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Whether you're riding solo, heading out with the LOYL, or taking a trip with your girlfriends, nothing hits quite like a classic road trip. There's real magic in feeling the breeze, blasting a great playlist, and taking in breathtaking views with every mile. But let's be honest — gridlock traffic can instantly ruin the vibe, trading good energy for fumes and frustration. Since we love the open road as much as any free spirit, we looked into the latest data ranking America's quietest and most scenic drives so you can skip the bumper-to-bumper hassle and go straight to the views.
Here are the 10 quietest & most scenic road trips in America.
Taking The Best Road Trip
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To uncover the nation's most peaceful drives, connected-vehicle company GeoTab analyzed Highway Performance Monitoring system data and Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) scores to rank the top 10 scenic, low-traffic routes in the U.S. And they're the perfect inspiration for late-summer into fall travel.
The #1 Scenic, Quiet Road Trip Route
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Utah tops the list with its stunning Monument Valley Trails. When traveling through this picturesque area on the Utah–Arizona border, the primary dirt route weaving between the famous red-rock sandstone formations is the Monument Valley Scenic Drive (17-Mile Loop). The loop begins directly at the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center / The View Hotel. After winding through the valley floor, the dirt road loops back around to return to the same starting point at the Visitor Center parking area.
Key Landmarks & Views Along the Way
- East & West Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte: The iconic towering monoliths framing the entrance of the valley.
- Three Sisters: A distinct trio of slender sandstone pillars standing side-by-side.
- John Ford’s Point: A famous cliffside overlook named after the classic Western film director, offering sweeping panoramic views across the valley floor.
- Totem Pole & Yei Bi Chei: Slender spires reaching over 500 feet into the sky.
- Artist’s Point & North Window: Elevated vistas looking back across the open desert and natural rock "window" frames.
Optional On-Foot Option: Wildcat Trail
For those who want to experience the landscape on foot rather than by car, the Wildcat Trail is the only self-guided hiking path available in the tribal park:
- Starts & Ends: The trailhead begins at the northwest corner of the Visitor Center parking lot, loops ~3.2 miles around the Left Mitten Butte, and finishes back at the Visitor Center.
- What You See: Up-close views of the towering base of West Mitten Butte, Merrick Butte, and surrounding red-sand dunes
The Top 10 Quietest Scenic Routes in the U.S.
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Here are the top 10 hidden gems! GeoTab provides itineraries and maps for these and other roads in your state!
- Monument Valley Trails
- Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park
- Mesa Verde and San Juan Mountains
- Along the Missouri River
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Oregon's Pacific Coast
- Colorado's Rockies
- Grand Canyon Road Trip
- Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
- Bryce & Zion National Parks
Are you planning to hit the road sometime soon? Share your snapshots with us on Instagram by tagging @BritandCo!
