Let's start with the most famous road trip in the country, Route 66. Mythologized by many for years, the route is an ever-popular trip many hope to take once in their lifetime. Though for a lot of travelers it gives feelings of nostalgia, following the old route can be just as interesting an itinerary to see a large swath of the country, as it passes through 8 different states.

The route is no longer an official road. The road itself still exists for many sections, but you have to make detours in some sections. The tourist towns along the way can be quite tacky, but that's part of the allure. All in all, the trip from Chicago to Santa Monica can be a joy for both those living for the nostalgia and those that just want to see the heartland of the country.

Another essential road trip everyone should take at least once in their lifetime is driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, whether it be the whole road or just a section of it. It's 469 miles in total, so it could take you a few days. Traveling along the heights of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and North Carolina, the route is unsurprisingly at its most gorgeous in the fall.

The parkway is perfect for anyone, whether you want to hike, bike, paddle, or just gander at the beautiful views. Don't miss feeling like a resident of Appalachia by panning for gems, which would make the perfect souvenier to remember the mountains by.

Taking various names over different stretches including Pacific Coast Highway or Coast Highway, California's Highway One is a scenic road stretching 659 miles (over 1,00 kilometers) mostly along the coast. The road starts in Legget, north of San Francisco, and ends in Dana Point in Orange County.

The most epic road trip would be to travel the entire road which would be a multi-day trip. Alternatively, driving either the section north of San Francisco or part of the southern section is doable in a day. If heading north, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and take Exit 444B. From Legget, it is possible to get back to San Francisco via Highway 101. If heading south, make sure to at least make it as far as Big Sur. At the north end of the road, be sure to visit the Drive-Thru Tree Park where you can literally drive through a large redwood tree.

Stretching 444 miles from Nashville, TN to Natchez, MS, this parkway follows the historic Natchez Trace, a path used for hundreds of years. The parkway prohibits commercial traffic, and the speed limit is only 50 miles per hour, so plan to take your time and enjoy one of the most relaxing drives anywhere.

The parkway itself has many sites to stop off and see. There are also others that require a slight detour, such as the birthplace of Elvis in Tupelo and Vicksburg National Military Park, not to mention the plethora of things to see and do in Nashville. Fall is, of course, a great time to make the journey.

Widely regarded as one of the best scenic routes in the country, the Mohawk Trail has been extremely popular amongst tourists since the rise of the automobile. Once a path for Native America traders, most of the historic footpath is now the Mohawk Trail which is part of Routes 2 and 2A in Western Massachusetts. It begins in Greenfield and ends in Williamstown. There are many places to stop along the way, both directly on the road and a short drive away from it. The Mohawk Trail State Forest and the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Flowers are amongst them.

Be sure to stop at one of the sugar houses along the way. In late winter and early spring, you can see the maple trees being tapped for their sap which is then boiled down to make a delicious syrup. Of course, at other times of the year, you can enjoy this with pancakes or french toast.

The road connecting the Florida Keys with the mainland is quite possibly one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world, a sentiment that those that prefer clear blue water to mountains would agree with.

The Overseas Highway is only 113 miles long, so could be driven round-trip in a day, but that would be doing yourself a huge disservice. It's certainly best to spend at least a few days on at least one of the keys to enjoy the beaches.

Made up of desert, endless valleys, and stunning mountain views, the Loneliest Road in America is the name for Nevada's portion of U.S. Route 50. A remote, but fascinating road trip —even if you only choose to drive part of it — it crosses the state's northern part from east to west and includes attractions like several ghost towns, obscure, but charming landmarks like the Northern Nevada Railway Museum, and lots of freedom and wilderness.

You may know that Texas is big, but you probably will still be shocked at how big it is when you drive across it. And doing such is one of the greatest road trips to take. You'll travel tens of miles between towns, probably see coyotes, and feel what the Texas of western movies looks like.

When setting off towards the western part of the state from the eastern cities, you can pass through Texas' Hill Country co, specifically three roads collectively known as the twisted sisters that form a drive known as one of the best motorcycle roads. It is also a great trip to make with a car.

The Twisted Sisters, Ranch Roads 335, 336, and 337, are close to I-10 west of San Antonio. Combined with State Roads 41 and 55, the roads form a circular route. Road 19 is also scenic and can be a great way to get back to I-10.

After that, head towards Big Bend National Park. Don't overlook Big Bend State Park further west, either. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in the former and El Camino del Rio in the latter are some of the most gorgeous drives in the country. Also make sure not to miss the Marfa Lights.

Finally, we should get to the most impressive of road trips through America, driving from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. You can do this in multiple variants. For example, you can travel through the northern part of the country, starting in say New York and ending in Seattle. This drive is best in summer. In winter, temperatures will plunge, there'll be lots of snow, and you won't be able to travel Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

The fun of this type of road trip is making the route yourself. You'll likely make heavy use of I-90 or I-80 along the way, though. If making the return trip, you can come a different way than you came to spice things up.

In many western states, the speed limits are higher than those back east. You also will travel many miles between services, so make sure to fill up when you can and keep plenty of food and water with you.

The most iconic road trip is that which makes use of the freedom of choosing your own route. You can also travel across the country through the southern states. This is particularly enjoyable in winter. In fact, places like Big Bend National Park and southern Florida are best visited in winter.

You can start anywhere and end in California, Los Angeles being the most classic destination. You'll make use of I-10 and perhaps I-20 along the way.

Highlights not to be missed are New Orleans, Austin, Big Bend, the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas. Aside from that, the route is up to you! Enjoy the open road!