luckily for us, Tennessee native, James Richardson, knows where to go. Read his tips on how to […]
Going Off-the-Beaten-Path in Montana on the Big Sheep Back Country Byway
Are you looking for a scenic drive to experience Montana’s empty spaces and big skies? Alan and I recommend adding the Big Sheep Back Country Byway to your Montana road trip itinerary. Located in the far southwestern corner of Montana near the Idaho border, this 50-mile scenic dirt road, administered by the Bureau of Land Management, […]
Driving the Burr Trail on a Boomer Road Trip in Southern Utah
Utah’s Highway 12 Scenic Byway is a must-drive for fans of the red, beige and golden-colored rock formations found in southern Utah. Not only is Highway 12 a scenic destination in itself, but there are all those off-the-beaten-path experiences, like driving Burr Trail, to make your trip extra special. Alan and I are huge fans […]
Driving through History on a Natchez Trace Road Trip
On a Natchez Trace road trip, you’ll experience history, culture and a scenic drive through beautiful areas of the South. Alan and I have driven a small portion of the road on a short, Natchez Trace tour. However My Itchy Travel Feet Featured Contributor, Debi Lander from ByLanderSea, drove the entire parkway. She shares her […]
Monument Valley Scenic Drive (Everything You Need to Know)
Are you planning a road trip in the American Southwest? The Monument Valley scenic drive in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park on the border of Arizona and Utah places you in the middle of nature’s wonderland of spires, buttes and red rock creations. Grab your camera (I am currently learning how to use a Sony […]
Explore Dead Horse Point State Park on a Scenic Drive
Alan and I count Dead Horse Point State Park’s scenic drive as one of our favorite travel experiences when visiting the Moab, Utah area. Read about our visit (and tips) before planning your trip to this gorgeous Utah state park that’s close to Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park. As beautiful drives […]
The Road to Halawa Valley, another scenic Hawaiian drive
You’ve probably heard of Maui’s famous Road to Hana with its 30 bridges and countless waterfalls. But did you know that there’s another beautiful Hawaiian drive that’s off-the-beaten-path but filled with history and scenic vistas? That’s right, the road to Halawa Valley winds along the Moloka’i scenic southern coast, ending at a beach where Polynesian […]
Driving on Top of the World
Do you know about Top of the World Highway? The rugged journey through gold mining history makes a fun addition to your Alaska Highway road trip itinerary. The trip requires leaving the Alaska Highway at White Horse, driving the Klondike Highway to Dawson City before catching a ferry ride across the Yukon River. You’ll catch […]
Driving New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle
Do you like to travel around in circles on a boomer road trip? A drive on New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle Highway does just that, offering scenery, activities, and unique stops as it circumnavigates Wheeler Peak (13,161 feet), New Mexico’s highest point. Every circle needs a start. To begin the circuitous journey, take NM Highway 522 north […]
Going Off-the-Beaten-Path on Elk Meadows Road
“Come explore me.” Does a dirt road ever call your name? Elk Meadows Road (Lolo National Forest Road #373) has been calling ours ever since Alan and I discovered it on an early spring drive to Lolo Pass. The road starts (or ends) at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center on the Idaho side of Highway 12. Then it […]
Twin Lakes: Off-the-beaten-path in Montana’s Bitterroot Mountains
If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path fun in Montana, Twin Lakes in the Bitterroot National Forest certainly qualifies. Twin Lakes sits at 7,200 ft. with fishing, canoeing—no motorized boats allowed—and hiking available, making this a fun Bitterroot Valley day trip or overnight camping getaway. Since Alan and I aren’t backpackers, we appreciate the opportunity to experience […]
Painted Rocks Reservoir
On a drive up the West Fork of the Bitterroot River in our Montana backyard, Alan and I arrived for a first visit to Painted Rocks Reservoir State Park at just the right time. It was about 10:00 a.m., not a cloud in the sky and the reflections in the water took our breath away. […]
Driving the Alpine Loop in One Day on a Boomer Road Trip Adventure
Is it possible to drive the Alpine Loop on a one-day itinerary? Yes, it is. Alan and I enjoyed this scenic drive on trip to southwestern Colorado. The Alpine Loop in the San Juan Mountains introduces off-roaders to high-country scenery and Colorado mining history. It’s best explored on a 2 or 3-day Alpine Loop itinerary […]
4 wheeling Yankee Boy Basin in Ouray, Colorado
Want to visit Colorado alpine country up close and personal? 4 wheeling Yankee Boy Basin Trail will satisfy any active boomer traveler’s longing for mountain scenery combined with a little adventure. Along the way, you’ll discover the remnants of old mines wedged into the sides of the canyon. If there’s been a good snow year, the waterfalls […]
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