Hit The Road This Summer On Some Of The Nation’s Most Iconic Highways

The U.S. is a country that was practically founded on the ideals of embracing the highway. From the frontier-taming days of the early pioneers to the cross-country treks many of us make every year, the road trip is practically an American institution. With summer in full swing, road trip season is gearing up, and many car enthusiasts and travel junkies will find themselves hitting the road to pay homage to the classic roadways on which the country was built. Many of the nation's famous highways are iconic landmarks in their own right, and all you gas pedal pilgrims out there may find it worthwhile to plan your trips to be able to spend some quality time with these famous roadways.

Route 66
No list of classic American highways would be complete without Route 66, perhaps the most famous and revered stretch of U.S. pavement. Informally dubbed The Mother Road, construction of this 2,000-mile two-lane​ road began in 1926 as a means to connect Chicago to Los Angeles, Smarter Travel reported. Completed 16 years later, the nation's first superhighway offered more than just a scenic drive for road trip enthusiasts – it was both a literal and a metaphorical connection between the American Midwest and California, a symbol of unity and a celebration of the frontier spirit that built America. Travel And Leisure recommended the stretch between the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, a path which will wind you through mountains and desert plateaus for an unparalleled glimpse of the nation's natural beauty.

Blue Ridge Parkway
On the east coast of the country, the Blue Ridge Parkway connects two of the region's most breathtaking natural parks – Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina. As Forbes indicated, this nearly 80-year-old highway spans 450 miles, taking drivers on a tour of the scenic vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as the surrounding valleys, foothills and rural farmlands. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of busy urban bypasses or major interstate highways, the Parkway is a perfect road for you to experience a meditative connection between yourself, your car and the road you're traveling.

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