We asked the staff at The Group Travel Leader: “What is your favorite scenic drive in America?” Find out their favorite road trips below!
“I have not driven Highway 1 in California, nor have I driven those long, lonely stretches of highway across the American West, so I cannot claim a comprehensive reservoir of knowledge on this one. I’d have to say the Hana Highway is my favorite scenic drive in America that I have done. It’s about 70 miles one way from Kapalua to Hana on the island of Maui, and the highway traces the northern coast of the island. Incredible views of the Pacific, waterfalls and tropical rain forests make this drive a must if you are on the island.”
— Mac Lacy, Publisher
“I love driving around the bluegrass back roads of Kentucky in the spring, summer or fall. I love taking in the rolling green hills, the pastures with frolicking thoroughbreds, large oak trees and historic stone fences. I don’t think you can get a more scenic drive than that.”
— Donia Simmons, Creative Director
“I crawled at a snail’s pace down the Big Sur Highway along the California coast between Los Angeles and Monterey. I wanted to pull the car over at every scenic overlook because I couldn’t believe how gorgeous the rocky coast and blue ocean look around every turn. To soak up the view, I spent some time at some of the state parks along the route that ranged from spectacular waterfalls to popular wildlife gathering points.”
— Eliza Myers, Online Editor
“I always enjoy opportunities to take a drive on the Colonial Parkway, a 23-mile parkway that connects Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown in Virginia’s Historic Triangle. The parkway takes travelers to these sites through protected woodlands and under historic bridges, with no advertisements and minimal signage. There might be quicker ways to get from one of these destinations to the next, but the Colonial Parkway is by far the most scenic and serene, no matter what time of year you go.”
— Brian Jewell, Executive Editor
“I’ve taken my fair share of road trips all over the United States, but my favorite scenic drive is a classic: Florida State Road A1A. The first time I ever walked down the beach and dipped my feet in the ocean was along this stretch of road. Last fall, my husband and I vacationed in Florida and Georgia and drove up the Atlantic Coast from Cocoa Beach, Florida, to Savannah, Georgia, with stops in St. Augustine, Florida, and St. Simons, Georgia. Florida’s A1A was a great leisurely drive. We took our time to enjoy the beautiful stretches of ocean and stopped whenever we felt like it to go stick our feet in the sand, so driving this coastal road will always be associated with relaxation and gorgeous views for me.”
— Ashley Ricks, Circulation Manager
“My favorite scenic drive is the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s beautiful year-round, but especially in the fall when the leaves have changed color.”
— Kelly Tyner, Director of Sales and Marketing
