The quintessential road trip is one of the most iconic aspects of American life. There’s simply something charming and nostalgic about hitting the open road, taking in the many sites, towns, and cultures along the way. They also provide an avenue for people to bond, explore, and even grow as individuals.
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While you may have a clear destination before setting out, the route you choose is almost as important to figure out. To help you, we’ve compiled the most scenic routes in the United States to take to help get you where you need to go. On top of that, we’ve also outlined some of the finest auto auctions across the United States to help you find the right wheels to take you there.
Pacific Coast Highway
View of Pacific Coast Highway, at Garrapata State Park, California.
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Are you taking a trip along the west coast of California? The Golden State’s historic Highway 1, stretching from San Diego to San Francisco, is one of the country’s most breathtaking stretches of roadway. Along it, you’ll find towering Redwoods, historic landmarks, rocky coasts, and so much more.
Don’t forget to keep your eyes open; you may spot a harbor seal or catch a breathtaking sunset along the way. Also, if you’re driving nearby, check out the iconic 17-mile drive outside Pebble Beach — you won’t regret it!
The Overseas Highway
Aerial view of Bahia Honda State Park Bridges, Florida – USA.
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Are you embarking on a journey across the Sunshine State? The Overseas Highway that spans across the Florida keys, stretching from the mainland to Key West, is one of the most unique driving experiences available in America. U.S. 1 is one of the country’s most iconic roadways, offering unique drives over the ocean as it surrounds you on both sides.
Along it, you can take in the unbelievable views of the ocean, visit many breathtaking coral reef parks and preserves found throughout the keys, and check out the famous 7-mile bridge, one of the longest in the entire world.
The Cascade Loop
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Checking out Seattle or passing through Washington? The famous Cascade Loop is one of the more exciting and unique scenic routes to take on your road trip. This stretch of highway takes you in a massive 440-mile circle through some of Washington’s greatest sites.
You’ll drive through many mountains and forests and even pass by the famous Puget Sound. The biggest thing left to figure out is if you want to go clockwise or counterclockwise; either way, you can’t go wrong.
Historic Route 66
Route 66 pavement sign with Mojave desert red rock mountain sunset.
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One of the most iconic offerings on this list is the infamous and historic Route 66. Also known as the Mother Road, Route 66 holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many Americans, having been immortalized in countless poems, songs, and films over the years. It’s almost as iconic to automotive history as the road trip itself and may very well be the road where the concept of the “road trip” first took hold.
Along your journey, you’ll encounter numerous state and National Parks to visit, along with natural wonders like Meramec Caverns and the Painted Desert. You’ll also come across various man-made wonders and oddities, like the World’s Largest Rocking chair that helped make the route famous and iconic.
The Best Places to Buy Road Trip Vehicles
Of course, before setting out on your road trip, you will want the right vehicle to help take you there. While choosing can be confusing with so many available options, it doesn’t have to be difficult.
To help simplify the shopping process for you, we’re going to review some of the top auto auctions available in America. That way, you know you have something safe and reliable to take you where you want to go.
SCA Auto Auction
Leading the North American insurance auto auction industry, SCA is one of the top choices for finding the right vehicle for your road trip. They have over 170 vehicle locations across the country, featuring over 300,000 vehicles available to bid on and buy at their 160 weekly online auto auctions.
Carriage Trade Public Auto Auction
Growing from a modest single salvage yard to a massive regional auto auction, Carriage Trade Public Auto Auction has had an amazing journey over the last 40 years. Today, the company offers over 500 vehicles available at their weekly auction, which is held every Monday afternoon.
Copart
Founded over 40 years ago, Copart has grown from a single salvage yard to one of the biggest online auto auctions around. With over 200 locations across 11 countries auctioning over 175,000 vehicles daily, they’re bound to have an option that will make your road trip safe and memorable.
Take in the Most Scenic Views in America
Highway 1 on the pacific coast, California.
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Whether you’re taking in the beautiful sites of California’s Pacific Coast Highway, or the unique views offered by the Overseas Highway, there are plenty of scenic routes across the country that help you get where you need to go while providing so much to take in and enjoy. These routes showcase the wonder that America has to offer and let you appreciate natural wonders that can easily be missed when you take the roads most traveled.
Whether you reach out to a dealership or source from an auto auction, you want to ensure you have the right vehicle to help take you where you want to go. When hitting the market, consider an amazing online auto auction like SCA to help you get the automobile you need.