For true enthusiasts, the car or motorcycle is only half the story. The real magic happens when the right machine meets the right road. North America has no shortage of unforgettable driving routes, each with its own flavour. Here are twenty roads across Canada and the United States that you absolutely need to put on your bucket list.
Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
The Cabot Trail is often called Canada’s ultimate driving loop. Winding around Cape Breton Island, it mixes high speed sweepers, tight mountain corners, and long stretches that reveal dramatic ocean views. Drivers and riders love how it constantly changes character — one minute you’re climbing through dense forest, the next you’re cruising past fishing villages and cliffside lookouts. It’s equally enjoyable at a relaxed touring pace or in a sports car with the throttle open.
Sea to Sky Highway, British Columbia
This road is more than just a link between Vancouver and Whistler — it’s one of the most scenic stretches of tarmac in North America. The Sea to Sky hugs Howe Sound and climbs through jagged mountains, delivering breathtaking views at every bend. Canadian drivers call it one of the best rhythm roads, with a mix of fast corners and challenging tighter sections. On summer weekends, it fills with motorcycles, convertibles, and performance SUVs all chasing the same thrill.
Icefields Parkway, Alberta
The Icefields Parkway runs between Banff and Jasper and feels like driving through a postcard. The glaciers, turquoise lakes, and towering peaks are so close you almost feel like you can touch them. The road itself flows with long straights broken up by rolling curves. Canadian drivers recommend keeping the pace calm here because the scenery is too good to rush — and wildlife like bears and elk often appear roadside. For grand touring cars and adventure bikes, it’s paradise.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
Highway 1 is legendary for a reason. Running along California’s coast, it balances cliff hugging corners with sweeping straights that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Big Sur is the highlight, where the road feels suspended between sky and sea. The PCH has become one of the most photographed roads in the world, but it’s even better behind the wheel. It’s not just a tourist route — it’s a driver’s dream with enough twists and elevation changes to keep you busy all day.
Tail of the Dragon, Tennessee and North Carolina
US 129, better known as the Tail of the Dragon, is the most famous drivers’ road in America. With 318 curves packed into just 11 miles, it’s a workout for any rider or driver. Canadians who make the pilgrimage south often describe it as addictive, a road that tests reflexes, braking, and steering precision. It has no intersections, no houses, and no distractions — just pure driving intensity. For sports car owners and superbike riders, it’s a rite of passage.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway flows along the Appalachian Mountains for nearly 500 miles. Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” it’s less about high speed thrills and more about pure driving enjoyment. The road has gentle curves, rolling hills, and constant vistas. Motorcyclists especially love it for its relaxed rhythm and the way it connects with Skyline Drive in Virginia. It’s a journey that invites you to slow down and enjoy every mile.
Going to the Sun Road, Montana
Inside Glacier National Park, Going to the Sun Road feels carved out of raw mountain rock. Narrow and winding, it snakes past waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and glacial valleys. In summer it’s one of the most exhilarating drives in the US, but it’s open for only a few months each year. Canadians visiting Montana often describe it as unforgettable, with scenery so intense you almost forget you’re driving. It’s challenging, beautiful, and completely unique.
Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming
The Beartooth Highway climbs above 10,000 feet, making it one of the highest paved roads in North America. Switchbacks, hairpins, and long straights combine with alpine lakes and jaw dropping views. At elevation, the air is thin and crisp, adding to the drama. Drivers often say it feels like a European alpine pass dropped in the Rockies. On the right day, with clear skies and little traffic, it’s pure magic.
Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
Few roads are as unique as the Overseas Highway, which connects Miami to Key West. Long causeways stretch across turquoise waters, with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. It’s not technical, but it’s endlessly scenic. In a convertible or on a cruiser motorcycle, it feels like floating above the sea. Canadians escaping winter flock here, making it one of the ultimate snowbird drives.
Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
Part of US 550, the Million Dollar Highway is famous for its lack of guardrails, sheer drops, and thrilling curves. It cuts through the San Juan Mountains with intensity at every corner. For those who love driving on the edge, literally, it’s one of the best. Canadian drivers compare it to alpine roads in Europe but with the raw wildness of Colorado. It’s not for nervous passengers, but for enthusiasts it’s unforgettable.
Route 66, Illinois to California
Route 66 is less about corners and more about history. Known as the Mother Road, it connects Chicago to Santa Monica and passes through classic diners, neon motels, and Americana landmarks. Driving it is a step back in time, where the joy comes from nostalgia as much as the asphalt. Canadians who road trip here often do it in classic cars or motorcycles, making the experience even more authentic.
Skyline Drive, Virginia
Skyline Drive runs the length of Shenandoah National Park and offers 105 miles of gentle twists and spectacular overlooks. It’s slower paced, with speed limits around 35 mph, but the scenery makes it worth it. Deer and black bears often appear near the road, adding to the sense of adventure. For Canadian riders on touring bikes, it’s a perfect pairing with the Blue Ridge Parkway just to the south.
Highway 132, Quebec
This road follows the St. Lawrence River through picturesque villages and rugged coastline. The highlight is the Gaspé Peninsula, where cliffs and ocean views rival some of the best coastal drives in the world. Highway 132 mixes culture, history, and driving pleasure. Canadians know it as a hidden treasure that blends maritime charm with true driving enjoyment.
Great River Road, Mississippi to Minnesota
The Great River Road stretches for more than 3,000 miles alongside the Mississippi River. It’s a mix of rural byways and scenic stretches that capture the heart of America. For drivers, it offers a sense of exploration, constantly shifting between landscapes. Canadians who make the trip find it rewarding for its variety — it’s a drive that changes mood and scenery with every state.
Mount Washington Auto Road, New Hampshire
The Mount Washington Auto Road is only eight miles long, but it’s one of the most nerve wracking drives in North America. Narrow, steep, and without guardrails, it climbs to the highest peak in the Northeast. At the top, winds can reach hurricane force. Canadians who have driven it often say the view from the summit is worth every white knuckle moment on the way up.
Highway 99, British Columbia (Fraser Canyon)
Highway 99 north of Hope delivers some of Canada’s most dramatic canyon driving. With tunnels, bridges, and sheer cliffs beside the Fraser River, it’s a road that keeps you engaged every second. It’s less famous than the Sea to Sky, but for locals it’s just as exciting. Motorcyclists especially enjoy the mix of sweepers and technical bends.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi to Tennessee
Image Credit: Tony Webster, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a peaceful and scenic route that runs for 444 miles with no commercial traffic allowed. Its flowing design, smooth pavement, and historical significance make it special. Canadians who’ve driven it often mention how relaxing it feels, a contrast to the intensity of roads like the Tail of the Dragon. It’s about serenity as much as driving.
Highway 17, Ontario (Lake Superior Circle Route)
Highway 17 along Lake Superior is one of Canada’s great long distance drives. It mixes rugged Canadian Shield landscapes with sweeping lake views that can feel like driving along the ocean. The corners are engaging, the straights are long, and the scenery is unforgettable. Canadian drivers cherish it as a road that captures the vastness of their country.
Red Rock Scenic Byway, Arizona
Unknown author or not provided, via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
Near Sedona, the Red Rock Scenic Byway is short but unforgettable. Surrounded by towering red rock formations, the road feels like driving through another planet. The curves are gentle but the visual drama makes it memorable. In a convertible or on a motorcycle, the experience feels cinematic.
Highway 93, Nevada (Great Basin Highway)
Highway 93 slices through wide open desert, offering miles of straight road framed by mountains in the distance. It’s one of the loneliest roads in America, the kind of place where you feel completely free. Canadians who crave speed or simply want to experience the silence of the desert love this route. It’s about solitude, space, and the joy of letting a car stretch its legs.
Why These Roads Matter
These roads prove that driving is about more than just getting from A to B. They challenge, inspire, and reward anyone who truly loves being behind the wheel or on two wheels. In Canada and the US, they highlight the diversity of landscapes, from icy mountains to sun baked deserts, from coastal cliffs to prairie highways. For enthusiasts, these roads aren’t just routes they’re destinations in themselves, each one offering memories that last long after the engine is turned off.
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