9 Vacations for People Who Love to Drive

There are people who love to drive on their vacations. They're not crazy about planes or trains, but they're absolutely in love with automobiles. Perhaps you are one of them, and you may be wondering where to go on your next one! It's fun to drive across the country, see different people, and look at different places. Enjoy taking your foot off the accelerator and take a detour. Here are some suggestions:

Columbia Scenic Highway

This was built almost 100 years ago. It was designed for those who admire the scenery, and it gives drivers plenty of that. It's a winding, 75-mile trip that starts just to the East of Portland. It lets you absorb the beauty of the Columbia Gorge. It features lots of waterfalls. It's full of gorgeous mountain views. It also has pull-offs so that drivers can enjoy the ride as well. The "Timberline Lodge" is a nice side-trip because it's a wonderful mountain hotel.

Route 66

Bobby Troup made it a hit song. This road is as much a part of Americana as apple pie. In addition to being a hit song, this highway was also a hit television series. This road runs from Chicago to Los Angeles. It features some wonderful scenery.

Hill Country Highways

The highways of the beautiful area known as the Hill Country area are located outside of Austin, Texas. It's a scenic route partly because it boasts deep canyons, roaring rivers that race quickly past you, and plains that are filled with sagebrush. While you're on this route, you'll see the Sabinal River near the town of Utopia.

Great River Road

This route runs from Minnesota to Louisiana. You'll appreciate the Mississippi River on this road. It features some nice hills in Wisconsin. You can also travel this byway to see the Mississippi Delta anywhere between Memphis and New Orleans. This highway also takes drivers through St. Louis.

Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway offers the wonderful sights of Big Sur. That's where the road winds its way through gorgeous seaside cliffs. This route also takes you to the wonderful town of Carmel. The scenery on this highway includes mountains and the ocean. Don't miss the Hearst Castle in San Simeon; it is a must-see.

Overseas Highway

This is a 120-mile highway that links the Florida Keys and has many picturesque bridges and causeways. The "Florida East Coast Railway" initially built it as a train route, but it was wiped out in 1935 by a hurricane and later converted to a highway. This road is full of seafood restaurants all along the way, so you can enjoy almost any kind of seafood that you like along this route. Of course, Key West also has plenty of places to eat. It also offers its own historical attractions. Ernest Hemingway may be the most famous of the celebrities who have lived there. And Islamorada offers a 70-year-old attraction called the "Theater Of The Sea" where you can swim with dolphins.

Million Dollar Highway

This is a part of Highway 550 that runs from Silverton to Ouray in Colorado, two old, historic gold mining towns. On the Million Dollar Highway, you will climb more than two miles above sea level. This road takes drivers along a scenic part of Colorado. While you're exploring this highway, take a trip on the "Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad." It goes through the Animas River Gorge. It takes you far above the roaring waters of that gorge.

Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway

Just two hours to the west of Washington, D.C. is the start of this road. It twists and turns through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has low speed limits, so you'll have to watch that speedometer. The slow trip will allow you to take in the wonders of the scenery. The Skyline Drive and the Parkway connect drivers to the wonderful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And while you're driving on this highway, see the Linn Cove Viaduct, an engineering marvel that goes in and around the trees at the highest point of the road. Stop at Charlottesville because it boasts Monticello, which is the home of Thomas Jefferson. It's also the home of the University Of Virginia and has a charming progressive-small-town vibe.

Black River Scenic Byway

It's easy to overlook the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This byway, however, might make you think twice about doing that. It features wonderful forests and waterfalls. You can also enjoy the many wide, expansive vistas that allow you to see Lake Superior. Be sure to stop at Mackinac Island. It is the home of the Grand Hotel. Cars aren't allowed on the island, so you can enjoy an island that's lost in time.