For when you want to take the scenic route and not be in bumper-to-bumper traffic with everyone who had the same idea, check out some of these off-the-grid routes.
Pack up the car, strap in the kids and head out on the road less traveled on your next family road trip. According to America’s Quietest Routes, these top five highways and byways should be on your list.
Although a bit out of the way of your average road trip, the Dalton Highway in Alaska on State Route 11 is the ultimate nature-sighting ride with more than 400 miles of road lined with robust natural beauty. Take a tour and view the Arctic Ocean or head out on your own, viewing everything from wildlife, lush forests and seemingly untouched lakes from Fairbanks to Deadhorse, Alaska. Just be sure to fill up the car with everything you might need, as this destination is remote and there is about 240 miles between service stations.
Begin at the Nevada state line and travel along US Route 50 in Utah for more than 300 miles of geological wonders and pristine deserts. Take the scenic route through Canyonlands National Park and observe Arches National Park. Step out and stretch your legs, or continue on to Great Salt Lake Desert before ending at the Colorado state line.
© John Anderson | Dreamstime.com
Plan something toward the end of summer in time for peak fall foliage season along US Route 201 in Maine. Known as Old Canada Road, travel 150 miles from Cumberland County to the Canadian Boarder with fall leaves, tree-lined roads and The Forks rolling by.
A list of scenic tours wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Arizona. Get out on the open road of US Route 160 through Arizona with incredible red rocks, sandstone and rock formations accenting your trip. Begin at Tuba City and end at the New Mexico state border with stops including Navajo National Monument and an ancient Pueblo cliff village.
Next on America’s Quietest Routes list is State Route 139 from Susanville, Calif., to the Oregon state line. Drive along 140 miles around Eagle Lake, through Modoc National Forest and Lava Beds National Monument. Take in the mix of scenery from the car, or hop out for a memorable hike through some of the lush, rugged and varying terrain.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
May 2, 20245 Montana National Park Vacations to Experience This Summer
Home to some of the country’s most beautiful national parks, Montana beckons family travelers this summer with some thrilling and fun adventures and experiences. Whether it’s taking an RV to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park or embarking on adventures in Big Sky, here’s five national park vacations to consider in Montana this summer.
Sponsored Content
United Continues Its Global Expansion
United Airlines keeps soaring to new heights, recently announcing another expansion of its leading global route network. The airline added new non-stop flights between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK), Morocco; Tokyo (NRT) and Cebu (CEB), Philippines; and Houston (IAH) and Medellin (MDE), Colombia. That’s not all: United also plans to increase flights to popular worldwide destinations including Hong Kong (HKG); Seoul (INC), South Korea; and Porto (OPO), Portugal. Following the recent agreement to increase flights between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the airline now adds four weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG).
Slideshow
May 2, 20246 European Castles for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through these European castles with us.
Destinations
May 2, 20245 Beachfront Resorts for Summer Vacation
Plan summer family travel to one of these beachfront resorts around the world.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Destinations / North America
May 1, 2024Music Jams Await the Whole Family in Cajun Country, Louisiana
It’s always time for music in Louisiana’s Cajun Country and, in May, the place to be for family travelers is St. Landry’s Parish. Celebrate Mothers’ Day in Opelousas at Tucka James Music Fest, May 10–11, where 16 artists perform over two days. Friday is Country Takeover and Saturday stars the King of Swing, Tucka James.
ShareThis