In the United States alone there are 184 designated byway routes with gorgeous vistas and historic cultural sites, according to the National Scenic Byway Foundation.
So no matter where you go in the U.S., you should expect to see a beautiful road filled with amazing things to see.
Some of the most famous scenic drives include Historic Route 66, which goes from downtown Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in California, according to Stacker.com.
Other scenic drives include the Pacific Coast Highway in California, which runs down 650 miles of the Golden State’s coastline; the Natchez Trace Parkway, which stretches from Tennessee to Alabama and Mississippi; and Colorado’s Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, which is 14,264 feet tall at its peak, according to Stacker.com.
But if you want to take a scenic drive across Massachusetts this spring, Stacker.com has compiled a list of amazing roads you can drive through this season.
Stacker.com used data from Tripadvisor, an online travel agency, as of March 2024, to list the top seven scenic drives in the Bay State, according to its website.
Tripadvisor ranks each attraction on a scale of one through five, five being the highest score.
The travel website uses a combination of metrics, including overall ratings, reviews and several page views to determine the score, according to Stacker.com.
Jacob’s Ladder Trail
- Rating: 3/5 (1 review)
Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway in Becket and Lee was built in 1910 after Lee residents and other citizens of Berkshire County asked for a nice road over the county, according to Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area.
Jacob’s Ladder is the first road to cross a mountain range that was built for the increasing number of cars hitting the road, the Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area reported. As a result, the byway became a tourist destination.
“This was a very scenic ride along the river, with views of mountains and valleys,” one reviewer from Tripadvisor wrote. “Many towns to pass through, but not much to stop for within those towns. Maybe it’s off-season, but there didn’t seem to be much. Must be gorgeous in the fall.”
Storrow Drive
- Rating: 4/5 (6 reviews)
Storrow Drive, officially called James Jackson Storrow Memorial Drive, is a Boston parkway that runs near Charles River. This two-mile stretch of road was built in 1951 and provides drivers with a nice view of Boston University Bridge, Charles River Esplanade and the Hatch Memorial Shell, Bostontoday.com reported.
“When traffic in the city can get dull and boring, Storrow Drive at least provides you with a great view of the Charles River,” Marc Dalmau wrote on Tripadvisor. “It is also much safer than Memorial Drive in Cambridge (opposite side of river) as Storrow Drive has a divider.”
Old King’s Highway
- Rating: 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
Old King’s Highway is one of America’s most scenic roadways, according to the National Scenic Byway Foundation. Old King’s runs across the coast of Massachusetts, giving drivers a nice view of Cape Cod and nearby towns.
The route was initially believed to have been used by Native Americans as a trading route between villages and camps in the area, the National Scenic Byway Foundation reported. Over time the route has been used and transformed by settlers traveling east to west. Once maritime activities became popular, the route became a scenic spot.
“This road is a slower and more gentle means of going along the Cape from Sandwich to Orleans, than the hectic Route 6,” Michael C. wrote on Tripadvisor. “Whenever possible, we took the little detours to the beaches and harbors. The whole trip took nearly a day and we had a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing time.”
Memorial Drive
- Rating: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
Memorial Drive in Cambridge runs along the Charles River, and is great for exercise and other outdoor activities, especially biking.
“There are great paths along the Charles on Memorial Drive. It is great for walking, running and biking in a very safe area,” Darlene A. wrote on Tripadvisor. “You can see so much activity on the Cambridge side and also easily go over one of the bridges that take you into Boston. Also, parts of the road are closed on Sunday so there is lots of room for all the outdoor activity that you can imagine. There are also playgrounds and parks along the route as well that can be explored if you have children. Several benches if you want to just watch the water or take a rest as well.”
Mohawk Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (91 reviews)
The Mohawk Trail in western Massachusetts is a 69-mile that leads from the Hudson and Mohawk River Valleys in New York to the Deerfield and Connecticut River valleys in Massachusetts, according to the National Park Service.
The park is a scenic tourist route which is also adjacent to The Mohawk Trail State Forest, which surrounds the trail and is great for camping, hiking and other outdoor activities, the National Park Service reported.
“The Mohawk Trail is such a beautiful drive. Beautiful vistas as far as the eye can see,” Mary F. wrote on Tripadvisor. “We stopped at the Wigwam Western Summit for a coffee with the most beautiful view. This is the second time I have been. It was all green and lively, but I liked it better in the fall. They colors are breathtaking. The people at the store are very friendly and helpful. Take your time, sip your coffee and enjoy the scenery! It is a very romantic spot! One of these days I will stay in one of the cabins. It is a must-see.”
