I've done some of these top National Park routes after visiting all 50 states

[theking]

Based on 2026 travel data, these are among the top scenic drives within U.S. National Parks perfect for a road trip, stretching from California's desert to the Virginia mountains:

Death Valley Scenic Byway, California & Nevada: Offers dramatic desert landscapes, including Artist’s Drive, Dante's View, and vast salt flats.

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: A 105-mile scenic route along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for spectacular overlooks and fall foliage.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana: An engineering marvel crossing the Continental Divide, offering some of the most stunning mountain views in the country.

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, Zion National Park, Utah: Passes towering red rock cliffs and the Virgin River, with shuttle-only access during peak seasons.

Crater Lake Rim Drive, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: A 33-mile drive circling the deepest lake in the U.S. with breathtaking panoramic views.

Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: Known as the "Highway to the Sky," it reaches over 12,000 feet, offering panoramic views above the treeline.

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia: Although a separate National Parkway, it connects directly to Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains NP, often called "America’s Favorite Drive".

Signal Mountain Summit Road, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming: Winds to the top of Signal Mountain for spectacular views of the Tetons and Jackson Hole.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee: A 5.5-mile one-way loop that provides a quiet, scenic alternative to main park roads.

Road to Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington: Winds through dense forests and waterfalls, ending at the stunning alpine meadows of Paradise.Coast al Drive, Redwood National and State Parks, California: Offers stunning views of the rugged coastline and massive redwood trees.

[theking]

Took this photo at Death Valley: