Are you looking for an epic road trip in the Southwest? Then you need to check out these super scenic and extremely Instagram-worthy highways that will make your trip just perfect.
Everyone knows Route 66 – but let’s face it! There are so many spots that are even prettier.
The Southwestern states of the USA are quite big, and there are a lot of awesome places to go for a road trip. But after traveling to this area now for over half a year, I have definitely found the most incredible streets you can think of!
To help you plan your ultimate Southwest road trip, I have created this awesome guide! Also, this post gives me a chance to show off all the drone shots I keep taking on my road trips.
Let’s get to it!
Keep on reading: Ultimate Southwest USA Road Trip Itinerary (4-8 Weeks)
1. Potash Road – Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway U-279
This iconic 17-mile drive leads you along a towering sandstone cliff. It is often called “Wall Street” and is a must-visit for anyone exploring Moab.
Near the street, the Colorado River flows alongside, creating stunning views and making this one of the Instagrammable spots in the US.
It’s not just the scenery that captivates here—you’ll find lush canyons, ancient rock art, dinosaur tracks, and even some arches.
Stay for at least 5 days in Moab – to experience most of the region.
2. Scenic Byway 12 (All-American Road)
Scenic Byway 12 is also known as the All-American Road and is one of the most breathtaking drives in the United States.
It stretches for 122 miles through Utah, and the route connects two national parks—Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park.
You’ll also pass by some other iconic spots like the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
The road takes you through a mix of red rock canyons, dense forests, and open desert landscapes!
3. Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway
The Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway is a beautiful drive that takes you from the desert up to the forested summit of Mount Lemmon in Tucson.
Covering 27 miles, the road climbs over 6,000 feet. What’s cool is that you’ll see dramatic changes in scenery, from cactus-filled desert landscapes to pine forests.
Along the way, there are plenty of pullouts and overlooks where you can enjoy the view and take some Instagram snaps.
At the top, you’ll find the quaint town of Summerhaven, which is equally picturesque.
4. San Juan Scenic Byway
The San Juan Skyway is a looped drive through some of Colorado’s most stunning mountain scenery. It stretches out over about 233 miles.
It is mostly known for the famous “Million Dollar Highway” stretch between Silverton and Ouray. But to be honest, the entire drive is scenic.
This byway takes you through high mountain passes, historic mining towns, and lush forests.
Along the route, you’ll pass iconic spots like Durango, Telluride, and Ridgway – and it is an awesome spot to see beautiful fall foliage every year!
5. US Highway 82
While New Mexico has a couple of scenic byways (8 to be precise), I prefer this hidden gem of mountain road over the more popular drives.
US Highway 82 in New Mexico is a beautiful drive that stretches east to west, and you can see a mix of desert and mountainous landscapes.
Starting in the desert town of Artesia, it leads you through the Sacramento Mountains to Cloudcroft. The Lincoln National Forest is especially beautiful.
As the highway descends, you’ll arrive in Alamogordo, where you can explore the famous White Sands National Park.
6. Highway 163 (Monument Valley)
Highway 163 is an iconic route running through the heart of the American Southwest. It gives the most classic road trip vibes.
You’ll be going from Kayenta, Arizona, into Utah – right through Monument Valley.
The highway has become famous for its “Forrest Gump Point.” Make sure to pull over for one of the most Instagrammable views in the Southwest.
7. Zion National Scenic Byway
The Zion National Scenic Byway (also known as Utah State Route 9) is a short but spectacular drive.
It will take you through some of Utah’s most stunning landscapes. Lastly, it leads directly into Zion NationalPark.
You’ll see impressive red cliffs, beautiful canyons, and some super steep drop-offs. It will definitely get you in the mood for Zion’s dramatic scenery.
The byway includes the famous Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. It takes you through the cliffs with breathtaking views on the other side.
Along the way, there are lots of pullouts and overlooks where you can stop to take in the beauty before you even enter the main park area.
8. US Highway 93
US Highway 93 is a long, scenic route that stretches from Wickenburg, Arizona, up through Nevada, Idaho, and into Canada.
On this route, you’ll see some of the American West’s most striking landscapes. While I don’t recommend driving the entire highway, there are a couple of parts you should certainly check out.
My favorite part leads from Arizona via the Hoover Dam to Las Vegas. You can enjoy stunning views of rugged mountains and cactus-filled plains.
In Nevada, it continues through wide-open desert lands, including the remote Great Basin.
9. State Route 89A (Sedona – Flagstaff)
Another super scenic drive in the Southwest is State Route 89a, leading from Sedona to Flagstaff.
This scenic drive takes you through Oak Creek Canyon, one of my favorite spots in Sedona.
You’ll see views of red rock cliffs, dense forests, and winding mountain roads. The route is also known for its switchbacks and breathtaking overlooks.
It’s one of the most Instagrammable drives in Arizona, especially in the fall when the canyon is full of vibrant autumn colors.
10. US Highway 89 (Kanab – Page)
The last one of my favorite scenic drives through the Southwest is Highway 89 from Kanab, UT, to Page, AZ.
This scenic route will lead you through striking desert landscapes and offer stunning views of colorful cliffs, mesas, and canyons.
Along the way, you’ll pass attractions like the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness and the iconic Horseshoe Bend near Page.
US 89 is also a key route for exploring both Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Conclusion: 10 Most Scenic Highways in the Southwest USA
In this post, we have discussed my favorite highways in the Southwest USA – and they are all so Instagrammable.
Most roads on this list are not super-famous – like the Route 66, the Red Rock Scenic Byway, or the Catalina Highway. But that makes them even more special in my opinion.
We have seen so much natural beauty, passed by amazing rock formations, and discovered the best trails that the Southwest of America has to offer, in my opinion.
And the best part about all these roads? They lead to some of my favorite holiday destinations, like the Grand Canyon North Rim, Sedona, Santa Fe, California, the Las Vegas Strip, Yellowstone, or Taos.
Make sure to take some time for wildlife viewing, hiking, dining, and learning about the heritage of the native Americans when driving these trails.
About the Author
Hi friend, I am Sabrina, a passionate travel blogger and photographer from Austria.
I love capturing the world through the lens of the seasons, chasing soft spring blooms, golden autumn light, and cozy winter moments along the way. My goal is to help you discover destinations at their most magical moments.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.