For Canadian drivers, a trip south of the border isn’t just about cheaper gas or warmer weather it’s about access to some of the best driving roads on the planet. While Canada has its share of scenic highways, the United States offers an unmatched variety of routes. From desert straights to cliff-hugging coastlines, from twisty mountain switchbacks to historic byways, there’s something for every type of enthusiast. Expanded with more detail and perspective, here are 20 roads worth crossing into the U.S. to truly appreciate behind the wheel or on two wheels.
Tail of the Dragon – North Carolina / Tennessee
With 318 curves packed into just 11 miles, the Tail of the Dragon has become legendary. It’s not about speed but precision every corner tests your reflexes and rhythm. Canadian motorcyclists often make the pilgrimage here, treating it as a rite of passage. Unlike Canadian highways that sprawl straight across prairies, this road is a technical playground.
Blue Ridge Parkway – Virginia / North Carolina
At nearly 800 kilometers, this parkway is about savoring the drive, not rushing it. Sweeping turns, Appalachian mountain views, and tunnels carved through ridges make it unforgettable. Canadians from Quebec or Ontario will find it a slower, more scenic counterpart to the fast Trans-Canada. It’s a road where you roll down the windows and just breathe it all in.
Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) – California
Hugging the cliffs of Big Sur, crossing famous bridges, and delivering endless views of the Pacific, Highway 1 is a postcard in motion. Canadians used to rugged Atlantic or Pacific coasts will find California’s dramatic mix of winding roads and ocean air irresistible. Whether in a convertible or on a sportbike, this is the drive of a lifetime.
Route 66 – Chicago to Santa Monica
It may not be the fastest, but Route 66 is pure nostalgia. Old diners, neon signs, and quirky roadside stops make it a cultural icon. Canadians who grew up on American car culture and classic rock will appreciate the throwback vibes. Driving it feels like stepping back into the golden age of motoring.
Beartooth Highway – Montana / Wyoming
At over 10,000 feet of elevation, Beartooth Highway offers jaw-dropping views, switchbacks, and alpine lakes. It’s often ranked as one of the top drives in America. For Canadians who’ve driven the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, this is its American cousin just with even wilder elevation changes.
Highway 12 – Utah
Called “A Journey Through Time,” this road cuts through Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Capitol Reef. Red rock formations and natural arches line the route. Canadians from the Prairies or Maritimes, who rarely see desert landscapes, will find the scenery surreal. It’s like driving through a movie set.
Going-to-the-Sun Road – Montana
Running through Glacier National Park, this road feels like a frontier drive, with sheer drops, tight bends, and wildlife crossing at unexpected moments. Canadians from Alberta often cross over to experience it, since it mirrors the grandeur of Banff and Jasper but with a distinct U.S. flair.
Million Dollar Highway – Colorado
This isn’t a road for the timid. With steep drop-offs, no guardrails, and endless mountain twists, it demands focus and rewards bravery. Canadians familiar with the Cabot Trail or B.C.’s mountain passes will find this road just as breathtaking and more dangerous. It’s the kind of drive where your palms sweat as much as your tires grip.
Skyline Drive – Virginia
At 170 kilometers long, Skyline Drive winds through Shenandoah National Park. Rolling curves, overlooks, and wildlife make it more relaxing than extreme. For Canadians who want a slower-paced scenic drive, this is a gentle but beautiful stretch. It’s the road trip equivalent of a Sunday afternoon.
U.S. Route 550 – Colorado
Also known as the San Juan Skyway, this is Colorado at its finest. Twists, mountain passes, and sheer elevation changes make it a driver’s dream. Canadians who love challenging roads like B.C.’s Duffey Lake stretch will feel right at home here.
Highway 101 – Oregon Coast
Less crowded than California’s Highway 1, Oregon’s version still hugs the ocean while cutting through forests and charming seaside towns. For Canadians from B.C., it feels familiar yet different, offering long ocean views that stretch for miles without interruption.
Natchez Trace Parkway – Mississippi to Tennessee
Image Credit: Tony Webster, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
This 700-kilometer road is steeped in history, tracing paths once used by Native Americans and early settlers. It’s smooth and quiet, more about storytelling than speed. Canadians who enjoy mixing road trips with history lessons will love the vibe.
Mount Washington Auto Road – New Hampshire
Climbing to the summit of Mount Washington, this road is steep, narrow, and dramatic. With gradients that demand careful driving, it’s a thrill for anyone crossing from Quebec or the Maritimes. Reaching the summit feels like conquering a small mountain stage of the Tour de France.
U.S. Route 2 – Washington State
Running across northern states close to Canada, Route 2 offers mountain passes, forests, and small towns. It’s a road less traveled, perfect for Canadians from B.C. or Alberta who want a long-distance cruise without straying too far south.
Highway 50 – Nevada
Nicknamed the “Loneliest Road in America,” this stretch of desert highway is all about isolation and speed. Canadians who’ve driven across the vast emptiness of Saskatchewan or Manitoba will find it familiar but harsher, with the desert sun adding an almost surreal atmosphere.
Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway – Oregon
Following the Columbia River, this byway mixes natural wonders with a driver’s delight. Waterfalls, cliffs, and winding curves make it a hidden gem. Canadians from B.C. often cross over to enjoy it, especially when pairing it with road trips to Portland or Mount Hood.
Florida Overseas Highway – Miami to Key West
A tropical fantasy on pavement, this highway links the Florida Keys with bridges and causeways that stretch over turquoise waters. Canadians escaping winter make this drive a bucket-list trip, swapping snow tires for convertibles and palm trees.
Highway 191 – Arizona / Utah
This road slices through Monument Valley, delivering cinematic landscapes straight out of classic Westerns. For Canadians, it’s a chance to experience wide-open desert beauty that doesn’t exist north of the border. It feels like you’re driving on another planet.
Route 375 – Nevada (Extraterrestrial Highway)
For a quirky twist, Route 375 takes you near Area 51 with endless desert straights. It’s a road that invites wide-open throttle and daydreams about UFO sightings. Canadians drawn to the unusual will enjoy both the drive and the stories that come with it.
Why Canadians Should Make the Trip
Crossing the border for a driving adventure isn’t just about the thrill of new pavement it’s about discovering landscapes that Canada can’t always offer. From the deserts of Nevada to the tropics of Florida, from Appalachian ridges to high-altitude passes, the U.S. serves up variety that keeps every type of driver engaged. For Canadians, these 20 roads represent not only unforgettable drives but also the chance to see how geography shapes the road as much as the ride itself.
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