There’s nothing quite like packing up your RV, grabbing some tasty snacks, and setting out on a road trip filled with miles of adventure. Picture yourself winding through towering mountains, cruising along sun-drenched coastlines, or rolling past endless fields of golden wheat. From the deserts of the Southwest to the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, America’s highways offer some of the most unforgettable journeys you can take.
And whether you’ve got a large, luxurious motorhome, a compact yet cozy camper van, or something in between, there’s a scenic highway perfect for your journey.
So, fuel up, check your maps, and get ready to be wowed. Here’s our guide to the best routes, categorized by RV-friendliness, with key highlights and must-see stops along the way. Let’s drive!
RV-Friendly Highways: Perfect for Any Size Rig
When it comes to RV travel, the road chosen can make all the difference. Some are wide, well-maintained, and designed for easy navigation. This makes them ideal for even the largest of motorhomes.
These highways provide stunning landscapes, smooth driving conditions, and plenty of opportunities to stop, explore, and take in the views while avoiding the stress of navigating narrow roads or sharp turns larger rigs are not exactly made for.
If you’re looking for a smooth, relaxing drive, filled with breathtaking scenery, these routes are your best bet:
Pacific Coast Highway: California Highway 1, from Dana Point to Leggett
Few roads in the world can match the beauty of California’s Pacific Coast Highway. This legendary route hugs the coastline, offering jaw-dropping ocean views, rugged cliffs, and charming seaside towns. As you drive along the famous Highway 1, you’ll experience the best of the Golden State—from the surf culture of Southern California to the misty coastal forests of Big Sur.
- Highlights: Stunning coastal views, dramatic cliffs, charming beach towns, and iconic stops like Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, and Hearst Castle.
- Possible Obstacles: Landslides can cause road closures. Remember to check conditions before traveling.
Volcanic Scenic Byway Location: From Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, to Crater Lake, Oregon
Journey through the heart of volcanic history as you traverse this breathtaking 500-mile byway. Stretching from California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park to Oregon’s Crater Lake, this route takes you past lava fields, cinder cones, and some of the most awe-inspiring geological formations in the country. It also connects state parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and more. The drive is smooth and accessible for any RV size, making it a fantastic way to experience the unique landscapes shaped by ancient eruptions.
- Highlights: Lava flows, cinder cones, ancient forests, and breathtaking volcanic landscapes, including a must-visit at Crater Lake National Park.
- Possible Obstacles: Snowfall can close sections of the route in winter.
The Overseas Highway: U.S. Route 1 from Miami to Key West
For an unforgettable island-hopping experience, take your RV along the Overseas Highway, aka “Highway that Goes to Sea.” Spanning more than 100 miles over the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, this drive connects a series of islands via bridges (42 in total), including the iconic Seven Mile Bridge. The warm ocean breeze, endless water views, and the laid-back island vibe make this a must-drive highway for RV travelers looking to soak up the sun.
- Highlights: Island-hopping over turquoise waters, the Seven Mile Bridge, snorkeling spots, and the southernmost point of the U.S.
- Possible Obstacles: Traffic congestion, especially during peak tourist season (November – March). Watch for potential hurricanes and heavy rains in mid-August through mid-October.
Route 66: St. Louis to Joplin, Missouri
Step back in time and experience the nostalgia of America’s most famous highway. While Route 66 stretches from Illinois to California, the Missouri section is especially well-suited for RVs, with wide roads and plenty of classic roadside attractions. You’ll pass through charming small towns, historic diners, and iconic landmarks that celebrate America’s love affair with the open road.
- Highlights: Classic Americana, vintage roadside attractions, the Gateway Arch, and historic diners along the route.
- Possible Obstacles: Some sections are poorly maintained, so you’ll want to check route updates before traveling.
Highway 101: Follows the Oregon Coast from Brookings to Astoria
Oregon’s Highway 101 is a dream drive for coastal lovers. This highway follows the rugged Oregon coast, weaving through towering cliffs, misty beaches, and picturesque seaside towns. With easy access to viewpoints, lighthouses, and parks, it’s a stress-free option for RV travelers looking for a scenic coastal route without sharp curves or elevation challenges.
- Highlights: Crashing waves, lighthouses, sea stacks, and charming coastal towns like Cannon Beach and Newport.
- Possible Obstacles: Fog and coastal winds can make driving difficult.
Scenic Highways for Smaller RVs
For those traveling in a more maneuverable RV—such as a Class B camper van or a compact Class C motorhome—some of America’s most breathtaking routes become more accessible. These highways take you through dramatic mountain passes, winding forest roads, and stunning desert landscapes that may be a bit too challenging for larger rigs but are well worth the drive if your vehicle can handle the twists and turns.
If you’re comfortable navigating steeper grades and curvy roads, these routes promise some of the most rewarding scenery in the country.
Monument Valley Scenic Route: U.S. 163 from Kayenta, Arizona, to Mexican Hat, Utah
Driving through Monument Valley is like stepping into a classic Western film. Towering red rock formations rise from the desert floor, casting long shadows against the vast open sky. This remote and otherworldly landscape offers an unforgettable journey through one of the most iconic regions of the American Southwest.
- Highlights: Towering red rock formations, the famous “Forrest Gump” road, and breathtaking desert vistas.
- Possible Obstacles: Desert heat can be extreme in summer.
The Million Dollar Highway: U.S. 550 between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado
Not for the faint of heart, the Million Dollar Highway winds through the dramatic San Juan Mountains, offering some of the most spectacular alpine views in the country. Sheer drop-offs, tight switchbacks, and high-altitude mountain passes make this road an exhilarating yet breathtakingly beautiful drive.
- Highlights: Jaw-dropping mountain passes, tight switchbacks, waterfalls, and stunning high-altitude scenery.
- Possible Obstacles: No guardrails and sharp drop-offs require cautious and alert driving.
Beartooth Highway: U.S. 212 from Red Lodge, Montana, to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Winding through some of the most rugged mountain landscapes in the U.S., the Beartooth Highway offers a thrilling mix of high alpine scenery, dramatic switchbacks, and breathtaking overlooks. This route is a must for adventurers seeking an unforgettable drive through Montana and Wyoming.
- Highlights: High alpine terrain, dramatic switchbacks, stunning overlooks, and access to Yellowstone.
- Possible Obstacles: Weather can change rapidly, and snow closures are common.
Scenic Byway 12: Between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Winding through some of Utah’s most incredible landscapes, this byway connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Park, showcasing stunning red rock formations, desert mesas, and winding canyon roads. The drive is best suited for smaller RVs due to steep climbs and winding sections.
- Highlights: Red rock canyons, scenic overlooks, and unique geologic formations like Grand Staircase-Escalante.
- Possible Obstacles: Some steep climbs and limited fuel stops.
Blue Ridge Parkway, from Virginia to North Carolina
Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Appalachian Mountains, offering serene landscapes, rolling hills, and vibrant foliage in the fall. Designed for leisurely scenic travel, this highway provides ample pullouts for RVs to enjoy breathtaking overlooks, historic sites, and hiking trails along the way.
- Highlights: Endless mountain vistas, historic cabins, hiking trails, and overlooks such as Linn Cove Viaduct and Mabry Mill.
- Possible Obstacles: Expect steep grades and tight turns. In addition, watch for closures during the winter, which are common. Unfortunately, the Helene hurricane dramatically impacted this area, and many sections have been closed due to potentially unstable road conditions, ongoing maintenance, and construction projects. Before visiting, check the National Parks Service website for Alerts.
Breathtaking Roads for Vans and Tow Vehicles
Some of the most spectacular drives in America are best suited for the most agile travelers—those in camper vans, small Class C RVs, or folks who are willing to park their larger rigs and explore in a tow vehicle.
These roads take you through dramatic cliffside routes, steep mountain passes, and remote, winding byways where tight turns and elevation changes create a thrilling drive. But for those up for the challenge, these roads offer some of the most rewarding scenery in the country, taking you through national parks, coastal cliffs, and untouched wilderness that you simply can’t experience any other way.
If you’re looking for a truly epic adventure, these are the roads you won’t want to miss.
The Great River Road: Follows the Mississippi River through 10 states from Minnesota to Louisiana
Tracing the path of the mighty Mississippi River, the Great River Road stretches through ten states, offering a journey steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty. This route is perfect for those who love river views, charming small towns, and diverse regional flavors, from fresh seafood in the Gulf to Midwestern comfort food.
- Highlights: Rolling farmlands, historic river towns, wildlife refuges, and scenic river views.
- Possible Obstacles: Flooding can affect sections of the road. The road also travels through half a dozen major cities, where the views can be more cluttered and chaotic and will require a bit more patience.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana
Winding through Glacier National Park, this legendary route is one of the most stunning drives in North America. With jagged peaks, alpine meadows, and glacial lakes, it provides breathtaking scenery at every turn. Yes, the narrow lanes and steep drop-offs make it better suited for smaller vehicles, but the rewards are worth it.
- Highlights: Dramatic mountain scenery, waterfalls, and glacial lakes.
- Possible Obstacles: The road is only open seasonally, and vehicle length restrictions do apply. It’s also worth visiting the National Park Service website and checking for Alerts, construction, and closures before you arrive.
Lake Michigan Coastal Road, following Lake Michigan’s shoreline
Encircling one of the Great Lakes, this scenic drive offers picturesque shorelines, charming coastal towns, and miles of sandy beaches. From the iconic Sleeping Bear Dunes to the historic lighthouses dotting the shoreline, this road is perfect for those looking for a peaceful yet stunning lakeside journey.
- Highlights: Sand dunes, lighthouses, and charming lakeside towns.
- Possible Obstacles: Seasonal road closures in winter.
Richardson Highway, running from Valdez to Fairbanks, Alaska
For those looking to explore the raw, untamed beauty of Alaska, the Richardson Highway delivers a journey through towering mountain ranges, glaciers, and remote wilderness. This rugged road offers a sense of solitude and awe-inspiring scenery unlike any other.
- Highlights: Majestic mountains, glaciers, and pristine wilderness.
- Possible Obstacles: Harsh weather and limited fuel stops.
Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, Maine
Nestled within Acadia National Park, Park Loop Road is a must for travelers seeking rugged coastal views and quintessential New England scenery. It takes you past rocky shorelines, dense forests, and some of the best sunrise views in the country from Cadillac Mountain.
- Highlights: Rugged coastal scenery, Cadillac Mountain, and wildlife viewing.
- Possible Obstacles: Heavy summer traffic and limited RV parking. Check the National Park Service website for Alerts, such as closures for the Peregrine falcon nesting season.
10-Mile Drive, Newport, Rhode Island
A short but breathtaking drive, the 10-Mile Drive in Rhode Island offers some of the most stunning coastal views in New England. With grand mansions, crashing waves, and scenic overlooks, this route is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, allowing travelers to take in the beauty of the Atlantic coastline.
- Highlights: Historic mansions, dramatic ocean views, and scenic walking paths.
- Possible Obstacles: Limited parking and frequent tourist crowds.
These breathtaking routes may require a bit more planning and maneuvering, but the rewards are truly spectacular. Whether you’re tracing the path of a river, navigating through mountain passes, or hugging a dramatic coastline, these roads promise an unforgettable journey filled with adventure and awe-inspiring scenery.
What are you waiting for? The open road is calling! Whether you’re chasing golden sunsets along the coast, winding through towering mountain peaks, or rolling through historic small towns, there’s an unforgettable adventure waiting just beyond the horizon. Pack up your RV, fuel up, and set out on the journey of a lifetime. With every twist and turn, you’ll discover breathtaking views, hidden gems, and experiences that will stay with you forever.
