There is something magnetic about the open road when the ocean runs beside it. The salt-kissed air whips through your hair, sunlight shimmers off the water, and each bend reveals another postcard view filled with sea cliffs, hidden coves, weathered piers, and towns where time slows down just enough to savor a seaside meal. Coastal drives are not only about the miles you travel but about the moments you collect along the way. These are the roadside diners, the sunrise reflections, and the sense of freedom that only the ocean can bring.
From California’s rugged Pacific cliffs to Maine’s lighthouse-dotted shores, here is your ultimate guide to America’s most breathtaking coastal drives and how to make the most of every mile.
Pacific Coast Highway: Big Sur to Mendocino Loop, California
There is a reason Highway 1 is the crown jewel of American road trips. Stretching roughly 250 miles from Big Sur to Mendocino, this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway is cinematic at every turn. You will cruise past Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls, and the dreamy seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, where art galleries, ocean mist, and coastal wine tastings await.
Take your time exploring Pfeiffer Beach’s purple sands and Point Lobos’ emerald waters. Plan your drive to catch sunset at Big Sur when the sky ignites in pink and gold over the cliffs. Each stop feels like its own love letter to the California coast.
Highway 101, Oregon Coast
If the Pacific Coast Highway is California’s claim to fame, then Oregon’s Highway 101 is its wild and untamed sibling. This 363-mile journey from California’s border near Brookings to the city of Astoria, Oregon, takes you through misty forests, windswept dunes, and seaside towns where the catch of the day is always fresh.
Along the way, pull over at Cannon Beach to see Haystack Rock rising from the surf, tour the Tillamook Creamery for a creamy pit stop, and visit Heceta Head Lighthouse for sweeping views of the Oregon coastline. Meanwhile, short hikes to hidden sea stacks and tide pools reveal the wild heart of the Oregon Coast.
Hana Highway, Maui, Hawaii
The Hāna Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, is not just a drive; it is an experience through paradise. This 64-mile road winds along Maui’s lush northeastern coast with over 600 curves and 50 bridges leading through rainforests, waterfalls, and ocean vistas that feel otherworldly.
Stop at Twin Falls for a swim, walk along the black sands of Waianapanapa State Park, and enjoy fresh banana bread from roadside stands. Start early, take your time, and let the island teach you to slow down. On the Road to Hāna, the journey truly is the destination.
Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, North Carolina
The Outer Banks Scenic Byway stretches 138 miles through 21 barrier islands, coastal villages, and wildlife refuges connected by bridges and ferries that feel like gateways to another era. Here, time moves to the rhythm of the tides. Its northern entry begins at Whalebone Junction and ends at the southern tip of Hatteras Island.
Spend the night on Ocracoke Island, where porch swings creak in the breeze and seafood comes straight from the boat. Explore the wild dunes at Cape Lookout National Seashore or watch the sunset over Pamlico Sound. This is the Carolina coast at its most soulful and timeless.
Route 1 and Acadia Scenic Byway, Maine
For rugged charm and classic New England beauty, few places rival Maine’s Acadia Scenic Byway. This 40-mile stretch through Acadia National Park delivers granite cliffs, crashing surf, and postcard-worthy views at every overlook.
Explore Bar Harbor’s quaint streets, hike to Thunder Hole to feel the roar of the Atlantic, and cap the day at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse as it glows against the setting sun. Visit in autumn for an unforgettable mix of fiery foliage and deep blue sea.
A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway, Florida
A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway is a 72-mile section of State Road A1A, stretching from Ponte Vedra Beach to Flagler Beach. This byway is well-known for its tropical beauty and coastal history. One moment you are cruising through ecological preserves and coastal parks, and the next you are wandering the cobblestone streets of St. Augustine, the nation’s oldest city.
The best part of this drive is its ocean views, and if you start your day early enough, you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular sunrise on the East Coast.
Ocean Drive, Rhode Island
Just ten miles long, Newport’s Ocean Drive proves that an unforgettable coastal escape does not require hundreds of miles. This scenic route skirts Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic and encompasses most of the southern coast of Aquidneck Island, passing Gilded Age mansions, windswept beaches, and top seafood spots.
Stroll the famous Cliff Walk, admire the Newport Mansions, and watch the sunset turn the cliffs gold. End the evening at a dockside restaurant with fresh lobster and a glass of chilled white wine for a perfect taste of coastal elegance.
Coastal drives capture the essence of freedom—the open road ahead, the ocean at your side, and the endless possibilities around the next curve. From the golden cliffs of Big Sur to the windswept dunes of the Outer Banks, each route offers a new way to fall in love with America’s shores.
Fill up the tank, roll down the windows, and follow the horizon. The coast is calling, and the adventure begins the moment the waves come into view.