The turkey has been carved, the pie has been served, and the couch is calling. But for car enthusiasts, Thanksgiving offers another tradition worth starting: a drive in a favorite car with someone you love beside you.
Across America, scenic roads offer their own reasons to be thankful, from desert sandstone and coastal views to river valleys and historic towns. We have picked one road or scenic route in every state, with shorter stretches you can build into a holiday outing.
If dinner ends after sunset, save the scenery for the next morning. These are Thanksgiving-weekend ideas, with every drive dependent on local conditions. Check road and park alerts, allow for early darkness, and choose a sober, alert driver. In snow country, take a properly equipped vehicle and leave the collector car home when conditions demand it.
Alabama Lookout Mountain Parkway
Explore the Alabama portion around Fort Payne and Mentone for a drive through mountain communities and wooded scenery. It is an inviting way to extend the holiday conversation while the road does a little wandering of its own.
Alaska Seward Highway
Choose a short stretch south of Anchorage along Turnagain Arm, where mountains meet coastal water. Thanksgiving here calls for daylight, winter tires, and favorable conditions; save the collector car for a season that suits it.
Arizona Red Rock Scenic Byway
Follow Highway 179 through Sedona’s red-rock country. The sandstone landscape brings its own Thanksgiving palette of rust, copper, and warm orange, creating a memorable backdrop for an unhurried outing in a favorite grand tourer.
Arkansas Scenic Highway 7
Sample the route through the Ouachita National Forest near Hot Springs. Forested hills and winding pavement give this drive its appeal, even after peak foliage has passed. Choose a short out-and-back rather than tackling the entire byway.
California Highway 74
Head from Palm Desert toward Coachella Valley Vista Point on the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway. The climb trades neighborhood streets for desert switchbacks and valley views—a fitting excuse to enjoy the car before returning for leftovers.
Colorado Bear Creek Canyon Road
Follow Colorado Highway 74 between Morrison and Evergreen, part of the Lariat Loop. Canyon curves and mountain-town character make this a rewarding daylight drive when pavement is clear. Let November’s conditions decide which car gets the keys.
Connecticut Route 169
Explore the stretch around Pomfret and Woodstock for a taste of rural New England. Historic villages, farmsteads, and wooded countryside suit the holiday mood beautifully. Picture a classic wagon with room for family—and carefully packed leftover pie.
Delaware Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway
Take the Route 52 portion north of Wilmington through the Brandywine Valley. Rolling countryside and historic estates lend the drive a sense of occasion, especially when enjoyed from a comfortable classic sedan with someone special beside you.
Florida A1A
Cruise from St. Augustine Beach toward Flagler Beach through coastal communities including Crescent Beach and Marineland. This stretch of the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway invites a slower pace, an ocean stop, and an open roof when weather allows.
Georgia Russell–Brasstown Scenic Byway
Choose a portion of this mountain loop near Helen and Blairsville for forest scenery and Appalachian views. It is a drive worth savoring on clear pavement, with enough turns to make the journey feel like part of the celebration.
Hawaii Kalanianaʻole Highway
Explore Oʻahu’s southeastern coast between Hawaiʻi Kai and the Makapuʻu area. The highway passes Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach, making a dramatic coastal setting for a Thanksgiving outing. Leave time to appreciate the scenery from designated parking areas.
Idaho Thousand Springs Scenic Byway
Sample the byway near Hagerman for canyon scenery and access to the Thousand Springs landscape. Southern Idaho offers a different holiday backdrop here: rugged geology, river country, and the pleasure of seeing familiar territory from the passenger seat.
Illinois Great River Road
Drive between Alton and Grafton, where Mississippi River scenery and towering bluffs give the road its character. This is a strong choice for a relaxed cruise in an American classic, with the river providing a grand backdrop.
Indiana Ohio River Scenic Byway
Choose a stretch around Madison to enjoy southern Indiana’s river-country setting. The broader byway links historic communities, farmland, and wooded hills. Keep the route modest and leave time to enjoy the town before heading back to the holiday gathering.
Iowa Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
Explore a paved stretch of western Iowa’s byway through its distinctive landscape of windblown-silt hills. Prairie and wooded bluffs offer a reminder that a memorable driving road can be found well beyond the coast or mountains.
Kansas Flint Hills Scenic Byway
Follow a portion of Kansas Highway 177 between Council Grove and Cassoday. Tallgrass prairie and rolling terrain make a beautiful setting for a holiday drive, particularly when the cabin is warm and the conversation has no deadline.
Kentucky Old Frankfort Pike
Explore the historic byway through Kentucky’s Bluegrass countryside near Lexington. Rural landscapes give this road a timeless appeal that feels especially appropriate at Thanksgiving. A classic convertible with the top up would be perfectly at home.
Louisiana Creole Nature Trail
Choose the coastal portion near Holly Beach for a Thanksgiving drive shaped by Gulf scenery and Louisiana’s wetlands. The full trail is a much larger excursion, so select one manageable section and enjoy the landscape at an easy pace.
Maine U.S. Route 1
Explore the Midcoast stretch around Rockport, Camden, and Lincolnville. These communities sit along Penobscot Bay and bring working-harbor character to a holiday outing. A short drive with a harbor stop offers plenty to appreciate before daylight fades.
Maryland Chesapeake Country Byway
Choose the stretch through St. Michaels toward Tilghman Island for an Eastern Shore outing. Maritime communities and country scenery make this a natural fit for Thanksgiving weekend, especially with a car full of relatives who enjoy taking the scenic route.
Massachusetts Old King’s Highway
Follow Route 6A through Cape Cod communities such as Sandwich, Barnstable, and Yarmouth. Historic architecture gives this road an enduring sense of place. A short Thanksgiving cruise here pairs beautifully with a warm cabin and an old favorite on the radio.
Michigan M-22
Explore a portion between Frankfort and Empire, with time for a designated Lake Michigan beach stop. The lakeshore landscape offers plenty of atmosphere beyond summer. Check for lake-effect snow before deciding whether the collector car should join the outing.
Minnesota St. Croix Scenic Byway
Sample the corridor around Stillwater and Marine on St. Croix. River-valley communities give this drive its character, while a short route leaves room for a relaxed stop. In late November, clear pavement matters more than completing a longer itinerary.
Mississippi Natchez Trace Parkway
Explore the Ridgeland area toward Cypress Swamp for a gentle introduction to this historic parkway. The route makes an appealing setting for a quiet holiday drive; check current National Park Service notices before choosing your turnaround point.
Missouri Highway 94
Drive through the Defiance and Augusta area for a taste of Missouri wine-country scenery. Wooded hills and the Missouri River valley give the outing its appeal. Enjoy the landscape with a sober driver and save any tasting for another occasion.
Montana U.S. Highway 89
Follow a short stretch south of Livingston into Paradise Valley for a mountain-framed holiday outing. This is big-country scenery worth seeing in daylight. Check winter conditions first and choose a properly equipped vehicle for the weather.
Nebraska Heritage Highway
Choose a portion of Highway 136 near Brownville for small-town history and southern Nebraska countryside. The broader byway connects communities across the state, but a short Thanksgiving drive can deliver the pleasure of slowing down and looking around.
Nevada Valley of Fire Road
Drive the scenic road through Valley of Fire State Park for red sandstone formations that bring their own autumn colors. This is an outing to plan before dinner or during Thanksgiving weekend: the landscape deserves daylight, and park hours apply.
New Hampshire Coastal Byway
Sample Route 1A along the seacoast through Rye and North Hampton. Sandy beaches and rocky shoreline offer a distinctly New England alternative to a mountain drive. Keep the route short and enjoy the ocean from a designated stop.
New Jersey Delaware River Scenic Byway
Follow Route 29 between Lambertville and Frenchtown for river views and historic communities. This stretch offers a change of pace from the holiday rush, with enough character to make the drive feel like a small trip of its own.
New Mexico Turquoise Trail
Explore New Mexico Highway 14 around Madrid and Cerrillos. This scenic alternative between Albuquerque and Santa Fe connects mining history and artist communities with a striking landscape. Choose a short section and watch for changing weather at elevation.
New York Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway
Select one side of the lake for a manageable Finger Lakes outing. Farmland, vineyards, and small towns shape the route, giving a favorite car a beautiful setting. The full lake circuit is better reserved for a longer daylight excursion.
North Carolina NC Highway 12
Travel south from Nags Head toward Rodanthe for a coastal drive through the Cape Hatteras landscape. Dunes, refuge lands, and island communities give the road its character. Check conditions first, since coastal weather can affect access.
North Dakota Killdeer Mountain Four Bears Scenic Byway
Choose a short section of this western North Dakota byway for Badlands and Little Missouri River Breaks scenery. The landscape rewards a daylight visit, while November conditions call for careful planning and a vehicle ready for winter.
Ohio Hocking Hills Scenic Byway
Explore a portion of the byway through southeastern Ohio’s hills and valleys. The route connects the Hocking Hills’ celebrated park areas, making it easy to build a short outing around one destination rather than a full day of stops.
Oklahoma Talimena Scenic Drive
Choose the Oklahoma section near Talihina for a ridge-top drive through the Winding Stair Mountains. The scenery remains worth appreciating after peak autumn color. Plan for daylight and avoid the outing when fog, ice, or other conditions limit visibility.
Oregon Historic Columbia River Highway
Explore an open drivable section near Troutdale and Corbett for Columbia River Gorge scenery. Historic road design gives the outing special appeal for enthusiasts. Check current access before setting off; portions of the historic corridor are trails rather than vehicle roads.
Pennsylvania Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway
Follow the Pennsylvania portion of Route 52 through the Kennett Square area toward the Delaware line. Countryside and historic character make this an inviting holiday outing, particularly from the comfortable seats of a well-loved touring car.
Rhode Island Ocean Drive
Take Newport’s coastal drive for Atlantic scenery and a route with a sense of occasion. The broader drive passes historic properties and dramatic shoreline. A short outing here proves that a memorable Thanksgiving tradition does not require a long journey.
South Carolina Ashley River Road
Explore the historic corridor northwest of Charleston for a drive rooted in Lowcountry history. The route passes landmarks including Drayton Hall and Middleton Place. Enjoy the road itself, and check holiday hours separately if you plan to visit a property.
South Dakota Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway
Follow U.S. Highway 14A through Spearfish Canyon for limestone cliffs and a mountain-stream setting. It is a beautiful choice when winter conditions permit. Stay on the main paved route and check weather before planning any side excursion.
Tennessee Tellico River Road
Explore Forest Service Road 210 near Tellico Plains, where the road follows the tumbling Tellico River through Cherokee National Forest. The riverside setting suits a quiet holiday outing. Check forest alerts and pavement conditions before choosing your route.
Texas River Road
Sample FM 170 west of Lajitas for a Thanksgiving-weekend drive through Big Bend country. The road follows the Rio Grande and offers dramatic desert scenery. Choose a turnaround in advance and allow plenty of daylight for the return.
Utah Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway
Take Highway 128 northeast of Moab for a drive alongside the Colorado River beneath sandstone walls. A short out-and-back brings plenty of scenery without requiring a full road trip. Watch for ice in shaded areas when temperatures fall.
Vermont Route 100
Choose a short stretch through Vermont’s mountain communities for a holiday drive with classic New England character. By Thanksgiving, autumn may already have given way to winter. Let road conditions set the plan and enjoy the scenery from a warm cabin.
Virginia Route 5
Explore the scenic corridor through Charles City County between Richmond and Williamsburg. Historic homes and James River country give the route its identity. Choose one manageable section for a Thanksgiving outing, leaving time for the drive back before dark.
Washington Chuckanut Drive
Follow State Route 11 south of Bellingham for a winding drive where forest meets coastal scenery. This road suits an unhurried pace and a legal turnout stop. November rain is a good reason to prioritize visibility over the perfect photograph.
West Virginia Midland Trail
Choose a portion of U.S. Route 60 near Hawks Nest for a drive through mountain and gorge country. The wider route crosses the state, but a short section offers plenty to appreciate. Save the curves for clear, dry conditions.
Wisconsin Great River Road
Explore a stretch of Highway 35 along the Mississippi River for river-town character and scenic overlooks. The full Wisconsin route is a much longer adventure, so choose a nearby section and make the holiday drive your own.
Wyoming Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway
Follow U.S. Highway 20 between Shoshoni and Thermopolis for a drive through towering canyon walls beside the river. The geology supplies the drama; the driver supplies the steady pace. Check winter conditions and plan to enjoy it in daylight.
Make the Drive Part of the Tradition
A collector car earns its place in your life through moments like these: a familiar engine starting, a favorite person in the passenger seat, and a road that turns an ordinary trip into a memory.
Woodside Credit helps enthusiasts explore ownership of classic, collector, and exotic vehicles, with financing terms available up to 180 months for qualified buyers. Explore your options at Woodside Credit and start imagining the roads that could come with your next car.
Found a Car – Start Application
This Thanksgiving, save room for dessert—and a few memorable miles.