Finding Your Perfect Route: Exploring America’s Scenic Byways
The beauty of an RV trip is that the “best” route is entirely up to you. Do you crave the salty air of the ocean, the cool embrace of the mountains, or the nostalgic pull of small-town America? To get your imagination firing, here are five classic and beloved routes that offer a little something for every kind of traveler. Each one is more than just a road—it’s a curated experience.
1. The Blue Ridge Parkway: Appalachian Majesty
Best for: Mountain lovers, photographers, and fans of traditional music and crafts.
Often called “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile scenic masterpiece that meanders through the Appalachian Highlands of Virginia and North Carolina. What makes it perfect for the RV lifestyle is its deliberate, unhurried pace. The speed limit is a gentle 45 mph, and there are no commercial vehicles or billboards to spoil the view. It’s a road designed purely for pleasure.
You can start your journey at the northern end in Shenandoah National Park and wind your way south to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Along the way, you’ll find hundreds of scenic overlooks, each offering a new, breathtaking vista of misty blue mountains rolling into the horizon. The parkway is a haven for senior camping, with numerous well-maintained campgrounds like Mount Pisgah or Big Meadows that can accommodate various RV sizes. Be sure to book these spots well in advance, especially during the stunning autumn color season.
The journey is also a cultural one. Stop in towns like Asheville, North Carolina, a vibrant hub of art, breweries, and fantastic food. Visit the Folk Art Center to see traditional Appalachian crafts or pull over at the Mabry Mill in Virginia, a picturesque gristmill and living history museum. The region’s rich musical heritage is always nearby, and you might just stumble upon an impromptu bluegrass jam session at a local general store.
2. The Pacific Coast Highway: A West Coast Spectacle
Best for: Ocean admirers, redwood forest explorers, and lovers of dramatic scenery.
California’s State Route 1, the legendary Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), is one of the most iconic cross-country trips—or at least, coast-hugging trips—you can take. This drive is a feast for the senses, with the powerful Pacific Ocean on one side and the rugged California coastline on the other. While some stretches, particularly through Big Sur, can be narrow and winding, they are manageable with careful driving and a properly sized RV.
A popular route is to travel from south to north, starting near Los Angeles and heading up toward San Francisco and beyond. This puts you on the inland side of the road, which can feel a bit more secure on those cliff-hugging turns. You’ll pass through charming beach towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea, witness the incredible Bixby Bridge, and see colonies of elephant seals lounging near San Simeon. North of San Francisco, the landscape transforms as you enter the territory of the giant redwoods. Driving your home-on-wheels through the Avenue of the Giants is a humbling and unforgettable experience.
Campgrounds along the PCH are in high demand, so planning is crucial. State beach campgrounds like Leo Carrillo State Park or Kirk Creek Campground offer million-dollar views for a modest fee. This is a journey of epic scale, a true bucket-list adventure that proves retirement is anything but retiring.
3. The Great River Road: America’s Heartland
Best for: History buffs, culture seekers, and those wanting a flatter, more relaxed drive.
For a journey through the very soul of America, look no further than the Great River Road. This collection of state and local roads follows the course of the mighty Mississippi River for nearly 3,000 miles, from its humble headwaters in Minnesota all the way to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. It’s a less dramatic but deeply fascinating alternative to the coastal routes.
The route is divided into a series of legs, allowing you to tackle as much or as little as you like. You’ll travel through 10 states, each with its own unique flavor. Explore the birthplace of Mark Twain in Hannibal, Missouri. Listen to the birth of the blues in the Mississippi Delta. Savor the Cajun and Creole flavors of New Orleans. The drive itself is generally flat and easy, with plenty of riverfront towns and cities offering excellent RV parks and campgrounds. You’ll pass rolling farmland, quaint historic villages, and major metropolises. It’s a wonderful way to see the diversity of American life, history, and culture unfold at a leisurely pace.
4. Route 66: The Mother Road of Nostalgia
Best for: Nostalgia seekers, lovers of Americana, and anyone with a playful spirit.
Get your kicks on Route 66! While the original highway was decommissioned decades ago, the spirit of the Mother Road is alive and well. A dedicated community has preserved long stretches of the original road, along with its quirky motels, classic diners, and whimsical roadside attractions. This isn’t a trip about getting from Point A to Point B quickly; it’s about savoring the journey and stepping back in time.
Starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, California, this ultimate cross-country trip takes you through the heart of the country. You can see the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and marvel at the kitschy charm of the Cadillac Ranch in Texas. The route is well-supported by modern RV parks, many of which embrace the retro theme. It’s a fun, lighthearted adventure that connects you with a bygone era of American road-tripping and reminds us that sometimes, the destination is the road itself.
5. The Loneliest Road in America: Desert Solitude and Stargazing
Best for: Adventurous spirits, stargazers, and those seeking peace and quiet.
If your idea of a perfect trip involves wide-open spaces and profound tranquility, then U.S. Route 50 across Nevada might be for you. Dubbed “The Loneliest Road in America” by Life magazine in 1986, this route offers a different kind of beauty. It’s a journey through the vast, high-desert basins and ranges of the Great Basin, where the sky feels immense and the silence is soul-stirring.
The drive takes you through historic mining towns like Ely and Austin. The real star of the show, however, is Great Basin National Park, one of the least-visited national parks in the country. Here, you can tour the Lehman Caves, see ancient bristlecone pines (the oldest living things on Earth), and experience some of the darkest night skies in the continental U.S. The stargazing is simply spectacular. This route is perfect for boondocking (camping off-grid), but there are also plenty of state park and private campgrounds. It’s a meditative journey that offers a unique sense of accomplishment and a deep connection to the natural world.
