While summer road trips get most of the attention, March offers a sweet spot for exploring America’s highways and byways. As winter loosens its grip and spring starts peeking through, the roads become less crowded and temperatures hit that just-right zone for outdoor adventures. From desert landscapes in the Southwest to early cherry blossoms in the East, each region serves up its own version of seasonal charm.
Here are 20 of the best US road trips to take in March, ranging from sun-soaked coastal drives to mountain routes where you might catch the last dustings of snow.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
One of America’s most famous drives, the Pacific Coast Highway in California hugs the coastline from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The route takes you past rugged cliffs, hidden beaches, and small coastal towns that feel frozen in a simpler time. Listen to the sound of crashing waves and watch for migrating whales as you wind your way along Highway 1. In March, you’ll find fewer tourists than peak season, and the weather is just right for exploring spots like Big Sur, where redwood forests meet the sea. Road-trippers can stop at local fish shacks for fresh catch, explore lighthouses that have guided ships for generations, and discover why so many artists and writers have called this stretch of coast home.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia
Ever driven along a road where the mountains seem to unfold like a never-ending story? That’s what you’ll find on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic route winding through North Carolina and Virginia. The parkway comes alive in March as winter’s chill gives way to early spring blooms, with dogwood and redbud trees dotting the landscape. You can pull over at countless overlooks to take in views of the Appalachian Mountains, or explore historic sites like Mabry Mill, where time seems to stand still. The nearby mountain towns offer cozy spots to rest, from Asheville’s craft beer scene to Floyd’s famous Friday night jamborees where old-time music fills the air.
Death Valley National Park, California
Looking to escape winter’s last gasp? I always recommend a March trip to Death Valley National Park. Located on the California-Nevada border, this desert wonderland offers pleasant daytime temperatures and wildflower blooms that transform the normally arid landscape into a colorful canvas. As North America’s lowest point, the valley floor sits 282 feet below sea level, creating unique geological features like salt flats, sand dunes, and multicolored rock formations that tell the story of millions of years of Earth’s history.
Route 66 Chicago to Albuquerque
The classic Route 66 stretch from Chicago to Albuquerque draws road trip enthusiasts looking to experience a slice of American history, but this route offers much more than nostalgia. Along this 1,200-mile journey, you’ll find quirky roadside attractions like the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma and the Cadillac Ranch in Texas. The route passes through small towns and big cities, giving travelers a chance to sample local diners, meet friendly locals, and explore mom-and-pop shops that have been operating for generations. In March, the weather tends to be mild and comfortable for driving, and you’ll encounter fewer tourists than during the peak summer months, making it an ideal time to explore this iconic highway at your own pace.
Florida Keys Overseas Highway
The 113-mile stretch from Miami to Key West along the Florida Keys Overseas Highway offers one of the most unique road trips in America, where the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico merge into endless shades of blue. This string of islands connected by 42 bridges lets you hop from key to key, with stops for fresh seafood, water activities, and small beach towns along the way. The Seven Mile Bridge, one of the longest segments, provides views of turquoise waters on both sides as pelicans glide alongside your car. While many travelers make the journey to reach Key West’s laid-back atmosphere and sunset celebrations, the smaller keys like Marathon and Islamorada offer quiet beaches, kayaking through mangroves, and local seafood shacks that make perfect mid-journey stops.
Texas Hill Country Bluebonnet Trail
Experience one of nature’s most impressive shows along the Texas Hill Country Bluebonnet Trail in March. These iconic blue wildflowers blanket the rolling hills and countryside between Austin and San Antonio, creating perfect photo opportunities at every turn. Take the scenic drive through charming small towns like Marble Falls and Fredericksburg, where you can stop for local wine tastings and German pastries. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center offers guided tours to help you spot the best blooms, and you’ll find plenty of pull-offs along the route where you can get up close to these Texas state flowers.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Many travelers come to Grand Canyon National Park for its iconic South Rim views, but this natural wonder can also be experienced through its lesser-known hiking trails and viewpoints. The park’s 277-mile length offers countless spots to watch the changing colors of the canyon walls as the sun moves across the sky. In March, when temperatures hover in the comfortable 50-60°F range, you can explore the Bright Angel Trail or take a scenic drive along Desert View Drive without the summer crowds. While most visitors spend their time at the popular overlooks, you can also find quiet moments along the Rim Trail or join a ranger-led program to learn about the park’s rich geological history.
Las Vegas to Zion National Park Route
Trade the bright lights of Vegas for the red rocks of Utah on this 160-mile desert journey to Zion National Park. The route takes you through Valley of Fire State Park, where ancient petroglyphs and twisted sandstone formations dot the landscape. Stop at the quirky little town of St. George for lunch before winding your way up to Zion’s towering canyon walls. Once there, hop on the park shuttle to see highlights like Angels Landing and the Narrows, where you can wade through shallow streams between soaring cliff faces. The drive takes about 2.5 hours without stops, but you’ll want to give yourself a full day to soak in the dramatic shift from neon to nature.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee/Mississippi
The Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile route connecting Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, offers one of the most peaceful drives in the American South. Many road trippers come for the historical significance of this ancient path once used by Native Americans and early settlers, but the parkway is equally known for its outdoor recreation opportunities. The route winds through three states, passing by waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks that are particularly pleasant in March when wildflowers begin to bloom. While the entire parkway can be driven in about 10 hours, most visitors take their time exploring the numerous historical sites, picnic areas, and nature walks along the way, making it an ideal 3-4 day road trip destination.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
March is the perfect time to explore Joshua Tree National Park, where two distinct desert ecosystems meet in Southern California. I recommend starting your adventure at Hidden Valley, where massive granite boulders and twisted Joshua trees create an otherworldly landscape that rock climbers and hikers love. The park’s unique mix of Mojave and Colorado desert features gives you the chance to spot bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and wildflowers that bloom during this mild spring month.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Many travelers head to Saguaro National Park for its iconic giant cacti, but this Arizona treasure offers much more than just desert flora. The park, split into two districts on either side of Tucson, features rolling hills and mountain ranges that create perfect conditions for hiking and wildlife spotting. In March, when temperatures hover in the comfortable 70s, the desert comes alive with blooming wildflowers and active wildlife. While the scenic drives through both districts provide easy access to the park’s highlights, the 165 miles of hiking trails let you get up close with the desert ecosystem, and early spring offers the ideal weather for exploring them.
Charleston to Savannah Coastal Route
Want to experience the best of Southern charm? Take the scenic coastal route between Charleston and Savannah, where Spanish moss drapes from ancient oaks and historic mansions line cobblestone streets. In March, azaleas paint the gardens in soft pinks and purples, while the weather hits that sweet spot – not too hot, not too cold. You can stop at laid-back beach towns like Beaufort along the way, where fresh seafood shacks serve up the day’s catch and locals share stories on wraparound porches. The 108-mile drive takes you through the heart of America’s Lowcountry, where Gullah culture thrives and every small town feels like a journey back in time.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Many travelers head to Big Bend National Park for its desert landscapes, but this Texas gem offers so much more than just cacti and sand. The park sits right along the Mexican border, where the Rio Grande creates deep canyons and natural hot springs dot the terrain. In March, when temperatures hover in the pleasant mid-70s, wildflowers blanket the desert floor in patches of yellow and purple. You can spend your days hiking through the Chisos Mountains, paddling down the river, or stargazing in one of the darkest night skies in the continental U.S. While most visitors come for the outdoor activities, the park’s rich history of Native American settlements and frontier outposts adds another layer to explore.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina
If you’re looking for a spring road trip destination with both natural beauty and outdoor fun, head to the Great Smoky Mountains. Straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, this national park offers over 800 miles of hiking trails where you can spot early wildflowers and maybe even catch a glimpse of black bears emerging from their winter slumber. The winding mountain roads, like the popular Newfound Gap Road, take you through misty valleys and past rushing mountain streams that come alive with the spring thaw.
San Antonio to Austin Hill Country Drive
The winding roads between San Antonio and Austin took me through Texas Hill Country back in spring 2019. This 80-mile stretch of Highway 281 cuts through the heart of the Lone Star State, where limestone hills roll endlessly into the horizon. Small German towns like New Braunfels and Gruene dot the landscape, their historic main streets lined with biergartens and antique shops. Natural swimming holes like Jacob’s Well and Hamilton Pool provide perfect stops along the way, their cool waters carved deep into the rocky terrain over thousands of years. The route winds past vineyards and lavender farms, offering a softer side to Texas that many visitors never get to see.
Phoenix to Sedona Desert Drive
I first drove from Phoenix to Sedona in spring of 2019, following the winding path of Interstate 17 north through the Sonoran Desert. The scenic route climbs nearly 4,000 feet from the valley floor into red rock country, where towering sandstone formations rise up against clear blue skies. The small city of Sedona sits nestled among these rust-colored cliffs and spires, just a two-hour drive from Phoenix but worlds apart in landscape and atmosphere. Oak Creek runs through the heart of town, carving a lush green ribbon through the desert terrain, while hiking trails and vista points dot the surrounding national forest land. The Chapel of the Holy Cross, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop, offers some of the best views of the area’s distinctive geography.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
The Olympic Peninsula Loop draws road trippers to Washington state for its mix of rainforests, beaches, and mountain vistas, but this 300-mile route offers much more than just natural scenery. The loop takes you through small coastal towns like Port Angeles and Aberdeen, where you can stop for fresh seafood and local craft beer. In March, you might spot migrating gray whales from the beaches near La Push, and the Hoh Rainforest shows off its moss-draped trees without summer crowds. While Hurricane Ridge often has snow this time of year, lower elevation trails in Olympic National Park are usually accessible, making it perfect for early spring hiking and wildlife watching.
Gulf Coast Highway, Alabama/Mississippi
The Gulf Coast Highway connecting Alabama and Mississippi offers one of the South’s most laid-back coastal drives. This 150-mile stretch of road hugs the shoreline, letting you hop between sleepy beach towns, historic sites, and seafood shacks that serve up the freshest catches from the Gulf. I love how the route balances natural beauty – with its white sand beaches and moss-draped oaks – alongside cultural stops like Biloxi’s centuries-old lighthouse and Mobile’s antebellum homes. While summer draws the crowds, March hits that sweet spot with mild temperatures and fewer tourists, perfect for rolling down the windows and taking in the salty air at your own pace.
Santa Fe to Taos High Road, New Mexico
Take the scenic High Road between Santa Fe and Taos for a journey through New Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. This winding 56-mile route takes you through small Spanish colonial villages and Native American pueblos, where local artisans showcase their traditional crafts in roadside galleries. Stop at the Santuario de Chimayo, an adobe church known for its healing soil, or explore the San Jose de Gracia Church in Las Trampas, built in 1760. The road climbs through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offering views of red rock formations and high desert landscapes that have inspired artists for generations.
Valley of Fire State Park Drive, Nevada
For a true taste of the American Southwest, head to Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. Located just an hour from Las Vegas, this 40,000-acre park showcases towering red sandstone formations that look like they’re straight out of Mars. The winding roads take you past ancient petroglyphs, natural arches, and rock formations that seem to glow bright red in the desert sun – hence the park’s name.