10 Underrated American Road Trips You Need to Take This Year

The United States is over 3.8 million square miles, placing it among the five largest countries in the world. Its expansive territory holds incredibly diverse landscapes, from coastal plains and high deserts to canyonlands and forests, presenting tremendous opportunities to get behind the wheel and hit the open road. While most road-trippers make a beeline for well-trodden highways like Route 66, numerous other scenic routes remain unexplored. The well-guarded secrets provide a spectacular way to explore America's countryside and its treasures, delivering just as fulfilling an experience without the traffic snarls on famous byways. 

Whether you are planning to explore magical natural landmarks, discover hidden histories, or interact with secluded communities, head off the beaten path with these underrated American road trips for a novel and refreshing experience. 

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, Oregon And California

True to its name, this All-American Road journeys 500 miles through dramatic volcanic landscapes between Oregon and California, featuring geothermal geysers, volcanoes, lakes, mountain forests, broad wetlands, and waterfalls. Needless to say, spectacular vistas line the route, which also cuts through historic gold mining towns with a captivating heritage. Major points of interest include Crater Lake National Park at the start of the journey, which features a 33-mile rim you can drive along to admire Crater Lake's storybook beauty and piercing, crystal-clear blue waters. 

Also, Lava Beds National Monument houses over 800 caves with archaic Native American art, campsites, and a high desert wilderness to explore. Remember to chase the exquisite waterfalls along the way, from Vidae Falls to Burney Falls, the latter dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World" by President Theodore Roosevelt. 

Indian And Nine Mile Canyon Trail, Utah

This exciting road trip blends the Nine Mile Canyon and Indian Canyon Scenic Byways to create a 145-mile loop traversing forested canyons, Native Indian trails, and historic mining villages in central Utah. The year-round route begins in the small community of Duchesne and features stops at several cultural and historical treasures. Highlights include Ashley National Forest, a haven for outdoor adventures. The park is full of hiking trails, canyons, rivers, and magnificent scenery perfect for nature photography. 

The two canyons, as well as the Roan and Book Cliff formations, make for spell-binding desert landscape panoramas. With the road winding through the town of Price, you can take a break to browse interactive exhibits at the state-of-the-art Prehistoric Museum. It stores a collection of prehistoric, geologic, natural, and cultural specimens. 

Overseas Highway, Florida

This epic road trip through coastal Florida allows travelers to experience the magic of the Florida Keys without getting on the turquoise waters. The route stretches about 110 miles through the Florida Keys to Key West. It passes some of the most charming Florida coast towns and their world-class diving sites for those who don't mind a soak. Spectacular ocean views escort road-trippers throughout this drive along the "Highway that Goes into the Sea." 

Some attractions to look forward to include John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, reputed for being the diving capital of the world. Meanwhile, the Dolphin Research Center allows you to interact with cute dolphins and sea lions in their element. Finally, be sure to explore the rich maritime heritage at Key West Historic Seaport. 

The Turquoise Trail, New Mexico

Unlike your typical New Mexico trip, this incredible adventure takes you off the beaten path for an isolated drive through the heart of the state. It stretches approximately 50 miles on Highway 14, connecting Albuquerque to Santa Fe, and traverses artistic enclaves, historic mining settlements, and wonderful scenery. As you make your way past the adorable communities of Madrid, Golden, and Cerrillos, several detour opportunities await. The quirky town of Madrid is an excellent stop for art lovers, awash with galleries like Indigo Gallery that showcase different art forms by local artists. 

In Cerrillos, you can pause at Cerrillos Hills State Park for hiking or mountain biking adventures, exploring remnants of abandoned turquoise mines. The hills in the park sit at an elevation of 6,000+ feet above sea level, spoiling you with sweeping views of the Turquoise Trail. Meanwhile, make the most of breathtaking panoramas of the Rio Grande Valley from the summit of Sandia Crest. 

The Loneliest Road In America, Nevada

The Loneliest Road in America is exactly what it suggests—a solo journey through the heart of rural Nevada's desolate wildernesses that will make you appreciate solitude and personal company. Despite a fair share of sharp bends, the adventure proves highly fulfilling for those who take it. Some of the best detours the drive offers include Great Basin National Park. This gem in the Great Basin Desert is surrounded by magical peaks of the South Snake Mountains and is known for its ancient pine trees. 

You can venture underground into the Lehman Caves to admire dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. In Ely, a tour of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum tells a captivating history of the region's railway heritage, while Austin delights passers-by with its silver mining history and natural hot springs. 

High Road To Taos, New Mexico

One of the most underrated American road trips, this historically and culturally immersive journey traverses an authentic relic of Old Spain, evident in the architecture, history, and religion of the Pueblo and Spanish communities along the way. Covering about 56 miles between Santa Fe and Taos, it unravels against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and winds through high desert, forest, and mountain landscapes. Highlights to look forward to include Santuario de Chimayo in the quaint village of Chimayo. This old pilgrimage site features a small adobe Catholic church from the 1800s known for its "healing dirt" and for being a center of peace. 

As you pass through Truchas, take the time to admire the dreamy views of Truchas Peak, New Mexico's second-highest peak. Lastly, you can learn about one of the country's oldest communities at the Picuris Pueblo Museum, which paints a picture of Native American culture in the area through traditional art and craft exhibits. 

North Cascades Highway, Washington

Despite few people exploring this route, it offers some of the most diverse landscapes in Washington State. It stretches along a 440-mile loop punctuated by mountain passes, coastal vistas, lakes, and waterfalls. The scenery is especially breathtaking in fall as the evergreen forest transforms into a wonderland of red maples, golden larches, and yellow huckleberries. A fair share of the byway runs through North Cascades National Park, a haven for countless outdoor opportunities. The Diablo Lake Overlook is a suitable entry into your itinerary and presents spell-binding panoramas of the lake's turquoise waters surrounded by high peaks. 

If you want to stretch your legs, you can pause at Gorge Creek Falls and walk down a short paved pathway from the highway to the dramatic cascade, which plunges almost 242 feet. Alternatively, the Happy Creek trailhead provides a 0.3-mile walkway past an ancient forest that culminates in the gorgeous Happy Creek Falls. 

Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

Affectionately known to the locals as "the Kanc," this brief scenic byway exposes drivers to the raw beauty of rural New England as it traverses the pristine wilderness of the White Mountains. While the road is wonderful in any season, there is something special about autumn when the foliage turns the scenery into a kaleidoscope of brilliant reds, browns, and yellows. The road runs around 35 miles east to west from Lincoln to Conway and promises opportunities to picnic, hike, and stake out local wildlife. 

One of the most sought-after stops along the route is Sabbaday Falls, accessible via a brief hike from the road. Dropping 45 feet into a narrow canyon, it ranks among the state's best waterfalls. Typical of a New England road trip, you will enjoy driving past the photogenic Albany Covered Bridge. This 1858 structure straddles 120 feet across the Swift River. Finally, spare a few minutes to immerse in the beauty of the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area, backed by whitewater rapids on the Swift River and the rich green of the White Mountain National Forest. 

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, South Dakota

This beautiful drive in the Black Hills of South Dakota is highlighted by several masterpieces of artistic engineering and one of America's most famous monuments. The 70-mile trip traverses a series of granite tunnels, sharp curves, and winding bridges with spectacular views. Some of the must-sees to anticipate comprise the Needles Highway, a fascinating stretch through spruce and pine forests, meadows, and towering granite mountains.

Also, the famous Custer State Park warrants a stop to admire South Dakota's rich wildlife ecosystem. This expansive sanctuary provides a habitat for legendary bison herds and views of pristine lakes and mountains. It also harbors activities like hiking, camping, swimming, and fishing. Meanwhile, the Iron Mountain Road presents front-seat views of the Black Hills and the iconic Mount Rushmore, making it the perfect place to pause and snap a few memorable photos. 

Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee And North Carolina

The Cherohala Skyway is a closely guarded secret among ardent road trippers, featuring 43 miles of stupefying views as far as the eye can perceive. It winds through 5,400-foot mountainous terrain in the thickly forested backcountry of North Carolina's Nantahala National Forest and Tennessee's Tennessee National Forest. The road holds a fair share of unobstructed overlooks with sweeping mountain vistas around the year, although fall is the best time to drive due to the fairytale foliage. 

One of the most favored vantage points on the route is Santeetlah Overlook. It is perched at the highest elevation on the byway and offers a bird's-eye perspective of the Santeetlah Creek watershed. Meanwhile, the Hooper Bald Hike invites you to stretch your legs during an easy trek, and the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest has a tranquil setting with some of the oldest trees in the region, perfect for a relaxing picnic. 

Final Thought

As the year begins, this is the perfect time to plan your trips in a quest to explore all the corners and crevices of the United States. While it is tempting to settle for the most talked about highways and famous byways, there is an entirely neglected world along these underrated American road trips that expose you to well-preserved histories and hidden natural gems. Whether traveling solo, with a spouse, or with friends, these fine routes should feature on your next road-tripping adventure.