The Most Beautiful Spring Drives In The U.S.

Discover the beauty of Maine on this 40 mile road complete with beautiful ocean and mountain views. Stop along the way for a hike, visit spectacular swimming holes, climb to the top of lighthouses, and even catch some wildlife viewing. The travel time is roughly 3 hours long.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is a 25-mile-long parkway located in Virginia and is maintained by the National Park Service. Look out for bald eagles, deer and wild turkeys during the drive. There's also no better time to check this one out, as the trees are beautiful and the flowers are blossoming in the spring.

Interested in taking a road trip this spring? Highway 1 in California is one of the world's most celebrated routes. Start in San Diego, where you will travel through beach towns, experience the excitement of Los Angeles, make your way through Santa Barbara and several other cities before ending up in San Francisco (visitcalifornia.com). The road is chock full of attractions, including the San Diego Zoo, Huntington Beach, downtown LA, and Santa Ynez Wine Country.

The best time to drive the Columbia River Highway is spring through fall. The drive will take about 3-5 hours. Bring your camera because along the way you will reach various viewpoints such as the Portland Women's Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, Vista house at Crown Point and Rowena Crest Viewpoint.

According to The Travel Channel, "Lake Shore Drive in Chicago is the prettiest extended stretch of urban parkway in America. It's bordered for most of its 15-plus miles by green space, beaches, and Lake Michigan on the east and by a mix of parkland, skyscrapers, and luxury apartments on the west." Make some stops along the way and check out Lincoln Park, the Lakefront Trail, and the beautiful beaches.

"The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park and is the only public road through the park (National Park Service)." Take a leisurely ride through some of the most stunning views in Virginia at 35 mph. Look out for wildflowers and incredible wildlife, including black bears and wild turkey.

The San Juan Skyway is located in southwest Colorado and is approximately 236 miles long. It was designated as a National Forest Scenic Byway in 1988 and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation designated it as an All-American Road in 1996. Along the way, stop at Mesa Verde National Park and view the spectacular scenery in the San Juan National Forest.

Travel through tropical rainforests on this 64.4-mile route through Hawaii. Take pictures of the beautiful scenery as you drive over steel bridges. Don't forget to see the stunning waterfalls, spend some time at the beach, and stop off at various attractions along the way.

There are many scenic roads in Yosemite National Park but the most notable is Tioga Road. "This drive travels from Yosemite National Park's South Entrance, through Yosemite Valley, over Tioga Pass — California's highest drivable pass — ending at the salt water Mono Lake, surrounded by tufa towers and mountain peaks (myscenicdrives.com)." Stop and take a walk through Mariposa Grove and go on a hike to Taft Point for some incredible views of mountains and waterfalls. 

If you are a nature lover, this is the perfect drive for you. Merritt Parkway is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is best known for its beautiful scenery. Drive over bridges, view stunning landscapes, and admire the nature surrounding you.

Although the majority of Hawaii is scenic, the Hawaii Belt road will really give you an appreciation for their landscape. The road consists of Hawaii State Routes 11, 19 and 190. Along your trip, you will encounter beaches, jungles, and mountains. Tip: Separate your drive into several days for extra time to explore.

Also known as "the Highway that Goes to Sea," the Overseas Highway gives you the opportunity to explore the beauty of the Florida Keys. Open your windows as you drive over 42 overseas bridges and cross over coral and limestone islets. Also admire the clear waters, palm trees and beautiful landscapes.

Drive through Glacier National Park and explore the incredible forests, tall mountains, and beautiful valleys on the Going-to-the-sun road. Make sure you stop at Logan Pass — and don't forget your camera.

For some of the most breathtaking scenery in Alaska, drive along the Seward Highway. Capture incredible ocean views, waterfalls, and glaciers. Spend some time exploring Chugach State Park, take a look down at Bird Creek, and stop in Girdwood to admire the wildflowers. Also, don't forget to pull over for a photo op at the famous Canyon Creek.

Patchwork Parkway is 55 miles long and has approximately 25 stops along the route. Explore Parowan Heritage Park, visit the Parowan Old Rock Church Museum and take photos at the Twisted Forest. You can also see the North Overlook of Cedar Breaks National Monument, hike the Alpine Pont Trail, enjoy the view at Panguitch Lake, and make sure you visit Zion National Park.