In the spirit of Columbus Day, consider your next adventure one of exploration across some of America’s famous highways. Discover the history and what awaits you on these unique roads from coast to coast.

Pacific Coast Highway

A visual smorgasbord of landscapes, the Pacific Coast highway spans the majority of the west coast, featuring harrowing turns and plunging cliffs. Plan your trip to be in time for the 57th Monterey Jazz Festival, stop off at Fisherman’s Wharf for dining and shopping, and head to Carmel-by-the-Sea and enjoy its parks, beaches, and aquarium. End the adventure in San Simeon and a tour of the 165-room Hearst Castle situated on 127 acres.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Another stunning drive takes you through the Appalachian Mountains and three states: Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. The Parkway offers panoramic views of the mountains, hiking trails, and scenic waterfalls. Stop at the overlooks and visit the many areas such as the Peaks of Otter, Craggy Gardens, Chimney Rock State Park, Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill, and the endangered Humpback Rocks. You’ll also have access to the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. Take the exit at Asheville, NC and spend the day at the 250-room Biltmore Estate, gardens, and winery built by George Washington Vanderbilt II from 1889-1895.

Route 66

With over 2400 miles to explore, Route 66 will keep you busy for days traveling through 8 states. The road dates to 1926 and begins in Chicago and ends in California. Along the way, stop at Meramec Caverns, the Painted Desert, parks, museums, and local attractions.

Have an adventure of a lifetime. Just like Columbus, explore places you’ve never seen. Unlike Columbus however, you’ll always have a safety net with Coach-Net providing 24/7 roadside assistance. So go forth and discover new and exciting destinations and really embrace your spirit of adventure!

Let us know where you love to go exploring! We may just feature it in a future blog- let us know in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Photographer: eGuide Travel (via Flickr Creative Commons)