If you've dreamed of embarking on a springtime road trip across the United States, a season brimming with vitality and new beginnings, yet find yourself uncertain of where to begin, fear not.
This guide to three captivating United States driving routes in spring is here to assist you. These routes not only promise breathtaking scenery but are also bound to be unforgettable experiences awaiting your exploration.
1. Trail Ridge Road, Colorado
The Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is the highest section of road in the country, peaking at 12,183 feet, making it a road to the sky. The road winds upward through evergreen coniferous forests, above the tree line for 11 miles.
The 77-mile-long Ridge Road runs east to west through Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, ending at Grand Lake at the park's west entrance. It is actually the Rocky Mountain Park section of Highway 34, named Trail Ridge Road because it runs along the Rocky Mountain ridge and is 18 miles above the timberline.
2. U.S. Route 89, Arizona
U.S. Route 89 (US 89) is one of America's most famous 'north-south scenic highways' and was even named one of National Geographic's 'must-drive' classic highways.
It begins northwest of the Vermont border with Quebec, Canada, and runs southeast to join Interstate 93 and New Hampshire State Route 3A south of Concord, New Hampshire.
Stretching across 191 miles (308 km), U.S. Route 89 meanders through the Rocky Mountains from south to north. Its path alternates between navigating the western flank of the range and traversing mountain passes on the eastern side.
3. State Route 1, California
State Route 1(Pacific Coast Highway) is regarded by several agencies as one of the top 10 most scenic highways in the country and one of the most beautiful driving routes in the world.
The highway runs from San Luis Obispo to Monterey and is a must-see when visiting California, as it is surrounded by mountains and ocean. California Route 1 runs from Mendocino County at the southern end of Sequoia National Park in the north to Laguna Beach in Orange County in the south, covering 655 miles (1,055 km).
However, it is usually seen by self-drivers as referring specifically to this stretch of approximately 460 miles (740 km) from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco in the north to Los Angeles in the south.
The Pacific Coast Highway is a beautiful example of the “marriage” of land and sea on earth. The vast Pacific coast is on one side, sometimes covered with mist and sometimes with waves hitting the rocks, while the towering Rocky Mountains are on the other side, with their straightforward walls and picturesque green fields.
It is simply breathtaking! Like a silver ribbon, it links countless sandy beaches, rocky beaches, coastal dunes, national parks, state parks, wildlife reserves, wineries, European towns, and much more.
These three US driving routes in spring offer stunning scenery that is worth experiencing for yourself. So, pack your bags and hit the road for an unforgettable journey.
