Few things capture the American spirit like hitting the road. With its vast landscapes and wide variety of natural settings, this land offers endless opportunities to hit the road and see something new. Some take the wheel in a packed family van, others roll solo with a camera and a playlist. Today, we are winding through red rock canyons, deep forests, ocean cliffs, and desert plateaus, in a journey across those American roads where the drive itself is the destination.

#1: Pacific Coast Highway (California)

Crossing the country from south to north, the Pacific Coast Highway keeps you in the lane closest to the ocean. From the dry valleys of Southern California to the green forests in western Washington, this road is full of dramatic scenery: to the east, crashing waves and rocky shorelines; on the other side, cliffs dotted with magnificent coastal redwoods. Not to be missed: Big Sur, the rugged and mountainous area south of San Francisco, with stunning ocean views and staggering cliffs, that inspired so many generations of American poets.