America is not shy of beautiful landscapes, and if you travel along our road through different states – you would probably be amazed by the diversity of terrains that you would witness throughout the journey. From cascading mountains to snow-tipped glaciers, tall woodlands with lush greenery, and stunning deserts, traveling through the great American roads is an activity that everyone should take on at least once in their lifetime. We have all been itching to go out and feel the sun embrace our skin for a long time. It is summer after all, and being the first (and hopefully the last) of the coronavirus era, all of us deserve to get spoilt with the summer for at least a few days. Popular summer destinations, like the beloved sandy beaches and public pools, are still limited in operations. They also pose the threat of people gathering and less socially distant scenarios that not all people are comfortable with. However, national parks across the country have reopened, and borders have replaced stringent restrictions with lighter versions. Going camping, hiking, or just enjoying a long drive through the various hues of landscapes could be the perfect summer escapades. While you have numerous options to choose from depending on the kind of road adventure you prefer, we are here to help those who want the scenic option. Without further ado, let’s dive straight into these top scenic road trip routes.
The Loneliest Road
Don’t be misguided by this route’s name, as this happens to be among the few routes that present travelers with some of the best scenic views in the entire continent. The US Route 50, which fondly goes by the name of the Loneliest Road, got its nickname thanks to the majority of the roads cutting through desolate and non-habitant areas covered just by nature and wilderness for miles and miles beyond. For those seeking to detach themselves from the chaos of urban life, the Loneliest Road is just the perfect drive to sulk in and enjoy the journey. However, the route is not depressing as the name suggests, and you get some of the best vantage points in the area. The road also offers easy access to popular destinations like the Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains, Appalachian, Utah, Nevada deserts, and the Great Plains’ vast farmlands of the highlights of your trip through the Loneliest Road.
The Great River Road
Are you seeking a peaceful drive, away from all the mainstream norms and traffic? Ideally located alongside the famous Mississippi River, the Great River Road has you covered with some of the best scenic road trips in the US. While the 2000-mile-long scenic route can be considered a single route that passes through ten states, there is more to the story than meets the eye. Starting from Minnesota and traveling through Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, before culminating in Louisiana, is the perfect choice for those wanderers who wish to go on a scenic road trip adventure. The route features numerous scenic diversities and covers different geography like thick forests, muddy swamps, and plenty of local attractions like the Buffalo Bill Museum, Nelson Dewey State Park, and Mud Island Park, among many others.
The Oregon Trail
Totaling over more than 2100 miles of vast empty roads to drive on between Iowa and Oregon, the Oregon Trail is one of the most extended road adventures to take on if you seek a long road trip. Very few majestic views can beat the sight of wonders of the world, and for those taking the scenic drive through the Oregon Trail, there is not just one, but two world wonders – the Niagra Falls in New York and the Yellowstone National Park at Wyoming. The road trip will also include traveling through two iconic American cities – Boston and Chicago. The best thing about Oregon is the flexibility of terrains the route has on offer. If you are driving an off-road capable vehicle like a 4×4, you could also choose to take the numerous off-road routes available along the path near Mount Rushmore.
The Appalachian Trail
Summer 2020 has been pretty downsized from usual in terms of activity for most of us. We have been missing a lot of the great outdoors out there. Days which are usually spent relaxing at the beach or camping at national parks were restricted because of the COVID-19 outbreak and replaced with a stay at home orders. For those who need an immediate escape back into the great outdoors and a long drive to flex those muscles again, the Appalachian Trail would be the ideal go-to destination without a doubt. Considered the longest hiking trail in all of America, the Appalachian Trail features a drivable route that runs parallel to the hiking trail from New England to Dixie amidst the woods and forest cover. The path has pitstops at some impressive vantage points having elevations of around 6000ft of Mount Washington and Vermont’s Green Mountains that also provide some of the best views of New England. If you miss hikes but are still not confident about taking on the challenges a hike presents with the whole coronavirus pandemic blues still in the air, driving through the trail offers an equally exciting alternative in the form of a road trip.
The Road to Nowhere
Spanning just 1,700 miles at maximum, the United States Highway 83, also called the Road to Nowhere, is one of the shortest trails to venture on for a scenic road trip in the United States. However, the route is historically and by the layout – a fresh and challenging destination for all kinds of road trippers to take on. As the name suggests, the Road to Nowhere is also a cross-country route that touches both Canada and Mexico at its northern and southern ends, which further adds to the distinctive landscapes and terrains the trip takes you through. Another fantastic feature of this road is that there are very few turns and it’s almost a long stretch of straight road that cuts through between the three countries. The adventures through the route will also take you to a wide variety of terrains, starting with infinite grasslands of Kansas and Nebraska, to the burning heat of Texas, Oklahoma Panhandles, and the Gulf of Mexico at the Rio Grande. Some prominent locations across the numerous small towns you would pass through include South Padre Island in Texas, Wall Drug at South Dakota, and Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota.
General Advisory: Travelers are advised to be updated about the current status of reopening phases of states and national parks they intend to visit or pass through well in advance, to avoid unnecessary delays and hold up. As the coronavirus restrictions are eased at different phases for different states, there are still counties and whole states that may ask you to take the mandatory quarantine if you decide to stop there for a sleepover. It is also best to carry your own PPE gear and have new masks stocked while traveling. You are also bound to meet hitchhikers requesting transit along the route, which is not the best thing to be doing right now. Regardless, if you decide to help, make sure that you maintain a safe distance, and do not overcrowd the vehicle.
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