I always looked forward to family vacations as a kid. My parents would load the minivan with games and a cooler full of goodies, and we’d hit the road. Of course, my little sister and I would usually end up fighting in the backseat, but the conflicts were laid to rest with pit stops along the way and the occasional ice cream break at Dairy Queen.

The most memorable road trip was one that we took to Red River, New Mexico the summer after fourth grade. It was the first time I saw a mountain range. I remember winding our way through the beautiful scenery, stopping at various outlooks to relish the views and explore. To me, road trips have always been about more than just getting from Point A to Point B; they’re a chance spend quality time with family and to see parts of the country that you’d otherwise overlook.

Knowing that summertime is limited and road warriors have a lot of ground to cover, I consulted the road-tripping gurus at RoadTrip Wizard to get their recommendations on making the most of America by car. They suggested 15 drives to introduce the family to some of the country’s most beautiful, natural landscapes, but I whittled the list down to my five personal favorites:

Acadia National Park to Connecticut River Byway
Expect to wind through some of the most amazing scenery the Northeast has to offer as you make your way through parts of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Begin your journey at Acadia National Park, located along Maine’s rocky coast, where you can spend just a few hours or several days exploring the outdoors. Drive the 20-mile Park Loop Road for breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains and forests, then get out and stretch your legs. Hike 125-miles of historic trails, or take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the 45-mile carriage road system. After you’ve done your share of exploring, head south to Kennebunkport, a leisurely four hour drive from the park. Eat dinner at Port Lobster before you settle down for the night at one of the town’s quaint bed and breakfasts. Enjoy a cup of coffee and gourmet feast before hopping in your car and crossing over into New Hampshire, where the White Mountain National Forest awaits. Traversing the heart of the mountain range, the 34-mile stretch of Kancamagus Scenic Byway offers scenic views. For a more intimate encounter, explore one of the five wilderness areas by foot. End your journey along the Connecticut River Byway, a corridor of highways, byways and waterways along the Connecticut River in both Vermont and New Hampshire. View Itinerary.

Atlanta to Miami
Begin your trip in Atlanta as you prepare to drive through Okefenokee Swamp, St. John’s River and the Everglades before reaching your final destination – Miami. Encompassing more than 400,000 acres, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge protects one of the oldest and most well preserved freshwater areas in the United States. Experience wilderness canoeing for an up-close encounter with herons, egrets, alligators and other species that inhabit the refuge. Spend the day fishing at one of the 60 lakes that dot the refuge or hike one of the trails before heading south into Florida. Follow the St. John’s River through small communities that line the state’s longest river. Stop in Cassadaga, a calm village of practicing spiritualists; visit DeLand, a town inspired by the culture of ancient Athens, Greece; or spend the day splashing in DeLeon Springs. Make your way to Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the country. The park boasts rare and endangered residents such as the American crocodile, Florida panther and West Indian manatee. Once you’ve explored some of the richest nature areas in the country, relax on the beaches of Miami. View Itinerary.

Beartooth Scenic Byway to Bigfork
Travel along what Charles Kurault called “America’s Most Beautiful Highway” as you relish spectacular scenic vistas of Montana’s Custer, Shoshone and Gallatin National Forests. Ending near the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Beartooth Scenic Byway winds through rugged mountains, icy glaciers and alpine meadows. Stop at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, where you can learn about the plight of the Northern Plains Indians, then make your way across the Idaho border and soak amid statuesque cedar trees in Jerry Johnson Hot Springs. Head back into Montana toward Bigfork, known by locals as “Village by the Bay.” Explore its art galleries, live theatre, sidewalk cafes and restaurants, or spend a day fishing at Flathead Lake. View Itinerary.

Olympic National Park to Mt. Hood
Perfectly positioned along Washington’s coast, Olympic National Park provides a scenic start to your onward journey. Enjoy Pacific Ocean beaches, rain forest valleys, glacier-capped peaks and a variety of plants and animals. Backpack through the wilderness; hike the Hurricane Ridge nature trails; take a sunset walk along Rialto Beach; or explore lesser-known areas such as Deer Park or the Quinault Valley. Drive to Anacortes, where you can catch a ferry to the San Juan Islands. Plan on spending at least a full day island hopping to go on whale watching tours; indulging at the wineries; or visiting the parks. From there, head toward Seattle to experience hip urban culture, then discover Mount Ranier, an active Cascade volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and glacial ice. View another active volcano about 250 miles away. Mount Saint Helens, along the shores of Silver Lake, provides challenging hikes to those who dare to make the climb. End your road tripping adventure in Mt. Hood, Oregon, where you can explore the Columbia River Gorge and its riverfront towns. View Itinerary.

Phoenix to Grand Canyon
Leave the car in the parking lot for now, and start your family vacation exploring Phoenix. Play a round of golf at one of the 200-some-odd courses, or spend a day at one of their world class spas. (We recommend the Alvadora Spa at the Royal Palms Resort or Golden Door Spa at The Boulders.) For more urban refreshment, visit the eclectic shops and galleries in Sedona, where you can be pampered in a high-end resort or stay in a log cabin to take in the breathtaking scenery of Red Rock Country. When you’ve had your fill of the galleries and restaurants, get in the car and head toward the Grand Canyon. Take a river trip through the canyon; ride a mule to Phantom Ranch, which lies more than a mile below the rim of the canyon; or stay in a houseboat on Lake Powell. Straddling the Arizona-Utah border, the lake boasts golden cliffs, hanging gardens and blue waters. View Itinerary.

Lake Powell Photo Courtesy of IgoUgo Member Pat110.