31 Scenic Drives Retirees Say Are Better When You Stop Often

31. Badlands Loop Road, South Dakota

You can do the Badlands Loop Road in a day without any rush, but it does not come across as a small undertaking. The pull-offs here are well worth using for the jagged buttes, pale ridges and the way the prairie views present themselves.

It is a fine drive for a retiree since the drama is right up against the pavement; no need for a long hike to see it. An early start or a late afternoon run is more pleasant when the summer heat is on.

30. Red Rock Scenic Byway, Arizona

The Red Rock Scenic Byway is but a sliver of Arizona, yet it gives you your money’s worth in visuals. The red cliffs put in a quick appearance and the road seems made for those who want some scenery before lunch.

Make of it what you will, but we would suggest spacing out the stops rather than using it as a shortcut to Sedona. A leisurely pass allows for coffee and a few photographs while the crowds are still thin.

29. Colonial Parkway, Virginia

For those with an eye for history as well as the view, the Colonial Parkway is hard to beat. It ties Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown together in a manner that feels like a calm thread running through three distinct chapters.

Do not expect the kind of thrill you get on a mountain road. The broad river vistas and historic sites let you put in a full day of driving without being left exhausted by it.

28. Door County Coastal Byway, Wisconsin

In Door County the pauses are as much a part of the experience as the shoreline. You will find yourself making easy decisions about lighthouse detours, orchards and fish boils.

We would not recommend a hard push around the peninsula. Be open to stopping in a village if it looks the part, particularly if a slow lunch by the lake is preferable to a packed schedule.

27. M-22, Michigan

M-22 is a good choice for travelers who want beauty but not the white-knuckle variety. It makes its way around one of Michigan’s lovelest lake and dune country.

Allow for some time in the little towns and at Sleeping Bear Dunes. An impromptu stop at a bakery can be as memorable as any of the designated overlooks on this sort of road.

26. A1A Scenic And Historic Coastal Byway, Florida

A1A is the place to be for a bit of ocean air while staying on the mainland. With its old Florida architecture and beach access, it is a straightforward coastal route that does not call for any complicated planning.

It is a good complement to a more unhurried trip down here, especially for comparing beach towns and steering clear of the overhyped ones. Think of it as a series of stops, not a commute.

25. Lake Tahoe East Shore Drive, Nevada

On the east shore of Lake Tahoe you will have your mountains and clear rock coves and plenty of water to look at, all without having to put in the miles.

You will not be kept waiting for the views here, a welcome feature for those who like to keep their driving days on the short side. It comes down to timing. Make an early start and steer clear of the worst parking hours.

Put in some time at the lake stops as if they are the main event; there is no need to putter around trying to see it all in a single rush.

24. Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon

There is an old-road charm to the Historic Columbia River Highway that seems put together for people who appreciate it. With its stone walls, turnoffs for waterfalls and gorge vistas, it has a more intimate quality than your typical modern thoroughfare.

The scenery is never the problem, but parking can be. A leisurely plan on a weekday is the way to go for some peace and quiet, particularly at the well-known waterfall pull-offs.

23. Newfound Gap Road, Tennessee And North Carolina

The climb up Newfound Gap Road through the Smokies is made manageable by the number of overlooks one finds along the way. There is a certain satisfaction in watching the ridgelines fade into the hazy blue.

One should have some respect for this road in bad weather or when it is crowded. An early start and a light jacket for the altitude are in order; do not assume the mountain will be as mild as town.

22. Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, South Dakota

A bit of playful drama is what you get from the Black Hills via the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. Between the granite spires, forested pull-offs and tunnels, it is less of a commute and more of an outing.

Patient drivers will find it best, since there is no hurry behind the sightseers. Should the tight curves and tunnels be of concern, break the route up and make for a lighter day.

21. Talimena National Scenic Byway, Oklahoma And Arkansas

For retirees in search of the mountains without the hoopla of the big names, Talimena is hard to beat. The road winds along the Ouachita ridges with enough good overlooks to justify a brief stop. It also goes nicely with some low-key wandering in the small towns.

For a route where the town itself has its own appeal, HumbleTrail’s piece on coastal small towns that are still worth the drive is worth a read to set up a proper weekend.

20. Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee And North Carolina

Cherohala Skyway is not as busy as some of the other Smoky Mountains roads. The forest is deep and the views are expansive, with plenty of elevation to make the drive an occasion.

Be sure to put in some fuel and check the forecast before setting out. Services come and go, and a remote stretch is no place to be eyeing the gas gauge.

19. Great River Road, Multiple States

Think of the Great River Road as a menu of river-town excursions rather than a single drive. That suits the retiree well, allowing for a choice of a section to be had without having to tackle the whole thing.

Find the bluffs and old main streets. On a good day there is time for a slow lunch and a museum visit, and to sit by the water without looking at one’s watch.

18. Lake Superior North Shore Drive, Minnesota

First-timers may find Minnesota’s North Shore to be of greater scale than anticipated. The road links up harbor towns, state parks and rocky beaches while Lake Superior puts on an almost oceanic display.

Have a thermos and a jacket in the car and be prepared for the weather to change on a whim. In the end, the shifting sky is what gives the shoreline its character.

17. Acadia Park Loop Road, Maine

You will find that the Park Loop Road in Acadia is compact, yet it has no shortage of the kind of scenery Maine is known for. There is granite and spruce to be had, ocean views, and a certain carriage-road quality to the place.

One can put together a full day with a few short stops and not have to work at it. Those who make a habit of visiting parks would do well to remember that even the most famous spots are subject to timing and one’s own expectations.

HumbleTrail’s U.S. national parks that travelers argue are overrated makes for a good read before you set out on any peak-season plans.

16. Outer Banks Scenic Byway, North Carolina

On the Outer Banks Scenic Byway the water, the ferries and the narrowness of the islands dictate the pace. It is a nuisance if you are in a hurry but all the better when the journey itself is what matters.

Put some time aside for the ferry and a bit of seafood, or an overnight stay if possible. A room with some history adds to the coastal experience, as does our guide to historic hotels worth every dollar.

15. Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

The Kancamagus Highway is easy to get your head around and memorable for its looks. The fall foliage tends to draw the eye, but the river and the way the road curves through the forest have their appeal in other seasons too.

Do not try to be too efficient on this one; it is a drive that is best savored. Make time for a picnic or a walk by the river. There is more to it than just putting in the miles.

14. Hana Highway, Maui

There is beauty to be found on the Road to Hana but do not mistake it for a casual cruise. With the wet pavement, the bridges and the number of times you will want to stop, it is only enjoyable if the whole car is amenable to taking it slow.

For a retiree, a guided tour or part of the route is wiser than attempting every mile on your own. The view is there for the taking, but if the driving puts a passenger on edge, comfort should come first.

13. Seward Highway, Alaska

From behind the wheel the Seward Highway puts Alaska within reach. You have your mountains and glaciers, wildlife and water, all in a drive that can be broken up at will. The vistas are large but require your focus.

Do not let yourself be tempted to pack in side trips, as the Alaskan landscape will make every pull-off look like a good idea. Give the weather a watch and take the extra time.

12. Overseas Highway, Florida Keys

The Overseas Highway is unusual in that the bridges are the story. With water on all sides the road to Key West is a slow unfolding of sorts. It is a way to satisfy the urge for an island without signing up for a week at a resort.

Should you be inclined to put the car away for a flight to the tropics, have a look at what we have on Caribbean islands travelers debate most and all-inclusives some guests regret booking first.

11. Million Dollar Highway, Colorado

Spectacular is the word for the Million Dollar Highway, though it is hardly mellow. Between the drop-offs, steep grades and mountain weather it is a road for the confident sort.

What you are rewarded with are the high-country views from Ouray to Silverton. For those drawn to the western mining-town atmosphere, HT’s piece on overlooked American West stops will point you to a few more options.

10. San Juan Skyway, Colorado

If you want something with less intensity than the Million Dollar Highway but still plenty of scenery, the San Juan Skyway is the answer.

It is a loop that incorporates the mining history and autumn color of the mountain towns and can easily occupy a few days. Make overnights of it and let the towns provide some of the entertainment.

9. Beartooth Highway, Montana And Wyoming

Driving the Beartooth is like being on a rooftop. When the road is open and the skies are clear, the alpine lakes and switchbacks are hard to forget. Being so remote and seasonal, it calls for some forethought.

If the goal is to actually make the most of a Yellowstone day and its pull-offs, do not try to force it. Check on road conditions and pack your layers.

8. Trail Ridge Road, Colorado

There is a reason Trail Ridge Road has such a reputation: it puts you, the everyday driver, above the treeline. The tundra offers something lower mountain roads do not in the way of open sky and far-off peaks, though the weather has a mind of its own.

Altitude is an experience in itself, so one should set the right pace. Be sure to have some water and make a gentle stop. And if the thin air or traffic or a storm rolling in takes the fun out of it, there is no harm in turning back.

7. Going-To-The-Sun Road, Montana

Then there is Going-to-the-Sun Road, a name that alone seems to warrant a place on a bucket list. With its alpine scenery, waterfalls and cliffs, it is as dramatic a park road as you will find in the country.

But it is not for blind improvisation. Seasonal construction, parking rules and shuttle availability are all subject to change. Look at what the park has to say before you plan your trip around some ideal crossing.

6. Oregon Coast Highway, Oregon

For those who appreciate a steady stream of small rewards, the Oregon coast is hard to beat. You will come across lighthouses, state park vantage points and harbor towns without having to hunt for a single showpiece.

The sensible thing to do is not to make a hero of the mileage. A couple of shorter days are preferable to an exhausting marathon, particularly when the fog and tide pools and a good seafood lunch are inviting you to put the brakes on.

5. Utah Scenic Byway 12

Utah Scenic Byway 12 is a red-rock sampler with genuine variety. It is a landscape of canyons, slickrock and national park gateways that does not feel like the same view on repeat.

Here is where frequent stops are what makes the trip. Take a short walk or break for town; it is more comfortable for anyone wanting the American West without overdoing it each day.

4. Pacific Coast Highway Through Big Sur, California

Big Sur is the sort of scenic drive that comes to mind with its Pacific light and curves. Even with only a few stops the coastline has a cinematic quality to it.

Road conditions are another matter, however, and a closure can put a crimp in your plans. It is best to check the route and keep an open mind. Make it a memorable overnight instead of a hurried affair.

3. Skyline Drive, Virginia

You will not be confused by Skyline Drive, one of the more straightforward famous drives. It runs along the crest of Shenandoah National Park and the overlooks provide the views in easy increments.

It suits the traveler who wants to see the park but has no intention of putting in a hard hike. A midweek visit is ideal; have patience for the wildlife and let the overlooks dictate how you proceed.

2. Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi To Tennessee

Those with an affinity for quiet history over roadside clutter will find the Natchez Trace Parkway to their liking. Its long, even rhythm is calmer than the average American road trip. You can easily break it up.

Choose a section and some historic sites and do not be so concerned with the miles on the odometer. This old corridor is at its best when you let it be.

1. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia And North Carolina

Blue Ridge Parkway is number one for good reason, perhaps the purest “stop often” drive to be found. Between the ridgelines and the tunnels, any sense of urgency is rendered moot. Retirees in particular will value the flexibility.

One can put down roots in Asheville or Boone and cover a short stretch from there and still come away with a grand feeling, without making the whole day an ordeal.