The Coolest Road Trips To Take This Summer

Drivers are enjoying the recent drop in the cost of oil which has led to the cheapest gas prices at the start of summer in 12 years. Now is the time to go on a classic road trip across the country. Get out of town and head on an epic drive.

This unique road trip is strictly for old enough admirers and anyone who would like to know more about this unique American beverage. Explore the bourbon capital of the world – Kentucky. You can make this trip, a perfect guy's getaway, as long as possible, depending on how many distilleries you visit. You will get an idea of the scientific process behind making this native to America spirit while also enjoying the stunning setting in the Bluegrass State. There are plenty of other bourbon experiences in Louisville, Lawrenceburg, Bardstown or Clermont. Some even offer classes on how to make your own bourbon.

You will have lots of fun along this 480-mile National Scenic Byway passing through Colorado and Utah. It can take about 10 hours or 10 days, depending on where you stop to enjoy the breathtaking views. The Dinosaur Diamond runs through the best land in the world to learn about dinosaurs, according to the Federal Highway Administration. You will see numerous sites, available to the public, where bones and tracks are still visible in the ground. The many museums along the road add to the opportunities to see and learn about the extinct creatures.

The Cascade Loop is a 400-mile driving tour through the Cascades. Make sure you take your time along the 127-mile North Cascades Highway, the northernmost route across the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington. The picturesque road offers drivers and passengers a wide display of gorgeous panoramas. Enjoy long days full of sunshine, fresh air and cool waters. Explore the forest canopies and hike amongst waterfalls and alpine lakes.

This one is for music lovers. U. S. Highway 61 is famously known as the "blues highway" and it ranks up there with Route 66 as one of the most iconic roads in American music lore. Dozens of blues artists have recorded songs about Highway 61. The original route, now called Old Highway 61, was just west of here, according to Mississippi Blues Trail.

This road trip has it all – stunning beaches, cool and soaring hilltops, lava flows, and lush forests. Driving around the Big Island is perhaps the best way to see it and experience everything it has to offer. Don't miss to stop by Kealakekua Bay for a quick snorkeling adventure. The isolated bay is an unspoiled marine sanctuary filled with colorful marine life and coral where you can see, among other fish, whales and dolphins.

This is a laid-back drive to back in time. The 160-mile Amish Country Byway boasts views of natural panoramas along twisting curves and rolling hills. Drive there for some fine Amish cooking, as well as historic sites featuring the history of Amish and German people. See the lifestyle of a place and people who defy modern conveniences from up close while enjoying the simple pleasures of farm life and country living.

The 469-mile road runs along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you want to see some of the world's most diverse displays on flora and fauna, this is where you go. Beginning at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and ending in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, there is no shortage of natural beauty here. Scenic stops, palatial parks, cozy campsites, and other roadside entertainment provide plenty of excuses for picturesque pit stops along the way. For the best photos of the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, go to Grandfather Mountain.

The drive is not very long – just about 40 miles. But every minute spent on it is worth it. Along the way you'll get to see, explore and marvel breathtaking beaches, green foliage, hiking trails, incredible swimming holes, islands, ponds, lakes and rivers, mountain and ocean views, and wildlife. The byway follows Route 3 into Bar Harbor, and then follows the park loop road thereafter, according to Explore Maine.

Nevada State Highway 375, officially renamed Extraterrestrial Highway in 1996 for the many UFO sightings along this lonely stretch of road, stretches for 98 miles from US-93 in the southeast to US-6 in the northwest. This is definitely an off the beaten path road trip. The highway crosses three large high desert valleys in south central Nevada. You'll see just a few ranches along the way, but you'll be very close to the mysterious Area 51, a super-secret Air Force test facility. People have reported seeing many unidentified and strange objects, especially at night, near the base.

This is a must-take road trip if you want to visit national parks – Zion, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef. You'll get to see six of them along this epic 862-mile adventure through the best canyons in the Southwest. Skip the South Rim and drive straight to the less crowded North Rim. Consider camping along the way for an incredible night under the stars.

Seafood lovers, this trip is for you. Drive from town to town and indulge in some of the best fish you will ever taste. Enjoy the time between meals and surf, kayak, snorkel or just relax on the beach. It may be a good idea to plan to stay in New Orleans for a few days. As the Cajun French say, "Laissez les bons temps rouler"—let the good times roll. There is a lot more to do than drinking and eating. Also, be sure you don't make these common tourist mistakes.

This trip has to be on every American bucket list. Traveling with a car along the legendary 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica is one of the craziest adventures you can do. The historic Route 66 has been featured in just about everything – TV, music, movies. Many places still keep the original two-lane highway. Stop by Pontiac and visit the Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum. Along the way you'll also find stunning panoramas, charming towns, rocky cliffs, and beautiful deserts and parks. Don't forget to visit the Meteor Crater in Arizona, which is 50,000 years old.

One of the most beautiful drives in the U.S., during every season, the coast-hugging Pacific Coast Highway is a treat for all travelers. Drivers can begin the 655.8-mile journey from the north or south. Many opt to start in San Diego and work their way up the state's longest route, stopping along the way at star-studded Los Angeles, laid-back Santa Barbara and the surrounding wine country, and charming Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz before completing the journey in San Francisco.

Escape through some of The Kenai's most spectacular towns. The area is known as "Alaska's Playground." It is much easier to drive around in the summer, even though most roads are open year-round. This road trip is most suitable for people who love activities that need water – fishing, kayaking, rafting, etc. But everyone else will also have plenty of fun. Go horseback riding or hiking and witness stunning panoramas.

You'll pass the cottonwood-dotted valley of Ojo Caliente and its pueblo communities. Stop by the Taos Pueblo compound, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the country. The 56 miles between Santa Fe and Taos offer a charming view but twisted road through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Take a ride for a couple of hours and drive into the beauty of the high desert. This road is a gorgeous way to experience the state and visit a lot of historical places along the way.