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When it comes to scenic drives, the Pacific Coast Highway often gets all the attention, but America is filled with other coastal routes just as stunning. You can find roads that trace rocky shorelines, cross marshy islands, and wind through seaside towns that tell their own stories. Each one offers sweeping ocean views and a sense of freedom only found near the water. These coastal roads prove that beauty and adventure exist far beyond California’s famous highway.
Overseas Highway, Florida
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The Overseas Highway connects Florida’s mainland to Key West with 113 miles of tropical beauty. You can drive over turquoise waters and coral reefs, feeling like you’re floating above the ocean. The bridges and islands offer endless views and beach stops. With warm breezes and pastel sunsets, this highway turns every mile into a journey through paradise.
Oregon Coast Highway, Oregon
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The Oregon Coast Highway stretches along cliffs, beaches, and dense forests that open to the Pacific. You can stop at lighthouses, sea stacks, and small fishing towns along the way. The route’s ever changing landscape makes it one of the most photogenic drives in the country. From misty mornings to fiery sunsets, the Oregon coast never runs out of surprises.
Outer Banks Scenic Byway, North Carolina
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The Outer Banks Scenic Byway runs 138 miles through barrier islands, connecting wild dunes and historic lighthouses. You can ferry between islands, cross long causeways, and spot dolphins from the shore. The mix of ocean and sound views creates an atmosphere of calm adventure. This drive captures the laid back rhythm of coastal Carolina life.
Great River Road, Mississippi
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The Great River Road may follow the Mississippi River instead of the ocean, but its southern stretch offers coastal charm all the same. You can pass through bayous, historic towns, and lush wetlands filled with wildlife. The blend of water, music, and food creates an experience that feels authentically southern. Every turn reveals a new slice of culture and scenery.
Cape Cod Scenic Drive, Massachusetts
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Driving through Cape Cod feels like a step into a seaside postcard. You can follow Route 6A, lined with cottages, cranberry bogs, and harbors filled with sailboats. The road leads to beaches where lighthouses stand against blue skies. The mix of natural beauty and small town charm makes this drive a New England classic for any season.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
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The Olympic Peninsula Loop circles one of the most diverse landscapes in the country. You can see ocean cliffs, rainforests, and snowcapped mountains all in one trip. The road passes through quaint towns and rugged beaches with driftwood scattered along the sand. It’s a drive that combines coastal serenity with the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Big Sur River Road, California
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While smaller than the Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur River Road offers a more intimate version of coastal California. You can drive through redwood groves and along cliffs that drop straight to the ocean. The scenery feels raw and immersive, perfect for those who love both forest and sea. Every curve delivers another breathtaking glimpse of the coast’s untamed beauty.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Louisiana
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Stretching nearly 24 miles, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is one of the longest bridges over water in the world. You can feel the vastness of the lake as the horizon disappears into blue. The sense of openness creates a drive unlike any other in America. When you reach the end, the calm waters and southern skies stay etched in your memory.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia
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The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel blends road and engineering marvel into a drive full of coastal wonder. You can travel across bridges, through tunnels, and above open waters that stretch endlessly around you. The road connects Virginia’s eastern shore with the mainland, offering ocean views from every angle. It’s both thrilling and peaceful, a true journey through sea and sky.
Hana Highway, Hawaii
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The Hana Highway winds through lush rainforest and along cliffs that drop into the Pacific. You can stop at waterfalls, black sand beaches, and fruit stands tucked into tropical hillsides. Every turn feels like an adventure, with ocean views framed by vibrant greenery. The slow pace and natural beauty make this one of Hawaii’s most memorable drives.
Seward Highway, Alaska
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The Seward Highway in Alaska offers some of the most dramatic scenery in North America. You can drive between mountains and fjords while spotting glaciers and eagles along the way. The road follows the Turnagain Arm, where the tide changes reveal mudflats and mirror like reflections. With its wild beauty and endless horizon, this highway redefines what a coastal drive can be.
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