The American road trip is the stuff of bucket-list dreams and movie scenes – and for very good reason indeed. The country's highways hug Great Lakes, wind through National Forests, skim past sand beaches and make it impossible for drivers not to pull over and drink in the vistas. Every state has its own bounty of byways, so we've picked our favourite scenic road in each one. Buckle up for some beautiful views.

Slicing through the Little River Canyon National Preserve, this 23-mile (37km) road wiggles from Little River Falls towards Canyon Mouth Park, serving up head-turning views along the way. Eight overlooks stud the route, showcasing a canyon thick with forest and a series of waterfalls (the 45-foot/14m Little River Falls steals the show). Keep an eye out for Mushroom Rock, a hulking crag in the middle of the parkway.

The Last Frontier is renowned for remote highways striking through epic sweeps of wilderness – think dense spruce forests and peaks capped with snow. And the 368-mile (592km) Richardson Highway, which beats a path from Valdez to Fairbanks, stands out even among such stellar competition. Head-spinning views are aplenty, but the southern section near Valdez is our favourite. Keystone Canyon is peppered with lookout spots, and both Horsetail Falls and Bridal Veil Falls make stunning photo stops.

This is the stuff road-trip dreams are made of. The view of Monument Valley's rust-red bluffs is a famous one, and it's visible along US Highway 163 in Arizona's far north. The soaring buttes and mesas (belonging to the Navajo Nation Reservation) part ways for the road, which pushes north into Utah. There are plenty of turn-outs along the way, so drivers can park up and drink in the views.

Arkansas' rural bounty is showcased in this 80-mile (129km) mountain loop in the northwest of the state. The route ripples out from Alma, a teensy city on the edge of the Ozarks, and beats a bucolic path towards Fayetteville. The section covering the US-71 and skimming Lake Fort Smith State Park is the prettiest of all. Mountain views unfold generously along this portion of road, and the odd farm building or quaint cluster of houses break up the vivid expanse of green.

This one needs little introduction. California packs a punch when it comes to road trips, but the Big Sur section of the Pacific Coast Highway is the most dazzling of them all. The green-flecked Santa Lucia Mountains sweep down towards the Pacific, which is met by washes of golden sand. Expect to move slowly on this stretch of the highway, especially around Bixby Creek Bridge. This mighty arch is one of the Central Coast's shining stars.

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National Park roads are nearly always beautiful, but this route through the Rockies reaches new heights. Literally, as it's the highest continuous highway in the US, soaring to 12,183 feet (3,713m) at one point. It covers around 48 miles (77km) and all of it is gorgeous, with patches flying high above forest canopies and offering endless views of the tundra below. Look out for the resident wildlife, from bighorn sheep to scurrying marmots.

The most beautiful roads in Connecticut unfold along Long Island Sound and Route 156 is no exception. On this stretch of coastal road, drivers breeze through Rocky Neck State Park (pictured), with its sandy beach and waterbirds, and travel on to the little village of Niantic. Things get particularly pretty as the road sweeps behind Niantic's sandy beach and over the Niantic River, where boats bob on the water.

Covering around 27 miles (43km), the Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway wriggles out across the Red Clay Creek watershed area, revealing a bucolic slice of Delaware. Drivers can expect quiet roads hemmed in by old-growth forest and charming sights like the Ashland Covered Bridge and its gorgeous latticed interior. Auburn Valley State Park, with its old paper mill and Queen Anne mansion, is another highlight.

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Roads don't come much more breathtaking than this. The Overseas Highway does exactly what it says on the tin, gliding over the Gulf of Mexico's blue-green waters and joining up the Florida Keys with the mainland. All 113 miles (182km) offer pinch-me views, but the most jaw-dropping stretches are those with water as far as the eye can see, the chain of islands a distant memory. The part travelling over Seven Mile Bridge, which strikes out from Marathon, is particularly special. 

The Peach State's island-scattered coastline is sorely underrated, but those who take to Coastal Highway US 17 can get a taste for it. Pine trees and red cedars fringe the road, which slips past pretty cities like Brunswick and crosses the Altamaha River, the Butler River and more. Detours take drivers to Georgia's driftwood-scattered Golden Isles (of which Jekyll Island is a favourite), while the bold Sidney Lanier Bridge (pictured) is not to be missed.

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The Road to Hana is the Aloha State's most famous stretch of highway. It hugs the northeastern coast of Maui, whipping its way through lush forest, the Northern Pacific appearing in flashes beside it. The road really is the destination here – it's known for its weaves and wiggles, with the odd waterfall making itself known along the way. A highlight is Upper Waikani Falls (pictured), a cascade shrouded by greenery that can be seen at a turn-out or right from the road.

The lava-warped landscapes of Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve are out of this world – and a top way to see them is with a drive along the park's seven-mile (11km) Loop Road. Closed in wintertime, the road takes in the park's volcanic highlights, from spatter and cinder cones to rippling lava fields. It's possible to pull up and hit one of the rugged hiking trails too.

Roads hugging rivers are nearly always easy on the eye, and this Scenic Byway is greedy when it comes to gorgeous views of the water. It unfolds over around 33 miles (53km), mopping up Illinois Routes 3, 143 and 100, and witnessing the convergence of the fabled Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers. Quaint villages like Elsah – with a Historic District nosing up towards the Mississippi – are well worth a stop.

Indiana gobbles up the very southern tip of Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive, in Michigan City, showcases a good-looking slice of the shore. Drivers pass through leafy residential areas – think clapboard houses with neat little yards and breathtaking views – and the endless blue of the Great Lake unfolds just behind. There are plenty of laybys, some with well-placed benches, where drivers can pause to enjoy the view. The road eventually pushes north right into Michigan.

The Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway unfurls in a bucolic loop, passing through a slice of the Maquoketa River valley. This is farm country and the views centre around rolling hills, which drop into pastures studded with quaint buildings. The route traces the Maquoketa River, too, so you can park up and strike out on the water for a peaceful kayak.

As the name suggests, the star of this Scenic Byway is the natural limestone that's ubiquitous in the area. Drivers will see it everywhere over the 75 miles (121km), from rugged hillsides and stone fences to the homes that dot the valleys of Mission and Mill Creek. Lake Wabaunsee is one of the prettiest detours along the way.

This dreamy byway is Kentucky's Bluegrass region distilled. Taking over about 17 miles (27km), the rural route whizzes by many of the area's famous horse farms (there are so many the road is nicknamed "Thoroughbred Alley"), past rippling hills and yet more limestone formations. Drivers can park up for tours of the farms and make time to explore little towns like 19th-century Midway, known for its bourbon distilling heritage.

America's Great River Road is a mighty beast and the only real way to tackle it is in scenic sections. Louisiana boasts a beautiful chunk that runs from the city of Baton Rouge to New Orleans and encompasses about 70 miles (113km). This section of road has become known as Plantation Alley for the many graceful, pre-war mansions that line the waterway. Among them is Whitney Plantation (farm house pictured here), a sugarcane plantation whose modern focus is shining a spotlight on the lives of enslaved peoples.

You can't go far wrong with a drive along the Maine coast, but this route through Acadia National Park is something extra special. It spools out across Mount Desert Island's east, joining up the rugged shoreline with natural wonders like Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake, and offering views of green-crowned mountains. Best of all, there's no shortage of look-out points to stop and let the panoramas sink in.

Think of a road trip in the Old Line State and you'll likely imagine an oceanside cruise. But Maryland's mountain landscapes pack a punch too and the Mountain Maryland Scenic Byway is a great way to discover the peaks. In all, the road covers some 193 miles (311km) in western Maryland, yet its very beginnings – at Keysers Ridge, some 3,000 feet (914m) in elevation – are particularly scenic. Deep Creek Lake State Park is another jewel along the way, while a detour to soaring Backbone Mountain is well worth the trip.

One of America's oldest scenic roads, the Mohawk Trail – whipping out between North Adams and Greenfield – certainly has a timeless beauty. Known for its hairpin bends fringed by thick woodland, it's hugged by the Hoosac Range, and was originally a path used by indigenous Americans. Today drivers share the route with cyclists and even hikers, especially come autumn, when the leafy canopy is famously ablaze with colour.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of Michigan's glittering highlights and H-58 (Michigan County Highway) is a beautiful gateway to it. The road inches right up towards the shoreline, following the arc of the famed North Country Trail, and opening up to glorious overlooks with views of Lake Superior. A true head-turner is Twelvemile Beach, a (you guessed it) 12-mile-long (19km) sweep of golden sand that's backed by the road.

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The best of Minnesota's scenic drives revolve around water, and no route is more impressive than the North Shore Scenic Drive, which hugs the North Shore of Lake Superior. Sweeping up from Duluth towards the Canadian border, this route has it all: incredible lake views, lush forested stretches and cool cities like Grand Marais, with its historic art colony. Top photo opportunities include the Split Rock Lighthouse (pictured), perched right at the edge of a crag that plunges down into the lake.

Natchez Trace Parkway is a long road, covering more than 400 miles (644km+) and three states. But the section that wiggles through Mississippi is among the prettiest and most enticing. A haunting highlight is the ghost town of Rocky Springs, founded back in the 18th century, while Cypress Swamp (at milepost 122, near Canton) is a great spot to stretch the legs. A wooden boardwalk wiggles through the swamp area which is alive with bald cypress trees and alligators.

The beautiful Glade Top Trail is exactly what it sounds like: a road that hems narrow ridges and looks down upon open glades filled with wildflowers. It beats a 23-mile (37km) path that cuts through the Mark Twain National Forest and has a bounty of look-out spots for soaking in the views. A sunrise drive is particularly special.

Big Sky Country lends itself to beautiful drives, but the 50-mile (80km) Going-to-the-Sun road is the state's finest. It's found in Glacier National Park, whose mountains and meadows are picture perfect. The road brushes past the peaks, looking down into forest-clad valleys, and winding its way to crowning jewels like Jackson Glacier Overlook (with views of, you guessed it, Jackson Glacier). The loftiest vistas are at Logan Pass, which reaches heady heights of 6,646 feet (2,026m).

Picture a road trip through the Cornhusker State and you'll probably dream of something like the 385 Gold Rush Scenic Byway. Its 131 miles (211km) strike through flat, open plains, with farm buildings and the odd rugged butte studding the horizon. It was historically an important gold-trading route, but today the top stop is Carhenge, a replica of the English Neolithic monument built from vintage American cars.

Few roads get you as close to the southwest's famous red rocks as the 23-mile (37km) Valley of Fire Highway, which slices through its namesake state park. The whole route turns heads, but highlights along the way include Elephant Rock, so-named for its likeness to the giant mammal. There are camping spots just off the highway in case you fancy making a night of it too. 

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One of New England's most famous fall hot spots, the Kancamagus Scenic Byway stretches over some 35 miles (56km), snaking through the White Mountains along Route 112 and ultimately linking up the towns of Lincoln and Conway. Natural wonders glitter along the route, with trailheads leading to sights like Sabbaday Falls. But, ultimately, it's the road itself that steals the show, not least when its fringes are bright with crimson, auburn and yellow.

Routing through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Old Mine Road has a history stretching back some 250 years. The narrow, forest-edged roadway follows the path of the Delaware River and is named for the historic copper mines at Pahaquarry. Drivers should keep their cameras on hand for the Delaware View House, an abandoned 1837 Greek-Revival farmhouse that once served as an inn.

The New Mexico wilderness puts on an epic show along the High Road from Santa Fe to Taos. It's hard to keep your eyes on the road, when the breathtaking Jemez Mountains loom on the horizon, and when low desert and badlands ripple out either side. The scenery is reason enough to take the drive, but gorgeous places like Chimayó – a traditional Spanish village known for its weaving heritage – are extra reasons to hit the road.

One of the country's most underrated drives, the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway is a rippling ribbon of a road that winds alongside the Delaware River, on Route 97. It takes in a southern swathe of the Catskills and its lofty heights mean the views over the water are picture perfect. The most scenic section of all is the Hawk's Nest Highway, a cliffside spool of road with plunging river panoramas. 

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The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of America's most legendary and beautiful roads, spilling out from North Carolina into Virginia, and affording incredible vistas of the Appalachian Highlands. You'll not find an ugly portion of this road, which is 469 miles (755km) in all, but a favourite bit is the Linn Cove Viaduct at Milepost 304. This section of the parkway, at Grandfather Mountain, is pictured here in the early morning light.

This one's for wildlife lovers. The Scenic Loop takes drivers through an unparalleled pocket of the badlands in Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit. The otherworldly rockscapes along the 36 miles (58km) are a road-trip jewel in themselves, but glimpses of the park's residents – from wandering bison to prairie dogs – really make the journey.

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Hocking Hills is one of Ohio's most scenic regions, so it's only natural that a stunning Scenic Byway should make its way through it. The road – which starts off by following Route 374 and covers about 26 miles (42km) – offers up beautiful views at every turn and joins up a smorgasbord of the state's natural wonders. Among them is Rock House (pictured), an enchanting cave with undulating sandstone walls.

Oklahoma's Talimena Scenic Byway is all about gorgeous forest views, which come into their own (and into a blaze of russet and gold) in the autumn. It laces through the Ouachita National Forest, along the crown of Rich and Winding Stair Mountains, and plenty of pretty little towns and cities are pinpointed along the way. A popular stop is Wilburton, known for its rich mining history.

A name like Rim Drive can only mean one thing: heart-stopping views from a great height. Happily, Oregon's 33-mile (53km) Rim Drive delivers, as it skirts the edge of sapphire-hued Crater Lake, in the national park of the same name. The deepest lake in the United States looks marvellous from the road, which forms part of the longer Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.

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This leafy route in northern Pennsylvania is lovely at any time of day, but it's been dubbed the 'Highway to the Stars' for good reason. Route 44 takes on new life after dark with the inky skies above the road putting the Milky Way on full display. The road slices through Cherry Springs State Park (pictured), long celebrated for its glittering nights, and offers stunning views over Pine Creek Gorge too.

Those after a coastal slice of Rhode Island can't go wrong with a trip along Ocean Drive in Newport. The route may be relatively short (at 10 miles/16km) but it packs a punch, lined as it is with the spectacular mansions that the region is famous for, plus lighthouses and, of course, endless views over the Atlantic. A failsafe stop is Brenton Point State Park with its many coastal picnic spots and its wiggling hiking trails. 

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The Ashley River Road is exactly what you'd expect: a view-filled Lowcountry highway that unfolds alongside the Ashley River. Road-trippers will pass along 11 miles (18km) lined with ancient oak trees heavy with Spanish moss, and glimpse some of the state's famed plantation homes. Among them is Drayton Hall (pictured), an elegant 18th-century mansion whose house tours reveal the history of the wealthy colonial residents and the enslaved peoples who lived here.

There's no better place to see the incredible rock formations of South Dakota's Black Hills than on Needles Highway, along Highway 87. It spreads over 14 head-spinning miles (23km), throwing up clusters of granite spires and tunnels, and passing above Sylvan Lake. A unique sight is Needle's Eye, a striking rock formation with a narrow opening (just like the eye of a needle).

Those looking to get to the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains need look no further than Cades Cove Loop. This beautiful road forms a circle in the Smokies, pooling out for 11 miles (18km) and offering a route to historic buildings including old log homes and a mill. Those with a keen eye might spot wildlife including deer and even black bear too.

Another awesome national park route, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive puts the best of Texas' Big Bend on a silver platter. The 30-mile (48km) route cuts through the desert floor, with perfectly placed overlooks casting an eye over the rugged terrain. A worthy pitstop is the Sotol Vista Overlook, which looks out to the dramatic Santa Elena Canyon. History buffs will also appreciate Sam Nail Ranch, a ruined homestead and wildlife haven.

Utah truly punches above its weight when it comes to unforgettable roads, but Scenic Byway 12 is the cream of the crop. It carves its way through the rust-coloured rock formations the Beehive State is famous for, opening up for about 123 miles (198km), and offering views of the Henry Mountains and the canyons of Grand Staircase–Escalante. At the route's soaring summit, drivers will find themselves at an elevation of about 9,000 feet (2,743m).

Vermont's best-known byway is also its prettiest. A picture-perfect taste of the New England countryside, the road whips along the fringes of the Green Mountains, with 146 miles (235km) of gorgeous leafy views and quaint towns under its belt. It's a sure bet for winter sports lovers too: the many resorts along the way mean it's also known as The Skiers' Highway.

Skyline Drive is aptly named. It cuts high across the Blue Ridge Mountains, running the length of leafy Shenandoah National Park, and stirring up beautiful views over the forested peaks. It's one to be taken slowly, and those who do might even spot some of the resident wildlife, from black bears to wild turkeys.

Washington's wilderness makes for some stellar road trips, but the North Cascades Scenic Byway – a 140-mile (225km) byway that forms part of the Cascade Loop – is the most impressive of them all. The lushly forested peaks here are often branded the American Alps, and heady sections of road like the Washington Pass make it easy to see why. An overlook here means drivers can stop and truly appreciate those views.

This route through West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest breathes life into those 1971 John Denver lyrics: "Almost heaven, West Virginia". The 43-mile (69km) road strikes out from Richwood towards Marlinton and is hugged on both sides by spruce and fir trees. Among the named overlooks are Williams River and Little Laurel, each with breathtaking panoramas over hills carpeted in green. 

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This handsome route takes up 115 miles (185km) of southeast Wisconsin and is peppered with trees, trailheads and lake views. You'll not find a stretch of this road that isn't gorgeous, yet the section slicing through Long Lake Recreation Area is a particular crowd pleaser. Centred around sprawling Long Lake, the area has swimming beaches and a photogenic fishing pier.

The Great American West is true road-trip country and the Beartooth Highway really shows off the larger-than-life scenery the region is famous for. The road travels for 68 miles (109km), seeping across the border into Montana and right into Yellowstone National Park. Aside from the jagged mountains, forests and glacial lakes, wildlife like bears, elk and moose make this wild highway unforgettable.  

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