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12 Jaw-Dropping Bus Routes Across America So Scenic They Ruin Every Other Way to Travel
Traveling by bus often carries an unfair reputation for being purely utilitarian, but it offers one of the most relaxing ways to witness the diverse landscapes of the United States.
When you are behind the wheel, your attention is fixed on the asphalt and traffic signals, leaving you with only fleeting glances of the mountains or coastlines you came to see. But handing the driving duties over to someone else allows you to fully immerse yourself in the scenery rolling past your window.
It also happens to be a choice that benefits the environment. Intercity buses produce significantly less carbon dioxide per passenger-mile compared to personal vehicles (with buses emitting around 0.15 pounds versus 0.47 pounds for cars).
Choosing a bus route for your next vacation opens up access to some of the country’s most protected and pristine environments without the stress of navigating winding mountain passes or narrow coastal roads yourself.
You can stare down into deep canyons, watch for wildlife in alpine tundras, or gaze at endless ocean horizons, all while reclining in a comfortable seat.
From the historic corridors of the East Coast to the rugged cliffs of the Pacific, these routes prove that the road less driven by you is often the most beautiful one of all.
Pacific Coast Highway – California
The Pacific Coast Highway is widely considered one of the most spectacular drives on the planet. This stretch of California State Route 1 hugs the cliffs of the central coast, offering passengers uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean crashing against rocky headlands.
While driving it requires intense focus due to the narrow lanes and sharp turns, taking a bus allows you to simply watch the waves and the dramatic shoreline.
Public transit options such as SamTrans Route 118 or 112 provide access to limited segments of this iconic highway from the San Francisco Bay Area.
You will see seaside towns and cypress forests as the bus winds its way south from Colma. The route takes you past beaches where surfers line up for waves and through coastal fog banks. And traveling by bus here removes the hassle of finding parking at crowded overlooks, which can be nearly impossible during peak tourist seasons.
The pace is leisurely, fitting perfectly with the laid-back atmosphere of the California coast. It is a rare opportunity to see the edge of the continent without the white-knuckled grip on a steering wheel.
Denali Star Route – Alaska
The journey from Anchorage to Denali National Park traverses some of the most untamed wilderness in North America. And while the Denali Star is a famous train, the bus route along the Parks Highway offers an equally stunning perspective of Alaska’s interior.
The Park Connection Motorcoach operates trips that cover this 240-mile stretch, typically taking about six hours to complete the voyage.
This route takes you through the heart of the landscape, crossing Broad Pass at an elevation of 2,409 feet, where the views of the Alaska Range are panoramic and imposing.
Passengers are treated to sights of forests, rushing rivers, and the towering peaks that define this region. And on clear days, the massive summit of Denali itself may become visible, dominating the horizon.
The bus even stops in Talkeetna, a historic town known for its mountaineering history and quirky local culture.
Wildlife sightings are common along the highway, so you might spot moose grazing near the treeline or bears wandering on the open tundra. Plus, the “Park to Park” service connects Denali with Kenai Fjords National Park, making it easy to link two massive natural wonders in a single itinerary if you wish.
Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina To Virginia
Stretching 469 miles from Virginia to North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is often called “America’s Favorite Drive” for good reason. It connects Shenandoah National Park in the north to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the south, following the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A bus tour along this route immerses you in the Appalachian Highlands, where rolling ridges fade into the blue haze that gives the mountains their name.
And the road was designed specifically for leisurely travel, free from billboards and commercial traffic, ensuring that the natural beauty remains the primary focus.
One of the most impressive features you will encounter is the Linn Cove Viaduct. This engineering marvel wraps around Grandfather Mountain, floating above the terrain to preserve the fragile ecosystem below.
As you travel, the elevation changes dramatically, reaching a high point of 6,053 feet at Richland Balsam Overlook. These shifts in altitude mean you pass through diverse habitats, from lush hardwood forests to spruce-fir forests similar to those found in Canada.
Beartooth Highway – Montana To Wyoming
Beartooth Highway is a high-altitude spectacle that Charles Kuralt once called “the most beautiful roadway in America.”
This route climbs to an astounding 10,947 feet above sea level at Beartooth Pass, making it one of the highest paved roads in the continental United States. Completed in 1936, the highway traverses a landscape of glacial cirques, alpine lakes, and snowfields that persist well into the summer.
Taking a bus on this route allows you to appreciate the dramatic switchbacks and sheer drops without the anxiety of driving them.
You’ll start in lush pine forests and ascend into fragile alpine tundra where wildflowers bloom in late June and July. And the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness surrounding the highway is home to grizzly bears, mountain goats, and elk, often visible on the slopes.
The views from the summit stretch for miles, encompassing 20 peaks over 12,000 feet, including Granite Peak, the highest point in Montana.
Be aware that because of the extreme weather conditions at this altitude, the road is only open from Memorial Day weekend through early October.
Going-To-The-Sun Road – Montana
Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering masterpiece that bisects the park east to west. The road spans 50 miles and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, which sits at 6,646 feet.
Due to the road’s narrow lanes and tight curves, vehicles longer than 21 feet are prohibited, making the park’s dedicated shuttle system the ideal way to visit.
But these fare-free shuttles aren’t just for the big rigs that can’t make it. They run from July through Labor Day, allowing anyone to access the alpine sections without worrying about the intense traffic or parking shortages at the top.
The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. You travel past weeping walls of water, deep glacial valleys, and jagged peaks that scrape the sky. The shuttle also stops at key points like the Jackson Glacier Overlook, which offers the best view of a glacier from the road.
Wildlife is abundant near Logan Pass, where mountain goats and bighorn sheep frequently graze just yards from the pavement. And riding the shuttle also contributes to preserving the park’s environment by reducing the number of cars on the road.
Route 89 – Arizona To Utah
Route 89 serves as the main artery connecting some of the Southwest’s most iconic national parks. So this road trip takes you through a geologic wonderland, linking the rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona to the towering cliffs of Zion and the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon in Utah.
A bus trip along this corridor reveals the stark, dramatic beauty of the Colorado Plateau. The landscape shifts constantly, from the Ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona to the red rock deserts that define southern Utah.
As you travel north, the Vermilion Cliffs rise up in brilliant shades of red and orange, creating a natural barrier that runs for miles. Then the road crosses the Colorado River at Glen Canyon, offering views of the massive dam and the deep blue waters of Lake Powell.
Further along, you enter the Sevier River Valley, where green fields contrast sharply with the arid surroundings.
At the end of the day, this route is a geology lesson in motion, displaying millions of years of Earth’s history in the exposed rock layers. And sitting high in a bus seat gives you the perfect vantage point to appreciate the scale of these vast, open spaces.
Overseas Highway – Florida Keys
Overseas Highway is a unique engineering feat that connects the Florida Keys to the mainland, stretching 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West.
Often called the “Highway that Goes to Sea,” it incorporates 42 bridges that leapfrog from island to island over the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
This road follows the path of Henry Flagler’s historic Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad, which was completed in 1912. Today, it is designated as an All-American Road, recognizing its scenic and historic value.
The most famous section is the Seven Mile Bridge, where the road seems to float endlessly above the water. From a bus, the view is dominated by the shimmering sea on both sides, broken only by the occasional boat or mangrove island.
If you look closely, you can see the remnants of the old railroad bridges running parallel to the modern highway, standing as weathered monuments to the past.
The bus takes you through distinct island communities, each with its own character, before ending at the southernmost point of the continental United States. It is a tropical journey that feels completely unlike any other road trip in the country.
Route 66 – Illinois To California
Route 66 is perhaps the most famous road in the world, symbolizing the freedom of the open highway. Established in 1926, it originally ran 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, serving as a primary route for those migrating west during the Dust Bowl.
Although it was officially decommissioned in 1985, much of the route remains drivable and is preserved as a National Scenic Byway.
Bus tours along the “Mother Road” focus on the nostalgia and history that line the pavement, stopping at restored diners, vintage gas stations, and quirky roadside attractions.
Expect the cornfields of Illinois, the rolling hills of the Ozarks, and the vast deserts of the Southwest. And the route is dotted with neon signs and small towns that have dedicated themselves to keeping the spirit of the road alive.
A bus trip here is not just about the scenery, but about connecting with the stories of the millions of people who traveled this path looking for a better life.
California’s Wine Country – Napa And Sonoma
A bus trip to California’s wine country offers a blend of agricultural beauty and culinary indulgence. Amtrak Thruway bus connections link train stations to the rolling vineyards of Napa and Sonoma, making the region accessible without a car.
The landscape here is defined by neat rows of grapevines that stretch over gentle hills, punctuated by grand estate wineries and farmhouse architecture. Depending on the season, the vines might be lush green or turning brilliant shades of gold and red.
The roads wind through valleys protected by coastal mountains, creating microclimates that are perfect for growing grapes. And you’ll pass through charming towns like Yountville and Healdsburg, which are famous for their world-class restaurants and boutique shops.
Bus travel is particularly practical here, as it removes the worry of driving after wine tastings.
You can relax and watch the golden light hit the hills in the late afternoon, sipping a glass, appreciating the Mediterranean-like atmosphere that makes this one of the premier agricultural regions in the world.
Cape Cod Scenic Route – Massachusetts
Route 6A, also known as Old King’s Highway, winds through the historic heart of Cape Cod. This scenic byway presents a quintessential New England experience, lined with sea captains’ homes, centuries-old trees, and stone walls.
A bus ride along this route feels like traveling back in time. The road curves gently through the villages of Sandwich, Barnstable, and Brewster, offering glimpses of Cape Cod Bay through the trees.
It is a stark contrast to the busy highways that bring most visitors to the cape. The scenery includes salt marshes that turn golden in the fall and cranberry bogs that add splashes of crimson to the landscape. Y
ou pass historic churches with white steeples and local general stores that have served their communities for generations. The route eventually leads toward the outer cape, where the landscape opens up to the massive sand dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Traveling by bus allows you to peer over the hedges and fences to see the gardens and architecture that make this area so charming.
Hudson River Valley – New York
The Hudson River Valley offers a scenic escape that combines natural grandeur with deep historical roots. Bus routes traveling north from New York City often follow the river, providing views of the steep cliffs of the Palisades and the wide, flowing waters of the Hudson.
This region was the birthplace of the Hudson River School of Art, and looking out the window, you can easily see why painters were so inspired by the light and the landscapes.
The valley is even dotted with grand estates, including the homes of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Vanderbilts. So you get nature and grandeur all in one place.
In the fall, this route becomes one of the premier destinations for leaf-peeping in the Northeast. The hillsides erupt in vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows, reflecting off the river surface. The roads twist through the highlands, offering elevated views that are difficult to appreciate when you are focused on navigating the curves.
Columbia River Gorge – Oregon
The Historic Columbia River Highway is an architectural and natural treasure in the Pacific Northwest. The road was the first scenic highway in the U.S. to be named a National Historic Landmark, designed specifically to showcase the Columbia River Gorge.
The gorge itself is 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, carved by the mighty Columbia River. And a bus trip along this route takes you past a stunning collection of waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah Falls, which plunges 620 feet.
The highway features masterful stonemasonry and bridges that blend seamlessly with the mossy cliffs and forests. You will likely stop at Vista House at Crown Point, an observatory that offers commanding views of the river spreading out below.
The climate changes dramatically as you travel east, moving from the lush, wet forests of the western gorge to the drier, golden hills near the Dalles.
Access to the popular waterfall corridor now often requires a reservation for cars, making a bus tour a convenient way to bypass the logistics and simply enjoy the “King of Roads.”
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