Best scenic drive destinations in North America
Best scenic drive destinations in North America
Famous wilderness highway routes and scenic mountain pass drives in North America
North America practically invented the modern road trip, with wide open highways built for exactly this kind of travel.
California's coastline has become one of the country's most iconic road trip settings, tracing cliffs and beach towns for hundreds of miles with ocean views for much of the drive and small towns worth stopping in along the way. Canada's Icefields Parkway offers a completely different kind of scenery, cutting through glaciers and mountain peaks between Banff and Jasper. Route 66 still draws travelers chasing its old diners and roadside stops, even decades after it stopped being the main route it once was. Distances between stops can be considerable, so a loose itinerary with flexible overnight stops tends to work better than a rigid schedule.
The destinations on our list for North America reflect that same range, from coastal classics to routes built around mountain scenery.
Lists by region
Park in United States
Blue Ridge Parkway
Majestic mountain vistas and serene waterfalls
Construction began in September 1935 and the parkway was established in June 1936. It took until 1987 to finish the 7.7 miles around Grandfather Mountain with the Linn Cove Viaduct. The finished road runs 469 miles from Virginia to North Carolina. The speed limit never exceeds 45 miles per hour.
Town in Canada
Banff
Rocky Mountain Majesty, Endless Adventure
The Bow Valley Parkway runs about 30 miles between Banff and Lake Louise. It is a slower road than the Trans-Canada Highway. Elk, deer and sometimes bears feed beside the pavement. Some sections have seasonal restrictions. The Icefields Parkway begins at Lake Louise and leads on to Jasper.
National Park in United States
Glacier National Park
Crown of the Continent
Builders worked on Going-to-the-Sun Road from 1921 to 1932 and it was dedicated in 1933. The road runs about 50 miles and tops out at 6,646 feet on Logan Pass. Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet cannot use its highest sections. Snow can delay opening into July.
National Park in Canada
Jasper National Park
Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies
Maligne Lake is about 14 miles long, longer than Manhattan Island. It lies 27 miles south of Jasper town. Boat tours run to Spirit Island from spring through autumn. The Icefields Parkway ends in Jasper after 141 miles from Lake Louise. Athabasca Glacier is visible right beside the highway.
Village in United States
Carmel-by-the-Sea
European-style charm meets coastal beauty
Without stops the 17-Mile Drive takes at least 20 minutes from the Carmel gate. Nonresidents pay a toll to drive through the Pebble Beach community. Cypress Point and the Lone Cypress, a salt-pruned tree and the symbol of Pebble Beach, are highlights. Highway 1 south to Big Sur can close after storms.
Island in Canada
Cape Breton Island
Coastal charm meets rugged Atlantic scenery
The Cabot Trail circles the northern tip of the island in a loop of 185 miles. Construction of the first route finished in 1932. It runs along and through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Chéticamp is an Acadian fishing village on the way. The Skyline Trail has ocean views.
City in United States
Boulder
Mountain high living amid vibrant outdoor culture
Thin mountain air and the sight of Longs Peak at 14,259 feet fill the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Built in 1918, it was Colorado's first scenic highway and runs 55 miles through Boulder County and beyond. Aspens turn gold in September. Several peaks along the way top 13,000 feet.
National Park in United States
Denali National Park
Wild Alaska’s peaks and wildlife
Anyone can drive the first 15 miles of the 92-mile Denali Park Road. Beyond the Savage River checkpoint access is restricted and most travellers ride buses. A landslide has blocked the road at Mile 43 since 2022 and a bypass bridge was due in 2026. Check current status before planning.
Town in Canada
Squamish
Mountain‑coast escape with breathtaking vistas
Shannon Falls drops 1,099 feet beside the Sea to Sky Highway near Squamish. It is the third highest waterfall in British Columbia. The highway follows Howe Sound for 83 miles from Horseshoe Bay to Pemberton and passes under the Stawamus Chief. A $600 million upgrade before the 2010 Olympics widened it.
Road in Flagstaff
Route 66
Dusty highways echo with vintage Americana
Neon signs glow along Santa Fe Avenue where the Santa Fe Railway depot still stands. Route 66 was established in 1926 and covered 385 miles in Arizona. Winslow has its Standin' on the Corner park. Meteor Crater lies east of Flagstaff and just off the old highway.
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