Many road-trippers make a beeline for famous highways like Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway. But beyond the big-hitters there are some truly stunning lesser-known roads just waiting to be explored. What’s more, you’re less likely to encounter lots of other travellers on these underrated routes, meaning you can savour the feeling of being alone on the open road. Intrigued? These are the best American road trips you’ve never heard of.

True to the name, there’s plenty of dramatic scenery to be found along this volcano-to-volcano road trip. Starting at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, you’ll journey 500 miles (805km) south into northern California, encountering geothermal geysers, waterfalls and (of course) volcanoes along the way. Be sure to drive the 33-mile (53km) rim road around the edge of Crater Lake (pictured), the caldera of Mount Mazama. With piercing blue waters, it's mesmerisingly beautiful and is also the country’s deepest lake.

The route traverses the southern section of the great Cascade Range, a chain of active volcanoes that stretch from the Canadian border to northern California. Reach the southern end and you'll be greeted by the stunning sight of the slopes of Mount Shasta, the tallest volcano in the state, and Lassen Volcanic National Park – all steaming fumaroles, wildflower meadows, clear mountain lakes and four different types of volcano.

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Scale canyons, admire ancient rock art, follow old trails of Indigenous peoples and early settlers and discover historic mining towns on this 145-mile (233km) loop in central Utah. Starting from the little town of Duchesne, southeast of Salt Lake City, this drive combines the Indian Canyon Scenic Byway with the remote Nine Mile Canyon Scenic Backway.

You’ll need to allow around three to four hours to drive along the unpaved 78-mile (126km) long Nine Mile Canyon Backway deep into the desert. Stop off along the way to see old coach stop Harper, now a ghost town, and to follow some of the old Native American trails into the wilderness to admire the area’s amazing and vast collection of petroglyphs and pictographs – the canyon is 40 miles (64km) long and lined with incredible art created by the Fremont people.

Hawaii’s most famous road trip is the Road to Hana on Maui, a winding 52-mile (84km) journey along the island’s northeast coastline through lush rainforest, over little bridges, past trickling waterfalls and around hairpin bends. But not many people venture along the road beyond Hana. Those that do will be rewarded with uncrowded seascapes and thrilling driving terrain.

As you head on past the town of Hana, the road hugs the rugged volcanic coastline, passing flowing waterfalls and plunge pools. At times it's narrow and bumpy and sometimes impassable in extreme weather, so be sure to check ahead. Must-sees on this remote route are the seven sacred pools at Ohe'o Gulch (although bear in mind these are currently closed for swimming) and a hike up the Pipiwai Trail to the 400-foot (122m) Waimoku Falls for spectacular views. As you drive past Kaupo, you’ll truly get an edge-of-the-world feeling.

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If you like artisan cheese then Vermont is the state to visit – its idyllic countryside is home to more than 45 artisanal cheesemakers. And one of the best ways to explore them is by following this 280-mile (450km) food odyssey from Plymouth Notch to Websterville. Be sure to leave room in your boot to stock up on produce along the way.

One of the most scenic and fascinating stops on the route is Shelburne Farms (pictured) on the shore of Lake Champlain. The 19th-century farmhouse is a National Historic Landmark and makes delicious and award-winning cheddar. Take a tour of the 1,400-acre property to work up an appetite for a meal at the inn. Continuing through more picturesque farmland, you’ll finish at Websterville, where a trip to Vermont Creamery to try their range of aged and goat’s cheeses isn’t to be missed. Check Vermont Cheese Trail’s interactive map to find out when cheesemakers are open. 

Forget about wildlife spotting, it's all about alien spotting on this weird and wonderful adventure along the Extraterrestrial Highway (AKA Highway 375) in southern Nevada. The 470-mile (756km) loop will take you into parts of the state that are steeped in mysterious sightings, including Rachel. Known as the UFO capital of the world, this former mining town with a population of 48 draws alien spotters and UFO enthusiasts from around the US and beyond hoping to see some extraterrestrial activity.

Starting in Las Vegas, strike a route to Hiko from where the ET highway stretches on into the stark Nevada desert. This lonely stretch of road earned its title thanks to hundreds of claims of UFO sightings and its proximity to mysterious former nuclear testing facility Area 51. There are numerous quirky roadside stops, including alien murals and the Big Alien – plus lunch at the Little A’Le’inn (pictured), a motel stuffed full of kitsch memorabilia in Rachel.

Set off from the southern shores of Lake Superior in Marquette and follow a roughly 150-mile (241km) route along the quiet roads around the lake to Whitefish Point. Twisting right along the shore at points, the views from the road are simply wonderful. Take your time and stop off at some of the historic lighthouses along the way or opt for a boat trip onto the lake. It’s also well worth kayaking around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a stunning stretch of sand dunes, pristine beaches and rocky cliffs.

While it might look ultra-idyllic on a sunny day, if you visit during stormy weather you'll get to see the colossal winds that have earned this part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula its name. The intriguing Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (pictured) and lighthouse in Whitefish Point will fill you in on the many shipwrecks that have happened – it’s thought that some 300 vessels have run aground on this treacherous stretch of the lake. 

Historic trading posts, ghost towns, riverside trails and bison-filled prairies are all in store on this circular 400-mile (644km) road trip through central Montana’s badlands and beyond. You’ll start from the pretty little riverside town of Fort Benton, a former buffalo-robe trading post from the 1850s. Before you get behind the wheel, go for a canoe along the river to get a sense of what the place must have been like during the first frontier days, when gold was discovered here and fortune seekers, outlaws and merchants flocked in.

As well as passing through typical western towns, you'll encounter some true wild west wildlife on this road trip – it’s well worth taking a guided tour of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation’s buffalo reserve to see wild bison. Then head into the badlands of the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge. With a landscape that's hardly changed since it was outlaw country, it's home to a large range of species including coyotes, bald eagles and elks.

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One route that’s not to be missed in the Golden State is this beguiling journey between Lee Vining and Lone Pine, which follows Highway 395 as it winds its ways through the Sierras. The 155-mile (250km) trip could be completed in a few hours, but you’ll want to leave at least a day or two to explore. Starting at the town of Lee Vining, which sits on the shores of Mono Lake, make sure you have a wander around this spellbinding lake and get a look at its mysterious limestone tufas before strapping in and hitting the road. 

Some of the gems you’ll encounter along the way include Devil’s Postpile National Monument, a striking rock formation composed of interlocking basalt pillars; McGee Creek, where you can hike trails surrounded by wildflowers; and the town of Bishop, which is popular for hiking and a range of outdoor activities. Lastly, finish up in Lone Pine, where the Museum of Western Film History is well worth a visit. Consider doing this trip in September or October, when roads are quieter and you’ll get to see the Sierras in a rich palette of autumnal hues.

The 300-mile (483km) drive between Anchorage and Valdez encompasses once-in-a-lifetime scenery without the crowds of America’s more popular routes. Starting at Anchorage, take the Glenn Highway out of town, passing alongside the tranquil Eklutna Lake, the Reindeer Farm in Palmer – allow an extra couple of hours to get out and see these gorgeous creatures up-close – and the hulking Chugach Mountains.

Next, you’ll reach Matanuska Glacier, where a stop to discover the stunning mass of ice is essential (but be sure to book a guided tour, as you cannot explore it alone). Stock up for gas at Glennallen, as it may be your last stop for a while. Then join the Glenn Highway, where more picture-perfect mountains, dramatic waterfalls and glaciers (such as Worthington, pictured) are in store before you reach your final destination of Valdez.

An ideal journey for art fans or anyone travelling with kids, this 32-mile (51km) road trip from Gladstone to Regent in North Dakota can easily be completed in a day, with a few stops along the way. What it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in excitement: you don’t know what giant creation you’ll come across next as you drive along the route, which is dotted with a collection of mighty scrap metal sculptures made by local sculptor Gary Greff. First up is Geese in Flight (pictured).

There are giant grasshoppers, pheasants on a prairie and the Teddy Roosevelt Rides Again sculpture (pictured), created in memory of the former president. What’s more, each sculpture has parking and picnic tables so you can admire them at your leisure. Want to see more of the state? Join up with the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (Highway 85) to venture into the rugged badlands of western North Dakota, through traditional cowtowns such as Medora and on to the Great Plains, one-time realm of hunters, trappers and pioneers.

The Pacific Coast Highway is the quintessential California road trip, but head north along the shoreline to enjoy beguiling scenery and lesser-visited roads. This 240-mile (386km) trip from Mendocino to Redwoods National Park takes you along Highway 101, winding alongside rugged coastline and through towering redwood forests as you go. Although this drive could be completed in a day, you’ll want to leave at least two or three to make time for all the spectacular sights on the way.

Be sure to stop at Fort Bragg, making time for a stroll on Glass Beach to check out the seaglass it’s known for before heading into its lively downtown for a bite to eat. We also highly recommend getting out of the car at Redwoods National Park to admire the tranquil forest, stopping at Eureka to enjoy the restored Victorian Old Town (pictured) and taking a scenic detour to drive through the Avenue of the Giants.

For a fascinating journey through New Mexico’s Indigenous and colonial past, take the 105-mile (170km) High Road to Taos. Your journey begins at Ranchos de Taos, where it’s worth taking a moment to admire the 18th-century San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church and wander through the town’s galleries and shops. Heading westwards towards Peñasco, you’ll drive through around 30 miles (48km) of ultra-scenic Carson National Forest before reaching Las Trampas.

There are plenty more historic churches to explore along the rest of the route, including the 225-year-old San Jose de Gracia in Las Trampas, San Antonio de Padua in the wood carving village of Cordova and San Miguel Chapel (the oldest chapel in the US, pictured) in Santa Fe. As you finish your drive at this storied city, be sure to check out some of its world-class galleries and museums before heading home.

The I-95 is one of America’s oldest highways and stretches right along the eastern coast, from Maine to Florida. Yet one of its prettiest – and least-explored – stretches is the short section between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Camden, Maine. It’s also an ideal road trip to do in a day, with just three hours’ driving time. Kicking things off at Portsmouth (pictured), leave plenty of time to check out the quaint historic houses at the Strawbery Banke Museum before hopping in the car and heading north. 

The road meanders past idyllic fishing ports, beaches and dainty towns before reaching Portland, Maine (pictured). Aside from being stunning to look at, this coastal city is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat: French bakeries, fish and seafood markets, craft breweries and fine dining can all be found here. Hop back in the car and enjoy bucket loads of gorgeous coastal vistas as the road winds up towards Camden, your final destination.

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If you’re after a slow and scenic way to experience the beauty of the south, look no further than this stunning route through Georgia’s Low Country. The Coastal Highway US 17 stretches for 1,200 miles (1,932km) from Winchester, Virginia to Jacksonville, Florida, passing alongside tidal marshes, rivers, estuaries and the Atlantic Ocean along the way. There's plenty of history to sink your teeth into, especially in Savannah's historic centre and the charming country towns you'll putter past such as New Bern, Little Washington and Mount Pleasant. 

Stop off at The Plains, Virginia and wander its historic streets before journeying on through horse country – make the most of it by booking a horse riding lesson or watching a polo match at The Great Meadow Equestrian Center. Next, head onto the port of Brunswick, which is the hub of Georgia’s shrimp industry and home to incredible seafood that’s not to be missed. Finally, wend your way down to Jekyll Island, the state's southernmost barrier isle which can be accessed via the Sidney Lanier Bridge (pictured). It’s a thoroughly dreamy place to end this trip, with its wide-open beaches and unspoiled marshes thronging with seabirds. 

At just 30 miles (48km), this stunning drive through western Texas packs plenty of scenery into a short stretch of road. Starting at Maverick Drive, you’ll skirt along the western slopes of the Chisos mountains, with the road reaching up to 20% gradient as you climb to the Sotol Vista overlook. Stop here and take in the awe-inspiring vistas before shimmying alongside the Rio Grande until you reach the Santa Elena Canyon trailhead.

To make this trip a little longer, take the 14-mile (23km) Old Maverick Road back to Highway 118. Fair warning though: this maintained dirt road isn’t suitable for RVs or low-clearance cars, plus it can become dangerous in wet weather so check ahead. If you do venture down the bumpy track, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across Brewster County with the Chisos Mountains looming in the distance.

Want more road trip inspiration? Discover the best route in every state