Last year was a great one for road trips, and we see no end to that trend in 2015. Let’s review that open road goodness, and take a look at a short list of the destinations – and their origin cities – most often mentioned by some of the Web’s most prolific travel sites.
This list of the lists combines mentions from some of the most popular road trip lists posted on the internet*.
Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), beginning in Los Angeles – These world-renowned, winding California roads boast amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and meander through coastal towns like Malibu, Santa Barbara and Monterey.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, beginning in Kalispell, MT – These fifty miles of east-west road in northwest Montana (a National Historic Landmark that bisects the park, by the way) are filled with glacier-covered peaks, forests, glacial lakes and deep ravines, with a good chance to spot bighorn sheep, mountain goats and even wilder life. Don’t miss the 100-foot Virginia Falls across the St. Mary Valley.
Blue Ridge Parkway, through Virginia and North Carolina, beginning in Roanoke, VA – The Blue Ridge Parkway is a spectacular seasonal drive for viewing autumn leaves. The foliage starts to turn in September, and peaks in color vibrancy in October. Not to be missed is the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate and surrounding Asheville, NC.
Olympic Peninsula, Washington, from Seattle – Beginning at Highway 101 in Seattle, take the 330-mile loop around the Olympic Peninsula for shoreline vistas, northern rainforests, waterfalls and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains.
Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania and Delaware, beginning in Kennett Square, PA – This 12-mile stretch from Kennett Square to Wilmington, DE, is short but worth it. The rolling, scenic Brandywine Valley is dotted with colorful farmland and ancient and palatial estates. Be sure to see the Longwood Gardens with 20 indoor gardens, outdoor topiaries and spring-fed lakes.
Cape Cod, MA, beginning in Boston – This 40-mile trip winds through Cape Cod on Route 6A and takes road trippers past quaint East Coast towns such as Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster and Orleans, letting them explore the charming historic locales.
Columbia River Highway, Oregon, beginning in Portland – Oregon’s historic Columbia River Highway, a National Historic Landmark, offers spectacular views of the area’s legendary waterfalls that feed into and away from the Columbia River, including the hyper-photogenic, often-photographed Multnomah Falls.
Red Rock Country, Arizona, beginning in Phoenix – This unforgettable, 100-mile Arizona adventure starts driving north from Phoenix on I-17 to the well-preserved cliff dwelling, the Montezuma Castle National Monument. Then, follow the Red Rock Scenic Byway to popular Sedona where you’ll find Slide Rock State Park that features – wait for it – natural waterslides carved into the rock by gently flowing river waters. Seriously, this actually exists.
Get on the road in 2015 for some amazing sights, interesting places, great adventures and cool relaxation.
* List of articles from which the above list was compiled:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/26/the-best-u-s-road-trips-you-should-really-take.html
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-best-road-trips
http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/travels-best/photos/best-road-trips-2014
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips/
http://parade.com/117683/parade/top-14-city-road-trip-destinations/
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