10 Most Romantic Road Trips for Lovers

Nothing brings lovers closer together than a road trip together. The US has many romantic spots where couples can discover the country's most beautiful sights together, the publication writes Travel & Leisure.

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So why not celebrate Valentine's Day with a little trip along one of the ten suggested routes!

Stock up on your favorite road trip snacks, put together a playlist, and head out on one of these romantic road trips for two.

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New England: Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont

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Start your Maine road trip by visiting Acadia National Park, which offers hiking and biking trails. Then head to Camden, a Maine coastal gem. Stroll downtown, have a picnic on the beach, and admire the picturesque lighthouses. Next stop is Portland, where you can check out local breweries, art galleries, and, of course, see the many lighthouses. Start at the historic Portland Head Light, located on the shores of Fort William Park in Cape Elizabeth.

Then head west to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where you can spend the night at the Omni Mount Washington Resort. This hotel is located in Bretton Woods, the state’s largest ski resort, which has long been a favorite getaway for presidents, artists, and celebrities seeking mountain solitude. Finish your trip in Waterbury, Vermont, where you can visit the Ben & Jerry’s factory and enjoy some ice cream.

From Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo, California

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Start your trip in glamorous Los Angeles and spend a day exploring iconic landmarks like the famous Hollywood sign. Then take Highway 101 to Ventura, where you can try your hand at surfing or take a ferry to Santa Cruz Island to explore its wilderness.

From Ventura, the route follows the coast to Santa Barbara, where you can stroll through the Funk Zone and visit local wineries. Spend the night at the Hotel Californian, and the next morning, head out on Route 154, which leads through the mountains and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley.

Don't miss the opportunity to stop in the cozy Danish town of Solvang to try traditional European sweets, such as homemade aeblskivers - fried dough balls. On the way back to Highway 101, stop by OstrichLand, where you can feed and watch ostriches.

The route then passes through Los Alamos and the vineyards of the Santa Maria Valley, and then along the coast through the city of Pismo Beach. The trip ends in romantic San Luis Obispo, where you can enjoy surfing, kayaking, and other active recreation.

Western National Parks

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A great place to start this itinerary is Yellowstone National Park, home to more than 10 hot springs and geysers, including the famous Old Faithful. Then stop in Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming, which boasts majestic mountain scenery, picturesque alpine lakes, and spacious meadows. Spend the night at Lost Creek Ranch & Spa for a Wild West experience, where guests stay in cozy log cabins and enjoy classic ranch activities like horseback riding.

Next stop: Utah. On the way from Yellowstone, you can spend the night in Salt Lake City at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, which is conveniently located in the city center, and then head to Arches National Park. Here, you will be mesmerized by the views of the 36-mile scenic drive (58 km) and more than 2000 natural arches, including the famous Delicate Arch.

The final stop on the route is Canyonlands, located just a half-hour drive from Arches. The park is divided into three main areas for different skill levels: the rugged, wild Needles area, the remote Maze region, and the easy-to-reach Island in the Sky, with a paved road that offers views of rock spires, ridges, and canyons carved by water.

Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire)

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This scenic 55-mile drive along Route 112 in northern New Hampshire is best known for its stunning fall scenery, but it’s a great destination any time of year, especially when snow blankets the ground and turns the mountains into a winter wonderland. The drive offers stunning views of the White Mountain National Forest, the Swift River, Sabbaday and Lower Falls, and Rocky Gorge.

The Kanka Highway, as locals call it, climbs to nearly 1000 feet in elevation. The highest point is at Kancamagus Pass at the base of Mount Kancamagus near Lincoln. Start the drive in Conway and stop at the Saco Ranger Station west of town to pick up a map and plan your visit. Highlights include the 1858 Albany Covered Bridge and the picturesque Sabbaday Falls. This romantic drive ends in Lincoln, where you can stay overnight at The Mountain Club on Loon, a year-round hotel perfect for ski season.

Historic Route 66: Chicago, Illinois – Los Angeles, California

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Often referred to as the Mother Road by author John Steinbeck, this 2400-mile route from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles is an iconic American road trip that can be turned into a romantic week-long trip with plenty of interesting stops.

Start in Chicago, where you can try the city’s famous deep-dish pizza and admire the masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago. Then head to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to visit the Blue Dome district, an area filled with trendy restaurants, pubs, boutiques, and nightclubs. Don’t miss the renovated Blue Dome, a former 1920s Gulf Oil station that sometimes hosts festivals.

Next stop is the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, a famous art installation covered in graffiti (bring your own spray paint). In New Mexico, be sure to check out the vintage shops in Albuquerque and take a photo in front of the neon sign for the historic Route 66. In Arizona, visit the Petrified Forest National Park, but don’t take even the smallest pebble as a souvenir – according to legend, it brings bad luck in love.

End your trip in sunny California at the Santa Monica Pier. As a reward for your trip, stay at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, which embodies the relaxed California lifestyle.

Oregon's Scenic Coast

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When driving Highway 101 along the Oregon coast, your first stop is the scenic Samuel H. Boardman Wilderness Area. Here, 20 miles of dense forests meet pristine beaches, massive cliffs, and azure water. Visit the Arch Rock and Natural Bridges picnic areas, then stop at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

For overnight stays, head to the Hallmark Resort in Newport, where rooms have ocean views from their balconies and a walkway leading directly to the beach.

The route then goes along the picturesque Three Capes loop, where you will see the famous Haystack Rock – a massive hundred-meter cliff in Cannon Beach. Then it is worth visiting Ecola Park, and after that – have a romantic evening by the fire on the beach.

End your trip in Seaside with typical resort-town fun. Visit the old arcade, spin the carousel, ride the bumper cars, play miniature golf. The loser buys the winner a Seaside salt taffy.

Overseas Highway (Florida): Miami - Florida Keys

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The Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West offers a unique journey. Over 180 kilometers, the road passes over 42 bridges, meaning almost all the time it is over water. By the end of the route, you will be closer to Cuba than to Miami.

A romantic getaway begins in Key Largo, home to John Pennekamp Reef National Park. Here, you can admire the reef from a glass-bottom boat or get a closer look while scuba diving or snorkeling.

Next stop is Marathon, where you can meet rescued marine mammals at the Dolphin Research Center and visit Curry Hammock Park.

The route then crosses the Seven Mile Bridge, the longest in Florida, and arrives at Big Pine Key. Here you can see the rare Key pygmy deer and stay overnight at the Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, located on the small island of Little Torch Key.

Now it's just 45 minutes to Key West, but before you do, stop at Mangrove Mama's on Sugarloaf Key for fresh seafood. End your trip at Mallary Square in Key West in time for the romantic Sunset Festival, an evening event featuring live music, street performances, and local vendors.

Glacier Country in Montana

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Mountain biking, hiking, and some of the best skiing in the world are just a few of the many things the Big Sky Country has to offer. Start your romantic getaway in Missoula, Montana’s cultural hub and home to the University of Montana. Relax in nearby natural hot springs or float down a river and sample local craft beer with River City Brews Rafting Tours.

Then head to Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, which covers more than 200 square miles and is ideal for sailing, fly fishing, and water skiing. For stunning lake views, stay overnight at Mountain Lake Lodge in Bigfork.

Then travel another 40 miles (64 km) north to Whitefish, where you'll find excellent hiking and skiing. Don't miss out on a tour of the Montana Coffee Traders roastery. Finish the trip with a hike through the stunning mountains and lakeshores of Glacier National Park.

Scenic Highway 12 in Utah

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Utah's scenic Highway 12 is more than 150 kilometers of All-American Road. At 9000 feet (2,7 km), it offers spectacular views of the Henry Mountains, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and the shimmering red rocks of Capitol Reef National Park. Start your drive in Pangwich, explore the scenery of Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park.

Then, take in the views at Kodakrom Basin State Park before staying overnight at Escalante Yurts glamping campground. Utah’s light-pollution-free skies are perfect for a romantic evening under the stars. Be sure to visit Escalante Petrified Forest State Park and stop by Kiva Koffeehouse for espresso and freshly baked goods.

Before ending your trip, take a day to explore Capitol Reef National Park.

Pacific Coast Highway (California): San Luis Obispo – San Francisco

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Nothing says California dream like the scenic coastline and laid-back atmosphere of Big Sur. Start in San Luis Obispo by following Highway 1 through the coastal town of Morro Bay. See sea otters at Morro Rock and stop by Shine Cafe for vegan and vegetarian options or grab a latte at dog-friendly Top Dog Coffee Bar.

Continuing along the coast, you’ll reach Ragged Point, which offers stunning views of the Big Sur coastline. Stay overnight at the Ragged Point Inn and Resort and hike the Ragged Point Trail, which leads to a hidden waterfall and incredible ocean views. Enjoy the ambiance of this cozy two-lane highway, stopping at McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach, where the sand sometimes takes on a purple hue after rain.

Leaving Big Sur, you'll find yourself in Monterey County - stroll along Cannery Row in Monterey and browse the antique shops of Carmel. Then take a scenic drive along the 27-mile road to Pebble Beach for stunning coastal views.

Additional emotions and impressions will be a reward if, before the final point of the route, you get to the tidal pools of Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, where majestic sequoias grow.

In San Francisco, romantic views of the Golden Gate Bridge await you from the nearby cliffs of Marin Headlands.

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