Text by Alex Schechter
Artwork by Osamu Kobayashi Angeles Crest Highway from Hollywood Hills, California
Fifteen minutes from Los Angeles, California State Route 2 morphs into the Angeles Crest Highway, a panoramic tour de force through the San Gabriel Mountains. At Dawson Saddle (elevation 7,901 feet), take in Antelope Valley, with its hills that turn a luscious green after winter rains.
New Canaan, Connecticut
from rye, new york
Pass under a series of Art Deco bridges on the Merritt Parkway, built in the 1930s to relieve congestion on Route 1 and now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. After 20 miles, arrive at New Canaan, Connecticut, where mid-century masterpieces are within view or open for tours, like Philip Johnson’s Glass House and the Noyes House.
Overseas Highway
from miami, florida
This 113-mile highway completed in 1938 is the epitome of scenic byways—it is surrounded by sparkling, blue water. Set out before sunrise to have the road practically to yourself, and then stop for waffles and sticky buns at Green Turtle Inn or cruise the entire way to Key West.
Old King’s Highway
from boston, massachusetts
The Old King’s Highway, a 36-mile coastal byway spanning the length of Cape Cod, was once a Wampanoag trade route; later, Mayflower pilgrims drove carts and wagons here. In Yarmouth, tour the Captain’s Mile, featuring 18th century sea captains’ homes. (Black and gold schooner plaques mark the oldest.)
Tantalus Drive & Round Top Drive
from honolulu, hawai‘i
After switchbacking through lush rainforest on the narrow Tantalus Drive, emerge at Pu’u Ualaka‘a State Park, whose grassy picnic area and trails offer views of Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline. For more sweeping views on your return, follow Round Top Drive, first cleared in 1892 to access new land settlements (though it wasn’t paved until 1937).
Lycian Way
from bodrum, turkey
The meandering, two-lane D400 road loosely follows the original trade route of the ancient Lycians, who founded the city of Telmessos in the 5th century BCE. From Bodrum, it’s an enchanting three-hour drive to Fethiye (modern-day Telmessos), known for its crystal-clear coves and rock tombs suspended over the edge of the Mediterranean.
