ratings

August 13, 2009

5 Great Drives

The urge to hit the highway in search of adventure and family memories is getting stronger by the day. Here are five scenic drives that'll satisfy family and hardcore road-tripper alike.

• Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia, North Carolina)

  Carving its way through the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic and family-friendly drives in the country, stretches some 469 miles from Virginia to North Carolina, linking Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains national parks. It offers hypnotic views, plenty of historic pit stops to stretch your legs (and let your kids run around), and best of all, lots of curvy, well-maintained asphalt that is just plain fun to drive.

• Highway 1: Sonoma-Mendocino Coast (California)

  This magnificent, 209-mile stretch of roadway borders the Pacific coast-a beautiful meeting of sea and land-from the Marin Peninsula just north of San Francisco to the historic community of Eureka in Humboldt County. It traverses steep, water-carved headlands, grassy terraces dotted with grazing cattle, and dense woodlands of redwood, oak, and pine. The drive is challenging enough to excite even the most mild-mannered motorist-and the twists, turns, and dropoffs will thrill even the kids.

• Million Dollar Highway (Colorado)

  Crossing part of the San Juan Skyway and following route US 550 between the old mining towns of Silverton and Ouray, the 75-mile Million Dollar Highway is a breathtaking journey through the majestic mountain passes of western Colorado. Highlights include Red Mountain Pass-a collapsed volcano whose lava flow contained gold in 1860-and plenty of hairpin turns.

• Red Rock Scenic Byway (Nevada)

  Possibly Mother Nature's best work, Sedona is located in the Northeastern corner of Nevada. It is well-known for massive, red-rock formations that seem to shift shape and color with every passing mile. While not as demanding a drive as some of the others, this 7.5-mile sliver of road is a dramatic break from the nearby Las Vegas strip, and an excellent introduction to the area. The drive, though short, could easily take you a full day, especially if you and your family stop to hike and explore.

• US Route 1: New England Section (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine)

  US Route 1 stretches more than 2,000 miles along the east coast from the tip of Florida to the Canadian border while traversing some of the oldest roads in the country. We recommend starting in Connecticut and driving all the way up to the coast of Maine, which will take you on a historic journey through New England, covering five states and encompassing a bevy of sights, coastal villages, state parks, and notable cities-to say nothing of the bounty of roadside ice cream stands you'll pass.