There’s something about the 1970s that feels perfectly suited for a road trip. Maybe it’s the era’s embrace of wandering, or the fact that gas was still affordable enough to just drive for the joy of it.
While we can’t bring back bell-bottoms or convince radio stations to play more Fleetwood Mac, we can still find stretches of American highway that capture that classic ’70s road trip vibe. These routes offer a mix of natural beauty, quirky roadside attractions, and that unhurried pace that made the decade’s travel culture so appealing.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
California State Route 1 (Highway 1) between San Francisco and Los Angeles practically invented the California dream that dominated ’70s culture. You’ll pass through Big Sur’s dramatic coastline, where plenty of musicians and artists found inspiration during the decade’s creative boom.
The highway’s combination of ocean views and counterculture history makes it feel like you’re driving through a Joni Mitchell song.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
This scenic mountain route captures the back-to-nature movement that defined much of ’70s culture. The parkway winds through Appalachian landscapes that haven’t changed much since the decade when environmental awareness really took off.
You can still find the kind of quiet mountain communities and craft shops that attracted city dwellers looking for a simpler way of life.
Route 66 Through Arizona and New Mexico
The Mother Road’s southwestern stretch offers the perfect blend of desert mysticism and Native American culture that fascinated ’70s travelers. Detours to places like Sedona (from the Flagstaff area) and Taos (via northern New Mexico routes) became magnets for spiritual seekers during the decade, and they still maintain that searching, artistic atmosphere.
The wide-open spaces and dramatic red rock formations provide the kind of scenery that made people want to just keep driving.
U.S. Route 1 Through Maine
Maine’s rocky coastline and lobster shacks represent the kind of authentic Americana that ’70s road trippers craved. The route from Portland with a small detour via Route 3 to Bar Harbor takes you through fishing villages that seem frozen in time, complete with the kind of family-run restaurants and antique shops that were road trip staples.
There’s something about eating lobster rolls while watching fishing boats that feels wonderfully removed from modern life.
The Great River Road Along the Mississippi
Following the Mississippi through states like Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri captures the heartland exploration spirit of ’70s travel. The river towns along this route maintain the kind of unhurried pace and local character that made small-town America feel like a discovery.
You’ll find paddle-wheelers, historic downtowns, and the kind of friendly locals who still wave from their front porches.
Highway 12 Through Utah’s Red Canyon Country
Utah’s scenic byways through places like Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef offer the kind of geological wonders that inspired ’70s nature photography and outdoor adventure. The red rock formations and wide desert vistas create that sense of driving through an alien landscape that made the American West feel so exotic.
These roads still offer the solitude and natural beauty that drew people away from crowded cities.
The Oregon Coast Highway
Oregon’s coastal route from Astoria to Brookings along U.S. 101 captures the Pacific Northwest’s laid-back vibe that became synonymous with ’70s alternative culture. The combination of rugged coastline, small fishing towns, and dense forests creates an atmosphere that feels both wild and welcoming.
You’ll find the kind of local coffee shops and bookstores that made the region a haven for creative types.
The Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi to Tennessee
This historic route follows an old Native American trail and offers the kind of deep American history that fascinated ’70s travelers interested in the country’s roots. The parkway’s gentle curves through forests and historic sites create a meditative driving experience that encourages the kind of contemplation that road trips are really about.
It’s the perfect antidote to interstate highway driving.
Finding Your Own ’70s Vibe
The key to recreating that ’70s road trip feeling isn’t just about the destination, it’s about embracing the journey itself. Take the scenic routes, stop at local diners instead of chain restaurants, and don’t over-plan your itinerary.
The best ’70s-style road trips happen when you’re willing to follow interesting signs, strike up conversations with locals, and remember that sometimes the best discoveries come from simply staying curious about what’s around the next bend.
Wanna take the adventure to Europe? Check out our favorite road trips across Europe.