America has some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. From lush greenery over rolling hills to ice caps on scenic mountainous terrain, there’s plenty to discover in the United States. One of the best ways to catch these magnificent sights is by driving through some of the most spectacular roads in the United States. 

Furthermore, since the Coronavirus pandemic has restricted traveling in the last couple of years, now is the perfect time to hit the road and enjoy the open air as things slowly get back to normal. You don’t even need to have a car. You can get excellent car rental deals that will allow you to travel across the picturesque roads of America without breaking the bank. 

On that note, it’s time to fill up the tank, get your tunes ready, and hit the open road. Don’t know where to go? Worry not; here are some of the most breathtaking roads to travel in the U.S. 

The Overseas Highway: Florida to Key West

If you’ve always wanted to visit the Florida Keys, one of the best ways to get there is using the Overseas Highway. As the name suggests, the Overseas Highway is a series of roads and bridges spanning across the 120-mile island chain to Key West, the southernmost point of the continental United States.

The Overseas Highway is the only stretch of pavement connecting the Keys to the mainland and has a fascinating history almost as incredible as its vistas. 

Before the road became open to vehicular traffic, the only connection from the mainland USA to the Keys was the Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway. However, the railway was short-lived as part of the track was destroyed by a hurricane a few years after construction. 

When reconstruction began, the engineers converted the railway into roads, which have since become the picturesque Overseas Highway. The remnants of the old railroad make up part of the scenic views you’ll find when using the road. 

To get the best views and pictures, you should traverse the highway at sunrise or sunset. The golden hours provide outstanding displays of colors that magnificently reflect on the water to create amazing sceneries. 

However, you should beware that parts of the road are notorious for traffic snarl-ups that often bring things to a crawl. Also, although it’s technically a highway, it is crucial to stay within the speed limit since some parts have animal crossings. 

The Pacific Coast Highway: San Diego to San Francisco

Another American road filled with picturesque views is the Pacific Coast Highway in California. It is, without a doubt, one of the most scenic roads in the world, full of towering mountains, endless coastlines, and breathtaking cliffs. 

It takes about 10 hours to drive the entire length of the highway without any stops. Still, to fully appreciate the natural wonders along this route, you’ll need to make a few stops. In fact, travel enthusiasts are encouraged to stay overnight along the way to take in the marvelous views without feeling rushed.  

Furthermore, traversing the Pacific Coast Highway will take you through exciting destinations full of adventure and spirit. An ideal road trip through this enchanting road would start in San Francisco through Santa Cruz, where you can awe at the enchanting Devil’s Slide. 

Your next stop should be at Big Sur, where you can marvel at the redwood forests that drop down from the mighty mountains to the dramatic coastline. 

When planning for a road trip through the Pacific Coast Highway, it would be best to avoid going during June and August when the road has high traffic. It would also be wise to avoid traversing the route during winter since some areas are prone to mudslides.

Going-to-the-Sun Road: Glacier National Park, Montana

The Going-to-the-Sun Road should be on the list of all road trip lovers and travel addicts alike. It’s a 52-mile road that bisects Glacier National Park in Montana. 

The road traverses nearly all the landscapes in the park, including cedar forests, glacial lakes, and valleys. The Going-to-the-Sun Road also crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. 

Moreover, since engineers specifically designed the road to pass through the park, it is dotted with various viewpoints throughout its length. Because of that, it is among the topmost spectacular roads in the country and the world.

These factors have earned the Going-to-the-Sun Road a place in the National Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks.

The best time to traverse the Going-to-the-sun Road is during summer and fall. The reason behind this is the fact that the area receives a lot of snow during the winter, making the roads nearly impassable. Always be sure to check with local authorities when using the route to ensure you remain safe during your trip. 

The Hawai’i Belt Road: Big Island, Hawaii

There’s no denying that Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world. For this reason, it doesn’t come as a surprise that some of America’s most dazzling roads would be in this region. 

Essentially, the Hawai’i Belt Road consists of three state routes; 11, 19, and 190. These roads form a circle around the perimeter of the island, spanning over 300 miles. The Hawai’i Belt takes travelers through some of the most scenic places on The Big Island of Hawaii.

The best place to commence a road trip across this belt is Kailua-Kona. The belt will take you around the Big Island through active lava flows, lush jungles filled with incredible flora and fauna, white sandy beaches, and dipping valleys.

There’s no way one can appreciate the magnificent views offered throughout this route in one drive. Hence, travel experts encourage adventurers to split their journey across several days to take in all the natural wonders in the region. 

Bottom Line

Picture this; a smooth drive across picturesque sceneries with your loved ones. As the sun retires beyond the horizon, you stop to snap a photo of the breathtaking views and, more importantly, take in the sublime magnificence of the scenery. 

Traversing any of the roads mentioned above will bring your dreams to reality and provide beautiful memories that will last your entire life. Although the list barely scratches the surface when it comes to the most spectacular roads in the US, it provides insight into the routes with the best views on the continent.

The post The Most Spectacular Roads In The USA appeared first on Cruise Radio - Daily Updates On The Cruise Industry.

----------------------------

By: Doug Parker
Title: The Most Spectacular Roads In The USA
Sourced From: cruiseradio.net/the-most-spectacular-roads-in-the-usa/
Published Date: Wed, 04 May 2022 06:57:00 +0000

Read More