There's just something magical about cruising along the mountainous sceneries and coastal setting on the United States East Coast. It's no mystery why the area is known for having many famous US road trip routes, but even though there are endless options to choose from, a few of them manage to stand out above the rest while offering unique experiences and voyages for each one of the scenic states. Here are the best East Coast road trip routes worthy of travelers' itineraries.

Related:Fun For The Kids: 10 Best East Coast Lakes For A Family Vacation

10 The Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina 
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Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina 

Known for being America's longest linear park, Blue Ridge Parkway runs through a grand total of 29 counties between the states of Virginia and North Carolina, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the former of which is among the best road trip destinations on the East Coast. This wonderful road trip's main takeaway is the scenic beauty that runs throughout every single mile of the way, making for a great one-week vacation that the whole family can enjoy.

Sure, it can be quickly traversed fully in about 13 hours, but it's more than recommended to plan a full itinerary ahead of time to make the most out of the terrific stops, attractions, and charming towns along the Blue Ridge Parkway that adorn the route.

  • Length: 469 miles
  • Route: Rockfish Gap, Virginia → Cherokee, North Carolina

The entire route might be too long for most people; this is why the parkway also offers sectioned drives that focus on each of the highlights along the way.

9 New England Coastal Road Trip

Aerial view of Bar Harbor during the fall, Maine
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Aerial view of Bar Harbor during the fall, Maine 

One of the most breathtaking things that the East Coast has to offer is, precisely, the coastline, where the mountainous scenery of New England joins with the crashing waves from the Atlantic Ocean. This route has travelers go through the picturesque towns that have called the region home for centuries and calm beaches that can be used as perfect resting stops for the traveling party to stretch their legs and have a dip in the cold water.

  • Length: 285 miles
  • Route: Boston, Massachusetts → Bar Harbor, Maine

For New England charm, the lovely towns on the Cape Cod Coast are also worthy of a visit on a road trip.

8 The Journey To Acadia National Park

The scenic overlook on the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park

There are many routes in New England that lead to the wonderful trails and mountains of Acadia National Park (home to some of the best East Coast hiking trails), but reaching the park is best done with a full-fledged road trip starting at Boston, going through both the coastal scenery of Massachusetts and spending a day or two in some of the many historical towns nearby.

Consider also staying a couple of days to get to know the city a bit better by enjoying the top attractions in Boston before hitting the road to start the trip.

  • Length: 280 miles
  • Route: Boston, Massachusetts → Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park is a popular destination for tourists, so be prepared to encounter a lot of other people wanting to traverse the area, especially during peak travel seasons. It might be a good idea to plan a visit ahead of time.

Related:10 Best Mountain Lakes To Visit On The East Coast This Summer

7 The White & Green Mountains

Burlington, Vermont at Church Street Marketplace
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Burlington, Vermont, at Church Street Marketplace

Also departing from Boston, this road trip to Burlington not only provides quaint villages and gorgeous lakes but also passes right through the White Mountains in New Hampshire and the Green Mountains in Vermont. If taking the trip during the fall, the mountains become white, green, yellow, and orange, making it the best possible season to take this scenic East Coast road trip.

  • Length: 215 miles
  • Route: Boston, Massachusetts → Burlington, Vermont

6 A Tropical Florida Road Trip To The Florida Keys

Aerial view of Seven Mile Bridge, Key West
Photo by Chase Baker on Unsplash
Aerial view of Seven Mile Bridge, Key West

Having a hard time deciding which two meeting destinations to have for an unforgettable Florida road trip? Just pick the best tropical destinations and enjoy the sun, beaches, and fresh oceanic breeze while going from the colorful and highly cultural setting of Miami through the beautiful scenery of the Florida Keys on a road trip along the Overseas Highway and finishing off at the paradisiacal Key West. As a fun fact, Key West is actually closer to the island of Cuba than to mainland Florida, which has led the city to have a heavy Cuban influence on both its buildings and overall culture.

  • Length: 150 miles
  • Route: Miami, Florida → Key West, Florida

Since the route goes through the entirety of the Florida Keys, have a swimsuit and beach set ready to enjoy the many water activities along the way.

5 The Finest Sights In The South: Charleston To Orlando

Colorful homes and a horse drawn carriage in the street
Photo by Leonel Heisenberg on Unsplash
Charming streets of Charleston, South Carolina 

South Carolina is mostly known for its shoreline of subtropical beaches, warm weather, and countless festivals that help keep the state in an upbeat mood. And behind the festive lifestyle, South Carolina also offers a rich history and colorful houses from the 19th century, with Charleston being by far the most culturally significant city in the state.

Begin the trip in this charming city before heading south through Savannah and Georgia to explore more of South Carolina's historical charm, and finishing with a more touristy setting at Orlando to sample the city's iconic foods or going straight to the "Happiest Place on Earth", AKA Walt Disney World.

  • Length: 380 miles
  • Route: Charleston, South Carolina → Orlando, Florida

If a beach day is on the road trip agenda, travelers hoping for more peace and quiet will love visiting the least crowded beaches in South Carolina.

4 Vermont Route 100

An aerial view of a road around Stowe, Vermont, USA
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An aerial view of a road around Stowe, Vermont, USA

If passing by the Green Mountains isn't enough for a Vermont road trip, Route 100 goes basically from one point of the state to the other while following over 200 miles of New England's idyllic countryside and countless vintage estates that seamlessly hide among the colorful foliage.

As for what to do along this East Coast road trip, the whole way is filled with local shops where people sell everything from souvenirs to freshly made fudge and caramel to make the trip even sweeter.

  • Length: 217 miles
  • Route: Stowe, Vermont → Stamford, Connecticut

Related:The Ultimate Pennsylvania Road Trip: Exploring The Kittatinny Ridge And Its Surrounding Beauty

3 Virginia Wineries Road Trip

Stony Man Mountain, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Being home to over 300 wineries to choose from that are open to wine enthusiasts and tipsy tourists alike, Virginia's countryside grants both a beautiful landscape and a prosperous environment where vineyards can grow without any issues at all. This has led to wine tours and trails being a quintessential part of the region's tourism, so why not take a road trip that lets visitors have a taste of Virginia's award-winning wine straight from the source?

  • Length: 110 miles
  • Route: Fairfax County, Virginia → Charlottesville, Virginia

Don't get too excited drinking in one of the wine tours, though. Try to always have a designated driver to avoid any dangerous situations of alcohol-related driving, which is unsafe, let alone against the law, and a huge no-no. And also, know that this route is best taken if everyone in the party is of legal drinking age.

2 The Olympic Trail Scenic Byway

The award-winning Lake Placid Lodge at Lake Placid, New York State, USA
Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock
The award-winning Lake Placid Lodge at Lake Placid, New York State, USA

Passing through some of the most picturesque spots in upstate New York, the Olympic Trail Scenic Byway directly connects the Great Lake Ontario with Lake Champlain, going right by the middle of the Adirondack Mountains.

The main highlight of the journey has got to be the town of Lake Placid (about which there are plenty of interesting facts), which serves as a wonderful resting spot and offers a great deal of attractions for the whole family. Also, if the 170-mile length seems too much, it's also a possibility to go from Keeseville directly to Lake Placid in a 33-mile drive.

  • Length: 170 miles
  • Route: Sackets Harbor, New York → Keeseville, New York

The byway gets its name due to Lake Placid having been an American capital for the Olympic Winter Games during the 20th century.

1 The Virginia Historic Triangle Road Trip

Aerial view of Williamsburg, Virginia
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Aerial view of Williamsburg, Virginia

A route doesn't have to go on for hundreds of miles in order to be considered one of the best road trips on the East Coast; it's about the amount of cultural significance, and Virginia's Historic Triangle is packed full of highlights and landmarks that make for a great way of portraying US history. The trifecta is comprised of the cities of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, all of them having interactive exhibits and buildings that have been standing since colonial times.

  • Length: 23 miles
  • Route: Jamestown, Virginia → Williamsburg, Virginia → Yorktown, Virginia