ROAD TRIPPIN’: Check out these sites, roadways in North America

There may be no better way to get up close and personal with all the sites to see in North America than traveling via car or truck.

Road trips enable passengers to set their own pace and make multiple stops along the way to check out all North America has to offer.

Road trippers traversing North America may want to include these points of interest in their travel itineraries:

Niagara Falls

The famed Niagara Falls is a destination for both Canadian and American travelers. Nestled between the cities of Toronto and Buffalo, NY, Niagara Falls is a major attraction that draws millions of visitors each year. The Niagara region, in addition to having the falls themselves, is home to picturesque 19th century colonial architecture on the Canadian side and dozens of wineries on the Niagara Wine Trail.

Black Hills

The Black Hills in South Dakota can be viewed from the Badlands Scenic Highway. There are plenty of bison to see along the way, and additional stops can be made at Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave State Park or Custer State Park.

Grand Circle Road Trip

This is one of the most renowned national parks road trips in America. It takes place predominantly in Utah, but also crosses over into Arizona. Parks to hit up along the way include Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, and many more. For those with ample time, this road trip can stretch for two weeks. You also may want to veer into Nevada and check out the famed Las Vegas strip to finish out the fun.

Icefields Parkway

Icefields Parkway has been ranked as one of the best road trips in the world. It stretches through both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, boasting amazing scenery of mighty mountains, waterfalls and turquoise-colored lakes. Plan to park the car and hike to see some of the falls and other attractions.

Route 1

America’s Route 1, sometimes called Coastal Route 1, stretches along the East Coast of the country from Maine to Florida. There are scores of spots to visit along the way, including quaint New England fishing villages, historic cities like Princeton or Philadelphia, or beach locales in Miami. Travelers can decide just where to stop on this historic roadway.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited road controlled by the U.S. National Parks System. It starts at

Front Royal in Virginia and continues all the way through to North Carolina. Travelers can stop at Shenandoah or great Smoky Mountains national parks along the way and glimpse awe-inspiring mountain ranges.

Cowboy Trail

Highway 22, also known as the “Cowboy Trail,” is located just south of Calgary in Alberta and travels all the way down into the U.S. There’s lots of Western-inspired sights and stops, including Heritage Park, the Alberta Boot Company or Bar U Ranch.

Pacific Coast Highway

Visitors to California can drive the state’s longest highway along the dramatic Pacific coastline. It’s 653 miles long and passes through Malibu, Big Sur and Monterey, and even includes the famed Golden Gate Bridge.

Other noteworthy roadways

• Highway 12 (Utah): The unique landscapes of the American southwest are on display along Highway 12 in southern Utah. Along Highway 12, road trippers can motor their way through national parks while taking in breathtaking natural views and the region’s distinct slickrock.

• Lake Shore Drive (Chicago): Though this 15-mile stretch of road won’t make for a long journey, it’s definitely one to take in when visiting the Windy City. Drive along the shore of Lake Michigan, looking out one side of the vehicle to take in its sandy shores and the other to see the stunning Chicago skyline.

• Pacific Rim Highway (Vancouver): A truly engaging experiences awaits visitors to Vancouver’s Pacific Rim Highway, which features the stunning natural beauty Canada is known for. Ancient rainforests, awe-inspiring mountain ranges and sandy, secluded beaches are just a handful of the sights to see along this breathtaking stretch of road.

• Great River Road (United States): Drivers with plenty of time on their hands can traverse the Great River Road, which is a collection of state and local roads that follow the course of the Mississippi River. There’s plenty to take in on this stretch of scenic roadway that snakes its way through 10 states.

• Highway 60 Corridor (Ontario): The Highway 60 Corridor passes through the southern portion of Algonquin Park. Geological formations, pristine rivers and expansive forests are just some of the stunning natural features and idyllic settings that await drivers who take to the corridor.

• Highway 50 (Nevada): Though it might seem impossible in a nation with more than 330 million residents, there are still places in the United States where drivers can feel alone and isolated. Perhaps nowhere provides that feeling of solitude better than the stretch of Highway 50 in Nevada. Pony Express stations and other abandoned relics of a bygone era are just a few of the sights to see on this lonely stretch of highway that provides stunning views of the southwest’s signature expansive skies.

• Highland Scenic Highway (West Virginia): Drivers who take to the Western Scenic Highway in West Virginia will gain a greater appreciation for the late John Denver’s hit song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The Highland Scenic Highway snakes through the Monongahela National Forest, which boasts more than its share of breathtaking views. Road trippers should know that the U.S. Department of Agriculture strongly discourages traveling the road between November and April, as conditions can be especially treacherous in winter.

Millions of miles of highways with breathtaking views await road trippers throughout North America.

— Metro Editorial Services