There’s something magical about hitting the open road with your family, windows down, music playing, and endless possibilities ahead. Your kids arguing over snacks in the backseat. Your spouse navigating while you debate whether that last exit was the right one. The United States offers incredible diversity in landscapes, cultures, and experiences, making it perfect for those beautifully chaotic family adventures that somehow become the stories you treasure most.

Scenic Byway 12, Utah

Utah’s Highway 12 winds through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes you’ll find anywhere, guaranteed to make your “this is boring” complaints disappear instantly. Your route will take you past red rock canyons that look like Mars, through dense forests where you might spot deer, and across high desert plateaus that stretch to infinity. Visit Bryce Canyon National Park where your kids will insist the rock formations look like everything from castles to ice cream cones, and explore Capitol Reef where they can pick fruit in pioneer orchards. Looking for a new car before the trip? Check in at generous auto in Sandy!

Pacific Coast Highway, California

You’ll fall in love with this iconic coastal drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles, even when your teenager complains about being carsick on the winding curves. The Pacific Coast Highway offers stunning ocean views, charming seaside towns, and plenty of stops for the whole family to stretch their legs. Your little ones will squeal with delight watching elephant seals at Hearst Castle, while older kids can explore tide pools in Monterey. End your day at Santa Monica Pier where everyone can agree that cotton candy makes everything better. T

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina

This scenic mountain route stretches 469 miles through the Appalachian Highlands, giving you plenty of time to play twenty questions and spot license plates from different states. You’ll discover cascading waterfalls perfect for Instagram photos, hiking trails where your toddler can practice walking, and breathtaking vistas that will actually get everyone to look up from their devices. 

Route 66, Chicago to Santa Monica

The mother of all American road trips still captures imaginations today, even in our digital age. Your family will experience classic Americana as you drive through eight states, and yes, you’ll probably hear “Route 66” by Nat King Cole at least fifty times.Make sure to visit Cadillac Ranch in Texas where your kids can spray paint the famous cars, explore the Grand Canyon where everyone forgets to complain about the heat, and stay in classic motels that define the Route 66 experience.

Great River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana

Following the mighty Mississippi River for over 2,300 miles gives you plenty of opportunities to explain why rivers were America’s first highways. You’ll travel through 10 states, experiencing everything from the peaceful headwaters in Minnesota to the jazz-filled streets of New Orleans. Your kids will love learning about riverboats, especially when they can actually ride one, and exploring Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. 

Florida Keys Scenic Highway

This 113-mile journey from Miami to Key West feels like driving across the ocean, which is both thrilling and slightly terrifying when you’re responsible for car seats and snacks. Your family will cross 42 bridges, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge where someone will inevitably ask if you can see Cuba. Stop at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for snorkeling adventures, visit the underwater Christ of the Abyss statue, and end your journey watching the sunset from Mallory Square in Key West. 

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

Glacier National Park’s crown jewel road offers some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in North America, assuming it’s not covered in clouds when you visit. This 50-mile route takes you through alpine meadows where your kids can pick wildflowers, past pristine lakes perfect for skipping stones, and over the Continental Divide where you can stand in two watersheds at once. Keep your camera ready for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and maybe even grizzly bears.

The Loneliest Road, Nevada

Highway 50 across Nevada might be called “The Loneliest Road in America,” but it’s perfect for families who want to disconnect and actually talk to each other. You’ll experience vast desert landscapes that make you feel tiny, historic mining towns with fascinating stories, and some of the darkest night skies you’ve ever seen. Stop in Ely to ride the Nevada Northern Railway – your train-obsessed kid will be in heaven – and explore ghost towns that’ll have everyone imagining life in the Old West.

Each of these routes offers unique experiences that will bring your family closer together, create inside jokes that last decades, and give you stories to embarrass your kids with when they’re older.