Road trip: the most iconic routes in the United States
From the legendary Route 66 to the Overseas Highway crossing the Florida Keys archipelago, passing through Highway 163 in the heart of Monument Valley or the Hāna Highway on the island of Maui in Hawaii,
From the legendary Route 66 to the Overseas Highway crossing the Florida Keys archipelago, passing through Highway 163 in the heart of Monument Valley or the Hāna Highway on the island of Maui in Hawaii, we invite you to discover the most beautiful American roads to experience on a road trip by car or motorcycle!
The legendary Route 66
The country's first divided highway, a route of pioneers, refugees, and victims of the Great Depression, Route 66 is undoubtedly the most legendary road in the Estados Unidos. Known as the "Mother Road," it crosses 3 time zones and 8 states, from Chicago to Santa Monica.
Created in 1926, its route was revised several times. The legendary Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985. Today, while it no longer has official status, it is now considered a "tourist itinerary" crossing existing roads bearing their own names. Many movements have emerged to preserve it, and on some of its sections you can see signs reading "Historic Route 66."
Distance: 3,670 km (originally nearly 4,000 km). Discover all the must-sees on Route 66 to discover during a road trip. |
Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the Estados Unidos and even in the world. Part of California State Route 1, this stretch of road traverses the California coast from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway means enjoying exceptional scenery: ocean views, surfer beaches, steep coastlines, wine valleys, giant redwood forests, charming villages, and much more. All that's left is to rent a convertible, put the Beach Boys on the stereo, and let yourself be swept away by the California spirit of freedom. You've got it—this is THE road to take for a road trip in California.
Distance: 882.87 km |
Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway is a road that runs through mainland Florida from Miami to the island of Key West, the southernmost point of the Estados Unidos and the last of the Keys before Cuba. It forms a section of U.S. Route 1, which continues to the Canadian border.
Tracing the old railroad route, the road crosses 44 islands of the Keys archipelago via a series of 42 suspension bridges. Driving the Overseas Highway means cruising above the paradisiacal colors of the Caribbean Sea and having the impression of flying above the water...
Distance: 182 km |
Hāna Highway
Considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world, Hāna Highway traverses the northeast coast of the second-largest island in Hawaii: the island of Maui. It connects the towns of Kahului to Hāna.
With over 600 hairpin turns and 59 bridges, the Hana Highway is an impressive road that only the most adventurous travelers dare to navigate. Once you overcome the fear, an entire paradise unfolds: steep cliffs and vertiginous coastlines, black sand beaches, waterfalls and cascades, lush tropical forests and kukui forests (Hawaii's official state tree), taro fields... One thing is certain: this road promises a magnificent experience where wonder strikes at every turn!
Distance: 109 km Points of interest: Kahului, Waiʻānapanapa State Park, Kahanu Botanical Garden, Garden of Eden Arboretum, the Hana Lava Tube, Pailoa Beach, Wailua Falls, Wakamoi waterfall, the Ke'anae peninsula, Hāna... |
Highway 163
Here's one of the most famous roads in the Estados Unidos! Crossing the typical landscapes of the American West, the road features a 71 km section in the heart of the iconic Monument Valley, in Arizona, passing through Navajo Nation, a Native American reservation. Home to the Navajo people, Monument Valley is known for its geological curiosities and Old West charm.
Though brief, this road is well worth the detour on a car or motorcycle road trip! It starts at the intersection of US 191 a few kilometers north of Mexican Hat, Utah, and ends at the crossing with US 160, in Kayenta, Arizona.
Distance: 103 km Points of interest: Monument Valley, West and East Mitten, Totem Pole, Forrest Gump Point, John Ford Point, Three Sisters, Camel Butte and Elephant Butte, Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks State Park... |
Scenic Byway 12 (Utah State Route 12)
The vast spaces of the American West are considered among the most beautiful in the country. To discover the essentials, we recommend exploring Utah by traversing the famous Utah State Route 12. It connects Interstate 89 near Panguitch to the west and State Route 24 near Torrey to the northeast.
Also known as Scenic Byway 12, it's often called "A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway." And for good reason—this panoramic road, which was the first to earn All-American Road status, is strikingly beautiful. It allows you to cross canyons, plateaus, and valleys above 3,000 meters elevation, traversing some of the world's highest alpine forests. Not to mention some of the American West's best-known tourist sites like Bryce Canyon.
Note: Due to high elevation, the road between Boulder and Torrey may be closed in winter.
Distance: 198.4 km Points of interest: Bryce Canyon National Park, Red Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, Tropic, Henrieville, Escalante, Dixie National Forest, Escalante Petrified Forest, Grand Staircase, Boulder, Cottonwood Canyon, Anasazi State Park, Torrey... |
Great River Road
Nicknamed the eternal river, the Mississippi has enchanted generations and contributed to the agricultural prosperity of the regions it crosses. An iconic waterway of the Estados Unidos, what do you say to discovering it by following its entire length? That's exactly what Great River Road offers.
Starting from Lake Itasca in the heart of Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, this road traverses no fewer than 10 American states. The landscapes to experience on this journey are numerous: marshes, farmland, endless forests, cliffs, and wildlife refuges, plus a few iconic American cities.
Distance: 3,329.7 km Points of interest: Minneapolis, Potosi, Hannibal, Saint Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Laura Plantation, Oak Alley Plantation and Whitney Plantation, New Orleans... |
Frequently asked questions
Route 66 is undoubtedly the most legendary. Created in 1926, it connects Chicago to Santa Monica over 3,670 km, crossing 8 states and 3 time zones. Although decommissioned in 1985, it remains an essential historic tourist itinerary.
The Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1) is the ideal choice for a road trip in California. It links Los Angeles to San Francisco over approximately 883 km along the Pacific coast, offering exceptional views between ocean, giant redwood forests, and charming villages.
The Overseas Highway is a 182 km road connecting Miami to Key West, the southernmost city in the Estados Unidos. It crosses the 44 islands of the Florida Keys via 42 bridges, offering the unique sensation of driving above the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Yes, the Hāna Highway on the island of Maui is a challenging road with over 600 hairpin turns and 59 bridges over 109 km. It is not recommended for inexperienced drivers or those prone to car sickness. However, the scenery of waterfalls, black sand beaches, and tropical forests is well worth the effort.
Several options are available: Highway 163 crosses Monument Valley over 103 km between Utah and Arizona, ideal for Old West enthusiasts. Scenic Byway 12 in Utah, 198 km long, allows you to traverse canyons, plateaus, and parks like Bryce Canyon. These two roads combine very well for a road trip through the American West.
The Great River Road follows the Mississippi for 3,329 km, from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, crossing 10 states. To fully enjoy it and visit iconic cities like Minneapolis, Saint Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans, plan for at least 2 to 3 weeks.



