5 Scenic Spring Road Trips

Hit the open road on routes that offer beautiful views, historic sites, and natural wonders

Mild weather, colorful flowers, and breathtaking landscapes make spring an ideal time to hit the road. The Blue Swallow Motel is along Route 66 in Tecumcari, New Mexico.

Getty Images

Erin Gifford,

AARP

Published March 13, 2025

Spring can be a great time for a road trip, with mild weather, colorful flowers, and breathtaking landscapes – without the summer heat and crowds. According to AARP’s 2025 Travel Trends report, road trips are popular, with 43 percent of travelers 50-plus preferring to travel by car. Domestic travel destinations in the South and West, including Florida (15 percent) and California (11 percent), are top picks. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape or an adventure-filled journey, these five spring road trips offer unforgettable experiences.

Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary in 2026.

New Mexico True

1. New Mexico’s Historic Route 66: Albuquerque to Tucumcari

Kick off your adventure in Albuquerque, where you can wander Old Town’s historic adobe buildings and eclectic art galleries. Stop in the New Mexico Wine Studio, which opened in late 2024 to showcase the state’s family-owned wineries. At Petroglyph National Monument, home to 25,000 ancient rock carvings, the easy Piedras Marcadas Canyon hiking trail offers views of 400 petroglyphs.

Take a short detour to the newly re-opened Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, which is known for its striking cone-shaped rock formations (note: ticketed entry reservations are required via Recreation.gov). Continue north to Santa Fe, where you can stroll Canyon Road’s world-class galleries, visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and shop for handmade goods at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market.

Wrap up your road trip with a nostalgic cruise down historic Route 66 in Tucumcari, where neon-lit motels, classic diners, and the New Mexico Route 66 Museum celebrate the golden age of road travel. With more than 500 miles of historic Route 66 stretching across the state, travelers can take their time exploring the history and culture of the Mother Road, which marks its 100th anniversary next year.

“There’s a strong sense of a renaissance on Route 66,” says Madison Garay, a scholar of the state’s Route 66 history at the University of New Mexico. “For people that really want that midcentury modern Route 66 experience, … detour through Central Avenue,” Garay says. “Gas stations … have been converted to restaurants or coffee shops. … It’s a colorful place. Lots of new neon has been going up recently in anticipation [of] the centennial.”

A guided tour is your ticket to see Hearst Castle’s opulent architecture, manicured gardens, and impressive art collection.

Highway 1 Road Trip

2. California’s Pacific Coast Highway: Santa Barbara to San Simeon

California’s Pacific Coast Highway stuns with vibrant green hills, dramatic cliffs, and sparkling ocean views. Start in Santa Barbara, where you can take in Mediterranean-style architecture, stroll beautiful beaches, and visit the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara, known for its bell towers and lush gardens.

A short detour inland leads to Solvang, a Danish-inspired village with windmills and bakeries serving traditional treats, like almond custard kringle and apple strudel. Stop in Paula’s Pancake House for crepe-like pancakes topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream for breakfast. If time allows, sample syrah, pinot noir and chardonnay in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Further up the coast, Morro Bay State Park features the iconic Morro Rock, which rises 576 feet above the bay. Rent a kayak to paddle the calm waters as cuddly sea lions splash and play in the harbor. In Cambria, stop at Linn’s Restaurant for a slice of olallieberry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

In San Simeon, explore Hearst Castle, the lavish former estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. A guided tour is your ticket to see its opulent architecture, manicured gardens, and impressive art collection. Cap off your adventure at Piedras Blancas Rookery, where you can watch a sprawling sea of elephant seals lounging, playing, and basking in the sun.

An airboat ride in Everglades National Park offers the chance to see alligators in their natural habitat.

Shutterstock / Mia2you

3. Florida’s national parks: Miami to the Florida Keys

Spring can be a wonderful time to explore Florida’s national parks. Begin in Miami at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, home to the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, which turns 200 in 2025. Special events, such as stargazing and monthly volunteer days, will take place throughout the year.

Next, head to Everglades National Park, a prime spot for birdwatching, where you can spot bird species such as herons, egrets, and roseate spoonbills. Take an open-air tram tour at Shark Valley for views across the wetlands or join a ranger-led bird walk at the Guy Bradley Visitor Center. A fan-propelled airboat ride offers the chance to see alligators in their natural habitat.

Continue to Biscayne National Park, where 95 percent of the park is underwater. It’s home to coral reefs, shipwrecks, and marine life such as sea turtles and manatees. A three-and-a-half-hour boat tour with the Biscayne National Park Institute includes a one-hour stop at Boca Chita Key, Elliott Key, or Adams Key. On the boat, a guide shares stories of the park’s rich history.

End your adventure with a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, accessible only by boat or seaplane, which features historic Fort Jefferson and exceptional opportunities for snorkeling. “I’m not typically a snorkeler, but the water is so absolutely gorgeous,” says Melody Pittman, 56, of Mesquite, Nevada, who runs a travel blog called Wherever I May Roam. “We saw a parrot fish, a goliath grouper, … stingrays, and then a million colorful tropical fish. … I definitely advise [that you] bring an underwater camera.”

In Fredericksburg, Texas, visit Wildseed Farms, one of the largest working wildflower farms in the country.

Travel Texas

4. Texas Hill Country: Austin to San Antonio

Spring in Texas Hill Country brings a vibrant display of bluebonnets, red poppies, and Indian paintbrushes stretching across rolling fields. Start your road trip in Austin, where you can immerse yourself in the city’s live music scene, indulge in finger-lickin’ barbecue, and explore the Barton Creek Greenbelt, which offers 12 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Next, head west to Fredericksburg, a charming town with deep German roots, quaint shops, and more than 75 vineyards and wineries. Visit Wildseed Farms, one of the largest working wildflower farms in the country, then motor along the 13-mile Willow City Loop, where colorful wildflowers blanket the hills in brilliant colors.

Continue to Bandera, the self-proclaimed “Cowboy Capital of the World,” to learn about the area’s rich Western heritage. Wildflowers flourish at Medina River and Hill Country State Natural Areas, where easy hiking trails are surrounded by colorful blossoms.

Wrap up your journey in San Antonio by exploring the recently unveiled Plaza de Valero, which features a beautiful, pedestrian-friendly gateway to the Alamo. Stroll the River Walk, visit the historic San Antonio Missions, or wander the San Antonio Botanical Garden, where native wildflowers thrive under the warm Texas sun.

A Lowcountry drive should include a stop in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Hilton Head Island Bluffton VCB

5. Lowcountry escape: Charleston, South Carolina, to Jekyll Island, Georgia

This spring road trip kicks off in Charleston, where you can stroll past pastel-colored historic homes on Rainbow Row, meander through the French Quarter, or relax at Waterfront Park while taking in views of the iconic Pineapple Fountain. At Middleton Place, centuries-old gardens come alive with blooming azaleas, magnolias, and camellias.

Continue to Bluffton, a quiet coastal retreat full of Lowcountry charm. Follow the Shell Art Trail, which features 21 giant hand-painted oyster shells scattered across town. At Hunting Island State Park, take a ferry to St. Phillips Island for a naturalist-led ecotour to explore this unspoiled barrier island, which is home to native wildlife such as fox squirrels, raptors, and sea turtles.

Next, head to Savannah, Georgia, where blooming azaleas bring vibrant color to the city’s historic squares. Stroll 30-acre Forsyth Park, the city’s largest and oldest public park. Tour historic mansions, explore the Savannah Botanical Gardens, and indulge in homemade ice cream at Leopold’s, which has been scooping since 1919.

Wrap up on Jekyll Island, a 5,500-acre barrier island and one-time retreat for America’s wealthiest families, like the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts. “What I love about Jekyll is that I love the history, … and the Jekyll Island Club has a lot of history,” says frequent Jekyll visitor Sue Rodman, 56, of Atlanta. “It was an island just for millionaires.” Rent a bike to explore more than 24 miles of scenic trails, as well as Driftwood Beach, where weathered trees create a striking, other-worldly landscape.

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Erin Gifford is a travel and outdoor writer based in northern Virginia. She has written for The Washington Post, Parents, Thrillist and The Wall Street Journal.

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