Olympic Peninsula (Washington)
The Peninsula is easily reached from Seattle – via a ferry ride from the city waterfront, across Puget Sound, to Bainbridge Island. Near here, drivers can pick up the iconic highway of US Route 101, which traces the outer portions of the region. It will carry road-trippers along the north edge of the Peninsula, past the elegant curve of Lake Crescent. From here, explorers can turn onto State Route 112 to visit Cape Flattery, the northwestern corner of the mainland United States – or forge south on the 101, past dramatic ocean coves such as Ruby Beach.
Washington’s Olympic Peninsula contains some of the state’s must-see natural sites. Cape Flattery is the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, whilst Olympic National Park offers temperate rainforest scenery with the Hoh Rainforest, majestic mountain views of Mount Olympus and rugged Pacific beauty at Rialto Beach.
Cascade Loop
Another classic Washington drive is The Cascade Loop. This 440-mile Scenic Byway begins less than 30 miles away from Seattle and allows visitors to explore some of Washington’s most spectacular natural scenery. Circling the Cascade Mountain Range, drivers can enjoy views of the Columbia River Valley, Lake Chelan and North Cascades National Park.
Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
For visitors looking to explore more of Maine by road, this provides more than 70 miles of natural splendour up to the Canadian border. One of the best drives for admiring the splendid New England autumn colour, it follows the Kennebec river passing through forestland, quaint villages and scenic look outs such as Attean Overlook.
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway is another top drive for outdoor enthusiasts. The road along Routes 4 and 17 offers spectacular views of the Appalachian Mountains and features stops to enjoy hiking along the Appalachian Trail, lake fishing, plus skiing and snowmobiling in winter; visitors are recommended to take a day to fully explore the byway.
Great Lakes Seaway Trail
The Great Lakes Seaway Trail traces the St Lawrence Seaway – the shipping artery that cuts through American and Canadian territory, linking the Great Lakes of the Midwest to the Atlantic Ocean. The road showcases several splendid portions of the North East. If you drive the full Great Lakes Seaway Trail from its western end, you begin by passing through rural patches of Pennsylvania.
The road then carries you into New York, through the cities of Rochester and Buffalo – with an inevitable camera stop between the two at the dramatic splash and crash of Niagara Falls. The trail officially concludes at the Seaway International Bridge, which crosses the St Lawrence Seaway into Canada near the New York town of Massena.