To ensure you receive the best service possible,
please enter your zip code below:
Spring is the perfect time to reconnect with nature. With Arbor Day fast approaching, why not celebrate by embarking on a road trip through natural America? Go beyond the cities and walk among the redwoods, escaping the mechanical hum and embracing the subtle symphony of nature’s orchestra.
Trade congested highways for stunning woodland byways and weave through eight incredible road trips perfect for your spring or summer adventure. Pack your bags, roll your windows down and let the adventure begin.
Dubbed “America’s Favorite Drive,” this stunning road trip runs from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park into North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Roadtrippers can stop at various scenic hiking trails where they can observe surging waterfalls, unfettered mountain views and blankets of wildflowers. Campsites like Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill offer travelers a rural hideaway to extend their stay and experience other activities like fishing and wildlife viewing.
Starting where Blue Ridge ends, this scenic byway provides several overlooks where visitors can take in the breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. Along the way, stops like the Mingus Mill, Webb Overlook and Newfound Gap offer a combination of nature and history as visitors explore the beauty that led North Carolina Senator Charles Webb and President Franklin D. Roosevelt to campaign for the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that spreads between Tennessee and North Carolina.
Iconic forests (Siuslaw National Forest) and beaches (Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area) are dotted along this stunning road trip. Natural wonders like the Dungeness Spit—the world’s longest naturally occurring sand spit—and the Hoh Rainforest, Ruby Beach, and Grays Harbor Wildlife Refuge provide endless opportunities to explore the Pacific Northwest’s rich biodiversity.
Often called the ‘Finest Forest Drive in the World,’ this stunning route winds through the heart of California’s majestic redwoods. Visitors can camp, fish and hike among the tallest trees in the world. At some points, a vehicle can be driven through tunnels carved through living trees.
This highway, also known as “The Kanc” runs right through the heart of New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest and experiences the most traffic during the fall when visitors flock from around the globe to experience the vibrant fall foliage that the trees wear like crown jewels. Aside from picture-perfect foliage, visitors may even spot local wildlife, including moose, falcons, bears, porcupines, and skunks.
This three-hour highway excursion is open 24/7 so guests can experience the beauty day and night. This scenic drive offers views of the Shenandoah River and Shenandoah Valley. Though the drive can be accomplished in less than a day, there is plenty to do if you want to spend more time in the area. Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge offer guests rural stays surrounded by countless hiking trails where guests can seek out scenic overlooks, expansive meadows and popular caverns and rock formations like Luray Caverns and Grand Caverns, the oldest show cave in the U.S.
This unique trip experience involves more than forests and mountains. Travelers will witness chilling glaciers and incredible sights, including Heaven’s Peak, Bird Woman Falls, and Wild Goose Island Overlook. If wildlife viewing is part of your itinerary, start early, as most of the wildlife on the trip is active earlier in the morning.
This road trip is known for towering, colorful cliffs, scenic overlooks and canyon excursions. Unlike this list's lush forests and coastal routes, this desert drive showcases a strikingly different ecosystem, highlighting nature’s incredible diversity. Highlights include Santa Elena Canyon, Tuff Canyon, Mule’s Ears Overlook, Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail and the Sotol Overlook.
Every year as we celebrate Arbor Day and embrace the call of nature, these eight scenic drives offer a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the natural world. From the towering redwoods of California to the rugged cliffs of Texas, each journey presents a unique window into America's diverse landscapes.
These road trips provide breathtaking views and remind us of our responsibility to preserve and protect these natural wonders. So, as you embark on your chosen adventure, remember that every mile driven is a step towards greater appreciation and stewardship of our environment. Let these journeys inspire you to become an advocate for nature, ensuring that future generations can experience the same awe and wonder that these scenic byways offer today.
Become a AAA Member
AAA Membership provides peace of mind when you're on the road whether it's traveling to work or taking a long vacation with your loved ones. From roadside assistance to travel planning to discounts and insurance, we can help every step of the way.
1. Blue Ridge Parkway: https://www.virginia.org/places-to-visit/scenic-drives-and-byways/byways/blue-ridge-parkway/
2. Great Smoky Mountains Scenic Byway: https://www.visitsmokies.org/drive-the-smoky-mountain-scenic-byway/
3. Pacific Coast Scenic Byway: https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/scenic-drives/the-pacific-coast-scenic-byway/
4. Avenue of the Giants: https://www.visitredwoods.com/explore-the-redwoods/avenue-of-the-giants/
5. Kancamagus Highway: https://kancamagushighway.com/
6. Skyline Drive: https://www.virginia.org/places-to-visit/scenic-drives-and-byways/byways/blue-ridge-parkway/
7. Going-to-the-Sun Road: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrinfo.htm
8. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/ross-maxwell-scenic-drive.htm
‡Offer valid through 4/30/2025. Offer valid for Classic/Basic Memberships only. Pricing valid at member join only. Offer excludes Motorcycle coverage. Payment of full AAA Membership dues is required upon renewal. Offers, terms, conditions and restrictions apply and are subject to change without notice. Not combinable with any other offer. Offer not valid in FL, GA, MI or PR. A member can add one eligible family member for free for up to one year. Additional Associates are half price. Associate memberships are available to the Primary member’s spouse, one other adult living in the household, and their children living at the same residence or away at school. Associate members must have the same type of membership as their Primary member, with the exception of Motorcycle. Associate membership expires on the renewal date of Primary member.
Upon activation and with proper identification, AAA will provide regular AAA services and full privileges for the new member. Roadside benefits begin three days after payment of dues. Some restrictions apply. Roadside assistance is provided by independent facilities contracted by AAA. Coverage in taxis, limousines and other ride-sharing conveyances is excluded. Visit AAA.com/MemberHandbook for details about member benefits, including any limitations or restrictions. Offers, terms, conditions and policies are subject to change without notice. Savings partners subject to change. Source: 2023 AAA U.S. Market Track national surveys. Includes service vehicles owned by clubs and service vehicles owned by third parties under contract with AAA to provide services to AAA members. Taxes, fees & options excluded. Terms apply. Partners and offers are subject to change and restrictions apply. For a complete list of offers, visit us online at AAA.com/Save or your local AAA office.
