The Sunday drive or the great American Road trip may seem like something of the past, but as more people are seeking ways to vacation with their families that don’t involve the TSA lines at the airport, or the high prices of modern tourist attractions, driving has once again found its place among America’s most enjoyed pastimes. At the same time, with roads that are far more congested today than they were even five years ago, driving has become both stressful and difficult. But that doesn’t mean you can’t step back and enjoy the properly planned trip on today’s roadways.

Taking the family out to see the countryside, or to enjoy some of the great roads that take you through historical places and even times, can be a wonderful way to spend time together and get to where you might be going. Regardless of what you like, whether it is the high peaks of the mountains or the low-lying plains of the Midwest, there’s a road trip, and a road, out there for you. We’ve picked some of the best, so don’t let the car transporters have all of the fun taking your car across the country; check out some of these American roads that can provide you and your family with a memorable trip that will be fun, relaxing, and enlightening.

Out West: Montana’s ‘Going to the Sun Road’

Cutting through Montana’s beautiful Glacier national park, this road seemed to be well suited to its name. If you’re into mountains, and we mean real, life Rocky mountains, then this might just be the perfect way to spend your vacation. Not only will you be able to bask in the shadow of some of the highest peaks in North America, but you will be able to return to wherever it is you live with the bragging rights associated with having traveled the only road that cuts through the park, and likewise, the Continental Divide. It’s 53 miles long though, so make sure you’re prepared before you begin your trek.

Through the Appalachians: Blue Ridge Parkway

There’s a reason behind the name Blue Ridge; in the distance, the peaks of the Appalachian mountains show as a continuous ridge of grey-blue against the skyline. Best traveled in the fall when the leaves have changed color, the Parkway really is one of the more beautiful stretches of road in the entire United States. Spanning almost five hundred miles, you’ll rarely see the landscape that you’ll be able to witness when you travel along this road, which begins in the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.

Oh Colorado: Cottonwood Pass

For those who love the tall peaks of the Rockies, but aren’t headed up towards Montana, Cottonwood Pass offers both beauty and functionality. Running through the southern parts of the state, those who thought they might not be able to enjoy something like Going to the Sun Road may be surprised to find themselves immersed within the fourteen thousand foot peaks of the Colorado Rocky mountains.

Island Getaway: Maui’s Road to Hana

While you might not be able to drive to Hawaii itself, and you’ll be left having to either rent a car or use a car transporter to get yours to the island chain, once there you can enjoy the 68 mile long Road to Hana. Comprised of over six hundred individual curves, along with fifty-nine bridges, a canopy of the natural rainforest, multiple waterfalls, and of course, iconic views of the Pacific, this road can give you a whole new perspective on driving. Far away, yes, but it’s well worth the time it takes to get there and enjoy.

The Great Plains: Simple South Dakota’s I-90

All of the roads on this list, so far, have had thought provoking names that offer insight into what you’ll find along the drive, but not all roads get the glory and the fame. In fact, this one stretch of I-90, which runs through South Dakota, may seem like just another road that traverses the country, but in reality it is so much more. If you’re planning a trip during the summer time, be sure to take this route into consideration. With wildflowers and sprawling plains that reach out towards the sky in all directions, you’ll take away a great image of the west, the plains region of the United States, and a new idea of what the country was before cities grew up around it.

The Deep South: Natchez Trace

If you’re planning a trip somewhere in the deep south, then you might want to make it a point to visit Natchez Trace. Originally just a path used by Native Americans, the highway was built to commemorate the history of the area. At exactly four hundred, forty-four miles long, this road takes drivers through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Gently moving through the sloping hills, over the ridges of the foothills, and across areas where the Great Depression left its mark long ago, this two lane road offers something you just can’t find elsewhere.

Sail Away: Florida’s Overseas Highway

It’s often said that people who traverse the seven mile bridge that leads from the southern tip of the state of Florida, to the northern-most point of the Keys, are sailing as much as they are driving. Consisting of the end of Route 1, and built over railroad tracks that used to exist there, traversing this hundred twenty-seven mile stretch is probably as close to the ocean, and paradise, as you can get from a car.

The Painted Desert: Red Rock Scenic Road

Going through the Painted Desert is unlike any other experience in the country, which is why so many people seek out the trip. With red rocks, splashed with other desert colors, surrounding you, and little else to see far into the distance, traveling along the Red Rock Scenic Road can offer solitude and images of mountains and formations that you can’t find in any other state. Just remember, be sure to prepare yourself before getting on these roads; with little along the north-south passage through the state, you’re likely to find yourself lost and enthralled in the colors and shapes and not the gas gauge.