Few inventions have shaped America quite like the automobile.
Before cars, most Americans lived, worked, and traveled within a relatively small distance of home. A trip to another state could take days. Family vacations were rare. Entire regions of the country felt worlds apart.
Then came the automobile.
When Henry Ford introduced the Model T and revolutionized manufacturing through the moving assembly line, he didn’t just build a car. He helped create a new way of life.
Suddenly, Americans could go farther than ever before.
The automobile connected small towns and big cities. It helped create roadside diners, drive-in theaters, motels, gas stations, national parks tourism, and eventually the Interstate Highway System. It transformed how Americans worked, vacationed, and experienced their country.
In many ways, the automobile became a symbol of freedom itself.
Today, millions of Americans still embrace one of our nation’s greatest traditions: the road trip.
As we celebrate America’s journey through the Road to 250, here are ten of the most iconic road trips in the United States.
1. Route 66
Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California
Known as the “Mother Road,” Route 66 stretches more than 2,400 miles through the heart of America. Historic diners, neon signs, roadside attractions, and small-town charm make this one of the most legendary drives in the world.
2. Pacific Coast Highway
California Coast
From San Francisco to Los Angeles and beyond, few drives can match the dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and breathtaking ocean views found along Highway 1.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway
Virginia to North Carolina
America’s favorite scenic drive winds through the Appalachian Mountains, offering spectacular overlooks, waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful fall colors anywhere in the country.
4. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Montana
Running through Glacier National Park, this engineering marvel crosses the Rocky Mountains and delivers views that seem almost unreal.
5. Overseas Highway
Florida Keys
This unique drive hops across dozens of islands connected by bridges stretching over turquoise waters all the way to Key West.
6. Great River Road
Along the Mississippi River
Following the mighty Mississippi through ten states, this route showcases river towns, American history, music heritage, and stunning landscapes.
7. The Loneliest Road
U.S. Highway 50, Nevada
Wide-open skies, mountain ranges, ghost towns, and endless horizons create one of America’s most unforgettable driving experiences.
8. Black Hills and Badlands Loop
South Dakota
This road trip combines Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Badlands National Park into one incredible journey.
9. The Oregon Coast Highway
Oregon
Rugged cliffs, lighthouses, sea stacks, and charming coastal towns make this one of the most scenic drives in North America.
10. The Great Lakes Circle Tour
Around the Great Lakes
Travel through eight states and experience America’s freshwater coastline, historic ports, forests, and some of the most underrated scenery in the country.
More Than Just a Drive
The automobile gave Americans something previous generations could scarcely imagine: the freedom to see their country for themselves.
From the deserts of the Southwest to the mountains of Montana, from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Ocean, the open road became a pathway to adventure, opportunity, and discovery.
That spirit of exploration remains alive today.
As we continue the Road to 250, we’ll share stories about the people, inventions, and ideas that helped shape America. Few of those stories have had a bigger impact on everyday life than the automobile and the vision of innovators like Henry Ford.
After all, some of America’s greatest stories aren’t found at the destination.
They’re found somewhere along the road.