TRIP: With the coronavirus hanging around, this might be a good year to think about a road trip rather than a traditional vacation.

Global travel site Big 7 Travel released a list of the 50 Most Scenic Drives in the U.S., and we’re happy to say that Pennsylvania’s Route 6 made number 5 on the list.

The drives were ranked based on their ‘roadtrip factor’, which includes natural scenery and sights of interest along the way, as well as input from our 1.5 million social audience.

Quite a few stunning drives trailed Route 6 on the list. Number 40 was the Covered Bridge Scenic Byway in Ohio. The road is 66 miles long and highlights include Rinard Bridge, Woodsfield and Graysville.

Number 15 is Denali Highway in Alaska, where 135 miles of Alaskan wilderness make up this incredible scenic journey. Denali Highway is home to all the Alaskan gems like wildlife, glacial lakes, thick forests and the rugged mountainside.

Number 7 is the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, where Skyline Drive connects to the northernmost section of the Parkway, but the full route is also a must-drive. The Blue Ridge Parkway makes its way through the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. This scenic drive winds along the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy some of the best mountain views in the world.

For US Route 6 in Pennsylvania, at Number 5, the site says it is perfect for touring by car, motorcycle, motorhome or camper. You’ll experience history and heritage, small towns, and wondrous sights along this 427-mile route. Fall here is magical, with colourful foliage in the 19 state parks, six state forests, and the Allegheny National Forest along the way.

The Number 1 most scenic drive is the Overseas Highway in Florida.

The travel site describes it as follows: “125 miles of US Route 1 runs over turquoise blue waters through the Florida Keys. This epic road links all of the keys together, making it perfect for island hopping and getting to know the Florida Caribbean better. Load up the car and hit one of the most unique and scenic roads in the United States that’s been called a “magic carpet” as it connects one gem of an island after another.”

The distance is 159 miles, and highlights include Marathon Key, Seven Mile Bridge, and Key Lime Pie Company.

The entire list, with photos, can be found online at https://bigseventravel.com/2020/07/most-scenic-road-trips-usa/