USA: Great scenic drives

The Pacific Coast Highway's Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California. Photo / Thinkstock

Hit the road and take in some spectacular scenery on these American highways.

Million Dollar Highway

Colorado's US 550 is also known as the Million Dollar Highway not just for its million-dollar views but because the roadbed fill contains valuable ore. The route passes canyon drops and soaring peaks.

Mirror Lake Highway

Utah's alpine route (Highway 150) begins west of Kansas and climbs 3200m as it heads for Wyoming. The scenery is fantastic with views of the peaks, passing Mirror Lake and trails and campgrounds in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

The Hawaii Belt

On Hawaii's "Big Island" three state routes, 11, 19 and 190, circle the island's perimeter. It passes deserts of lava, jungles, farmland, live lava flows, beaches, mountains and valleys. The drive is 483km so it's worth taking a few days to appreciate the scenery.

Overseas Highway

The Overseas Highway into the Florida Keys is a 181km series of roads from the Florida mainland to the United States' southernmost point, Key West.

Pacific Coast Highway

Hugging cliffs, the Pacific Coast Highway follows the California coastline for five hours, passing through Big Sur's redwoods, Monterey Bay and wine country.

Seward Highway

This 204km highway in Alaska connects Anchorage and Seward. You can expect to see waterfalls, fishing villages, mining towns, forest and glaciers and you just might spot eagles, moose and beluga whales. The road climbs 304m into the mountains and then descends to sea level all within an hour.

PLAN YOUR ROAD TRIP

To book your USA road trip: See House of Travel.

Further information: See visittheusa.com.

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