Spring is fast approaching and you know what that means, road trip season!
This year we will be taking environmental consciousness to a whole new level by taking the energy efficient Prius out for a drive through some of the most beautiful stretches of all American scenic routes.
Here are our top three must-see natural attractions.
Big Sur, Iconic Route 1
This iconic 90-mile stretch is notoriously one of the most beautiful road trip roadways. Located between San Simeon and Carmel, this California coastline is sure to be a highlight of your trip. You’ll have the Santa Lucia Mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Here you can find both redwood groves and rocky beaches with sea lions. The winding roads will provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and sun bathing. We hear Jade Cove is the place to check out its namesake stone.
North Carolina & Virginia, Blue Ridge Parkway
The Appalachian Mountains have long been epitomized as an essential component of the American frontier. But who knows where the heck to start looking when trying to map out an ideal route through all those rolling hills? Apparently, the Blue Ridge Parkway is an ideal route that gets in all the Appalachians have to offer. It stretches 469 miles through two national parks, Virginia’s Shenandoah and North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains. Don’t miss out on these epic mountain trails lined with dogwood, tulip trees, and red maples.
Colorado, Million Dollar Highway
Located near Telluride, this 24-mile stretch of US 550 takes road trippers back to the old world. The Million Dollar Highway connects the old mining towns of Silverton and Ouray in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. It passes through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass, which has a few hairpin turns and stomach-turning drops along the way. Elks, mountain goats, black bears, and wildflowers are common features of this countryside. Buildings circa 1870s evoke Victorian architecture.
