This article is part of podcast episode 343: Scenic Road Trips for RV Travelers – The Journey Is the Destination. Listen to Jason and Abby discuss the four iconic routes below and a collection of others on the RV Miles Podcast YouTube channel, or click here for the audio version.
Four Iconic RV Road Trips
Road trips and RVing go hand in hand. There’s nothing quite like watching the landscape change mile by mile from behind the windshield of your RV. While there are thousands of scenic drives across the country, a few stand out as truly iconic RV road trips.
These routes showcase the best of America’s landscapes, roadside attractions, and classic travel experiences. Some are perfect in the fall, others shine in winter or spring, but all of them deserve a spot on every RVer’s bucket list.
Grab a map, pack your sense of adventure, and start planning your next RV trip on one of these legendary American roads.
Looking for iconic RV road trips in the United States? Some of the best RV drives include Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys. These scenic routes offer incredible views, historic roadside attractions, and unforgettable RV travel experiences.
Route 66 (Illinois to California)
No list of iconic RV road trips would be complete without Route 66.
Stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, this historic highway is packed with nostalgia, quirky roadside attractions, and classic Americana.
Along the way, you’ll encounter several National Park sites, including one of our favorite day stops, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Route 66 is also famous for its roadside attractions, such as:
- Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
- The Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma
- The Santa Monica Pier in California
The beauty of Route 66 is that you don’t have to drive the entire route to enjoy it. Many RVers tackle it in sections, exploring small towns, diners, and vintage roadside stops along the way.
Our favorite stretch? The New Mexico and Arizona portion, which we’ve driven several times. It delivers big desert views, classic Route 66 charm, and plenty of RV-friendly stops.
Pacific Coast Highway (California)
Few drives in America rival the beauty of the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1).
This roughly 600-mile coastal route hugs the cliffs of California and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged shorelines, and dramatic coastal scenery.
However, RVers should plan carefully.
Not all sections of the Pacific Coast Highway are big rig friendly, especially the narrow and winding sections near Big Sur. We drove part of the PCH during our Baja to Alaska adventure in our 25-foot IBEX 20BHS, which handled the route well.
If you’re traveling with a larger RV, consider parking inland and taking day trips to the coast with your tow vehicle or toad.
Editor’s Note: As of December 2024, portions of the Pacific Coast Highway remain closed or under repair due to extreme weather damage. Always check road conditions and closures before planning your trip.
Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)
Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
This scenic drive is especially spectacular in the fall when the mountains explode with color, but it’s beautiful year-round.
One of our favorite ways to experience the parkway is simple: pack a dinner, find a scenic pull-off, and watch the sunset over the mountains.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is filled with overlooks, picnic areas, and short walking trails. Many visitors stop for the view and move on, but if you take the time to explore those small paths, you can often find surprising natural features—and even a little solitude—in a very popular destination.
If you see a trailhead at an overlook, take it. You never know what you’ll find just a short walk away.
Overseas Highway (Florida Keys)
Also known as the Overseas Highway, this 113-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 1 connects the islands of the Florida Keys all the way to Key West.
Driving this route feels like traveling across the ocean, with long bridges connecting island after island.
RV parks are plentiful throughout the Keys, and for good reason. This region is extremely popular with snowbirds escaping northern winters.
Driving an RV to Key West can be a bit of a trek, but with good planning it’s absolutely doable. If you’re hesitant about bringing a larger RV into the Keys, another option is to stay on the Florida mainland and take a day trip down the Overseas Highway with your tow vehicle.
If you do plan to stay in the Keys, make reservations early. Campgrounds in the Florida Keys book up fast, especially during the winter season.
Plan Your Next RV Road Trip
America is filled with incredible roads that are perfect for RV travel. Whether you’re chasing coastal views on the Pacific Coast Highway, mountain scenery on the Blue Ridge Parkway, or roadside nostalgia on Route 66, these iconic RV road trips offer unforgettable adventures.
The hardest part isn’t choosing a road — it’s deciding which one to drive first.
